‘Worst he’s seen in 33 years’ – Council appeals for witnesses after 70 trees vandalised in Swansea park

The council has described the damage as the worst example of tree vandalism a staff member has seen in 33 years of service. The issue has been reported to South Wales Police and the council is urging anyone with information to come forward.

Almost all the new trees planted in the much-loved community park over the last 15 years have been attacked. Parks staff discovered last week that the trees had been hacked at with a knife or small bladed tool, with the bark stripped away by pulling.

Among the damaged trees were cherry trees donated to Swansea by the Japanese consulate in Wales.

Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community Services at Swansea Council, condemned the attack, calling it an “insult to the local community.”

“Someone will know who did this and I’d urge them to come forward and report it to police. They can do it anonymously if they want,” he said.

“The extent of the damage to so many trees would have taken a long time with a concerted effort, going tree to tree both sides of the paths and off into the centre of muddy fields. Cherry trees donated to Swansea by the Japanese consulate in Wales were not spared. It’s just very shaming.”

He added:

“This kind of damage is shocking and an insult to the local community that’s seen these trees grow and thrive.”

Parc Llewelyn recently celebrated the opening of an upgraded play area, making it a popular destination for families in the area.

Anyone with information is asked to report it to the police, quoting crime reference number 2600037943.

Also booked for Out Loud - Try It Loud Adult #Dance Taster Night which is at the Dani Dee studio in #Plasmarl.
It's on the 6th Feb from 5:30pm until 9pm and I'll have to go straight from work so I'll already be knackered. Looks fun - though hopefully I'm not too old!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/out-loud-try-it-loud-adult-dance-taster-night-tickets-1979858240293

#Swansea #Abertawe #StreetDance #StepDance

Three arrested after teenager hospitalised in Plasmarl

The incident that occurred in Mysydd Road, Plasmarl, in Swansea at around 9.45 pm on Wednesday, December 31, has been described by South Wales Police as part of a series of incidents of disorder involving one group of young men.

The 17-year-old boy from Clase was taken to hospital with injuries described as “very serious”. The force has said his family is currently being supported by specialist officers after the attack. Four teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of affray.

These include a 17-year-old boy from Cwmrhydyceirw, Swansea, an 18-year-old man from Morriston, Swansea, a 17-year-old boy from Clase and a 17-year-old boy from Treboeth. 

A spokesman for South Wales Police said:

“Officers attended Mysydd Road, Plasmarl, Swansea, at around 9:45 pm yesterday (Wednesday, December 31) following a report of a disturbance.

“A 17-year-old boy from Clase, Swansea, has been taken to hospital with very serious injuries.

“His family is being supported by specially trained officers.

“Four others – a 17-year-old boy from Cwmrhydyceirw, Swansea, an 18-year-old man from Morriston, Swansea, a 17-year-old boy from Clase, and a 17-year-old boy from Treboeth have been arrested on suspicion of affray in connection with this incident.”

Speaking on the incident Torsten Bell, MP for Swansea West, said: 

“This is a very disturbing incident, spreading disorder at a time when people should be able to celebrate in peace. 

“I’m grateful to the emergency workers who responded at the scene and are now working hard to look after a young man with very serious injuries. My heartfelt thoughts go out to his family at this incredibly painful time. 

“I would urge anyone with information about this incident to speak to the police as soon as they can.”

Detective Inspector Katherine Barry added:

“This was a series of incidents of disorder involving one group of young men.

“We are aware that posts about this incident have been shared widely on social media.

“Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact South Wales Police on 101 quoting occurrence 2500412140.”

[Lead image: Google Street View]

Former ‘worst’ team in the UK Cwm Albion FC Reserves reach cup final for the first time in 26 years

The team, who lost all their games and racked up a staggering -191 goal difference in the Swansea Senior League Division 4 just two seasons ago, haven’t been anywhere near a final since 1999, so it’s a remarkable turnaround for the 100-year old side.

It’s good news elsewhere at Cwm Albion too, as the 1st team are also in contention for silverware this May. Next week they will compete in the final of the Maes-Y-Gollen Cup, marking a historic double for the club.

At the start of its 2023/24 campaign, Cwm Albion reserves were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by Specsavers to turn their fortunes around, following a nationwide search to find a club in desperate need of help.

“To be honest, at the very start of our last season we were at our lowest point that I can remember,” reflects Dan Gill, Manager of Cwm Albion FC. “Then the Specsavers Best Worst Team campaign gave us that push that we needed, helped us get more players wanting to join, and we’re winning more, scoring more and conceding less.”

“To think of where we were a couple of seasons ago – winning zero games, getting battered every week, finishing bottom of the table by a country mile – to now being in the top half of the table and in two cup finals… we’re just unrecognisable,” the manager adds.

In 1999, Cwm Albion played Gors FC in a nail-biting cup final that ended in a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat. Among the starting lineup was Colin Gill, father of current manager Dan Gill, who still plays for Cwm today.

Speaking about the full-circle moment that spans nearly three decades, Colin said: “We have a bigger squad now for a start! We couldn’t get a full team on the pitch before, and now we have two teams every week.”

“We had about 50-odd lads get in touch wanting to join after last season. The atmosphere is so different – we used to just turn up, and now I hate being the one to break the news that a game has been called off because the team are just gutted.”

The Cwm Albion reserves team includes Shayne Prior, who commutes nearly 200 miles from London to play in the squad.

Colin adds: “Shayne has played for us for six or seven years now and travels down near enough every week just to play for us. We had our semi-final on a Tuesday night, so Shayne took a half day off work, drove down to be in the squad, and drove straight back to London after we got the win.”

The Cwm Albion FC reserves are taking on Port Tennant Colts in the Reserve Cup at 12.30 on 11th May at Llandarcy Park Stadium Pavillion Complex, before the 1st team play Talycopa in the Meas-Y-Gollen Cup on 15th May.

Colin sums up the club’s achievement: “Win or lose, we’ll be celebrating either way, but both teams are focused on winning to close off the season. Just getting to this point has been a massive milestone.”

“We have other clubs coming over to us after games asking how we managed to keep the club going when we were conceding ten goals a game – it’s such a huge moment to get to this point.”

Speaking on the achievement, Lisa Hale, head of broadcast and consumer PR & social said: “Since being crowned Specsavers’ Best Worst Team in 2023, we’ve loved following Cwm Albion’s journey.

“It’s a true grassroots underdog story and shows the benefits and legacy of Specsavers Best Worst Team – Cwm Albion are thriving; they’ve won game after game and attracted new players which have given the whole club a boost.”

“To mark the occasion, we’ll be showing the action from the games in a special episode on the Best Worst Team YouTube channel – we’re rooting for both teams!”

The Cwm Albion Final episode will be available to watch on Specsavers Best Worst Team YouTube Channel in July 2025

#CwmAlbion #football #Plasmarl #Specsavers #Swansea