Cymdeithas Parc Bannau Brycheiniog Beacons Park Society www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS PROGRAMME AUTUMN 2011

Most of these walks go into the hills. Participants are reminded that the following gear must be taken. Walking boots, rucksack, hats, gloves, warm clothing (not jeans), spare sweater, water and a hot drink, lunch, extra food and of course waterproof jackets and trousers. A whistle and torch should be carried, particularly during the winter months. Participants must satisfy themselves that the walk is suitable for their abilities. You can take advice by ringing the walk leader whose telephone number is given. No liability will be accepted for loss or injury that occurs as a result of taking part.

An adult must accompany young people (under 18).

MOST OF THESE WALKS ARE FOR EXPERIENCED WALKERS

Leaders may change or cancel the advertised route due to adverse weather conditions.

Strenuous walks require fitness and stamina to cope with several steep climbs and/or cover a good distance at a steady pace. Energetic walks generally involve two steep climbs but they will still require determined application. Moderate walks will seldom have steep climbs but if they do the climb will be taken at a relaxed pace.

Dogs (well controlled) are permitted unless stated otherwise in the programme. It should be noted that under the CROW Act, when taking dogs onto Open Access land they must be on a fixed lead, no more than two metres long, whenever livestock are near, and at ALL TIMES from 1st March to 31st July.

Non-members of the Park Society will be asked to make a donation of £5.00 each per walk . Half price for the under 16’s, the unemployed and students.The fee is deductible from the membership fee on joining the Society within two months of the walk.

General Enquiries to: Anne Pritchard, tel: 029 2061 0397 e-mail: [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES: SEE BACK PAGE REGISTERED CHARITY: 1075345

GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2011 FEATURES

Welcome to the Brecon Beacons Park Society Guided Walks and Events Programme for Autumn 2011, we hope you enjoy it.

Once again we have a mix of walks of all grades and in all areas of the National Park and on its fringes, 45 in all, including old favourites and some new variations. Rob Short, experienced walk leader and recently retired countryside warden, will lead a special interest walk with Dilys to look at the historic landscape south of Pontneddfechan. We welcome Liz Lloyd who hasn’t led for us for some time, and a new leader Dave Owens who joined us on our recent REC first aid course, and is currently working towards his Walking Group Leader award.

We revert to the usual Autumn/Winter format of one walk on Saturday and two on Sunday. In addition, this programme sees the introduction of Kevin McAnulty’s twice-monthly “Wednesday Wanders”, a series of more moderate walks which will be taken at a steady pace with time to “stand and stare”. Rob Knowles continues his treks away from home with the final stage of the Cambrian Way and a walk along the North Coast Path.

Our series of illustrated talks at the Bear continues with two very different and interesting talks, the first about the experiences of a blind mountain trekker, and the second about lesser horseshoe bat conservation in the upper Usk Valley.

The Campaign for National Parks celebrates its 75 th Anniversary this year. As part of the celebrations there will be an afternoon of “Family Fun in the Park” at the Mountain Centre on Sunday 25 th September – see page 5 for details . The Society has been invited to put on three guided walks for visitors to the event.

If you would like to have a go at leading a walk, have an idea for a talk or event, or any comments or suggestions for improvement of the programme, please contact Anne (walks) tel: 029 2061 0397 or email [email protected] Gerry (events) tel: 01989 565679 or email [email protected]

CAR SHARING. Do you know someone else who lives near you with whom you could car share to Society walks and events? Why not exchange contact details and arrange to share the driving and petrol costs? At the same time you will be helping to save the environment and relieving pressure on car parking spaces at the start of walks. A “contacts” database has been established with details of Society members willing to be contacted by other members, in order to share transport all or part of the way to a walk or other Society event. Participating members receive a hard-copy of the list; we cannot provide it by e-mail, in view of the restrictions of data protection legislation. To find out more or to be added to the database, please contact the Membership Secretary Ben Sladen, email: [email protected] , postal address on back page.

This programme is available to view or download from the website. If you no longer wish to receive a posted hard copy, please advise Ben Sladen on [email protected] .

