“In some respects there is nothing remarkable about the location.”

What drew me to the location originally was the promise of a pool. The maps indicate open water. It promised to be a topographical surprise on the top of a hill.

But today there is no pool and no open water. The pool has transitioned through a process of succession to marshland. Only in winter can you see a small patch of water. It’s difficult to determine when the pool disappeared as it has been a gradual process of recession. Maps suggest perhaps that in the 1950s it was still recognisable as a pool.

But today it is still the intersection for many ecologies, both natural and man made. Evidentially it is still the crossroads for several species of wildlife. Animal tracks criss cross the site. The pool is now surrounded by a blanket monoculture forestry of mainly Sitka Spruce of at least 50 years of age in places. The landscape originally would have been Calluna and Erica moorland with Vaccinium, sedges and Juncas being locally abundant. There are still areas of this original growth on the fringes of the pool and where the forestry hasn’t managed to gain a foothold. The evidence suggests the pool will continue to fill in and decline. But perhaps if the area was to be clear felled and the water table was allowed to rise again, the natural balance could return, along with the pool?

My disappointment in finding there was no pool was however quickly replaced by intrigue. I discovered a hide on the edge of the tree line. It felt like its intended purpose was for observation rather than for hunting and was built to observe wildlife. But when? Perhaps it was built to observe the pool, or installed after the forest had established itself to observe a nest in a tree? There are clearly deer and foxes here but that would unlikely merit the construction of a hide. Perhaps a Goshawk once nested here?

A broader tension exists in the landscape beyond that of the pool though. The natural landscape’s topography has leant its usage beyond that of moorland grazing and forestry. An MoD accredited test facility for testing ammunition, ordinance and weapons systems is situated in Harley Dingle due south of Fron-wen in one of the areas distinctive deep, steep sided valleys. And due west of Fron-wen is the proposed (and controversial) location for the Nant Methyl Wind Farm. 31 turbines, with some reaching a proposed height of up to 220m.

Much like the pool, the landscape of Radnorshire Forest will continue to face pressures and demands. It too will ebb and flow in its accommodations to changes whether natural or man made.

THE PROJECT WAS STARTED IN MAY 2025

FRON-WEN IS THE CREATIVE PROJECT OF BEVIS BOWDEN