Cymru Wledig Rural

Mwy na golygfeydd

More than just views

Gwanwyn 2014 Spring Morgan Parry ... an appreciation Roger Thomas Whose National Parks? Parciau Cenedlaethol pwy?

organ Parry, who passed singularly impressed and away on 4 January after somewhat in awe of someone Editorial Golygyddol a six-month battle with who was actually doing what serious illness, was a we all knew needed to be t is no coincidence that this edition of Rural Wales is id cyd-ddigwyddiad yw hi fod y rhifyn hwn o Cymru leading figure in the environmental done. M dedicated to and spotlights the huge value of those iconic Wledig yn canolbwyntio ar werth anferth y rhannau movement in Wales for more than 30 There were many other parts of Wales which for decades have been the jewels of eiconig hynny o Gymru sydd, ers degawdau, wedi bod years. During this time he was variously sides to Morgan. As father to Iour landscapes… our three National Parks. Nyn goron ar ein tirwedd ... ein tri Pharc Cenedlaethol. Director of the North Wales Wildlife Math and Martha, he shared Trust, established the Welsh wing of Wendi’s pride in nurturing their children. Over recent years the wisdom of these unique areas being Yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf, mae amheuon wedi eu codi WWF, chaired Cynnal Cymru and He was also keen on DIY, though administered independently of the Local Government am ddoethineb gweinyddu’r ardaloedd unigryw hyn ar wahân then CCW, and was a board member of not through any obsessive interest; he has been questioned, challenged and the subject of i Lywodraeth Leol – mae’r syniad wedi ei herio a body n esgun Natural Resources Wales. simply believed that he could find a repeated review. Every time the sawl adolygiad. Bob tro, yr un yw’r Born in 1957 to Welsh parents in way to do everything and, as evidenced answer comes back the same. ateb. Yn ôl y jargon biwrocrataidd Liverpool, he went to both school and by the smallholding where he lived in Bureaucratic jargon describes maen nhw “yn ateb y diben”. university in the city before settling in the the Snowdonia foothills, his belief was them as essentially “fit for I chi a fi, mae Awdurdodau’r Wales he loved, where he campaigned justified. purpose”. To you and me Park Parciau’n gwneud gwaith gwych actively for CND, Friends of the Earth and Morgan’s passion for rugby came out Authorities are doing a fine job yn rheoli’ mannau amhrisiadwy others. As an ardent supporter of Welsh in two ways; he was organizer of junior managing these irreplaceable hyn. Tra bod cyfle wastad iddyn culture and heritage, he championed the fixtures – a task almost unparalleled in places. Whilst there are always nhw wneud yn well, prin yw’r Welsh language in every aspect of his life logistical and political challenge – for opportunities for them to do dystiolaeth argyhoeddiadol eu bod – through his public speaking, writing and his local club in . And in better, there is scant persuasive yn methu yn yr hyn y sefydlwyd broadcasting and within the organisations supporting Wales, he was renowned for evidence to suggest they are not nhw i’w wneud: gwarchod y with which he was associated. being as voluble in front of the television doing what they were established gorau yn nhreftadaeth dirweddol Passionate about our natural screen as he was when at the Millennium to do: be the guardians of the best Cymru. environment, Morgan was a gifted Stadium. of Wales’ landscape heritage. Er hyn, maen nhw’n parhau communicator in the cause of living I worked closely with Morgan in Despite this, they are however i fod yn destun dadlau ac, yng within our means and equity for all. CCW where, as Chief Executive, I was still the focus of debate and in the nghanol cors amwysedd, roedd He challenged us all, through eloquent fortunate to have him as my chairman, middle of mire of ambiguity, the y Bil Cynllunio drafft diweddar writing and articulate lectures, to think a role he embraced with considerable about our impact on the planet– but more energy, expertise and enthusiasm. We recent draft Planning Bill even hyd yn oed yn codi’r cwestiwn a than that, he also showed us in the way often travelled together, during which posing the question should they ddylen nhw gadw eu swyddogaeth he lived his life that it was possible in time he would encourage me to use my retain their planning role. gynllunio. Western society to tread this earth with a developing Welsh language ability in our CPRW, along with others, Mae YDCW, ynghyd ag eraill, light footstep. discussions, even though this could make know the only reason why yn gwybod mai’r unig reswm He was not one to loudly proclaim the conversation very stilted. He was the special qualities of these pam fod nodweddion arbennig his virtuous approach, but instead generous to never let on whether delivery areas survive, in the increasing yr ardaloedd hyn yn goroesi, yng demonstrated by example. His journey of any of what I understood were the mediocrity of “sustainable nghanol cyffredinedd cynyddol to a conference we both attended in agreed actions from these discussions had confusion”, is because those who look after them believe “dryswch cynaliadwy”, yw am fod y rhai sy’n edrych ar eu hôl Rotterdam in 2012 was by bus, train and come as a surprise to him! that they are the best and therefore deserve only the yn credu mai nhw yw’r gorau ac, felly, yn haeddu’r gorau. boat, as Morgan had calculated that this His spirit will live on through the work best. Mae’r hyn sy’n dilyn, felly, yn tynnu sylw at yr amrywiol An Environmental Learning fund would minimize his carbon footprint. of a fund established in his memory; our What follows therefore highlights the many reasons why resymau pam fod Parciau Cenedlaethol yn bwysig i Gymru, Over the course of the conference, our thoughts at this time though are with in Morgan’s memory has been established, further details of which National Parks matter to Wales, to those who live, work and i’r rhai sy’n byw a gweithio ynddyn nhw ac yn eu mwynhau European colleagues gradually became Wendi and their children, Math and enjoy them and most importantly, those who care for these ac, yn bwysicaf oll, i’r rhai sy’n gofalu am yr ardaloedd hyn. aware of Morgan’s journey; they were Martha. are available at www.justgiving.com/morganparry areas. The next nine months could be critical in deciding Gallai’r naw mis nesaf fod yn allweddol o ran penderfynu eu their fate. Everyone reading this edition of Rural Wales must ffawd. Felly, rhaid i bawb sy’n darllen y rhifyn hwn o Cymru therefore make sure that tomorrow’s generation don’t blame Wledig wneud yn siŵr na fydd cenedlaethau’r dyfodol yn ein us for losing what those over the last sixty five years have beio ni am golli’r hyn y bu pobol yn ymladd yn ddi-baid i’w Cymru Wledig yw cylchgrawn swyddogol YDCW. Mae’n cael ei gyhoeddi bob pedwar mis a’i ddosbarthu i fought tirelessly to protect. warchod tros y chwech deg pump mlynedd diwethaf. aelodau yn rhad ac am ddim. Gofynnwch os hoffech chi gael unrhyw erthyglau mewn fformat print mwy. Rural Wales is the official magazine of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, distributed free to its members. Peter Ogden Peter Ogden Please ask if you would like the text of any articles in a larger print format. Director Cyfarwyddwr NID 2YW BARN CYFRANWYR O ANGENRHEIDRWYDD YN ADLEWYRCHU POLISI YDCW VIEWS OF CONTRIBUTORS DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE POLICY OF CPRW 2 3 Front Cover photo: Annual dry stone walling competition, Egryn, Snowdonia NP © Pierino Algieri More than just a view Photo: Pierino Algieri