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2011

SEPTEMBER

PAST THE PARK: LOWER MYNYDD EPYNT Date: Saturday 3rd September Meet at the village hall at LlanfihangelnantBran 9 miles north Level: Moderate west of Brecon GR SN 944343 (car parking £1). Dist: 20km (12.5miles) Another variation on previous walks in this lovely but little Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm known area. Varied terrain and wonderful views. Leader: PENNY LEONARD Contact: 01874 636674

A VARIATION OF DAN’S DOGSTONE WALK Date: Sunday 4th September Meet at Pontypool Leisure centre GR SO 285006 for the Level: Energetic ascent to the Garnclochdy Ridge passing the Shell Grotto and Dist: 24km (15 miles) Folly Tower. Then descend through Cwmavon Wood Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm continuing the climb to “Mynydd Varteg Fach” and the Leader: CLINE GINSBERG Memorial to Carlo the dog. We then take a southerly route via Contact: 01633 867653 hills, and farmland, before the final stages along the Cycle Track.

FAN GYHIRYCH Date: Sunday 4th September Meet at the Car Park at GR SN 929134 OS MAP Level: Energetic OL12. Dist: 22.5km (14 miles) Making our way to Fan Gyhirych via tracks to the west of the Time: 9.00am – 6.00pm Afon Nedd and back via Fan Nedd. Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550

IN AND AROUND CWMWYSG Date: Sat 10th September From Pont ar Wysg Car Park GR SN 82002715 a circular Level: Moderate walk around the Usk , down into Cwmwysg and back Dist: 14km (9 miles) along country roads and fields, skirting the edge of the Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm mountain before returning through the forestry to the Leader: ANGELA MORGAN Car Park. Contact: 07801 915707

FROM VALLEY BOTTOM TO MOUNTAIN TOP Date: Sunday 11th September From Longtown Village Hall GR SO 324288, walk up the Level: Energetic Olchon Valley (the film of Owen Sheers’ book “Resistance” Dist: 18.5 km (11 miles) based in the Olchon Valley is due out this autumn), onto Offa’s Time: 9.30 am – 4.00pm Dyke Path and Hatterall Hill, coming off back down to Leader: LIZ LLOYD Longtown. Contact: 07974 765508

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2011

TWRCH Y TROT Date: Sunday 11th September From the Water Board Car Park at GR SN 799238. Take Level: Strenuous the unclassified road which runs from to the Dist: 20km (12 miles) A4069 between Llangadog and Brynaman. Follow signs Time: 9.30 am – 5.30 pm to Llanddeusant, the Youth Hostel and Llyn y Fan Fach. A Leader: CLIVE EILES route down the head waters of the Twrch, and then back Contact: 01550 740188 via the Burial Cairns on Carreg Las. [email protected]

WEDNESDAY WANDER: RHYMNEY RIVER Date: Wed 14th September Meet at Machen village hall between Newport and Caerphilly Level: Moderate GR ST 211891 OS Explorer 152. This walk will follow the way Dist: 14.5km (9miles) marked Rhymney River trail and gives an opportunity to view Time: 10.30am – 3.30pm Ruperra Castle. Leaving the castle behind the route crosses Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY fields before arriving at Cefn Mably church for lunch. T he route Contact: 01633 667664 then clings closely to the banks of the river as it wends its way back to Machen. Wood / riverbank and 1 moderate climb.

CAMBRIAN WAY (Craig-y-nos to Cardiff) Date: Sat 17th September to For further details go to http://www.walkwildwales.co.uk/ or Sat 24th September email Rob Knowles on [email protected] or phone him on Leader: ROB KNOWLES 07971 190768

LLANTHONY NORTHERN CIRCUIT, TO CAPEL-Y-FFIN, A STANDING STONE AND THEN SOME! Date: Saturday 17th September Meet at Llanthony Priory car park GR SO 288278. Up to Offa’s Level: Strenuous Dyke for a mile or two. Then down to Capelyffin and further Dist: 23.5km (14.7miles) north along Darren Lwyd for lunch beside a delightful waterfall Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm on Nant Bwch. Back along various geological features, for a Leader: JIM KEAR welldeserved visit to the Priory. Contact: 01291 672438 07887 834123

