Plant growers and retailers from across West Wales joined volunteers and staff at Parc yr Esgob (Bishop’s Park), Abergwili, to deliver a highly successful Spring Plant Fair on Saturday 9 May.

The event featured 12 stalls offering a wide range of horticultural and botanical products, including vegetable seedlings, flowering plants, dried flowers, and reclaimed garden fixtures and fittings. Visitors also enjoyed a live performance from the Rock Choir, who entertained the crowd with uplifting and well‑known rock songs, alongside demonstrations from Carmarthen Spinners, Weavers and Dyers.

Head Gardener Blue Barnes‑Thomas welcomed the success of this fundraising event: “Parc yr Esgob is managed by a charitable trust, and it costs £300 a day to maintain. These funds are much needed for the upkeep of the park, to keep it safe and beautiful for community and visitors, and to manage the habitats that support a wide range of wildlife.”

Organisers extended their thanks to all the volunteers, performers, and stallholders who helped make the day such a great success.

Supporters who wish to contribute to the ongoing care of Parc yr Esgob can donate via:
https://parcyresgob.org.uk/support-us/donate/

Our 6 historical costume volunteers have created a range of costumes inspired by some of the ancient stories included in the Mabinogi.

On May 11 we opened our doors to the public (actually it was the doors of our marquee, which was pitched on the lawn!) for them to view the costumes.

We provided basic information about the costumes, the characters and their places within the stories.  The volunteers were joined by members of Carmarthen Spinners, Weavers and Dyers.

In the afternoon, we invited pupils from Ysgol Wirfoddol Abergwili (Abergwili Voluntary Controlled County Primary School), who loved hearing about the costumes. Volunteer Helen read the story of Blodeuwedd to the children and Engagement Officer Anne May read the story about how Lleu Llaw Gyffes won his name.  The children asked many many questions….

Trustees and staff at Parc yr Esgob (Bishop’s Park) will be using the name “Parc yr Esgob Trust” as the public working name for the charity from April 2026, although The Tywi Gateway Trust remains  our legally constituted title.

Betsan Caldwell, Trust chair explained “We wanted to improve name recognition of Parc yr Esgob and the trust which manages it amongst visitors, partners and others, and our new working name aligns us with our mission much more clearly.”

The change will not affect the trust’s constitution or trading information but all marketing material, social media sites and staff e-mail addresses will feature the new working name.

Engaging young people with heritage can be difficult, so we were delighted to welcome Rosie for 4 days of work experience in February 2026.

This is Rosie’s Blog:

Day 1

The day started with a quick tour of the parkland, beginning outside the Carmarthenshire museum in Jenkinson’s Garden, which I learned would once have been used to grow herbs and medicinal plants for the bishop’s house. The surrounding park and woodland garden contain a variety of large and beautiful trees, ranging from sequoias to huge beeches, which dominate a lot of the woodland. I was also shown the wetland meadow and Bishop’s pond, which I found very exciting – it’s really an oxbow lake (something I had never seen but learnt about in school), an SSSI, and an otter habitat!

I also spent some time in the polytunnel potting plants grown from cuttings around the park – it’s nice to think that in a few months’ time they’ll be thriving outside, in a small way because of me.

Day 2

Went on a quick walk first thing, just noticing things and taking photographs of fungi around the park

Met the rest of the volunteering team, everyone was so inviting and lovely, we split into groups, and we went to plant wildflowers to make the lawn more diverse. I found that working in a team meant that you learnt from others – I learnt a mushroom I’d found earlier was called Turkey Tail.

We had lunch (including cake!), and after I had finished the wildflower planting, I weeded some flower beds and dug out some molehills, finding that even though it was cold outside, I kept warm by working.

I finished the day seed packaging so they could be sold in the shop – amazed at how varied seeds are, calendula seeds look like octopus tentacles!

Day 3

I started by sowing seeds. Something I really enjoyed learning to do properly especially that I might come back in the summer and see plants growing.

For most of the day I took a camera and took photographs of anything that I found interesting in the park, there’s so much more to see in the winter than you’d expect! Highlights were crimson elf cup mushrooms, fiery coloured dogwoods, slime mould on a log and a beautiful flowering fruit tree.

Had lunch with a different group of volunteers, enjoyed chatting and learning about and from the new people, and then packaged some different seeds.

Sat in on a meeting about the projects in progress at the park, like the walled garden project which sounds like it’ll be really cool and came to understand the amount of management and coordination that it takes to run the park.

Day 4 – Final day

Took tools and cut down a load of invasive non-native laurel from along the banks of the oxbow lake, and further up into the woodland, which meant I got a nice look at the lake, and had fun scrambling about on the steep sides to get to the laurels.

Helped to unload a delivery of trees that will be planted in the woodland and on the lake banks – the categorising of which allowed me to learn to identify some species of tree saplings, including my favourite – hawthorn trees.

Finished laurel cutting and then had lunch in the café (Very nice food!)

After, I visited the museum, that despite not having all floors open had lots to look at and learn about. I was very excited for the Egyptian exhibit – and it did not disappoint! Took lots of photos of artifacts, art and information in books that I’ll pore over later.

To end my time volunteering, I replenished the stock of plants to sell in the shop.

I’ve had a fantastic time volunteering in Bishop’s park, and I feel like I’ve got to know lots of the people that work and volunteer here and learnt a lot from them. I feel like I have contributed at least a bit to a special and unique landscape and now have more understanding in what it takes to care for a parkland and woodland environment. The most important thing I have learnt is that no matter what you’re interested in, there will be something for you to obsess over in Bishop’s Park, or something more for you to learn.

Thank you for letting me volunteer!

