Cymdeithas Parc Bannau Brycheiniog
Brecon Beacons Park Society
www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org

PRESS RELEASES

National Parks “vital asset to the Nation”

(Released Monday 28th April 2008)

Nearly 200 people packed into the Clarence Hall in Crickhowell last Saturday evening to hear political leaders and National Park managers in Wales express their views on the future of Wales’ three National Parks. The event, organised by the Brecon Beacons Park Society, was the centrepiece of a three day programme of events and hill walking.

“The event had a very impressive turnout from Wales’ political leaders, including Environment Minister Jane Davidson, opposition leader Nick Bourne, local AM Kirsty Williams and Plaid’s Leanne Wood. We were pleased to receive a clear statement from all parties of the vital importance of National Parks. Our 2,600 members think these places are special and we were glad to hear that their special qualities are recognised across the political spectrum, “ said Alun Pugh, director of  Cymdeithas Eryri – the Snowdonia Society.

 “National Parks are not without their challenges and they are regularly in the public spotlight,” said Ben Sladen from the Brecon Beacons Park Society “but the key reasons for having National Parks, conserving the natural beauty and the enjoyment of the public, are as relevant for the 21^st century as they were when the original legislation was put in place over half a century ago.”

In a business meeting held at the end of the event, all three Societies recognised that devolution meant that decisions on Wales’ most precious landscapes were now taken in Cardiff Bay rather than in London. “We agreed to more joint working with a view to preparing a common policy statement for the political parties in good time for the next round of Assembly elections.” said John Radcliffe for the Friends of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

SO THEY REALLY DIDN'T CARE AFTER ALL?

(Released  16th October 2007)

At a meeting last Saturday in Trecastle, members and friends of the Brecon Beacons Park Society were given the inside story of how National Grid officials have tried to ignore and suppress concerns over the methods used to bury the controversial huge Natural Gas Pipeline across one of the most protected and environmentally sensitive landscapes in Wales.

Judith Harvey , Western Area Manager for the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority told Park Society members of the continuing difficult struggle to hold the constructors to agreed procedures, particularly concerning the reinstatement and aftercare of the landscape of Mynydd Myddfai, with the quite likely outcome that this wild and beautiful area will never fully recover from the devastation caused by National Grid.

Park Society Chairman, Nigel Phillips, said "It was a shock to us all that after National Grid had spent so much time and money on trying to convince organisations like ourselves, that they really did know how to repair this delicate environment, they are now, in effect, just refusing to seriously engage with National Park Ecologists and Land Managers, the result of which is likely to have huge environmental consequences.

We should not really be surprised, because Grid officials had agreed to give three presentations, about the likely particular problems on Mynydd Myddfai, to Park Society members over the last 12 months. The first two, concerning the overall plan, and the construction process were completed successfully, but when it came to the 3rd presentation which was to be on the theme of 'reinstating the landscape', I have been unable to get a response from their project manager in spite of repeated attempts since June of this year. We now know why. It appears that once the pipeline has been laid, they are only interested in getting out of any commitments they might have made to oversee the reinstatement process and move on to their next money-making venture. Hardly what you might call an ecologically responsible company?"

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BEST FOOT FORWARD WITH THE PARK SOCIETY

(Released 1st October 2007)

The Brecon Beacons Park Society, a registered charity that regularly organises one of the most respected guided walks programmes in the UK, is proud to announce that it can now offer a series of walks which individuals or groups can download from the web and use as guides to explore some of the most exciting areas of the Brecon Beacons National Park. 
Compiled by experienced walks leaders, the Society's Self Guided Walks come complete with directions, detailed grid references, maps and historical information and are located throughout the Western, Central and Eastern areas of the National Park.
All six walks can be printed off directly from the Brecon Beacons Park Society web-site: www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org and can be found by clicking on the 'Guided Walks' option and then the 'Self Guided Walks' heading. Remarkably, they are free to all users.

Park Society Walks Secretary Jim Wilson said:" The impetus for developing these walks was to try and fulfil a need, identified by local tourism operators, for visitors to the National Park to be able to explore, on foot, some of the fascinating landscapes and cultural heritage of the Brecon Beacons National Park . They have already proved to be extremely popular with visitors and residents alike and are some of the most viewed of the 100 plus pages on our web-site."

A listing of the Self Guided Walks on offer is given below:

The Cribarth Ridge - Starting from a pub in the Upper Swansea Valley, this 11km (7 miles) walk traverses a mountain with a colourful industrial history and passes through a delightful Country Park which was once the home of a famous opera diva.