THE UP & DOWN OF IT ALL Date: Sunday 18th Septembe r From Pont Cadwgan car park in the valley GR Level: Strenuous SO 267251. A circuit taking in some of the tops, great views if Dist: 27km (17 miles) weather is good. No dogs please. Time: 9.00am – 5.30pm Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY Contact: 029 2062 8861

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4 TRIGS Date: Sunday 18th September Meet at the Car Park at Ystradfellte GR SN 929134 OS MAP Level: Energetic OL12. Dist: 24km (15 miles) All about the good views (providing we have good weather) Time: 9.00am – 6.00pm from the little known trigs of the area. Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550

TOP OF THE BLACKS Date: Saturday 24th September From car park GR SO 153337. Up to Waun Fach on Level: Energetic a sel dom used path up Mynydd Bychan and returning down on Dist: 16km (10 miles) an equally unused path alongside the Rhiangoll. Some rough Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm walking, but also field paths and lanes. Leader: CHRIS PLAYFORD Contact: 01497 820074

FAMILY FUN IN THE PARK: CNP 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Date: Sunday 25th September As part of its 25 th Anniversary celebrations in Wales The Campaign for National Parks (CNP) is holding an exciting Walk 1: CEFN LLECHID CIRCUIT family picnic afternoon at the Brecon Beacons National Park Level: Energetic Visitor Centre (Mountain Centre) at Libanus GR SN 978263. Dist: 12km (7.5 miles) Picnics will be available to purchase at the centre or people Time: 1.00pm – 5.00pm can bring their own. There will be entertainment to suit all ages throughout the afternoon and a local Welsh brewery will Walk 2: TWYN Y GAER CIRCUIT be providing a bar. For the more energetic who want to take Level: Moderate full advantage of the Park’s stunning scenery, the Brecon Dist: 6.5km (4 miles) approx Beacons Park Society will be organising 3 guided walks to suit Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm all ages and abilities. It promises to be a very enjoyable event.

Walk 3: PONDS CIRCUIT Young people under 18 are welcome on all the walks but must Level: Easy be accompanied by an adult. Dist: 3.25km (2 miles) approx Time: 3.00pm – 4.00pm Numbers will be restricted to 20 per walk. Booking essential at the Brecon Beacons Park Society stall on the day. Contact: Anne Pritchard 029 2061 0397 Meet for all the walks at the Brecon Beacons Park Society stall.

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PANT Y LLYN LAKE AND HILL Date: Sunday 25th September Meet North of Upper Chapel on B4520 GR SO 021443 Level: Energetic (Explorer 188 ), marked as ‘Griffin Inn’ on older Dist: 19km (12 miles) maps, but now a private house. Park well away from house Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm please and well onto verge as fast cars travel on this road. A Leader: WENDY WINNEY lovely walk in a quiet, little visited area. Good views of both Contact: 029 2062 8861 Black Mountains and Beacons enroute. No dogs please. 07773 389561

CARN PICA & Date: Sunday 25th September Meet on road side by dam at North end of Talybont Reservoir Level: Energetic GR SO 103205. Walk up to Carn Pica and then onto the ridge Dist: 18.3km (11.4 miles) of Graig Fan Las and following the Beacons Way we descend Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm to meet the Taff Trail for a pleasant walk back to the cars. Leader: DAVE OWENS Contact: 01446 773308 07580 354376

WEDNESDAY WANDER: MONMOUTH THE KYMIN Date: Wed 28th September Meet at Monmouth Leisure Centre GR SO 512132 OS Level: Moderate map OL 14. An easy ascent to The Kymin from the leisure Dist: 11km (7miles) centre. This walk follows the banks of the River Wye passing Time: 10.30am – 2.30pm under an impressive long forgotten railway bridge. Leaving the Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY river the route picks up the Offas Dyke Path national trail to Contact: 01633 667664 climb steadily to the naval temple at The Kymin. Weather permitting great views and seats for lunch. An afternoon of descent back to Monmouth. Riverbank / field and 1 moderate climb.