Engaging young people with heritage can be difficult. Working with students from Swansea University helps us understand how to do that better.

This is Connie’s story.

“Hi! My name is Connie.  I’m a 21-year-old Public History and Heritage Master’s student at Swansea University, and I’m doing my work placement at Parc Yr Esgob. I am originally from Surrey, but I have been in Swansea for nearly four years now as I also did my undergraduate degree at Swansea University. I am very passionate about making history accessible, and enabling everyone to understand both local and non-local history, something I believe the Park greatly succeeds in. I particularly feel that making Welsh heritage accessible for everyone is an important part of preserving cultural identity within the smaller communities as well for the country as a whole.

I am looking to build a career in the heritage sector, and I’m looking forward to being presented with a well-rounded experience of the Park’s area of the sector and all it has to offer. In particular, I would like to learn about how the team at Parc Yr Esgob engages the public, and about horticultural heritage, an area I have not previously explored.

I’m really excited for this opportunity to begin as I am looking forward to discovering everything I can learn from my time at Parc Yr Esgob, as well as what I can learn about the history of the park and the people there. I hope to positively contribute to the development of such a significant part of the local history.”

Welcome Connie!

The photo shows Connie supporting Education Officer Gemma on a school visit.

Engaging young people with heritage can be difficult. Working with students from Swansea University helps us understand how to do that better.

This is Ben’s story.

“Hi, my name is Ben and I am a 23-year-old History Master’s student at Swansea University.  I have selected Parc Yr Esgob for my work placement. I am from Swansea, where I have lived for most of my life, apart from spending a year studying in the United States, which gave me the opportunity to experience how heritage is explored in a different culture. I have a real passion for Welsh history, particularly the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and I am especially interested in how local history helps to connect communities to places and environments around them.

I am hoping to build a career in the heritage sector, and by volunteering at Parc yr Esgob I aim to develop practical skills and the experience needed to do so. Through my time at the Park, I hope to learn more about its rich history, contribute to its ongoing development, assist with conservation work, and support efforts to make the site more accessible.

I am really looking forward to volunteering at the Park to learn new skills, meet new people and help to  introduce a wider community to the history of the Bishops of St Davids and the Park, while also playing a small part in ensuring this important site can be enjoyed by future generations.”

Welcome Ben!

The photo shows Ben working as part of the Horticultural Volunteer team.

If you are a regular visitor to Bishop’s Park or have recently visited us here, please take 2 minutes to complete our visitor survey. It will help us better understand and improve our visitors’ experience.

You can access the survey through this link https://forms.office.com/e/DhSCuJ6J9w.

Thank you.

Offer Details

This National Lottery Open Week, Parc yr Esgob is celebrating the hidden histories and unknown spaces in our wonderful park and gardens which we are bringing back into life.

As a thank you to National Lottery players, we’re opening our doors and inviting you to uncover the lesser-known stories, spaces and structures that your support is helping us to discover, uncover and restore.  We hope you’ll enjoy a special moment here on 11 March.

Our offer is for:

• Botanical Bingo for National Lottery Players, 1.30pm on 11 March 2026
• National Lottery Players’ Head Gardener’s Tour, 2.30pm on 11 March 2026
• Hidden Histories Tour for National Lottery Players, 3.30pm on 11 March 2026

Tickets are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.  All tickets to be booked via Eventbrite.

Please visit www.parcyresgob.org.uk to find out a little more; and to check out directions, travel, accessibility and parking information.   We look forward to welcoming you!

How to take part

Book your ticket on Eventbrite using the links above.  Bring your National Lottery ticket, Scratchcard, or Instant Win Game to show that you are a National Lottery Player, so you can enjoy free entry to one of our free activities.  Simply present your activity ticket and your National Lottery ticket to a member of our team at reception and make the most of your visit!

If you’re showing a ticket on your phone, please download it before you arrive.

Places are very limited, so please book well ahead on Eventbrite, and make sure you have a place on your chosen activity before you travel.

The activities will be outside so please wear warm clothing and stout shoes.  If the weather is extreme, we will move the activities inside to our Learning Room.

We will stay on the wide, accessible paths and there is an accessible toilet and nearby car park.

Please visit https://parcyresgob.org.uk to find out a little more; and to check out directions, travel, accessibility and parking information.   We look forward to welcoming you!

Terms and conditions

Parc yr Esgob will be taking part in National Lottery Open Week with a special offer of Free Entry to Tours and Botanical Bingo on 11 March 2026

This offer is on 11 March 2026 only.

Booking in advance via Eventbrite is required and spaces are limited.

Bring your National Lottery ticket, Scratchcard, or Instant Win Game with you. Simply present it to a member of staff at reception, with your activity ticket and make the most of your visit!

If you’re showing a ticket on your phone, please download it before you arrive.

One National Lottery ticket (physical or digital), Scratchcard, or Instant Win Game will give 1 person free admission to one activity on 11 March.  National Lottery tickets are non-transferable at the point of entry. Eligible National Lottery games include all draw-based Games, Scratchcards and Instant Win Games.

The date of purchase of the National Lottery game and the date of any draw are not relevant to eligibility.

Admission to buildings is during regular opening hours only (9am-5pm).

Present both your booking confirmation and your ticket in reception on arrival. Free admission will only be accepted with both a booking confirmation and ticket.

This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and has no cash value.
This offer is non-transferable between visitors.

Personal data supplied during this promotion will only be processed as set out in our privacy policy.

All offers are subject to availability.

Parc yr Esgob has the right to refuse entry in the event of venue / offer reaching capacity, as well as unforeseen circumstances.

In the event of queries on the day, the organisation’s decision is final.

This offer is not exchangeable.