NATUREWISE Community Forest Garden is up and running at its new Parc Teifi site.

The five-acre forest garden site was officially opened by Cardigan mayor Cllr Shan Williams on Saturday (July 13).

It marked the end of a two-year journey for Alpay Torgut, who runs Cardigan Eco shop at Pwllhai, and hopes the forest garden will have a huge impact on the local community.

“This is the fourth first garden project I have been involved in and all have given so much back to the community,” said Alpay.

“We can all contribute to make a difference in the world either as individuals or when we come together as a group.

“We should respect and care for the earth and these gardens are all about learning from nature, increasing biodiversity and getting people involved. It is a great opportunity to get involved at the beginning of the project and see how it evolves.”

Cllr Williams said: “How things have moved on in the last 24 months when all seemed lost and you left the site you had worked so hard to create.

“But every cloud has a silver lining and this cloud has a golden lining and you now have a permanent home and it is all down to hard work and dedication.”

The land has been transferred to Naturewise Community Interest Company by the Welsh Government in a community asset transfer for the benefit of the community and reflects the principles of the Well-Being of Future Generations Act.

The forest garden will eventually be full of fruit and nut trees, fruit bushes and ground cover plants like herbs and strawberries.

It will provide food you can pick yourself, as well as providing a wildlife habitat and will be a wonderful place for local people to visit and enjoy, including local schools. Planting will take place this winter.

The new community hub building at the site is a beautiful roundhouse built of natural materials by Ty Pren.