A training course about how people can interact with livestock in the countryside took place at Porthkerry Park today.

The event was also a "first foray" into exploring the possibility of having sheep at certain areas of Cosmeston and Porthkerry parks, as part of 'conservation grazing'.

Pont Cymru, which is funded in part by the Welsh Government, held the event in conjunction with the Vale Local Nature Partnership and Vale Council.

Porthkerry Park Ranger Melanie Stewart told Nub News there had been interest in the event, which was held from 10-3pm, from many park visitors.

"We're talking with people about the Country Code," she said.

"Lots of people are coming to look at the sheep and learn about them.

"We're also looking at how we could start using conservation grazing at our country parks, so this is our first foray into that to see what the public think."

Conservation grazing is livestock grazing, which delivers multiple benefits for wildlife and people now and into the future.

These benefits include improving biodiversity, soil conditions, and pollinator populations.

Introducing conservation grazing at Porthkerry and Cosmeston Parks could see sheep grazing at specific areas during the winter.

"With the pandemic, people are spending more time outdoors and taking an interest in nature, both in their own gardens and in public spaces," said Emily Shaw, from the Vale Local Nature Partnership.

"Conservation grazing is something farmers have used and continue to use, as it doesn't involve any machinery.

"There's the potential to do it at our Country Parks, but there's lots of ways that people can get involved with local nature."

The free event allowed park visitors to meet the sheep brought by a local shepherdess of the Kennixton Flock.

She discussed the animals' needs and care, answered questions from the public, demonstrated how to shear the sheep, showed samples of their wool and the products they could be made into.