Nature
Eco Hub Aber has been setting up allotments and community growing spaces along with building links with local environmental groups to raise awareness, highlight nature concerns that requires volunteers ‘call to action’ or to simply enjoy the benefits and beauty of Nature bathing in and around the Aberystwyth area for relaxation and health benefits.
Nanteos Allotments
A massive part of our ethos is supporting people to access nature, increase biodiversity, connect with others whilst reducing food costs and of course build up our own food growing resilience during these uncertain times.
We made grow-your-own and creating new allotments one of our highest priorities.
In winter 2025 with a dedicated core team of volunteers we turned this land from a dull grassland with invasive creeping buttercups to a luscious fertile area for food production with 38 growing strips.
These plots are tended by 15 allotmenteers, a multi-generational community – sharing growing tips, produce and help to make this space a bountiful walled garden filled full of colour, food for the table and a veritable nectar palette for the pollinators and wildlife.
We have sociable gatherings, sharing dishes from the plots and yummy autumnal soups following work sessions maintaining the shared woodchip paths.
This year there will be drawing and art classes, to unlock your inner calm – enjoy being in nature, looking at how incredibly beautiful when immersed in it and you have a chance to slow down.
Fferm Penglais Allotments
We are working with the University on creating new allotments at the students
Learning Gardens, Fferm Penglais. Aberystwyth residents will soon have the
chance to grow their own food at this Aberystwyth University location.
We have been supported by funding from Ceredigion County Council and
Partneriaeth Bwyd Ceredigion.
This first phase we are looking to create over 20 growing strips.
People interested in securing a plot here or offering time volunteering to set
up this community resource, please contact us : ecohubaber@gmail.com
Eco hub Aber recognised the need for people to grow in the area from a report
we conducted spring 2023. **** REPORT
It is essential during these times that we face the challenges around
biodiversity loss and learn/to grow our own food during these times of
uncertainty.
Currently we are preparing the site with Andy Bakewell and Arbore that have
done amazing work rabbit proofing the perimeters.
It is a lovely south facing aspect and has already proved to be a productive
growing space with the WW2 allotments and Medieval Physics Gardens.
Fferm Penglais Allotments will include composting facilities, harvested and
mains water, picnic benches and a storage areas for tools etc
We have been awarded a Keep Wales Tidy grant through Social Farms and
Gardens supporting our nature friendly community gardening. To include
native fruit trees and bushes, wildlife pond, potted shrubs, bulbs and herbs,
wildflower turfs, compost, tools, topsoil, compost… We are so looking forward
to seeing how these allotments unfold and become an oasis of calm and food
production for people to enjoy and be nourished mentally, physically and
sociably.
Treegeneration
We are pleased to be working with Treegeneration who are supporting our nature projects. Rob hot desks at Eco Hub Aber two days a week. He is a “semi-techie” environmentalist with experience in urban permaculture, local economic development, and open source web development. His main interest at the moment is developing Treegeneration.uk, which is an innovative crowdfunding platform designed to generate income for wildlife projects and support local independent retailers at the same time.
SWIFTS
Eco Hub Aber has formed links with the Dyfi Biosphere Swift Project (EcoDyfi) and Elfyn Pugh came to the eco hub with his swift stall to tell us how we can help swifts out of decline. A bird that was common site around the harbour in Aberystwyth
Tragically, swift numbers have dropped dramatically in recent years, with a 58% decrease since 1995. In 2021, swifts were added to the UK Red List, meaning they are now classified with the highest level of conservation concern. We could see the disappearance of swifts from Britain in our lifetime, which would be an utter tragedy.
Swifts are affected by climate change, but also a lack of suitable nest sites, with newer buildings leaving no room for them to build their nests. Swift boxes or swift bricks, which have been designed to allow space for them to lay their eggs, are a way of giving them a helping hand.
If you would like a swift box installed on your property, or wish to donate or volunteer, please contact us and lets get this iconic bird back in Aberystwyth.