You can check the Mountain Weather Forecast for the Brecon Beacons National Park on the Met Office website at: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/brecon/brecon_latest_pressure.html

or use the Metcheck website which allows you to check the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons separately: http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/HOBBIES/mountain.asp

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2011

OCTOBER

A CLASSIC BEACONS CIRCUIT Date: Saturday 1st October From the Forestry Commission “Neuadd” car park in the Taf Level: Strenuous Fechan Forest 1 km south of the lower reservoir dam GR SO Dist: 22km (14 miles) 036171, the route follows the ridge above Neuadd reservoir Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm over Graig Fan Ddu, Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn, Fan y Big to Leader: GERRY SMITH y Ddwyallt. Thereafter continuing along to Cairn Pica Contact: 01989 565679 and returning via Cwar y Gigfran and Graig Fan Las. A classic day on the hill.

PANDY CIRCULAR Date: Sunday 2nd October Meet at Lancaster Arms (former pub) on side road off the Level: Energetic west side of the A465 in Pandy GR SO 333218. Up Offa’s Dist: 22 km (13.5 miles) Dyke over Hatterrall Hill down to Llanthony, up to Bal Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Bach and return through Cymyoy, whose church Simon Leader: SEAN O’DONOGHUE Jenkins regards as the best in Britain. Contact: 01497 822831 (07816 821745) [email protected]

LLANTHONY TO CAPEL-Y-FFIN AND BACK Date: Sunday 2nd October Meet at Llanthony Priory GR SO 288278. Another classic Level: Energetic circuit above the Vale of Ewyas, north along one ridge, across Dist: 16km (10miles) the valley at Capelyffin, return along the other ridge. Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm Leader: FRANK SCOTT Contact: 01432 275388 07713 772499

WEDNESDAY WANDER: CEFN LLECHID Date: Wednesday 5th October Meet at the Brecon Beacons Visitor Centre (parking fee) GR Level: Moderate SN 977262 OS map OL 12. A starting point well known to Dist: 11km (7miles) society members, otherwise known as the Mountain Centre at Time: 10.30am – 2.30pm Libanus. Out onto moorland before cutting off to pick up an old Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY drovers track then up and down to the trig point at Cefn Contact: 01633 667664 Llechid. We then descend to the banks of the river for an attractive and peaceful lunch break. We return to the centre via track and moorland for a well deserved cuppa in the restaurant. Open moorland with 2 moderate climbs.

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SPECIAL INTEREST WALK: A WALK IN THE PAST Date: Saturday 8th October Meet at Craig y Ddinas car park near Pontneddfechan GR Level: Moderate SN 911079. Dist: 14km (8.5 miles) The walk follows old tramroads, field paths, and access land Time: 9.30am – 3.00pm approx and until recently a seceret valley full of historic content and Leaders: ROB SHORT beauty, looking at the dramatic landscape changes through DILYS HARLOW history to the modern day. Contact: 01495 718254 01454 775731

FIGURE OF EIGHT: ONE OR TWO WALKS AROUND Date: Sunday 9th October Meet at Crickhowell High School GR SO 217185 for a Level: Moderate morning or afternoon walk (or both) with a chance of lunch in Dist: 14.5km (9 miles) Crickhowell. Time: Walk 1: Walk 1: Up Cwm Cumbeth to Table Mountain and return via 10.00am - 12.30pm The Wern Farm. Walk 2: Walk 2: Over Crickhowell Bridge and through the Beechwood 2.00pm - 4.00 pm to the M & B Canal. Then up through woods and fields to Leader: ROGER AUSTIN Llangattock Common and return via the Canal and Contact: 01873 810145 Llangattock Church.

