Category: Volunteering

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Volunteer Profile: Cath

Cath Luke, Bethesda

Volunteering at Gerddi Ffrancon, Bethesda

“For me, there are many benefits of volunteering at Gerddi Ffrancon. The allotments have the best views ever! Views up towards the mountains, all of the Carneddau and Ogwen and across to Penrhyn quarry and Mynydd Llandegai. It’s an amazing place to spend time.” – Cath Luke

Get to know Cath:

Cath Luke resides in Bethesda, and has found a rewarding way to spend her time giving back to her local community and the natural environment.

Cath retired from her role as Governance Administrator at Mountain Training in December 2025, giving her more time to dedicate to volunteering. Since then, she has continued to build on her passion for nature, growing and community.

Cath has been volunteering at Gerddi Ffrancon, the community allotments managed and supported by Partneriaeth Ogwen, for the past couple of years. She also volunteers with Cymdeithas Eryri, helping with activities such as litter picking and tree nursery maintenance, and with North Wales Wildlife Trust, where she takes part in bumblebee surveys at Cwm Idwal and the annual Greater Butterfly-orchid survey at Caeau Tan y Bwlch on the Llŷn Peninsula. She also volunteers at Pandy Farm in Tregarth, an organic farm that grows and sells produce locally, with zero food miles.

When she isn’t volunteering, Cath enjoys cycling, climbing, reading and embroidery.

Cath’s Experience as a Volunteer:

At Gerddi Ffrancon, Cath is part of a small team of volunteers who work together throughout the seasons to grow fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers.

 “There’s always something to do, from weeding and watering, to

tidying the toolshed, doing a quick litter pick and filling up the water butts. We have a

gardener who mows the paths once a week in the summer, which is wonderful, as this is a

job we wouldn’t be able to keep on top of.”

The gardening year starts as early as October, when garlic is planted for harvesting the following summer. Field beans are also grown as a cover crop, while the volunteers prune currant bushes and raspberry canes.

As spring arrives, annual crops including peas, broad beans, kale, mangetout, courgettes and potatoes are sown and planted by the volunteers. Perennial crops such as rhubarb, Asturian cabbage, nine-star cauliflower, salsify and tree spinach return year after year.

Cath and other devoted volunteers are also working to improve the health of the soil by using green manure, locally sourced manure, topsoil and woodchip mulch.

For Cath, volunteering is about more than gardening itself. She particularly enjoys working alongside people who share her interests:

“I really enjoy the social element in working with others with a common interest and pooling ideas.”

The gardens at Ffrancon have twenty micro-allotments alongside the community beds, so there are often other plot holders working nearby too. This creates a friendly and sociable atmosphere that Cath enjoys being a part of.

Although the gardens can be sociable, Cath appreciates that Gerddi Ffrancon can offer somewhere to escape the busyness of everyday life.

“It’s such a peaceful place to be that I sometimes go up there just to sit and read my book or potter about doing little jobs.”

Cath’s favourite parts of Gerddi Ffrancon:

One of Cath’s favourite things about volunteering at Gerddi Ffrancon is the spectacular setting.

“The allotments have the best views ever! Views up towards the mountains, all of the Carneddau and Ogwen and across to Penrhyn Quarry and Mynydd Llandegai. It’s an amazing place to spend time.”

But it isn’t just the views that make the gardens special. Cath also feels a strong connection to the history of the project and the people who helped establish it. Gerddi Ffrancon began in 2021, thanks to the vision and hard work of Judit and the original volunteer team, including Vicki, Lizzie and Sara, who continue to support the gardens.

“They put in such a huge amount of energy and vision to get the gardens up and running and it’s a privilege to be able to follow in their footsteps and contribute to their work.”

Another special place for Cath is the Peace Bed. Originally an idea from the Community Chaplain, it features an olive tree representing peace and a hazel tree representing wisdom. Spring bulbs and summer-flowering plants fill the bed, creating a beautiful haven for bees and butterflies.

“It is a quiet corner of gentleness, full of bees and butterflies, utterly unique and entirely beautiful.”

For Cath, growing food is also an important part of what makes the gardens meaningful.