The Towy Valley Walk - A ridge and valley walk of 17km (10 miles) which takes in fine views of the Mynydd Ddu (Black Mountain) to the south, the Towy Valley to the north, and features a visit to one of the largest hill-forts in Britain.

The Lorna Doone Walk - A 19km (12 miles) walk which explores the Craig Cerrig-Gleisiad National Nature Reserve, formed by the action of ice 20,000 years ago. The north-facing cliffs, which rarely see the sun, support rare arctic-alpine plants. Cwm-du,  where Lorna Doone was filmed, has a similar ecology and is home to about 80 different bird species.

Waterfalls and Ridges - A high level 14km (9 miles)  walk around part of the Central massif of the Brecon Beacons, with spectacular waterfalls and reservoirs and (weather permitting) stunning views of the landscape beyond.

To the Top of the Table - A classic 9km (6 miles) walk to Table Mountain with its commanding presence above Crickhowell and its sweeping views. With varied scenery, the walk crosses green meadows, open moors and a wooded valley.

Cwmyoy Circular - A varied 11km (7 miles) circular walk from a pub near Llanfihangel Crucorney, skirting the delightfully-named Strawberry Cottage Wood nature reserve, past Pentwyn Iron Age Hill Fort and  onto the southern tip of Hatterrall Hill and Cwmyoy Church.

A direct link to the listing of Self Guided Walks can be found at: www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org/Self%20Guided%20Walks/psSelfGuidedWalks.htm

More details about the Self Guided Walks or the Park Society's Guided Walks Programme from:
Jim Wilson, telephone: 01291 691184, e-mail: jim.wilson60@virgin.net

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Guided Walks and Events Programme Autumn 2007
(Released 3^rd September 2007)

The Brecon Beacons Park Society’s popular Guided Walks and Events Programme is widely recognised as one of the best in the UK. It provides enjoyable, safe and interesting guided walks and events throughout the National Park to both members and non members. The programme covers all grades of walk visiting a wide range of terrains from valleys to moorland and the high peaks and ridges, and the events cover a wide range of interests from archaeology to wildlife and beyond.
The Programme is published quarterly and offers nearly 250 walks and events annually.

The Autumn 2007 Programme is now underway and will run throughout the months of September, October and November.
The Guided Walks element of the programme consists of 49 walks in total and includes: 
- a wide variety of hill and lowland walks
-stages of the Beacons Way (a 161km [100 mile] east-west linear walk across the Brecon Beacons National Park)
-2 walks on the 22nd Sept (World Car Free Day) making use of public transport
-a joint walk with the Blaenafon World Heritage Site

The Events element of the Programme consists of 6 events including -
-a visit to a work of art on the Beacons Way Art Trail (BWAT) with a member of the BWAT Steering Committee
-a dry stone walling outing with the Dry Stone Walling Association
-Tribute to Alexander Cordell illustrated talk

The Programme is open to both Society members and to non-members (who will be made extremely welcome).
For further details of the Programme see the Guided Walks section of the Society web site at www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org
or contact the Walks Secretary Jim Wilson on 01291 691184.

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TRAIL ARTISTS SHOW IN BRECON
(Released 24th July 2007)

A unique exhibition this August at Brecon’s Mount Street Gallery celebrates well-known local artists whose work features in the exciting new Beacons Way Art Trail.
The Beacons Way is a long-distance footpath devised by the late John Sansom. Starting at the Holy Mountain, Abergavenny, the eight day walk leads west to Bethlehem near Llandeilo through the Park’s most dramatic scenery. 
The Art Trail itself, developed by Brecknock Museum Art Trust and Brecon Beacons Park Society, features the work of eight artists. Each has responded to the environment and mythology of one of the eight days of the Beacons Way by designing a small relief panel set into stone. Seven panels are cast in bronze and one is etched in zinc. Sculptors Sally Matthews, Richard Renshaw, Desmond Harrison and Sue Hiley Harris have been joined by painter Megan Jones, watercolourist and print-maker Robert Macdonald, maker of books Shirley Jones and embroiderer Marcelle Davies.