WHAT A WAY TO GO Date: Sunday 9th October From Redbrook in the Wye Valley GR SO 538099 (map Level: Energetic/Strenuous OL14). A switchback in the Wye Valley using woodland Dist: 24km (15miles) tracks and paths. Lovely views. No dogs please. Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY Contact: 029 2062 8861

MYNYDD FFOREST AND THE WYE VALLEY Date: Saturday 15th October Park on edge of common, by minor road near the cattle grid, Level: Energetic GR SO 084385 map OS Explorer 188, for a walk over open Dist: 19km (12 miles) moorland, alongside rivers and hopefully lunch by a Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm picturesque lake. Leader: WENDY SLADEN Contact: 01568 720424

AROUND DYFFRYN CRAWNON Date: Sunday 16th October Meet at the roadside parking by the Talybont Reservoir dam Level: Energetic GR SO 103205. Climbing up through the woods to join the Dist: 17km (10.5 miles) Brinore tram road, around the head of the valley, down then Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm up again to Tor y Foel. Leader: SOO TURNBULL Contact: 01874 622136

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FAN-Y-BIG CLASSIC Date: Sunday 16th October The walk starts in the centre of Llanfrynach, opposite the Level: Energetic church at GR SO 074257. A wonderful walk up Gist Wen Dist: 16km (10 miles) around to FanyBig and then descending via Cefn Cyff. A Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm pleasant stroll through woods and fields alongside a river Leader: DAVE OWENS completes our walk. Contact: 01446 773308 07580 354376

WEDNESDAY WANDER: TRELLECH Date: Wednesday 19th October Meet at the Village car park GR SO 501052 OS map OL 14. Level: Moderate The village of Trellech between Chepstow and Monmouth is Dist: 14.5km (9miles) the starting point for this woodland walk. If the autumn has Time: 10.30am – 3.30pm arrived the leaves on the trees should provide a colourful Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY backdrop to this walk which uncovers the paper making Contact: 01633 667664 industry of this quiet corner of Gwent.

NORTH WALES COASTAL PATH (Caernarfon to Denbigh) Date: Saturday 22nd October to For further details go to http://www.walkwildwales.co.uk/ or Saturday 29th October email Rob Knowles on [email protected] or phone him on Leader: ROB KNOWLES 07971 190768.

CRIBARTH RIDGE AND HENRHYD WATERFALLS Date: Saturday 22nd October Park in the layby next to Craig y Nos Castle at GR SN 8409 Level: Moderate 1523. The walk starts at Craig Y Nos Castle with a steady Dist: 14km (9 miles) climb up onto Cribarth ridge then down the valley to the river Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm Tawe to follow the Llech to Henrhyd Waterfalls, returning to Leader: PAULA ACE Craig y Nos via Penwyllt. Contact: 07967 140689

To report illegal off-roading in the Brecon Beacons National Park go to: www.breconbeacons.org/the-authority/wardens/illegal-off-roading

To report any problems with footpaths and rights of way such as obstructions, map errors, misleading signs, etc to the Park Authority, call Avril Barnes at the National Park headquarters on 01874 624437 or email [email protected] ; or contact Area Wardens.

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NORTH OF THE MELLTE Date: Sunday 23rd October Meet at the Car Park at Ystradfellte GR SN 929134 OS MAP Level: Energetic OL12. Dist: 19.5km (12 miles) Walking to the hills of the Northern Fforest Fawr area, Fan Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Llia, Fan Dringarth, Fan Frynach, . Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550

UP & DOWN AROUND LLANTHONY Date: Sunday 23rd October Meet at Llanthony priory car park GR SO 288278. Ascend Level: Energetic Cwm Bwchel, follow the ridge south with views of the Black Dist: 16km (10 miles) Mountains, cross the valley to Cwmyoy church, and return on Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm footpaths and bridleways with views of the lovely Llanthony Leader: ANNE PRITCHARD valley. Contact: 029 2061 0397 07748 463545

IN THE FOOTSTEPS Date: Saturday 29th October From the Craig y Nos Car Park on the A4067 at GR SN Level: Strenuous 840155. Dist: 19km (12 miles) A tour of human use of the Black Mountain – on Cribarth, Time: 9.30am - 5.00pm Carreg Goch, Waun Fignen Felen, and Saith Maen. Leader: CLIVE EILES (Mining, shelters, and uses unkown.) Contact: 01550 740188 [email protected]