“Growing food ourselves is one thing we can do to take control of our own food security, in a very small way, and I believe it is an act of quiet resistance in troubled times.”

Cath stated that saving seeds is another important part of the work. Being able to save pea, bean, garlic and kale seeds for the following year helps the community become less dependent on commercially produced seeds.

Cath’s wishes for the future of Ffrancon Gardens:

Like all community projects, Gerddi Ffrancon has its challenges — and the volunteers have plenty of ideas for how the gardens could develop in the future.

The site is exposed to wind and weather, while the free-draining soil means that water can become an issue during dry summers. Mulching helps with water retention and weed suppression, but the garden currently relies on a single water tap more than 100 metres away.

One of Cath’s hopes is for a dedicated water supply that is easier for volunteers and plot holders to access.

The volunteers would also love to see a sturdy polytunnel at the gardens. This would provide valuable indoor growing space, allowing seeds to be started earlier and extending the growing season for crops that need longer to mature. A polytunnel could also potentially provide a source of income through rented growing space, helping to fund essentials such as water, tools and plants.

Chance to support:

Gerddi Ffrancon is a great example of what can happen when people come together and give their time to something they care about.

Volunteers like Cath are helping to grow more than fruit, vegetables and flowers. They are helping to grow community, protect nature, share knowledge and create a welcoming space for people to spend time together. There is always something to do, everyone is welcome – and there will be tea, biscuits and plenty of beautiful mountain views along the way.

And, of course, there is one thing Gerddi Ffrancon needs above all else: more volunteers.

“We need more volunteers! To share the work and the produce and the tea and biscuits.”

If Cath’s story has inspired you to get involved yourself, Gerddi Ffrancon would love to hear from you.

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Volunteer profile: Lizzy

Lizzy Scott, Rachub

Volunteering at Gerddi Ffrancon, Bethesda

“I really enjoy improving biodiversity and making the gardens a good place for wildlife. It’s satisfying working with other people and seeing how much the gardens have improved.” – Lizzy Scott

Get to know Lizzy:

Lizzy Scott lives in Rachub and works as a carer at a local care home. With a love of gardening, wildlife and the outdoors, volunteering at Gerddi Ffrancon brings together many of her interests. 

“I like producing food and gardening in a way that is good for wildlife. I like seeing wildlife in my garden.”

Having volunteered previously while living in Northampton, Lizzy was keen to become involved in the community after moving to Rachub. She enjoys walking in the countryside, including on the hill behind her home and along the coast, as well as spending time growing her own food.

Lizzy is particularly passionate about gardening in a way that benefits wildlife and encourages biodiversity. She has her own allotment, where she grows a variety of fruit and vegetables, including jostaberries – a cross between a blackcurrant and gooseberry.

Living in Rachub has also given Lizzy plenty of opportunities to become involved locally.

“I like living in Rachub. There’s a lot going on and lots of opportunities to get involved.”

As well as currently helping at Gerddi Ffrancon, Lizzy has volunteered with local food producers and at a local orchard whilst living in Northampton, helping to improve biodiversity while producing apples for the local community.

Lizzy’s Experience as a Volunteer:

At Gerddi Ffrancon, Lizzy is part of a small group of volunteers who work together to grow and look after a wide variety of produce. The group organises much of its work together, discussing plans in person and through WhatsApp before deciding what to plant and which jobs need doing. Volunteers then arrange times to meet at the gardens whenever they are available.

For Lizzy, a typical volunteering session could involve weeding, harvesting produce, removing plants that need replacing or sowing the next crop.

Over the past few years, the group has experimented with growing a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. One particularly successful crop has been field beans.

“We planted field beans over the last couple of years and they were really successful. They didn’t need much looking after and we got a big harvest from them.”

Garlic has also become an important crop at Gerddi Ffrancon. In June, the volunteers held a special garlic day, cooking with their harvest and inviting local food producers to come along and talk to the community about garlic and locally grown food.

Lizzie mentioned that this year’s courgettes struggled in the hot weather, but other parts of the garden have continued to thrive. The community beds include a herb garden alongside crops such as onions, broccoli and kale.

There are also blackcurrants, whitecurrants and a variety of other berry bushes, which produced an abundant harvest this year.