Peter Ogden cared for and accessible landscapes are now recognised by Welsh landscapes really do matter, and any changes we Director Public Health professionals as one of the series of ways to make to them now will undoubtedly affect our attitudes to Ways to personal wellbeing. places we know and care for. Sadly the speed and way things CPRW Well cared-for landscapes, especially those in our three are changing at the moment seems to reflect little more National Parks and five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, than a series of uncoordinated and un-considered political he vast majority of people have a tendency to therefore not only provide the architecture for effective mind-games. underestimate the capabilities of human senses. We sustainable natural resource management, but are our own But it needn’t be this way. Assembly Members in particular, Tall know about a polar bear’s amazing sense of smell, personal individual “life insurance endowment policies” as and decision makers in general, need to think differently and an eagle’s razor-sharp eyesight and an owl’s ability to Landscapes are places which provide well as those of the Welsh nation. Safeguarding the character more positively about the role that Welsh landscapes and pinpoint the precise direction of a scurrying mouse in 0.01 the opportunity to: and range of healthy and diverse landscapes helps protect seascapes play. They need to place the huge range of public of a second. For some reason however we hardly ever hear the very building-blocks which ensure Wales remains benefits that resilient landscapes provide at the very heart anything about how incredibly sophisticated, sensitive, Connect … environmentally rich, socially energetic, and an economically of all the decisions they make. Although changes to our accurate and exquisite the human senses are. Make no with people around you to increase social prosperous nation. landscapes, as we have seen this winter, are inevitable, where mistake, our hearing, olfactory systems and visual senses are interaction. Healthy places promote healthy It is for all these reasons that the value and benefits that possible any conscious changes we make to what surrounds also nothing short of astonishing. Not only are these senses lifestyles all Wales’ landscapes provide for the people of Wales, in us must to be more sensitively judged and confidently guided extraordinary, but the interaction between them and our brain particular the unique values of our Protected Landscapes, if we are to protect the front-line public services our precious brings an entire higher level of sensitivity, sophistication and Be Active … must now be the focus of greater public support and more landscape resources provide. appreciation to the way we react to the world around us. It is feel good and discover a challenge or informed Welsh Government debate. All too often it seems CPRW must encourage the people of Wales to unite not surprising therefore that landscapes, especially beautiful physical activity you enjoy. Healthy places the qualities and virtues of our landscapes are at best taken in recognising the importance of Wales’ landscapes and ones, have an unique ability to trigger all our senses simul- are restorative, uplifting and healing for granted and at worst dismissed as being irrelevant. seascapes, and urge politians locally and nationally to taneously and create a multitude of individual or collective We are at a political cross-roads in deciding how the consider their importance and the central role they should emotions and reactions to what we see, hear, smell and feel. Take notice … Government views our landscapes and how they will be used play in delivering the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Landscapes of course come in all shapes and sizes; often catch sight of the beautiful and be curious in the future. The future of National Parks and the Authorities Development agenda. Through careful planning, skilful and pleasing and inspiring and, if well-maintained, they provide about what is around you. Healthy places which administer them are yet again under scrutiny. Despite sensitive stewardship, Welsh landscapes and seascapes in an endless source of opportunity, motivation and challenge. make people feel comfortable and at ease the fact that review after review has concluded they are National Parks, AONBs and elsewhere can create exciting new Regardless of their location, they all have one defining charac- doing an effective job, there remains a desire on the part of economic opportunities and most importantly continue to teristic: the landscapes and seascapes that surround us shape Keep learning… some to absorb them and their experience into larger ad- make a significant contribution to the nation’s wellbeing and the way and condition the quality of our daily life. Discover something new or find out ministrative machines. CPRW along with a growing number to the quality of everyone’s lives. Yes; the landscapes of Wales are more than just pleasing more about a familiar place and feel of other organisations recognise the importance of National The landscapes of Wales, be they large or small, views. They are natural and cultural and social assets of more informed. Healthy places stimulate Park Authorities and are adamant they should be retained spectacular or common-place, are amongst Wales’ most huge value and importance in their own right because they learning and development as independent Authorities in any Local Authority “agenda important natural assets. They offer each and everyone one provide opportunities for healthy living, learning and personal blender” exercise. For that reason we are actively opposing of us an amazing range of experiences, opportunities, and an development. Most importantly this remarkable range of Give … their merger or rationalisation. unwritten sense of order. Surely they deserve only the best. indispensable services and priceless public benefits are Volunteer your time and services to learn continually available for everyone to enjoy, be they local, new skills which can help care for and national or international. improve the quality of your local area. Because our landscapes and seascapes reflect the strength Healthy places can be inspiring and help of Wales’ national identity and our inheritance, they are overcome inequalities actually national treasures, which powerfully and charis- Source: Public Health Wales matically project Wales onto the world stage. At the same time our landscapes quietly and methodically underpin the country’s economic prosperity and our own personal sense of wellbeing. million per year, with the 12 million visitors who use them When responsibly cared for and sustainably managed, our spending £1billion in them and their surrounding areas. It is landscapes and seascapes provide high quality places to live; no surprise therefore that 95% of people in Wales consider a tonic for our collective health and well-being, and places for National Parks to be important to them. “Everybody needs beauty as well innovative job and wealth creation. This is no better illustrated The health benefits that landscapes provide are likewise as bread, places to play in and pray than by the massive premium they collectively provide for our equally impressive. Surprisingly, however, until comparatively in, where nature may heal and give tourist industry and business community. The three National recently the beneficial links between healthy living and strength to body and soul alike. Parks alone generate a gross value-added output of over £557 healthy landscapes have not be acknowledged. Increasingly John Muir: 1912

4 5 National Parks: Parciau Cenedlaethol: not just pretty mwy na dim ond places! llefydd prydferth!

