Gardening volunteer

“I’ve been volunteering since joining the ‘Nature’s Nurture’ gardening course June 2025

“I have lived in Abergwili for 29 years and seen how the park has developed and grown over the past few years. I have always been an outdoor person and used to enjoy pottering about in the garden. Due to ill health, I am unable to carry out activities like I used to. The Nature’s Nurture course gave me support, encouragement and confidence moving forward.

“Bishop’s Park is part of my community, and I enjoy being involved in the volunteering role. I like to be outdoors in the relaxed atmosphere, where I can be involved in hands on activities. I am re-learning skills meeting and chatting with new people and giving back to the community for the help which I’ve received.

“Since the age of 10, I’ve lived in Bronwydd, Carmarthen and Abergwili. My wife and I have 2 grown up sons, with families. I enjoy football, being outdoors, rambling and spending time with the grandchildren. Since retiring from my role as an information analyst in the NHS, my health has declined and I have had to re-learn skills and make many adaptations following a head injury. I need prompting and encouragement but am always up for a new challenge.”

Gardening volunteer

“I’ve been volunteering in the park since joining the ‘Nature’s Nurture’ gardening course June 2025

“I live in Abergwili and saw the Nature’s Nurture on the noticeboard. I have never seen myself as a gardener but thought that it would be very beneficial for my husband who has had a life-changing head injury and is going through a process of rehabilitation. It was also an opportunity to promote wellbeing for us both.

“I enjoy seeing my husband taking part in activities which we thought were not for him. It is so good for both of our health and wellbeing, to be immersed in the tranquillity of nature, with support and guidance. I am beginning to enjoy the gardening routine and being involved in doing something useful with like-minded people.

“I love to be outdoors in nature. After over 20 years working as a paediatric nurse, I stepped out of my career, working in retail and then as a shop assistant for 5 years in Dinefwr Park. It was such a good experience to appreciate the calm and surroundings and to reflect on what is important in life. I returned to NHS as an auxiliary nurse for a further 13 years. But following my husband’s ill-health, I have given up work and concentrate on what is important for our health and wellbeing.”

Gardening volunteer

“I have been volunteering at the park since July 2019

“I worked for a national museum and originally offered to be a trustee here. I changed my mind and decided to do some gardening instead.

“Some would swear that volunteering as a gardener has given them the chance to reconnect with nature on a visceral, primordial level, to find their true inner self and heal the discord in their psyche. Others might attest that the physical and mental stimulation helps delay the cold, clammy hand of death from resting on their shoulder. Me, I’d say it gets me out of the house for a few hours.

“I worked in London for the British Museum and the National Gallery for about 25 years. Took early retirement and live locally with my partner and dog.”

Gardening volunteer

“I have been involved since around 2018

“I got involved initially via Archaeological Dig in 2017, and heard about the garden project a short time later.

“I enjoy working in a natural setting and being busy with well planned tasks. This is good for my mental health and my self-esteem.

“When I am not volunteering here, I am a model railway enthusiast and volunteer at Ty Hafan most Saturdays.”

Gardening volunteer, nature recording and birdwatching.

“I started volunteering at Bishop’s Park in April 2022

“I live in the village next to the Park which I have visited and walked around on many occasions over the decades.

“I enjoy meeting my fellow colleagues/volunteers and working in the garden with them. The work is physical and helps keep me fit. Also, it’s a good excuse to leave the house!

“I retired from full time work at Glangwili Hospital over five and a half years ago. After that, I started volunteering in the garden of Newton House, owned by the Dinefwr National Trust near Llandeilo, in the orchard of Abergwili village and archaeology excavations with Heneb (Dyfed).

“In addition to the above, I enjoy hill and mountain-walking and I’m a keen birdwatcher.”

Gardening volunteer at the park for approximately 5 years.

“I have walked children and dogs in the park for over 40 years. On retirement I was looking for a volunteering role and spoke to Piers Lunt (former Head Gardener). I enjoy working outdoors and meeting people. Volunteering here is good for the soul.”

We have really enjoyed having Ben and Connie here this year. It has given us more capacity to do our work, an additional set of skills and, most importantly, a fresh perspective.

At the start of their placement, Connie and Ben were asked to consider how we could better engage with young people. As well as assisting us in a variety of activities, from gardening to interviewing visitors, to supporting in meetings and school sessions, Ben has produced a draft marketing plan for engaging young people and Connie has produced a draft script for an interpretive tour which we hope will speak to people from primary school age upwards.

We have learned from them that providing work experience placements for young people is, in itself, a great way to involve them. They have given us excellent ideas for capturing the imagination of a different range of people and stimulating interest in the park’s heritage and history.

Here’s what Connie and Ben have to say about the experience:

Connie: “I am a 22 year old Public History and Heritage Master’s student from Swansea University.  I have just finished my placement at Parc Yr Esgob, and I have had such an amazing time.

“Before I joined Parc Yr Esgob I was worried that I did not know enough about the heritage industry to find a job after I graduated, but through my time here I have learnt so much and I am so much more confident in every aspect of the heritage sector. I have learnt a lot about the importance of volunteers, how to engage visitors, and the role of interpretation. I have also found a passion for engaging young people in heritage, which I hope to carry forward into my future career.

“I enjoyed my time at Parc Yr Esgob greatly, and I am incredibly grateful for everyone there for everything I have learnt.”

Ben: “I have had a great experience at Parc Yr Esgob during my 100-hour placement. My placement at Parc yr Esgob has been invaluable, as it has given me experience of what it is like to work at a heritage site and the skills necessary to do so, as before I volunteered at the park, I had no true understanding of how heritage sites are run and what it is like to work in one.

“My time at the park has enhanced my communication, leadership, and marketing skills, and it has been a joy to work alongside the volunteers and staff at the park. I have really enjoyed my time at the park, and I thank all the staff and volunteers who have made my time at the park so pleasant. I recommend anyone interested in history and desires a job in the heritage sector to volunteer at the park, for you will surely enjoy it.”

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.