Name: Andrew Jolley

 

Where are you from: Mendlesham Suffolk

 

What do you do: Assistant Chief Executive Legal & Regulatory Services

 

Favourite local place and why: No single place, Bridgend County Borough is one of the few places that genuinely combines the beauty of the coast and countryside .

 

Where do you like to eat locally: Too many great places to mention.

 

If yo u like, tell us 1 thing about yourself / or tell us something interesting: I was on Blue Peter when I was 13 (still have the badge to prove it), played the cornet

Name: John Spanswick
Where are you from: Brackla (but originally from Nantymoel)
What do you do: Area Parks Manager at Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC (part -time) and also Cabinet Member Communities at Bridgend County Borough Council.
Favourite local place and why: Anywhere out and about on the mountains surrounding the county of Bridgend.
Where do you like to eat locally: Any good Chinese or Indian restaurant.
If you like, tell us 1 thing about yourself / or tell us something interesting: I am planning on undetaking a charity trek to the base camp of Mt. Everest in October this year. This will be my second attempt as 4 years ago I undertook the same trek and reached 5,000 metres when I had to turn back due to being severely dehydrated. Base camp is 5,500 metres and this time I am determined to make it.

Bridgend County Borough's newest local nature reserve has been officially designated.
Situated in the centre of a highly developed part of Brackla, Tremains Wood is a popular and well-used area of ancient semi-natural woodland that is several hundred years old.
The area appears on maps dating back to 1799 and 1875 and is home to trees such as Ash, Oak, Elm and Field Maple, fungi such as King Alfred's Cake and ancient woodland indicator plants including Cuckoo Pint, Dog's Mercury, Enchanter's Nightshade and Yellow Archangel.
Listed in the Ancient Woodland Inventory for Glamorgan, Tremains Wood is situated close to three local schools and is regularly used for educational purposes.
Managed by the council's Countryside Team, work will be carried out to enhance the reserve and create better access for leisure and educational use. The Countryside team will seek to work closely with Brackla Community Council and local community in managing the woodland including woodland management and litter picking. Through this work it is hoped that there will be a greater appreciation of Tremains Wood and its importance as a green lung for the Brackla area and wildlife
The team will also be able to monitor the effects of climate change on the wood and carry out research to help the reserve meet any future challenges.
Councillor John Spanswick, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "Tremains Wood is a much-loved local amenity and is well used by the residents of Brackla and beyond. Its new status as a local nature reserve will ensure its future and allow it to be enjoyed by many generations to come."
Ends - for more information, contact Media and External Communications Officer Liam Ronan on (01656) 643217. Email: [email protected] Website: www.bridgend.gov.uk