Huw Jenkins negotiate by kayak. For others they are Huw Jenkins trwy geunentydd o dd[r gwyllt neu ddim escapes into tranquillity or sources of ond ymlacio ar draeth. I eraill, maent hings get taken for granted, as in inspiration, with Pembrokeshire rated as aiff pethau eu cymryd yn ganiataol, yn ddihangfa dawel neu’n ffynonellau The Life of Brian: ‘All right, but apart one of the top two coastal destinations fel yn The Life of Brian: ‘Iawn, ond ysbrydoliaeth, a dewiswyd Sir Benfro yn un Tfrom the sanitation, the medicine, in the world by National Geographic. It’s Cheblaw carthffosiaeth, meddygini- o ddwy gyrchfan arfordirol orau’r byd gan education, wine, public order, irrigation, difficult to measure but there must be aethau, addysg, gwin, trefn gyhoeddus, National Geographic. Mae’n anodd mesur roads, a fresh water system, and public huge benefits from visits to Parks in terms dyfrhau, ffyrdd, system dw^ r glân ac iechyd hynny, ond yn sicr, bydd ymweld â’r Parc health, what have the Romans ever done of health, productivity and well-being; cyhoeddus, beth mae’r Rhufeiniaid erioed yn cynnig manteision enfawr o ran iechyd, for us?’ National Parks can also be taken places which make you feel good to be wedi’i wneud inni?’ Gellir cymryd Parciau cynhyrchaeth a lles; mannau sy’n gwneud for granted, and if we lose them, they’re alive. Cenedlaethol yn ganiataol hefyd, ac os collir ichi deimlo’n falch o fod yn fyw. not replaceable. The Parks cover 20% of Wales but they hwy, does dim a all gymryd eu lle. Mae’r Parciau yn gorchuddio 20% o They’re national treasures, every bit make up a much larger percentage of the Maent yn drysorau cenedlaethol, yn dirwedd Cymru, ond maent yn cynrychioli as much as the castles or the Millennium nation’s essential life support services, union fel cestyll neu Stadiwm y Mileniwm, canran lawer mwy o wasanaethau cynnal Stadium, the spectacular landscapes such as drinking water, and locking up y tirweddau syfrdanol sy’n cyfleu Cymru i’r bywyd hanfodol y genedl, megis d[r yfed, a that project Wales onto the world stage. huge stores of carbon to slow the rate of byd. Daw deuddeg miliwn o ymwelwyr i’n byddant yn storio symiau enfawr o garbon i Twelve million people visit our Parks climate change. Parciau Cenedlaethol bob blwyddyn. Mae arafu’r newid yn yr hinsawdd. each year, many are local or from just Since 1951 and creating the first llawer ohonynt yn lleol neu o du draw i’r ffin, Ers 1951, pan grëwyd Parc Cenedlaethol across the border whilst others bring in National Park in Wales, the UK population a daw eraill ag arian tramor; rhyngddynt, cyntaf Cymru, bu cynnydd o 12 miliwn ym foreign exchange; between them they has grown by twelve million, the number byddant yn gwario £1 biliwn gan greu a mhoblogaeth y DU, sef y nifer sy’n ymweld spend £1billion creating and protecting of licensed vehicles has risen from gwarchod miloedd o swyddi lleol. â Pharciau Cymru bob blwyddyn; mae nifer thousands of local jobs. four to thirty four million and the world Mae’r parciau yn fwy na llefydd hardd, y cerbydau trwyddedig wedi cynyddu o Parks are not just pretty places, they are population has more than doubled from oherwydd maent yn llawn treftadaeth bedair i 34 miliwn, ac mae poblogaeth y full of natural and cultural heritage, not three to seven billion. In this increasingly naturiol a diwylliannol. Nid ydynt byd wedi mwy na dyblu o dri biliwn i saith. tucked away in a PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH crowded planet the role of National Parks ynghudd mewn amgueddfa PEIDIWCH Yn y blaned gynyddol boblog hon, mae rôl museum, but part of the living landscape. has never been more important and, Â CHYFFWRDD OS GWELWCH YN DDA, y Parciau yn bwysicach nag erioed, ac yn Walking past enormous standing stones perversely, never so threatened. ond maent yn rhan o’r dirwedd fyw. wrthnysig, mae’r bygythiad iddynt yn fwy in the uplands you can imagine your Global threats such as climate change or Wrth gerdded heibio meini hirion yr nac erioed hefyd. bronze-age ancestors, maybe hunting population growth, with the consequent ucheldiroedd, gallwch ddychmygu eich Mae bygythiadau byd-eang megis y deer or on a pilgrimage to Stonehenge. pressure for housing and food production, cyndeidiau o oes yr efydd, yn hela ceirw newid yn yr hinsawdd neu dwf poblogaeth, You can almost hear the tramp, tramp, are self-evident and relentless. There efallai, neu ar bererindod i Gôr y Cewri. ynghyd â phwysau dilynol am ynni, tai a tramp, of a Roman legion marching are also political threats when people Gallwch bron iawn glywed tramp, tramp, chynhyrchu bwyd, yn hunanamlwg ac yn between forts, or the calls of the drovers in power make decisions to prioritise tramp lleng Rufeinig yn mynd o gaer i gaer, ddi-baid. Mae bygythiadau hefyd lle bydd as they move livestock to the markets in investment; just recently budgets for neu floeddiau’r porthmyn a symudai dda y sawl sydd mewn grym fel petaent yn England. the Parks were cut harder than any other byw i farchnadoedd Lloegr. gwneud penderfyniadau sy’n blaenoriaethu Geology comes to life in an easy to part of government. It has even been Daw daeareg yn fyw mewn modd eglur ystyriaethau economaidd yn lle gwarchod grasp way with text book examples of how suggested in some quarters that our ag enghreifftiau gwerslyfr o sut ffurfiwyd y rhinweddau sy’n gwneud y mannau hyn the rocks and mountains were formed. three National Park Authorities should y creigiau a’r mynyddoedd. Dim rhyfedd yn arbennig. Mae rhai hyd yn oed wedi No wonder the vocabulary of geologists lose their independence and be absorbed fod geirfa daearegwyr ledled y byd yn awgrymu y dylai awdurdodau ein tri Pharc around the world is dominated by Welsh within Local Authorities which are already llawn geiriau Cymreig megis Cambriaidd Cenedlaethol golli eu hannibyniaeth a chael names such as Cambrian and Ordovician. overstretched. ac Ordoficaidd. Mae bywyd gwyllt sydd eu cyfuno â’n hawdurdodau lleol sydd Wildlife which has disappeared elsewhere People love their Parks as places for wedi diflannu o fannau eraill yn goroesi yn eisoes o dan bwysau. survives within our Parks; an early adventure, inspiration and relaxation; ein Parciau; mae cerdded ar ddechrau’r haf Mae pobl yn caru eu Parciau fel mannau summer’s walk in the Brecon Beacons or when surveyed, 95% of people in Wales ym Mannau Brycheiniog neu Eryri yn gyfle i anturio, cael ysbrydoliaeth ac ymlacio; Snowdonia is a great opportunity to see consider National Parks to be important gwych i weld planhigion mynyddig Arctig yn mewn arolwg, ystyriai 95% o bobl Cymru rare Arctic alpine plants in full bloom. and three quarters of the population visit blodeuo. fod y Parciau yn bwysig iddynt a bydd tri For many the Parks are challenging them each year. If we love the Parks so I lawer, mae’r Parciau yn feysydd chwarter poblogaeth Cymru yn ymweld arenas to pit their wits against; the sorts much, we can’t just leave things to chance chwarae sy’n herio eu galluoedd; y â hwy yn flynyddol. Os ydym yn caru’r of rock faces they might train on before – we must show our commitment and give mathau o greigiau y gallech hyfforddi Parciau i’r fath raddau, mae angen inni ofalu Everest, or gorges of white water to them the care they deserve. arnynt cyn dringo Everest, efallai caiacio amdanynt.