Eight Stones, Eight Artists

A lively bilingual guide to the trail by David Moore, Eight Stones, Eight Artists: Exploring The Beacons Way Art Trail, is published by Little Fish Press. It includes an account of artists working in the Park, information about the Trail artists and photographs of them by Bernard Mitchell. It also gives advice on how to make rubbings of the panels which become part of the book.
The exhibition, which runs from 3rd August to the 8th September, also includes paintings by Veronica Gibson, whose work features on the cover of the guide, and sculpture by Panico Theodosiou, a member of the Trail steering committee. The Mount Street Gallery is at 7 The Struet and is open from 10am to 5pm, Thursday to Saturday and at other times by appointment, (01874 622714, www.breconart.co.uk). Further information about the Brecon Beacons Park Society, the Beacons Way and the Art Trail can be found on www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org.

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 JOHN SANSOM MEMORIAL WEEKEND
(Released 1st April 2007)

The Brecon Beacons Park Society is to celebrate the life of John Sansom over the weekend of the 13^th to the 15^th April 2007 with a variety of activities which reflect the many ways in which John contributed to the National Park and to the Society, including his development of the long distance walk, the Beacons Way.

The weekend will start on the Friday afternoon with a walk, led by walling  expert Ken Young, to look at the restoration of dry stone walls around Llangynidr: John was much involved with the Walls of Llangynidr project.  An evening event on the same day, entitled “A Tribute to John Sansom” will include illustrated talks about the dry stone walling project, the Beacons Way and the Beacons Way Art Project.

On the afternoon of Saturday 14^th April there will be a gentle, reflective walk, (6 miles), along part of 'The Beacons Way', as far as the Cwm-gu valley, to find the recently installed memorial to John Sansom. John's ashes will be scattered nearby and the party will return to Crickhowell for afternoon tea at the Bear Hotel from 4.00pm where, after a short ceremony, there will be an adjournment to the bar, and the opportunity to meet John's family and friends.

The final event of the weekend, on Sunday 15^th, will be one of John’s favourite walks, Day Two of the Beacons Way. This walk climbs over the hills from Llanthony to Crickhowell and transport will be provided from Crickhowell to the starting point. Details of the weekend’s activities and how to book can be found on the Park Society’s web site: www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org

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RETURN OF POPULAR FRIDAY WALKS
(Released 22nd February 2007)

The Brecon Beacons Park Society Guided Walks Programme contains 45 walks, including the return for the Spring and Summer of the popular Friday walks. Some of these themed walks are led by one of the national Park wardens and give an opportunity to learn about aspects of their work in the Park. Others feature the history of the area they pass through, from ancient myth to industrial archaeology.

WALKING AT A GENTLER PACE

The regular Saturday and Sunday walks vary in difficulty from moderate to strenuous but a new category has been introduced entitled “Walking at a Gentler Pace”.
“These are of a similar length to our established walks”, says Jim Wilson, the society’s walks secretary, “but will cater for those who prefer a slightly slower pace."

JOHN SANSOM MEMORIAL WEEKEND

The Society’s Special Events Programme features a weekend of activities to celebrate the life of John Sansom. A variety of walks and talks will reflect the many ways in which John contributed to the National Park and to the Society, including his development of the long distance walk, The Beacons Way. Three other events are included in the Spring Programme. On Sunday March 4th a visit to the Gower will provide a unique opportunity to make a short guided walk across the causeway onto the spectacular Worms Head, under the leadership of Sarah Stevens of the National Trust. On Wednesday 11th April at 7.30pm at the Bear Hotel, Crickhowell, Nick Jenkins will present a slide show of landscapes in and around the Brecon Beacons. The third event, on Sunday May 6th, is entitled “The Archaeology of Mynydd Myddfai, its History and Prehistory. Two archaeologists from Cambria Archaeology will lead an exploration of the area.

Bookings can be made by contacting Jim Wilson on 01291 691184, or Anne Pritchard on 029 2061 0397 for the Walks Programme and Clive Eiles on 01550 740188 for the Special Events. Details of the Park Society’s Special Events, Guided Walks Programmes, Newsletters, Navigation Courses, facts and pictures about the National Park and much more, can be found on: www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org

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BRECON BEACONS PARK SOCIETY CONCERNED AT GO-AHEAD FOR PIPELINE
(Released 12th February 2007)

The Brecon Beacons Park Society is disappointed to learn that the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has given his consent for a large new gas pipeline, 196 km in length and 1220 mm in diameter, to be built by National Grid on a route which passes through two sections of the Brecon Beacons National Park, including the beautiful open moorland of Mynydd Myddfai and Mynydd Bach Trecastell.  At the same time the Secretary of State has announced stringent environmental conditions for the construction work.

