Posted on Friday 11th May 2012
A volunteer's daughter welcomes the new arrivals
Llantrisant Castle has welcomed its first residents in more than 700 years!
The scheduled ancient monument, owned by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has adopted an innovative new scheme to keep its surroundings free from ivy and undergrowth.
This week members of the local community welcomed Bee, Nectar and Pollen – three Welsh goats to their new home in the shadow of the ruined Raven’s Tower - and visitors can see the four-legged trio as part of the brand new Llantrisant Heritage Trail.|
Simply download the trail on to your phone or MP3 player and, with the accompanying map, enjoy a fascinating foot tour of this wonderful town.
The trio, who will spend nine months of the year in Llantrisant, were shown around their prestigious new home by a dozen local volunteers who have pledged to ensure their care and upkeep on a daily basis.
The goats have their own purpose-built shelter in the original enclosure of the 13th century castle, where King Edward II was said to have been imprisoned overnight.
Daily a volunteer will visit the Castle to ensure there are plenty of water supplies, supplementing the feeding with protein pellets, raking out and refreshing straw in the goats’ shelter and ensure their over all health and wellbeing.
It will also allow the many thousands of visitors who flock to Llantrisant per year to view the lively new residents for themselves.
Gareth Rees, the Council’s Acting Service Director for Planning Resources and Community Learning explained, “With the support of the local community we feel the introduction of goats to the Llantrisant Castle will provide an opportunity to keep the overgrowth manageable and under control.
“The Council has made significant investment in removing ivy from the Castle and we want to maintain this area so that tourists and residents can continue to enjoy views of the ruins without further unwanted vegetation affecting the area.
“It also provides another reason for the many thousands of visitors to Llantrisant to come here – by paying special attention to the three new residents of the historic site.”
Commanding a breathtaking setting in the County Borough landscape, Llantrisant’s splendour lies in its enchanting beauty add celebrated past. The magnificent hilltop fortress town has witnessed a colourful history and been home to many notable figures from pioneers of cremation, Lord Mayor’s of London, Archdruids and eccentric visionaries.
The ancient hilltop town offers a unique visitor’s attraction with many specialised boutiques, eateries and plenty of local history to delve into.
Due to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s successful audio trail initiative funded by the Valleys Regional Park with support from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, the county borough’s rich heritage is being celebrated more than ever before.
Llantrisant, Pontypridd and Aberdare are three of the regions already benefiting from the scheme which is building on the success of the Council’s widely-acclaimed Blue Plaque Heritage Trail projects.
The Council appointed Audiotrails.co.uk to produce of a number of audio tours which customers can download from a specialist Heritage Trail website.
Using commentaries by local historians, they will follow a route and listen through an MP3 player or one of the new ‘Smartphones’ to information about each point as they get to it.
For information on the heritage of the area and tours that can be followed visit the Heritage Trails Web Pages |