Llyn Padarn, Pass, Snowdonia NP 6 © Pierino Algieri 7 © National Parks Wales / Parciau Cenedlaethol Cymru changes in society which have made the role of the National Parks even more important. Growth in car ownership and leisure time, coupled with an increasing appreciation of the benefits Llyn y Fan Fach, Brecon Beacons NP of physical activity, has created the © Visit Wales demand to access our National Parks. The thousands of private sector tourism to address many of our deep-seated special areas and is included with this businesses with support of the Wales social problems in Wales than by edition of Rural Wales. Tourist Board, now Visit Wales, and supporting the Parks to help deliver National Parks are nothing less Local Authorities, have created the the Welsh government’s sustainability than National Assets which must be supply. The result, National Parks ambitions. These are being pursued managed on land and out to sea in an in Wales now welcome 12 million through proposed widescale changes to integrated way as living and working visitors a year and their businesses policies and legislation. The upshot of landscapes without jeopardising their are responsible for 1.2% of the Welsh this is that the National Parks in Wales special qualities. This can only be done economy, or £557million of Gross Value now need to interface with Government if dedicated organisations continue Why National Parks Matter Added with all the employment that in quite a different way to that in to look after them. The existing Park engenders. The Welsh National Parks England. Authorities are doing a good job and are the icons of the tourist industry. For this reason, the Alliance for therefore as the saying goes ‘If it ain’t Eryri ©Pierino Algieri People are inspired to visit Wales National Parks Cymru has been broke don’t fix it’. That doesn’t mean because 20% of the land and far more established, to act as a focus for all that there isn’t scope for improvement of our coastline is in a National Park. In voluntary organisations with an interest within the organisations and through Paul Loveluck in their wildest imaginings would have me the amazement of the local children any test in our main tourism markets in the future of Welsh National Parks more partnership working. But in the predicted the important role which at the strange people –“bobl rhyfedd”- of place recognition, Snowdonia, the and a desire to secure their future. In the likelihood of Local Government reorgan- Interim Chair National Parks have come to play in our who came to climb the mountains, Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire light of the Welsh Government’s current isation and the inevitable dislocations Alliance for National Parks lives today, in the lives of visitors to the ‘What for?’ they would say. What those Coast are consistently the leaders. But proposals, the Alliance will be drawing which will ensue, the evidence would Parks, and in the life of the Nation. Parliamentarians had appreciated was the importance of the National Parks has to the attention of the widest possible have to be overwhelming to conclude Cymru Then, visitor numbers to the Parks that some parts of the country were of also increased for nature conservation audience, the importance of the National there are better systems for looking were few compared to today, and active such outstanding scenic beauty and and the wider ecosystems, and through Parks to Wales and what needs to be after the interests of our National Parks. doubt very much whether the Par- holiday pursuits, for people whose provided access for recreation, that they growing recognition of the importance of done, to protect them and to recognise Some would say it was ‘imprudent’ liamentarians who in 1949, after normal lives involved much more needed special measures to protect the distinctive cultural life in the National their importance. to abandon a tried and tested system. Imany years of lobbying by individual walking and manual labour, were limited and manage them in perpetuity for the Park communities. The National Parks On the basis of the evidence available Others would go further and say it and voluntary organisations, passed to the few. A friend of mine, brought up Nation. have in effect become pioneers in seeking we, like others, believe that National was recklessly putting in jeopardy the the legislation for the creation of in the 40’s and 50’s in in the But since those early days of National to achieve an integration and a sustainable Park Authorities are ‘Fit for purpose’ future of National Assets of supreme National Parks in England and Wales, Snowdonia National Park, recounted to Parks there have been fundamental approach to environmental, economic and in a way that other variants would not importance. social challenges, in ways which benefit be. This view is reinforced by the set of If ever “Landscapes matter to Wales” both local and national interests. Principles which the Alliance has drawn it is now, perhaps even more so than What better way therefore of helping up to ensure the long-term care of these ever before!!

Tryfan and the Glyderiau Ceibwr Bay Pembrokeshire 10 © Snowdonia NPA 2014 © Peter Heard LRPS 2014 11 How green is my mountain?

Huw Jenkins where blown-off rubbish accumulates contributed the greatest volume of responsibility to dispose or recycle waste. (many thanks to the Snowdon Mountain rubbish prompting the equally inevitable Each autumn the Snowdonia Society Acting Director, Railway for providing transport up the ‘if you can carry it full, surely you can runs a coordinated litter pick and last Snowdonia Society mountain). In addition a survey was carry it empty?’ As for dog poo bags, October, in foul weather, thirty two conducted over four days with 160 which were prolific at the bottoms of volunteers boarded the Snowdon nowdon does not get the respect walkers being interviewed by volunteers paths, these provoke the most disgust Mountain Railway. An hour later they it deserves as a national icon and on all main paths. Results from the amongst walkers. braced themselves and emerged into the Slegendary burial site; our offerings survey and the litter picks are being During the surveys and litter picks we wild atmosphere at the summit, with a to the gods are bags of dog poo, cigarette analysed to assess the overall volume and talked with lots of people, and one of the bin bag in one clenched fist and a picker ends and plastic bottles. Litter picks visual impact, the most common items, good things to hear, from people doing in the other. The wet but happy band address the symptoms but not the hotspots for litter and worst offenders. the 3 Peaks, was that Snowdon was much set off in five directions to cover all the

causes, and the volumes of litter can be Initial feedback suggests the volume cleaner than both Ben Nevis and Scafell main paths apart from the Watkin Path. Jenkins ©Huw Photos: massive with over thirty bin bags being is down from previous years and the Pike. Considering we have three times Those descending away from Llanberis filled on a walk down the Llanberis path. suspicion is that this is due to the the visitors to Ben Nevis this is quite an were able to deposit their collected hundreds of plastic bottles and even Last summer a group of organisations appointment of Dewi Davies as senior achievement. rubbish with local businesses or wardens a pair of children’s wellies! This weighed came together under the banner of warden for the northern area of the When people were asked what could and caught the Sherpa Bus back to the of Scotland, England and Wales. This in at well over 100kg, so a sterling effort Wyddfa Lân: Snowdon Tidy to assess the Park and Helen Pye as the warden for be done to reduce littering, one of the starting point. The consensus opinion was an initiative by the Mountain Training from everyone involved.’ problem and put in place actions to make Snowdon after a couple of years with no responses was the provision of bins was that the volume was significantly Association to “put something back” into There is no magic wand or silver bullet a lasting reduction of litter on all main wardens in post. Helen and two seasonal and recycling points, in particular at Pen down with a mere sixteen bulging bags: the landscape, to redress the impacts solution to reducing litter on Snowdon paths from the summit to the base. wardens patrol the paths on a regular y Pass. This is not an oversight but a relative to previous years it was a bit of of the estimated 60,000 people who (and elsewhere) but there does seem to As part of the fact finding, two litter basis and as part of their patrols pick up conscious decision of the National Park a treasure hunt to find the litter. undertake the 3 Peaks Challenge to raise be overwhelming support by the many picks were organised with one from litter, especially at the start of the paths; Authority; if you bring rubbish you should The Watkin Path was left for the funds for charities. to address the problem that we think is the summit to Llanberis in August the thinking being that people are less take it away with you. The vast majority following weekend and ‘The Real 3 Ross Worthington from RAW caused by the few. What we hope to and another in September which likely to drop litter in a clean area. of people respect and appreciate this but Peaks Challenge’; a coordinated litter Adventures (a business partner of the achieve is for Snowdon to become an concentrated on the area around Glaslyn Inevitably the single use plastic bottle some just feel that it’s someone else’s sweep to clean the three highest peaks Snowdonia Society which organises exemplar mountain, just as people who mountain events, expedition training and climb Cadair Idris might come down as skills courses) led the Snowdon contingent poet, people who come down Snowdon and this is an edited version of his report: become eco-warriors for a greener future. ‘Seventeen volunteers turned up outside The Wyddfa Lân: Snowdon Tidy the Snowdon Railway station but due to group will continue its work in 2014, and gusts of up to 90 mph there were no trains. a very positive development is that the We split into two teams and headed up Snowdonia National Park warden service on foot along the Watkin Path and PYG plans to recruit ten volunteer wardens Track. Both teams worked extremely hard for Snowdon who will be expected to to get into areas that are well away from commit to ten days a season. Wardens paths, especially the PYG Track team who will be sent out in pairs to do specific traversed the steep screes beneath the tasks such as patrolling a path, advising Clogwyn y Garnedd / Trinity Face. We on safety and at the same time picking spoke to loads of people on the way up up litter. This should help to sustain and and down who were all very supportive build upon recent improvements. and even started to pick odd items along In parallel the group will be conducting the way – which is great! A mind-blowing research and investigating ideas to try amount of litter was collected from and achieve a behaviour change, to get both sections, with items including two to the root of the issue. This involves tents, numerous items of clothing, large getting appropriate messages out to polystyrene blocks, rucksack covers, different groups of people on a grand scale. It is hoped that the group will put its full weight behind ‘The Real 3 Peaks Wyddfa Lân: Snowdon Tidy is the name of an initiative to achieve and sustain Challenge’ this autumn, and it is looking a meaningful reduction of litter on all main paths from the base to the summit likely that similar groups involving the of Snowdon. This includes the car parks and responsible disposal of rubbish National Trust and the John Muir Trust i.e. recycling not landfill. will contribute to Scafell Pike and Ben The initiative is supported by the Snowdonia National Park Authority, Nevis. A massive 3 Peaks litter pick could Cymdeithas Eryri the Snowdonia Society, the Snowdon Mountain Railway, the attract media attention and go a long way Halfway Café, Natural Resources Wales, Keep Wales Tidy, the North Wales in raising the profile of the issue. Environmental Outdoor Charter Group, the Snowdon Marathon and through the Green Innovation Future Technologies (GIFT) project, the Wales Centre for Behaviour Change and the Welsh Institute for Sustainable If you would like to contribute or know Environments (WISE). more about the initiative, please contact [email protected]

