A lady from Rudry has written and illustrated a children’s book, aimed at raising money to help protest against plans to develop on land in Gwern y Domen.
Mrs Marina Davies, 76, has written The Mouse Who Thought He Could Fly with the help of her husband, Michael.
The book leads readers through the adventure of a mouse who explores Gwern y Domen and meets animals synonymous with the area.
Written in verse and published in Mrs Davies’ own handwriting with her own illustrations, the book’s characters all have Roman names in a nod to the area’s Roman history.
Mrs Davies has so far had 20 copies of the book printed by Bedwas-based Tower Print, but she told Caerphilly Observer that she hopes an increase in interest could see more published on a larger scale.
She said: “I would like to see the book published in a large quantity. If we sell enough, who knows, perhaps we could even buy this land back.
“We are concerned about Gwern y Domen and developers buying up our beautiful land, with no benefit to local people.
“These houses aren’t going to be any cheaper for local young people, and our beautiful and unique countryside should be preserved and enjoyed by future generations, not concreted over.”
House builders PMG Limited and Persimmon Homes want to build a 618-home development on the Gwern y Domen area.
The plans are opposed by the Gwern y Domen Conservation Group, which was set up to protect the area stretching from Rudry to Caerphilly town.
The group has been backed in their fight by TV wildlife presenter Iolo Williams who described the area as “unique”.
Community cllr Jayne Garland, who sits on the Gwern y Domen Conservation Group, said: “This is a fantastic little book, that Mrs Davies has written and illustrated quite beautifully.
“It has a serious message and it highlights the plight that may happen to green land across Wales as urban sprawl threatens areas like this.”
Pre-Application Consultation for the proposed development at Gwern y Domen has now expired.
God forbid anybody who dares to build homes that young people growing up in Rudry might possibly be able to afford, no Rudry with it’s average house price of £281’000 is exclusively for the wealthy and the property rich, the offspring of those fortunate enough to live in this exclusive area can push off and live in Bedwas, Machen and Trethomas.