A HIGH LEVEL TOUR OF THE LOWER WYE VALLEY Date: Sunday 30th October Meet at Chepstow Leisure Centre – far end of the main car Level: Strenuous park GR ST 528946. Dist: 27km (17 miles) A circuit on both banks of the lower Wye, including the paths Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm and viewpoints recently restored by the Overlooking the Wye Leader: CHARLES & HELEN Project on the Piercefield Estate – a celebrated example of the HENDERSON eighteenth century picturesque movement. Contact: 01594 542473

HAY-ON-WYE CIRCULAR TO CRASWALL ABBEY Date: Sunday 30th October Meet in HayonWye car park (charge to park) GR SO Level: Energetic 229422. Over Cusop Hill to Cefn Hill. Lunch at the Dist: 20km (12.5 miles) Abbey it is a ruin, so bring your own sandwiches!! Back Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm along the foot of the Cat’s Back and down the Digidi Brook Leader: SEAN O’DONOGHUE valley. Contact: 01497 822831 (07816 21745) [email protected]

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NOVEMBER

WEDNESDAY WANDER: RAGLAN CASTLE Date: Wed 2nd November Meet at the National Trust car park GR SO 361085 on road to Level: Moderate Bettws Newydd from the old Raglan to road near Dist: 10km (6miles) Clytha Arms pub. Starting near Raglan this walk takes in Time: 11.00am – 2.00pm Clytha Castle before a lunch stop at Bettws Newydd church Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY and a chance to see inside this delightful place of worship. We Contact: 01633 667664 pass the Black Bear pub ignoring the delicious smell of cooking to descend to the and back to the cars. Riverbank / wood.

ILLUSTRATED TALK: THE WAY I SEE IT – EXPERIENCES OF A BLIND MOUNTAIN TREKKER Date: Friday 4th November What’s it like to be blind? Time: 7.30pm Have you ever tried to imagine it? Place: Bear Hotel, Crickhowell How would you read, write, shop, cook, get around? Speaker: DAVID CARRINGTON- Come and find out from David CarringtonPorter, who will PORTER describe his life as a blind person – Daily living skills, MILTON MOUNTAINEERS Communicating, Leisure, How he gets around and how he - enjoys Mountain Trekking as a blind person! – showing CHARITY GROUP OF powerpoint slides of his trek up Mount Stok Kangri in the BLIND AND PARTIALLY Himalayas in 2010 and his current training for a trek to SIGHTED HILL Everest Base Camp to celebrate his 60th birthday and to raise WALKERS funds for Milton Mountaineers – with a description of the charity and what it does.

CARREG CENNEN CASTLE ROUNDABOUT Date: Saturday 5th November From Carreg Cennen Castle GR SN 666193 through farmland Level: Moderate up on to the Black Mountain. Visit pillow mounds, farm Dist: 11km (7 miles) enclosures, burial cairns and a trig point, before returning Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm through farmland again to Carreg Cennen Castle. Car park at Leader: ANGELA MORGAN Carreg Cennen is owned by the National Park, and there are Contact: 07801 915707 tea rooms next to the castle.

FOUR FANS AND A RESERVOIR Date: Sunday 6th November From the Storey Arms Car Park GR SN 983204 (no t the one in Level: Strenuous the woods by the toilets) we climb to Fan Fawr (734m) with Dist: 19km (12 miles) great views of the Beacons and Cantref , then Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm heading across open moorland descending to the spectacular Leader: GERRY SMITH Ystradfellte reservoir. Then another good climb up to Contact: 01989 565679 (632m) where we pick up the Beacons Way heading north to Fan Dringarth and on to Fan Frynych. We then descend via the nature reserve of Craig Cerriggleisiad before joining the Taff Trail heading south back to the car park.