12 13 Thinking Inside and Outside the box!!

Cynan Jones The Mushroom Garden, Yr Ardd Fadarch, Full steam Nantmor e at the Mushroom Garden in Nantmor, the heart of WSnowdonia, grow exotic ahead mushrooms in specially created environments within insulated rooms (converted shipping containers and recycled refrigerated units off the backs of lorries-) so the whole process of colonising growing substrates and fruiting Shiitake and Oyster mushrooms happens inside these boxes . We use in Germany; this is in addition predoninantly Welsh Oak chips and to an ever increasing high-value sawdust for the substrate and add fresh market in the UK – our latest new Andrew Thomas Snowdonia water and clean air coupled customer is Fortnum and Mason Railway Company to a little science, and the process in London. But we do not forget produces about 100kg fresh mushrooms our local outlets either, such as he Ffestiniog Railway has been part of the a week. DG Davies Butcher in Penrhyn- landscape of Snowdonia since 1836, running The business started in 2007 as deudraeth, Siop y Pentref Tfor 13½ miles from the slate capital of Blaenau a research project run by , the National Ffestiniog to the sea at . One of the great Council and the University in Bangor to Trust shop in advantages of narrow gauge railways is that they can look at which new products could be and the national Park follow the contours of the land rather than slicing grown commercially by farmers in the Informationm Centre in straight through it. county. As farmers and foragers, my Beddgelert. Indeed, in some places on the Ffestiniog a casual observer The 40 miles of railway winding wife June and I were chosen to pilot the As a small business who are tenants would be hard-pressed to notice there was even a railway unobtrusively though Snowdonia and affording unparalleled growing of Shiitake Mushrooms using The development of these products to the National Trust (the growing Boxes there. But there is, and it’s one of the most successful tourist views of some of the finest scenery in the world, attract the system developed by Humungus has achieved two of our main aims in are sited on a National Trust property attractions in Wales. Together with the Welsh Highland hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and provide a Fungus from Llangadog and to research the business – firstly avoiding waste, in Nantmor) and who are operating Railway - running from Caernarfon to Porthmadog and major boost to the local economy – estimated at up to £25 the market for the produce. as fresh mushrooms have a shelf life of within the Snowdonia National Park, re-opened in 2011 - it carries some 400,000 passengers a year million each year. It became clear that the system 7-10 days while the drïed products and we have nothing but praise for the way and keeps a huge number of cars and coaches off the narrow And 40 miles of railway means 80 miles of boundary to produced quality mushrooms and that seasonings have a 1 month shelf life. these bodies have worked with us over roads of the National Park. maintain. Much of this involves dry stone walls, and the the market would hold a viable price for Secondly, processing adds value to the the years. The Trust have awarded us Since the 1950s, the Ffestiniog Railway has become a leader Ffestiniog also runs across the top of the highest dry stone them, so we bought the growing boxes primary product (ie the mushrooms) and numerous Fine Farm Produce Awards and in railway preservation and is now one of the UK’s top and wall in Europe, the 60 foot high Cei Mawr embankment. at the end of the research project and makes for a more viable and profitable are always ready to promote the business; North Wales’ Number One tourist attraction. The world’s While the 25 miles of the Welsh Highland was being rebuilt carried on ourselves. It was then that business. We also take sustainability and Snowdonia National Park Authority oldest steam engines, Prince and Palmerston, have been in after 70 years of neglect, great efforts were made to minimise we started thinking outside the box and and energy efficiency seriously by using have been extremely helpful with advice regular use on the line for more than 150 years, now hauling its impact on the environment – more trees were planted than developed a range of Shiitake mushroom the heat from our mushroom drying and assistance on planning matters . passengers rather than slate. The railway’s workshops at were felled, badger gates installed in fences, and even otter based products such as dried Shiitake , cabinets to heat our incubating room We also have a very good relationship Boston lodge – the oldest working railway workshop in the holts relocated. Shiitake Antipasto (pickled mushrooms), where the temperature needs to be 25 with the Park Study Centre at Plas Tan y world – keeps the old engineering skills alive and is unique It would be difficult to find a better example of man and Shiitake “caviar”, Shiitake concentrated deg. C all the time. We can also reach Bwlch, who drop in regularly with various in having built steam locomotives in the 19th, 20th and 21st nature working together to offer thousands the chance to mushroom powder , a Shiitake based international markets with our products relevant course-participants. Centuries. The latest, Lyd, having been completed in 2010. enjoy some of the finest views anywhere, while making a Mexican seasoning, and our award- which are so light to distribute; for The future is looking very exciting with Trains travel through tranquil pastures and magnificent significant reduction in road journeys in the area. There is winning Umami seasoning, developed example, our Mushroom Garden/Halen a soon-to-be-launched Shiitake infused forests, past lakes and waterfalls, clinging to the side of the simply no better way to engage with the landscape. and co branded with the world famous Mon Umami seasoning supplies top class oil, so we are very busy inside and mountains and through the stunning - voted Halen Mon Sea Salt of Anglesey. delis in Spain and we have customers outside the Boxes!! the most beautiful spot in the UK by National Trust members. www.festrail.co.uk

14 15 Pembrokeshire’s appeal as a leading tourist destination is set to soar in 2014 following the success of a national marketing campaign. Immersed in something very different

Richard Grover Trigonos, Plas Baladeulyn, , Caernarfon

t’s a long journey to north-west Wales from the main centres of population. There are hundreds of conference, Ieducation and retreat centres in the UK, so the journey to Trigonos and Snowdonia has to be really worth the effort. We know that when choosing a residential centre for their event, people make their decision on certain key factors:

