RESIDENTS have toasted the official arrival of two benches at their once-threatened village green, made possible thanks to £5,000 Lotto funding.

Barry mayor, Cllr Nic Hodges declared Cadoxton’s Old Village green family fun day open – two years about 18 months after the beauty spot, at Little Brock Hill, was blighted by Vale of Glamorgan Council contractors.

Angry residents fought a campaign to have their much-loved space returned to its natural state after the authority allowed building materials and machinery to be dumped there in January 2016.

The materials were kept at the temporary compound, on the picturesque spot, to enable work on the authority’s £2.9 million Coldbrook flood risk management project.

The council later apologised for the failure to consult or advise on the siting of the temporary compound and has restored the green to its former glory.

Members of the Cadoxton Conservation Group (CCG) vowed to enhance the green and staged a second family fun day – after the first celebrated the restoration and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – to celebrate the funding success. Lotto funding, and a donation from the Waitrose community fund, together with £300 from Barry Town Council, has enabled the group to buy two benches, wild flower seeds, bat boxes, an insect hotel, litter-picking equipment, and also to stage the family event.

CCG chairwoman, Lynette Knight said: “It’s been worth all the hard work and heartache to get our green back.

“The benches have already been enjoyed by all generations. People drive here. It’s not just residents who use it – it’s a pleasure for everyone.”

The family fun day saw people enjoy an auction, raffle, bouncy castle, face painting, games, with a parrot and owl also on display.

Cllr Hodges took charge of judging the homemade cakes with 15-year-old Jessica O’Shea’s chocolate cake declared the tastiest in show.

He added: “The cakes were excellent.”