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STANTON, SKIRRID AND LLANGATTOCK LINGOED Date: Sunday 6th November Park in car park opposite Queens Head Pub in Stanton (£1 per Level: Energetic car) GR SO 311221 OS Explorer map OL13. Dist: 21km (13 miles) A varied walk using a short section of The Beacons Way in the Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm approx morning through Llanvihangel Crucorney and over Skirrid Leader: WENDY WINNEY Fawr, with good views from its summit if weather good. We Contact: 029 2062 8861 continue through farmland to Llangattock Lingoed where we 07773 389561 join Offa’s Dyke Path for our return journey. May be muddy in places. No dogs please.

GRWYNE FAWR AND ITS FFAWYDDOG RIDGE Date: Saturday 12th November Meet at the Mynydd Du car park GR SO 252285 by Blaeny Level: Energetic Cwm at the top end of Grwyne Fawr. Ascend through the Dist: 22km (14 miles) woods and across the moor to Bal Bach. Then over Bal Mawr Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm and the fine ridge of Chwarel y Fan, and on over Twyn Leader: ROGER WHITE Talycefn to Pen Rhos Dirion, looking over the Wye valley. Contact: 01873 811539 Return down the valley of Grwyne Fawr.

REMEMBRANCE DAY WALK Date: Sunday 13th November From the car park at Goytre Wharf GR SO 312064 (parking Level: Moderate fee) to the memorial to the crew of the Blenheim Bomber that Dist: 16km (10 miles) crashed in 1940, followed by a walk to the Goose and Cuckoo Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm for soup. Leaders: JUDY COX Note: This is a joint walk with the Lower Wye Ramblers and FRANK COOK members of the public are welcome to join us. Contact: 01495 773495 01600 860582

TOR Y FOEL CIRCULAR Date: Sunday 13th November Park in TalybontonUsk GR SO 114226 meeting by the Post Level: Moderate Office. Following the Taff Trail we reach Talybont Reservoir Dist: 14km (9 miles) and then ascend to Tor y Foel. Great views accompany our Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm descent to Llangyndir and then an enjoyable walk back Leader: DAVE OWENS alongside the canal. Contact: 01446 773308 07580 354376

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WEDNESDAY WANDER: MONMOUTH ENGLISH NEWTON Date: Wed 16th November Meet at Monmouth Leisure Centre GR SO 512132 OS Level: Moderate map OL 14. The last Wander before the winter break takes us Dist: 10km (6miles) back to Monmouth for a steady climb to English Newton Time: 11.00am – 2.00pm returning for early Christmas shopping in Monmouth. Field / Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY wood and 1 moderate climb. Contact: 01633 667664

MAEN LLIA FROM THE WEST, AND A TRAMWAY, AND A ROMAN ROAD Date: Saturday 19th November From Penwyllt Quarry at GR SN 856155. (Approach by Level: Strenuous minor road off A4067 just south of Craig y Nos, at GR SN Dist: 20km (12 miles) 845155). Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm To Maen Llia via Fan Nedd, and back via Sarn Helen, Leader: CLIVE EILES Maen Madoc and the Beacons Way. Contact: 01550 740188 [email protected]

PENCELLI AND PEN Y BRYN Date: Sunday 20th November Start from the layby just SE out of at GR SO 094247. Level: Moderate Will probably include the canal, Usk Valley Walk, Henry Dist: 15km (9.5 miles) Vaughan Walk and Talybont Forest as well as the climb up to Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm the Bryn. Leader: SOO TURNBULL Contact: 01874 622136

VALLEY TO VALLEY Date: Sunday 20th November From Blaen y Cwm car park GR SO 252285. Up through Level: Energetic woodland at first then open hill to the Blacksmith’s Anvil. Dist: 19km (12 miles) Descend to CapelyFfin, with its tiny churches and monastery Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm before another climb up onto Darren Lwyd. Returning via Rhos Leader: STEVE FLYNN Dirion and the Grwyne Fawr reservoir. Contact: 07792 340933

Details of the Park Society’s walks and events programme, and much more, can be found on: www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2011