· Quality of accommodation, work-spaces and food “Top of the posters” · Friendly, competent and unobtrusive staff · Value for money Richard Howells of Pembrokeshire’s tourism economy. The Park and the · A landscape and environment that really surrounding area attracts 4.2million visitors a year, supports Friends of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park 7,039 jobs and contributes £187million Gross Value Added to supports the work people are doing the Welsh economy. he beauty and allure of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Research shows that eight out of ten visitors choose The first 3 can be found in many places – if the staff team Park helped National Park Authority marketers scoop a Pembrokeshire because of all the National Park has to offer, make the (very considerable) effort required to produce Ttop award in The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)’s something which the county’s tourism industry is keen to really good facilities and food Without all that we have been gifted, our visitors would Canmol: Wales Marketing Awards. capitalize on. The fourth comes to us from nature and cannot be not trouble to come our way. Most likely they would be in The retro-style poster campaign celebrated 60 years of the The success of the poster campaign, which was also a replaced by any human creation. For Trigonos this is our bustling hotels, conference centres within the sound of National Park, with six nostalgic images of the Park displayed Chartered Institute of Marketing Excellence Awards UK finalist greatest asset and is a gift. Without this gift our visiting motorways and places in cities with no natural ventilation at train stations between Swansea and London Paddington and in 2012, has helped to raise the National Park’s profile even groups are unlikely to make the long slog on the roads or or light, cut off from nature and forced into a degree of across the London Underground. further and increase the county’s tourism appeal. deal with the complexities of rail journeys. un-naturalness that, it could be argued, reduces their The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, which ran National Park Authority Chairman Cllr Mike James added: Snowdonia creates the possibility of being inspired. The humanness and their ability to discover something new. the campaign, picked up the first prize in the category Tourism, “Our retro-style posters, drawn by illustrator Gary Redford mountains and lakes are the obvious draws. Once people What Snowdonia is cannot be properly reflected in hotels, leisure, place & destination marketing, travel and really captured the spirit and feel of the National Park, as well arrive in Dyffryn Nantlle they find themselves pulled into words like “environment” and “landscape”. They are transport. as capturing the public’s imagination, with people calling from the landscape in unexpected ways, enjoying the walks examples of the limitations of our language. What is Marie Edwards, the Authority’s Communications and across the UK to buy copies, having seen them advertised at between buildings – even in the rain, the open windows, crucial is not finding the words but simply experiencing its Marketing Manager, said: “Winning a Canmol: Wales Marketing railway stations. natural light and rainbows. impact – allowing it in. If we truly value and care for what is Awards is a fantastic achievement for us, and a testament to the “We even received a request for set of posters from a serving Everything becomes not just manageable but desirable. around us then everything benefits: local people, visitors, marketing team’s determination and hard work. British Army Officer having seen them advertised on the People are immersed in something very different that flora and fauna, the economy. Well-being is the natural “The campaign was a success not just for the Authority London Underground, to go on display at the UK’s military base helps them leave their distractions behind and focus on consequence of our care for this little corner of the globe. but for Pembrokeshire as a whole. The posters played a part in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, to inspire the troops and their task. No-one leaves berating us for the weather or the in raising visitor numbers to the National Park during the remind them of home.” lack on entertainments. Many leave thanking us for being www.trigonos.org campaign period, as well contributing to a 14% increase in in such an extraordinary place. walkers using the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in 2013.” The alluring combination of natural and historic features has established the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park as a global tourism destination. National Geographic’s Traveler magazine voted it the second best coastal destination in the world and the Coast Path is recognized as one of the world’s top three long distance trails. Paul Davies the Assembly Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire said: “I consider myself very lucky to both live and work in such a beautiful part of the country. Our National Parks very much symbolise the character and essence of Wales and in many respects they are Wales’ window to the world.” A report, Valuing Wales’ National Parks, published last year highlighted that the National Park is the foundation

16 17 “Blooming great”

Alison Belton & Ruth Davies Out source me Park Authority’s invaluable Resources t’s Britain’s only coastal National Park and proud of role in the Tourism industry Iit: that’s Pembrokeshire. With its 186 miles of spectacular sea-side scenery - which led it to be voted the second finest coastal region in the world by readers of National Geographic Traveller Maudie Hughes magazine - it welcomes more © Gareth Davies Photography than four million visitors Chief Executive: every year. One of the Pembrokeshire Pembrokeshire Tourism Coast National Park’s most iconic sights is the picture- long with many other aspects postcard harbour at Tenby, of Welsh public service, the guarded by colour-washed ANational Parks throughout Wales houses, where the streets have come under the microscope Tenby, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park of the walled town wind of late, as a result of the Williams and slope their way down Commission Review. With various rec- towards the sea. Each with family roots in in 2006 found that half of the bedrooms now feature the ommendations on the table for a whole 4.2 million visitors to the county a Pembrokeshire Tourism is an organisation The resort - a former fort Tenby, the hoteliers are very county’s accommodation colours of sand and sea, host of changes to delivery structures, year, this is no mean contribution. which represents over 500 members who are and port - was a favourite conscious of the Giltar’s providers said the path complemented by local management and mechanisms, Throughout the county of watering-hole of the Victorian privileged position looking was ‘very important’ to the textiles and photographs. actively involved with the County’s multi-million there will undoubtedly be some Pembrokeshire there are several visitor, and many of the over the Blue Flag South profitability of their business. The hotel hosted the UK pound holiday and recreation industry. challenges, and opportunities ahead thousand tourism businesses, imposing properties of the Beach and across the sea Added Pat: “People who National Park Societies’ for all concerned, whether in the public ranging from individual B&B era standing tall along the towards the monastic island come to Tenby appreciate Conference last year, and in service or for users of those services. providers, to hotels, galleries to theme Over the course of the last few years, Esplanade continue to of Caldey, as well as the the fact that the town is in 2012 members of the three However, in amongst all of this, parks, and a whole host of other the two organisations have worked closely welcome visitors, as well status that Tenby enjoys the guardianship of the Park National Park Authorities in it is worth taking a few moments to businesses in between directly dealing together to provide tourism businesses as providing some of the within the Park. Authority, which makes Wales were at the Giltar for step back and look at just what the with the visitor or supplying goods and with key facts about the Park, encourage 7,000 local jobs supported “Without doubt, being in a feature of conserving a seminar focusing on the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park services to those who do. Aside from sustainable business practices, both en- by the Pembrokeshire Coast the Pembrokeshire Coast traditional buildings, and important role of planning in means for tourism operators, and the being based in Pembrokeshire, they all vironmentally and financially, and create National Park. National Park - and on the we have been very aware conserving the National Parks. wider population, in the county which it have one thing in common, and that is the opportunities to showcase different At the Giltar Hotel, route of the Coast Path as of this while carrying out The Giltar has now become serves. appeal of being located in a county with aspects of the landscape and heritage business partners Malcolm it comes through Tenby - is renovations and upgrades a business member of the Established in 1952, the National Park. through ‘Trade Days’ and other informative Brace and Pat Jenkins have definitely a selling point,” over the past five years.” Friends of the Pembrokeshire Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is Regardless of whether a business visits and experiences. Such opportunities just celebrated the fifth said Pat. The hotel brought in Coast National Park, in home to a plethora of beautiful and is based overlooking the sea, or deep allow the trade to learn more about anniversary of buying the The route - part of the Pembrokeshire interior support of its ethos in in some cases rare variety of flora in the Preseli hills taking advantage of the environment and reasons behind business where they both Wales Coast Path - is designer Linda Hunt of protecting, conserving and and fauna, and of course a superb a different type of unspoilt scenery, particular activities and practices, which worked - Malcolm as general regarded as one of the Meigan Design to oversee the enhancing the Park for its coastal foothpath, with many beaches tourism operators in the county they in turn are then able to explain to the manager and Pat as bar greatest assets to tourism in work, and the public rooms residents, visitors and future adjoining and beneath it. Recent have much to say thank you to the visitors, enhancing their experiences and manager. Pembrokeshire. And a survey and many of the luxurious generations. research undertaken indicates that National Park for. With this in mind, enjoyment of their visits to the county. the National Park contributes Pembrokeshire Tourism, the trade Whatever the future may hold for some £147 million to the local association and membership Pembrokeshire Coast National Park economy and supports 7000 organisation delivering a whole Authority as a component of the larger jobs. When you consider host of benefits and support to ‘public service body’ map of Wales, one that the value of tourism the sector, ensures that a close thing is for sure, the identity, name and to Pembrokeshire is in the and collaborative working ownership of those will remain strongly region of £525 million, and partnership is maintained rooted in the activities and marketing that it supports over 16,000 with the National Park of tourism businesses up and down the FTE jobs, as a result of the Authority. county.

