This is the return of the random ramblings of the Estate Manager. The aim is to provide brief insights into the many varied aspects of the Trust’s work across the Elan Estate. 

August has been a busy month. The estate has tourists brimming with sunshine smiles whilst the land looks parched and more akin to the seaside than the countryside. We have been forced to put up signs prohibiting fires and BBQ as the risk of further wildfires is far too great. Just last week saw Gwastedyn hill outside Rhayader ablaze.  

This summer we have been busy searching for new tenants for a couple of estate farms and sheepwalks. It has been a long process, but we feel it is paramount to get the right person for the right holding – which hopefully we have. Thanks is due to those who have worked these holdings over the years, and we look forward to welcoming all four new tenants who are new entrants and bring a mixture of experience and backing. The next month will see the paperwork and handover process take place – so lots of counting sheep! It’s also exciting to see more cattle being introduced as they can play a vital part in conservation measures here.     

It’s the time of year when the sheep have been shorn and we look to make our hay. We have a number of traditional hay meadows including the Radnorshire Coronation meadow. During early summer they are abundant with flowers and invertebrates, whilst now, at cutting, the seed heads have had a chance to form and drop their load. Cutting the grass for hay is a vital part of the meadow cycle. We are also then able to utilise the dried grass (hay) to feed our cattle during the long winter months. Sustaining the cattle over winter means we have the conservation grazers in the summer to tackle the ever-challenging bracken slopes and Molinia dominated landscape.  

As the month draws to a close, we look to our autumn tasks. Cattle to move, sheep to gather and peat restoration to begin. More on that next time.