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Bedazzled by Buffalo

A Trefonen woman, Ruth Dawes, was so enchanted by her first view of the three Water Buffalo at the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust's nature reserve, Cors Dyfi that she decided she would like to raise money to buy another!

The encounter came about as the result of an invitation from a friend, Bill Edwards, for Mrs Dawes and her husband to join him on his prize trip of a guided walk to Cors Dyfi, near Machynlleth, led by Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust (MWT) Conservation Officer, Clive Faulkner. Mr Edwards entered a competition at a ‘Summer Social' event held at Glansevern Hall in June, organised by MWT for its members and supporters, and won the prize of a guided walk for four people at a reserve of his choice.

The prize visit went ahead in early August, with no sign at first of the star buffalo (they had recently been the subject of national media coverage). However the enticement of a bucket of cattle nuts, provided by Tony Senior, MWT Reserves Officer, soon brought them out of hiding, much to the delight of the prize winners! Mrs Dawes discovered that the Trust were keen to acquire more animals so decided to do some fundraising, with a goal of raising £400 to buy half a buffalo.

Ruth's enthusiasm inspired her friends, the Lewis family of Dudleston Heath, near Ellesmere, to open up their house on 18th September for a coffee morning, raffle and 'bring and buy.' Ruth's home baked cakes rapidly disappeared as everyone enjoyed a chat and became more aware of these large, gentle beasts and their usefulness as grazing stock on boggy, waterlogged land. The open day raised £400, and also the profile of the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust.

However, not content with this success, Ruth and her friends have decided that they would like to fund another 'half buffalo.' Future fund raising events are to include a stall at Bishop's Castle Christmas Festival and one day courses on winter tree identification, run by Ruth, a keen botanist. (For further information, contact Ruth Dawes on 01691 654245).

If anyone else feels inspired to follow Ruth's example, or would like to raise much needed funds for other exciting and worthwhile projects, please contact MWT at Collot House, 20 Severn Street, Welshpool, SY21 7AD or phone 01938 555654.