South Beach, Tenby, 18 Pembrokeshire Coast NP 19 Brecon Beacons National Park – a place to live work and play

Since its designation as a National Park in 1957, the Brecon Beacons has been a cherished part of the Welsh National Parks’ rich tapestry of cultural landscapes. And it’s easy to see why. The Brecon Beacons has served generations with peace, tranquillity, vitality, outstanding beauty, diverse wildlife and an intimate sense of community.

David Thomas Brecon Beacons Park Society

wo thirds of the area of the Park is comprised of Old Red Sandstone, Twhich is cut into by a number of major river valleys. In the east are the Black Mountains, south of Brecon are the Central Beacons, which rise to 886m at Pen y Fan, the highest point in Brecon southern Britain, and to the far west lies ©Crown Copyright(2014) the sandstone massif of Fforest Fawr Visit Wales – Wales’ first Geopark. Water rushing towns, such as Brecon, Hay on Wye only one year old economic benefits southwards from this area has formed and Crickhowell, together with a rich are already being seen. The residents steep river valleys with spectacular archaeological heritage from earliest of the Park have taken their dark skies waterfalls. human settlements to 18c industrial to their hearts with multiple community Along the southern edge of the archaeology. and business-led events having been Park the geology alters, and outcrops The Park is one of the most accessible staged.” of limestone and millstone grit for outdoor pursuits including walking, However, the Brecon Beacons predominate. The scenery contains rambling, kayaking, gorge walking, National Park is not just a playground many ridges and screes and in some horse riding, hang gliding etc. It hosts or a nature reserve; it is also home to areas the land is pockmarked with a number of internationally famous 33,000 people and many businesses shakeholes. The smooth flat limestone events such as the Hay Festival, the that rely on the special qualities of the has been partly dissolved by rainwater Brecon Jazz Festival and the Green Park for their success. creating a pattern of blocks and fissures Man Festival, as well as local food The Park is very proud of its green which support communities of plants and walking festivals based around credentials. In 2013, it won the inaugural forming the habitat known as limestone Crickhowell, Talgarth and Hay. Green Destination Goldstar Award pavement. It is one of the most scarce A campaign led by the Brecon presented by Green Tourism, the world’s habitats in Wales. Beacons Park Society and the National biggest green tourism certification The Park is one of the last outposts Park Authority resulted in the Park organisation, demonstrating that for Welsh mountain ponies, which live, becoming the first International Dark appropriate economic development can breed and run wild across the remote Skies Reserve in Wales and only the go hand in hand with environmental uplands. The skies above are home to fifth in the world. Dark Sky training good practice. a once endangered but now thriving courses have been offered to local The Brecon Beacons National Park is population of red kites, the heathlands businesses to help them benefit from a very beautiful place, but that is by no provide Britain’s most southerly home this aspect of the National Park, and a means all it is. It is a place where people for red grouse and Britain’s largest Dark Sky Ambassador scheme put in live, work and play. It has tranquility breeding population of lesser horseshoe place. More than a hundred businesses and peace but is not a museum, rather bats can be found in the Usk Valley. have taken part in the training and over an evolving landscape. We need to The area is mostly rural, with 40 have gained Dark Sky Ambassador continue to look after it for future scattered villages and attractive market status, and although the Reserve is generations.

Brecon Beacons 20 ©Crown Copyright(2014) Visit Wales Dark Skies ©Michael Sinclair 21 Penderyn Novel businesses now successfully Visitor Centre operating within the Park

established in 1996, is a family-run “Most of our web marketing relies Black gourmet food business based in on “Sense of Place”. We are a lifestyle Crickhowell. Their award-winning business and our customers buy into the Mountains smoked foods are carefully sourced from romance of our setting and our story as British suppliers, and traditionally cured much as the quality of our product. As and smoked at their own smokehouse. artisan food producers we find working Smokery, They sell locally and at food fairs and in the Brecon Beacons National Park deliver both within the UK and Interna- beneficial to our business in many ways. tionally. They stock the National Park Our sales are boosted both directly and Visitor Centre with smoked fish and indirectly by tourism particularly in the meats for their restaurant and cafe as summer months which are generally well as many of the local hostelries. quieter for mail order.”

Jo Carthew Black Mountains Smokery ©Welsh Whisky Co Whisky ©Welsh A drop of the hard stuff Welsh style The Welsh Whisky Company is the has won a number of prestigious Our whisky matures gracefully in the ©Black Mountains Smokery manufacturer of Wales’ only single- international awards for the quality and natural surroundings of the national park malt whisky – Penderyn – and other taste of its whisky and for its distinctive and it is a great environment to welcome spirits, at its distillery in the Park. and stylish packaging. some 35,000 distillery visitors each Water is drawn exclusively from their “The Brecon Beacons provides year. All in all a great place for Penderyn own pure source in the carboniferous Penderyn with an ideal location for us to Distillery to do business.” limestone deep below the distillery, produce our world class single malt and which is located in the old village of in particular our fresh spring water from Stephen Davies Penderyn, nestling in the foothills of our natural spring which is so important Managing Director Penderyn Distillery the Brecon Beacons. The company in our casking and bottling operations. Welsh Whisky Company

Llangattock The Green Valleys Community Interest Company

is a multi award winning organisation providing Green Valleys (LGV) support to communities within the Brecon Beacons National Park. The Brecon Beacons National is a community-based initiative to make Park Authority, BBNPA, had been mindful of the Llangattock a carbon-negative community. LGV potential effects of climate change on the protected is involved in multiple activities in its quest for landscapes, for which it has a purpose to protect, carbon-negativity. Major among them is the use and the communities for which it has a duty to foster of micro hydro schemes for energy generation. To social and economic prosperity. In 2008 BBNPA this end it has had one successful share flotation supported the bid, developed by its own staff, to enter of a Cooperative to finance 2 micro-hydro projects the Big Green Challenge organized by NESTA, the which are predicted to generate enough electricity UK’s largest community-led carbon reduction prize. for 57 typical homes, and is launching another one As this project developed it became necessary that, for 4 schemes in Spring 2014. for its long term viability and success, it should be “The National Park Authority has supported delivered by a new community-led organisation. This us at many levels – through their Sustainable resulted in the incorporation of The Green Valleys Development Fund, offering officer time at a Community Interest Company, TGVCIC. In January number of events and from a relatively benign 2010, TGVCIC was confirmed as a joint winner of “It would have been hard to set up something Community planning environment for non-wind renewable the Big Green Challenge, bringing in £300,000 for similar outside the National Park; the ethos of the Action ©TGV CIC energy schemes. As a result we have moved communities within the Brecon Beacons. National Park Authority, along with the dedication forward tremendously and this is a credit to their Since then the NPA has continued to support The and expertise of the staff has been a crucial element approach” Green Valleys with seconded staff who are able to in our success.” use their skills to work directly alongside community Andrew Fryer groups. This support has drawn in over £100 000 Gareth Ellis Llangattock Green Valleys ©LGV Chair, Llangattock Green Valleys more in funding that the NPA would not have been The Green Valley Community Interest Company eligible to apply for directly. (Brecon Beacons) 22 23 National Parks for Health

