THE Latvian ambassador to the UK visited Penygarn to see how log cabins are being built in the area using wood from his country.

Two new log cabin style community buildings were recently completed on Woodlands Field, made of wood from Latvia.

Ambassador Andris Teikmanis met Carl Sargeant, Torfaen’s minister for housing and regeneration, on June 12 to talk about the potential for Welsh houses to be built using log cabin construction methods.

Council leader Bob Wellington attended along with councillor Neil Mason, who represents Penygarn and St Cadoc’s.

The new buildings on Woodlands Field have been constructed using Big Lottery and Welsh government grants by Log Cabin UK working with a company in Latvia called Dores Fabrika.

This economic link is one of the reasons for the visit. It is also the tenth anniversary of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Latvia and Wales, an anniversary which is being marked by a series of visits to Wales by the ambassador.

The two new buildings will be used by the Woodlands Field Charity for work with children and young people, and as a skills centre to provide people with an introduction to trade skills to help them access qualifications and employment.

Other pictures show the ambassador meeting Woody’s Workers, a group of mothers who have come together to volunteer with children and young people.

For further details, contact Bill Hill on 07810 833625.