While greatly regretting the choice of route through the National Park, the Brecon Beacons Park Society is encouraged by the stringent nature of the conditions which have been placed on National Grid. It remains a real concern, however, whether these conditions are enforceable.

The Brecon Beacons Park Society has argued at all stages against the route being taken through the National Park, but, now that the Secretary of State has made his decision, it is important that the different interests work closely together in order to minimise the environmental impact of the construction work.

The proposal for an independent overseer to monitor works in the Brecon Beacons National Park was put forward by the Brecon Beacons Park Society last October in the wake of the damage done during the archaeological survey at Mynydd Myddfai and Mynydd Bach Trecastell.  This idea has now been accepted by all parties and endorsed by the Secretary of State.  The overseer will have the society’s full support in the crucial role of co-coordinating different interests and controlling activities on the open moorland.

As a condition of consent for the pipeline, installation work must not take place until detailed restoration plans have been agreed with the statutory authorities.  This and the ten-year aftercare programme, which is also a condition of the consent, are among the points for which the Brecon Beacons Park Society has been pushing very strongly.

At a more modest level, the Brecon Beacons Park Society had observed that, where footpaths cross the pipeline route, National Grid were specifying stiles without treads which would have been people-proof as well as rabbit-proof.  Walkers will be glad to know that, following the society’s representations, one of the conditions laid down for the pipeline is that stiles are to be built with ‘British Standard treads so as to make them accessible by people’.”

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BRECON BEACONS PARK SOCIETY WINTER PROGRAMME 
(Released 23rd November 2006)

 There are 35 walks to choose from in the Park Society programme of guided walks for the period between December and February. The walks are on Saturdays and Sundays, with a choice of two each Sunday to ensure that the group size is not too large.

Boxing Day Bumble and New Year’s Day Donner

Besides the regular weekend walks there is a Boxing Day Bumble (an informal sociable gathering with some walking) to work off a few of those Christmas pounds, and a New Year’s Day Donner (Scottish dialect for a gentle wander), on the Cats Back in the Black Mountains.

The walks are open to non-members, who are asked to donate £2.00 for each walk. They are for experienced walkers and range in difficulty from moderate, (such as a ten mile walk entitled “Canal, Tramways and Tracks”), to strenuous, (such as “Deg Carnau – Ten Cairns”, also ten miles but over much tougher terrain in the West of the Park). All walks explore the beauty of the National Park and some take in extra points of interest such as the geology, history or archaeology of the area.

Archaeology also features in the Special Events Programme, with a talk by Gwilym Hughes, of Cambria Archaeology, on the recent excavation on Fan Foel, entitled “Bronze Age Burial Mounds”. This will be at the Bear Hotel, Crickhowell, at 7.30pm on Wednesday 31^st January. A forest sauna, known as “Banya 17”, has been booked for Saturday 24^th February by the Society for its second winter Special Event. The sauna holds 8 people, and you can either come on spec or book a time slot. Why not bring a group of friends and a picnic and have a walk in the woods before your sauna?

Details of the Guided Walks and Special Events Programmes can be found on the society web site  (www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org) or from Jim Wilson, Walks Secretary (01291 691184) and Clive Eiles, Special Events Secretary (01550 740188)

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ARCHAEOLOGISTS SHOULD KNOW BETTER?
(Released 6th November 2006)

 

Archaeological Contractors digging trial pits on the proposed route of the 1220mm (48 inch) diameter High Pressure Natural Gas Pipeline between Felindre (North of Swansea) to Tirley (South-west of Tewkesbury) have severely damaged the particularly sensitive landscape of a remote mountainous region of the Brecon Beacons National Park in mid-Wales known as Mynydd Bach Trecastell.

The Contractors, who were operating on behalf of National Grid, had been using 4-wheel drive vehicles which caused huge scars across an upland peat area that contains a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

 

Members of The Brecon Beacons Park Society discovered this violation and have protested to National Grid and the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority with the result that any further intrusion has been stopped whilst a thorough investigation is carried out.

The Brecon Beacons Park Society Executive have also written to Alistair Darling, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry at the DTI, who are at this moment considering the future need and possible route of this Gas Pipeline, and Carwyn Jones, the Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside at the Welsh Assembly Government.

