Return Journey at Clyne Farm

It is a beautiful sunny day and the views from Clyne Farm on the common above Mayals were spectacular.

As the Farm's website says, the Clyne area is made up of woodland, enclosed farmland and open common, and encompasses Clyne Farm, Clyne Woods (now known as Clyne Valley Country Park), Clyne Castle, and Clyne Common.

The name “Clyne Farm” first appeared on a map in 1760. It is thought, however, that the area was used for farmland much earlier. The farm was created by enclosing together various detached parcels of land and buildings. The current Clyne Farm Farmhouse and surrounding farm buildings are thought to have been constructed between 1779 and 1784.

In 1971 The Keeper's Cottage was bought by the Haden Family as their family home. After a devastating bracken fire, The Keeper’s Cottage was extended to create Barn Owl Lodge. These two cottages are now offered as self-catering properties. In 1988 the Coombe Tennant family decided to sell Clyne Farm and it was bought by their nearest neighbours, the Haden family.

The Haden family renovated the farm to create Clyne Farm Activity Centre, offering bunk bed accommodation and outdoor activities, including horse riding, to mainly school and youth groups. The Centre opened in 1989.

Over the years the main farm site has been adapted to accommodate more families and groups. The farm and its estate including Keeper's Cottage and Barn Owl Lodge are now simply known as Clyne Farm Centre.

Today's event was billed as a return journey as it was seeking to encourage those who have worked and stayed at the farm to return on its 30th anniversary and my job was to officially open it.

The owners are planning to make it an annual event celebrating Swansea's diverse history of arts and culture, and today's extravaganza included the Swansea Sings choir, Swansea Ukelele Band, Minnesota Module, Lazeeza belly dancers and a selection of local artists who are providing free workshops for painting, poetry, creative writing and bushcraft.

There were also local craft and food stalls and live music from the Orange Circus Band, John Davies and Nick James, Steve Balsamo and Andy Collins and Lost Tuesday Society. Alas, we had to leave before these artists started their performance.