Blaen Bran is a beautiful place 

In all seasons

With fine views

and History
(remains of Blaen Bran Farm)

(Boundary Stone)

and wildlife.

But There are problems....

illegal motorcycling being the most serious. Besides the noise and danger motorcycling causes serious damage in the forest and the surrounding areas

Here we see damage caused by motorcycles in the reservoir area

Damage to mountain paths

and in the woods

This gully was a grass path a few years ago, motorcycles erode the soil and then the paths become water courses in heavy rain and erode further.

Here we see motorcycle damage in the Torfaen Picnic Area

and the mountain again, just above the woods

Recently smaller bikes are being lifted over the gates by the chapel in The Square

or through the kissing gates.

Cars used to by dumped in the forest and burnt out

but then Torfaen Council blocked off the access from the Mountain Air side

although fences have been cut for motorcycles

Cars are now burnt out outside the area, here at one of the boundary walls to the forest

and here in the culvert below the reservoir

and the stream below. It is difficult to understand how they drove here

Fences have been cut to allow access for motorcycles

but in some cases gates, posts and whole lengths of fencing have been stolen, not the work of children or vandals

Broken fences are serious because they allow sheep to get in to damage the young trees

Litter is also a major problem, youngsters go to the forest to camp or drink, here is one of the popular areas, very pleasant

but it is strewn with litter, no-one seems to take their rubbish home, bottles are smashed and tins are thrown into the undergrowth

or into the stream along with trainers, jackets, sleeping bags and assorted other rubbish

Then there are the fires.... Hundreds are lit each spring with matches and petrol, every patch of dried bracken is a target, sometimes they burn out without much damage, except to wildlife

Some damage fences

or young trees

They waste an awful lot of time and money

Here a fire has been lit in the forest as the firemen work in the picnic area.

This was  a serious blaze on the mountain one evening. Although those that lit the fire were still in the area police refuse to attend unless they are called by the fire brigade.

Here we see fire damage to scots pines.

This beech has been killed by a fire

There is lots of dead wood about, windfalls and trimmings

This is normally left to rot and is good for the wildlife but it is tempting for the arsonists,

but the place is beautiful if you can avoid the bikes and the fires

We need your support to make it our wood for our community!