ILLUSTRATED TALK: OUR BEACON FOR BATS Date: Friday 25th November The upper Usk Valley, from Brecon to Crickhowell, has one of Time: 7.30pm the most significant populations of lesser horseshoe bats in Place: Bear Hotel, Crickhowell Europe. Kirsty is officer for the “Our Beacon for Bats” project, Speaker: KIRSTY MALLINDINE The Vincent Wildlife Trust’s exciting new lesser horseshoe bat VINCENT WILDLIFE conservation project in South Wales. It is a 3 year project, TRUST funded by the Brecon Beacons Trust and the Heritage Lottery Fund, which will build on conservation work carried out by The Vincent Wildlife Trust over many years. Kirsty will talk about her work to raise awareness of the importance of lesser horseshoe bats in the upper Usk Valley by working with local people, schools and community groups and providing opportunities for people to learn about the ecology and environmental needs of this bat species and how to identify the lesser horseshoe bat in the field. If there is sufficient interest, the talk will be followed by a field trip in the Spring programme. For more information go to the Vincent Wildlife Trust website at: http://www.vwt.org.uk/bats.php .

PEN Y FAN Date: Saturday 26th November Meet at the Layby on the Nant Crew Bridge on the A470 GR Level: Energetic SN 993163 OS MAP OL12. Dist: 17.6km (11 miles) Getting to PenyFan via Cwm Crew, Cefn Crew, Corn Du, and Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm PenyFan, returning via Y Gyrn, and the Taff Trail towards Leader: JASON WINNEY Cantref Reservoir. Contact: 07798 521550

TABLE MOUNTAIN & THE GRWYNE RIVERS Date: Sunday 27th November From the layby at Cwrtygollen Lodge on the A40 just west of Level: Moderate Glangrwyney, GR SO 230172. Up to the Table Mountain Dist: 16km (10 miles) returning by the Grwyne Fechan & Grwyne Fawr rivers. Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm Leader: JUDY COX Contact: 01495 773495

PAINSCASTLE CIRCULAR Date: Sunday 27th November Car park on side of road in Painscastle (beside village Level: Moderate hall) GR SO 165463. A walk taking in Llanbedr Hill and Dist: 18km (11 miles) Rhulen Church. Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Leader: SEAN O’DONOGHUE Contact: 01497 822831 (07816 21745) [email protected]

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2011 COURSES

The Brecon Beacons Park Society offers a series of twoday courses, which cover the basics of navigation for hill walkers – from understanding maps and using a compass to more advanced skills such as GPS potential and relocation strategies.

Further information about Navigation Courses can be found on: www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org

The Get Lost Course is limited to 10 places and the Get Lost Again to 8 places. These usually get filled up some time in advance so it is essential to check for availability and to reserve a place on the course as early as possible.

COURSES 2011 GET LOST AGAIN – Saturday 29th October and Sunday 30th October

A twoday more advanced navigation course From 10.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and 2.00pm to 10.00pm Sunday. Course is now Full – however places may be available on reserve list in case of cancellations .

For more information or to reserve a place:

Telephone: Ian Smith on 01792 368609 or e-mail: [email protected]

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2011 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION The Brecon Beacons Park Society

Membership No.

I/We wish to apply/renew my/our membership of the Society

Title and Name.

Title and Name.

Address..

.

..

Post Code..Telephone

Email Address.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES from 1 st October 2011

Individual.£15.00 per annum. Under 18 .£8.00 per annum Family.£22.00 per annum. Family Life (under 65).£330.00 (over 65).£220.00 Individual Life (under 65).£225.00 (over 65).£150.00

I/We enclose cheque for: £.. (Please make cheques payable to: The Brecon Beacons Park Society)

We would be grateful if you could pay your subsequent subscriptions by Standing Order as this will save us time and expense. You might also wish to consider treating your annual subscription as ‘Gift Aid’ which will enable us to enhance the value of your donation. Please indicate below if you wish to receive details of these schemes.

Standing Order Gift Aid

Please return this form to: Ben Sladen, Hon. Treasurer Oak House, Aulden, Ivington, Leominster, HR6 0JT

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