For 15 years, Billy Hughes has been part of a group helping to maintain and expand green spaces in and around Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen and Graig y Rhacca.

Every other weekend, Billy meets with around ten or 12 other volunteers to maintain areas such as the river walk in Trethomas and Redbrook Woods near Lower Graig Y Rhacca.

The group’s work can include weeding and cutting back bushes, as well as planting various varieties of flowers.

Billy said: “We’re only a small team but we have fought hard to protect our green spaces. It’s important to us that people have a place to enjoy the outdoors, especially after the past few years.

“We’ve got some beautiful areas around here. Covid showed us how often people visit these places and it made us all happy.”

The group has worked closely with Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Countryside Department as part of their efforts.

Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen councillor Lisa Phipps has also been working alongside the team for a number of years and told Caerphilly Observer: “I am so pleased to be part of this wonderful group of volunteers. The group work so hard and it can be seen in the improvements in the area.”

Cllr Phipps recently nominated the group, led by the council’s Countryside Warden, Kerry Galey, for an award from Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen (BTM) Community Council.

Billy and the team have also formed a good relationship with Ty’n Y Wern Primary School in Trethomas,, with pupils getting involved over the last ten years.

Billy said: “We’ve been working closely with not just the council but also Keep Wales Tidy and Groundwork.

“Funding from the likes of Tesco and the Rotary Club on top of community donations has allowed us to plant over 80,000 crocus bulbs around the area since 2016.

“We’ve had a lot of support and praise from the locals. Personally, I’m very proud.”

Billy said the group is looking to build on this and recruit more members.

To celebrate the group’s work, members will be holding a volunteer morning from 10am on Saturday, April 30.

The event will be held at Redbrook Woods, next to the Chequered Flag petrol station.

The group is also meeting at Riverside Car Park on Pantglas Industrial Estate on Sunday May 29.