Gerddi Ffrancon includes individual allotment plots as well as a community growing area, which is managed collectively by the volunteers. Although the current volunteer group is small, this has created a close-knit and friendly atmosphere.

“There’s a small group of us, which is nice because we all know each other. But it would be lovely to have more people involved, because the point of the garden is to get the community involved in growing and sourcing food locally and organically, and to build a stronger community.”

Lizzy’s favourite parts of Gerddi Ffrancon:

For Lizzy, one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering is seeing Gerddi Ffrancon become an increasingly valuable habitat for wildlife.

The gardens were established around six years ago on land that had previously largely been grass. Since becoming involved, Lizzy has watched the site gradually develop and mature. 

“It’s changed so much and you can see it’s all coming together now. When I started, it was still very much getting going.”

The volunteers have also started some sessions with a local ecologist to identify the wildlife that can now be found at Gerddi Ffrancon. With more sessions planned, Lizzy is looking forward to learning more about the species making their home there and seeing the impact that the volunteers’ work has had on biodiversity.

“It’s nice to see how we’ve improved things while we’ve been there, especially because previously it was just grass.”

But volunteering isn’t all about digging, weeding and growing. Some of Lizzy’s favourite moments are the quieter, more sociable ones shared with the other volunteers.

“I most enjoy having a cup of tea with the other volunteers, discussing gardening and our similar interests. We usually work for an hour and then have a tea break and a chat. It’s very enjoyable on a nice sunny day.”

The social side of Gerddi Ffrancon is an important part of Lizzy’s experience. Working alongside people with similar interests provides an opportunity to share gardening knowledge and ideas while getting to know other members of the local community.

An outstanding memory:

One experience that particularly stands out for Lizzy was a group trip to Dinas Dinlle last year to collect seaweed for Gerddi Ffrancon.

As someone who loves walking along the coast, the trip combined several of Lizzy’s interests – gardening, nature and spending time by the sea. After collecting the seaweed, the group also stopped at a café together, turning the practical gardening job into an enjoyable day out.

The dried seaweed collected from the beach could then be put to good use back at Gerddi Ffrancon. Once the salt had been washed away, it could be used as a natural mulch*.

“You put it around the plants to protect the soil and stop water loss, and then it gradually feeds the plants too.”

*Mulching – covering the surface of the soil with materials such as seaweed, woodchip or compost – can help the gardens retain moisture while gradually adding nutrients back into the soil.

It is a trip the volunteers have talked about repeating in the future.

“It was a really nice day out, especially because I enjoy walking along the beach!”

Lizzy’s wishes for the future of Ffrancon Gardens:

Looking ahead, Lizzy would particularly like to see more people from the local area becoming involved in Gerddi Ffrancon.

While the small group of existing volunteers enjoys working together, having more people involved would help to share the work, introduce new ideas and make the gardens an even stronger community resource.

Lizzy also hopes Gerddi Ffrancon can continue developing relationships with local food producers and raise awareness of the good-quality food and resources that are already available locally.

One idea for next year is to hold a Harvest Festival in September, bringing local producers and members of the community together. Producers could give talks, share their knowledge and encourage more people to think about where their food comes from.

Ultimately, Lizzy hopes Gerddi Ffrancon can play its part in creating a stronger and more connected local community.

“I’d like to see more people joining in, growing local food and becoming involved. Hopefully we can build an even stronger community around it.”

Chance to support:

Gerddi Ffrancon is about much more than growing fruit and vegetables. It provides space for wildlife, gives people the opportunity to learn and share skills, and helps the community think differently about where food comes from and how it is produced.

For volunteers like Lizzy, it is also somewhere to meet people, exchange ideas and enjoy the simple pleasure of working outdoors together.

From planting field beans and harvesting berries to wildlife sessions, garlic days and trips to the beach to collect seaweed, there are plenty of different ways to get involved.

Above all, Lizzy would love to see more people from the local community discovering Gerddi Ffrancon for themselves – whether they are experienced gardeners or have never grown anything before.

“It would be lovely to have more people involved. The whole point is to get the community growing and sourcing food locally and organically, and building a stronger community.”

If Lizzy’s story has inspired you to get involved yourself, Gerddi Ffrancon would love to hear from you.