 

To look at the full text of the Park Society letter to Alistair Darling together with details of their previous responses to the pipeline proposals as non-statutory consultees and downloadable pictures of the damage click below:

 

National Grid Responses

 

Brecon Beacons Park Society Chairman, Nigel Phillips said “ This is particularly disappointing for the Society as we had gone to great lengths to emphasise, to National Grid and its Contractors, the special sensitivities of this beautiful upland area. We believe we had succeeded when recently Senior Management from National Grid gave a presentation to the Park Society and its friends of their detailed plans for the preservation and reinstatement of the landscape on Mynydd Myddfai and Mynydd Bach Trescastell once the pipeline has been laid. It appears that an awareness of the particular qualities and needs of this area were not passed down to the Archaeological Contractors. The Archaeologists should have known better.

The Society have always been fiercely opposed to the whole idea of bringing this huge pipeline through such an environmentally delicate area of the National Park, and this transgression by National Grid Contractors, before work proper has even started, only goes to reinforce our opposition to this project, which, we believe, needs to be given more time for consideration and detailed attention to the planning process.

A previous, smaller, Gas Pipeline which was laid by National Grid some years ago in the National Park across an area called Mynydd Llangatwg has left an ugly tract of incompatible landscape and National Grid have not yet convinced us that they know how to successfully reinstate this type of terrain. ”

 

More information from:

Nigel Phillips, Chairman, Brecon Beacons Park Society 01639 730179 nigel.phillips@blueorg.com

Roger White, Hon Secretary, Brecon Beacons Park Society 01873 811539 rogerwhiteuk@hotmail.com

Elizabeth Gibbs, Press Officer, Brecon Beacons Park Society 01874 730747 elizabethgibbs@keme.co.uk

 

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LITTER MAKES A FINE DISPLAY AT THE NATIONAL PARK VISITOR CENTRE 
(Released 17th July 2006)

 
Last week, the Brecon Beacons Park Society announced Llangors Church in Wales Primary School as the £500 prize winner of an “Anti-Litter Project” competition designed to raise young people’s awareness about litter.
 
The innovative anti-litter initiative invited local schools to produce original material to help combat litter whilst encouraging young children to think about the impact litter and illegal roadside dumping has on the environment.  Brecon Beacons Park Society, who devised the project in conjunction with Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and Keep Wales Tidy awarded a total of £1,000 in prize money to six local schools.
 
Elizabeth Gibbs, who organised the competition for the Brecon Beacons Park Society said:  “We had an extremely difficult time choosing a winner but eventually we decided that out of six excellent entries, it had to be Llangors Church in Wales Primary School.  The pupils had been encouraged to think for themselves and use a whole variety of approaches to raise awareness.  The result was an imaginative and creative display that clearly reflected a deep involvement and a real understanding of the issues.”
 
The prizes were presented by Councillor Mrs Margaret Morris, former Chairman of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and the runners up, who all received £100, were Aberaeron Primary School, Gilwern Junior and Infants School, Llangynidr County Primary School, Sennybridge County Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Ryd y Grug.

Chief Executive of the Park Authority Chris Gledhill said:  “Litter and fly tipping remains one of the most pressing problems in the Brecon Beacons National Park.  It was only two weeks ago that the Royal Monmouthshire Brigade helped us to remove 15 dumped cars from Pwll Du.  However, having said that, with eco-conscious children like these on the case our future could be in safe hands.”

“This competition has made it possible for conservation groups and schools to become involved in projects that will create direct benefits for our local communities.  Our Education team has played a great role in helping to develop this project offering children a wonderful opportunity to explore the countryside, whilst promoting healthier lifestyles and raising awareness for children, parents and staff.”

Kirsty Williams AM, who was also present at the awards ceremony, congratulated the children. She said that in her experience the environment was at the top of the agenda for most young people and that, as this display of work demonstrated, they had a lot to teach the older generation.

The afternoon ended with a special afternoon tea presented to the children at the National Park Visitor Centre funded by the Brecon Beacon National Park Authority’s Sustainable Events Fund.  The projects will be on display the National Park Visitor Centre, Libanus until the end of August.

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The Brecon Beacons Park Society is an independent, 600-member registered charity that exists for everyone who cares about the Brecon Beacons National Park. Its members are people who enjoy its varied and beautiful landscapes, wish to enhance and protect its amenities and want to know more about its past, present and future.

The aim of the Society is to promote the enhancement, protection and conservation of the Park in ways that benefit the public. The members aim to be the eyes, ears and mouthpiece of residents, visitors and all who have the National Park's interests in mind. 

 

More information about the Society from: www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org

or contact: Angela Morgan, Press Officer, 07801 915707 Angela.Morgan@burdens.co.uk  

or: Roger White, Hon. Secretary,  01873 811539 rogerwhiteuk@hotmail.com