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Volunteer Profile: Rachel

Rachel Plaxton, Y Fron

Volunteering at Yr Orsaf

“I am very glad that GwyrddNi has spread across the whole of Gwynedd, with each group focusing on different things – in Nantlle, on food and growing organically, soil and biodiversity, and how this affects the community.” – Rachel Plaxton

Getting to Know Rachel:

Rachel is a very busy and talented individual, with countless interests, including volunteering at Yr Orsaf.

Rachel has a variety of interests and hobbies which are an important part of her life. She enjoys handicrafts and gardening, and meets once a month in Penygroes to take part in classes and listen to guest speakers. 

Rachel was also a member of a watercolor painting group, which she really enjoyed. She also enjoys going to Caeathro’s gardening club, where guest speakers share their knowledge and experiences. She has had many ideas from the club, including adding a Primula plant and Japanese inspired plants to her garden.

Rachel belongs to local Anglican churches that hold bilingual services. Although she doesn’t speak much Welsh, she enjoys hearing the language and appreciates how willing people are to help her understand. In the churches, Rachel also leads an inner-intervention prayer group in Llanwnda and Llandwrog. The group prays for the community, families and for world peace. 

Exercise is also part of Rachel’s life, and she enjoys Pilates classes. In addition to her many activities, she spends a lot of her time writing emails to friends and family. Keeping in touch with the people she has met and known throughout her life is very important to her.

Rachel’s Experience in Volunteering:

Rachel started volunteering when GwyrddNi and the Pantri Station was founded, when the old post office was transformed. She watched the work with great interest and was very pleased to see an opportunity to reduce all the food that goes to waste. 

“I am very grateful for Yr Orsaf and the people there. They do great work in the community, and I enjoy helping with the gardening at Yr Orsaf. I help every Wednesday.” – Rachel Plaxton

While volunteering at the Pantry and attending Clwb Piclo sessions, Rachel has made lifelong friends and filled her bag with plenty of leftovers many times! Sion, GwyrddNi’s Community Facilitator, has asked her for several delicious recipes for the Piclo sessions, as Rachel is very experienced in the kitchen! She has been making jams and chutneys since she left home, so Rachel shared some of her most interesting recipes with Sion. They made her rhubarb chutney, and it was a hit! Rachel has also attended kimchi and kombucha making sessions at the Pantri. 

Rachel also used to help in the wild garden in Penygroes, but now helps in the vegetable garden behind the Yr Orsaf building. She has a lot of experience in gardening and growing vegetables so she has a very positive effect on the garden.  

There is now a new greenhouse polytunnel, and Rachel recently planted a variety of seeds. They are growing very well and everything is progressing nicely, and Rachel makes sure they are watered thoroughly. 

Rachel said:

“It gets very warm in the tunnel! But it’s great – the seeds grow beautifully. I pull out the dandelions and weeds when I see them, and make sure everything is kept neat and healthy.

Sion is an inspiration and he does a great job. How fruitful the garden is is very encouraging. They also have a huge compost heap, which I add more weeds to.”

Rachel volunteers at Yr Orsaf garden every Wednesday, and is very grateful to Yr Orsaf and GwyrddNi for the work they do in the community, and enjoys being part of the work and helping in the garden.

What is Rachel proud to see as a volunteer?

Rachel is proud to see the rise in awareness about the importance of creating local produce, keeping the soil clean and looking after local biodiversity:

“Everything is very encouraging and I am very proud. I am proud to be able to make a contribution, and that has a ripple effect (domino effect) on the wider community – people realize how essential it is to grow food and take care of the soil. I am happy to contribute to the work of GwyrddNi and the local group in Nantlle.”

What are Rachel’s hopes for the future?

Locally, Rachel would like people to be much more aware of the need to reduce the amount of meat we eat and live in a more sustainable way. But, above all, this was Rachel’s main hope for a better future:

“I would like people to be more open and foster friendships and make friends without worrying about discrimination, be it in terms of age, language or race. By being more open to each other, we can create a better world, a stronger economy and more happiness for everyone.”

If you would like to meet Rachel, or want to try volunteering in Nantlle, head over to Yr Orsaf, Penygroes on Wednesday mornings to say hello and give it a go!