Sarah Wilson Mosaic Project Manager Campaign for National Parks

had a phone call from a woman named Sham a few days ago. ‘You know,’ she Isaid, ‘The National Parks are great! I work in a very stressful job on violence against women. Going to Pembrokeshire, being outdoors even in the wind and rain takes me out of it and makes me unwind. It enables me to do the job I do.’ Sham is one of over fifty volunteer Community Champions with the Campaign for National Parks’ Mosaic project in Wales. They come from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities 2013, they cited the most important in Wales’ cities – Cardiff, Bangor, reason for getting involved in National Newport, Swansea and Wrexham. They Parks as improved health and wellbeing promote National Parks in their own of themselves and individuals in their communities, each one being connected communities as well as the community to either Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons itself. They aren’t just talking about or Pembrokeshire Coast. Sham is one of physical and mental health either. They many who have had this new experience recognise the opportunity National Parks of finding space in the wild beauty of present to bring people together socially National Parks to unwind and release – for an experience in an inspirational stress. She sees her role as a Champion place – or holding a community event to for the Pembrokeshire Coast National raise money in order to get there! Park to share that experience with others Sham noted, when we spoke last week, who have not yet visited these wonderful that her involvement with National Parks landscapes. ‘And’, she says, ‘it’s easy in through Mosaic has helped her push many ways because when you organise her own boundaries, partly through the a trip to Pembrokeshire you get such In recent years our understanding confident about being in the countryside. builds on over ten years of experience confidence she’s gained through leading good feedback. Everyone says what a of the positive correlation between In a recent survey we carried out of facilitating engagement between visits for others to them. It’s a familiar good time they’ve had and how much accessing green space and health amongst Mosaic Community Champions BME communities and National Parks pattern. Dawn, a Snowdonia Champion better they feel. It makes you want to do has grown, and several studies have 100% of the respondents said they felt in England and Wales. It was initially from Wrexham tried out kayaking for the another one’. demonstrated the positive health more positive after visiting a National set up in response to 2001 census data first time on a Mosaic Group Leaders’ Three other Community Champions impacts of using green space. 2011 Park and over 70% of those said that and visitor statistics that showed that training weekend. She was frightened of with the Brecon Beacons National Park, statistics from the Public Health Wales feeling lasts longer than a week. 70% although over 10% of the UK’s population the water and couldn’t swim, but decided Zarin, Sapna and Fateha, run a BME Observatory show growing health said they have started visiting green is of BME background, they represented that she wanted to join the group. She carers’ centre. Last year they raised inequality in Wales between those space closer to home since experiencing less than than1% of National Park visitors. conquered her fear and on returning money to take a group of carers to the living in least and most deprived urban National Parks while over 60% said they What started out as a programme to Wrexham, signed up for swimming Brecon Beacons for the weekend. They areas, which typically have less access have exercised more since becoming a to increase the number of people of lessons. stayed in Brecon YHA and did several to green space. Through Mosaic, we’ve Community Champion. National Parks BME background who use, enjoy and National Parks are indeed inspirational activities – short walks, a trip on the found there are several reasons why are our best landscapes and provide understand National Parks has become a places and can play a significant role in mountain railway among them. By the people of BME background in areas a critical resource for our health and recognised model of how National Park the health and wellbeing of people and end of the weekend, many of the carers of high urban deprivation do not visit wellbeing. Authorities can and do engage both BME communities in urban (and rural) Wales. commented how relaxed they felt, and National Parks, or indeed other green The Campaign for National Parks communities and other ‘new audiences’ Reason enough why we should campaign not only that but physically healthier. space. These reasons include not runs Mosaic to build new links between to National Parks. Not only that, but our to protect them and ensure that as many They also weighed themselves and knowing how to get there, not realising National Parks and people who would understanding of how important and people benefit from them as possible. found that the physical exercise had that they are open for public use, and not not normally visit them. We currently run how beneficial National Parks are to had its effect! It inspired the group to having a culture of using them, as well two projects in partnership with the YHA those living in the cities has increased do two things – raise money for further as economic reasons, or perceptions and National Park Authorities – a project exponentially. For more information about Mosaic visits for themselves and those they care that the countryside is boring. We’ve for 16-25 year olds in England and our The stories from Zarin, Fateha, Sapna and the Campaign for National for through community events, and to also found that often one visit is enough project in Wales for black and minority and Sham are just a few examples. Parks’ other work, please visit our take more walks and do more physical to inspire people to use them more, if it ethnic (BME) communities (due to run At a meeting of Mosaic Community website www.cnp.org.uk exercise from home. takes a little longer than that to get really until January 2015). Mosaic in Wales Champions from across Wales in October

24 25 The battle continues!

Six months ago little did individuals and supporters Buildings for the Future Should anyone realise how would mount to save these you wish to much effort, paper, landscapes. The clash many CPRW members and Any donation contribute to the time and stamina between David and Goliath Branches has achieved so should include a covering Frances Llewellyn as estates, rather than one-off Fighting Fund Appeal, please would be needed to could never have been much but a little more help Larch House Ebbw Vale send your donation large or note marked commissions, and looked to challenge the might so obvious. Likewise the to fund the Alliance team “Alliance Chairman a time when they will be the small made out to “CPRW” of the five wind bruising that the egos of down the home straight is Fighting Fund” and send them to CPRW, norm, and their structural farm developers many of the “experts” and still real. If you can dig deep Caernarfonshire CPRW Head Office, 31 High Street, requirements familiar in the determined to their barristers have taken please do so for Mid Wales, Welshpool, Powys SY21 7YD countryside. Jonathan’s practice ruin the uplands of from the incisive endeavours the landscapes of Wales and he fourth Day School planned to develop a 20 acre Montgomeryshire and of the minnows has been for David’s ultimate victory organised by the site in Herefordshire to put their Northern Radnorshire. palpable. over Goliath and the final Further details of TCaernarfonshire Branch principles into practice. Their Little did those wanting Although the battle is demise of the industrial the many wind farm focused on issues of comfort houses reflect Herefordshire to ruin this part of Wales nearing its final stages, the wind farm mania across proposals in the and sustainability in new-build traditions of simple building, realise however what a need for one final financial, Wales. Mid Wales are can houses; unquestionably robustly constructed; with the determined and stoic effort physical and moral push Please give generously. be found at www. important in the mass market if sloping site and shared green a determined band of remains. The generosity of Thank you midwaleswind.co.uk energy reduction on a significant spaces used to stream sun to scale is to be achieved, and of all houses, create winding lanes relevance to planners and buyers to reduce speed and provide where considerations of acceptability than recycling. The ReFab House project community areas. Factory-made and cost are important. explores the possibility of increasing components and energy efficiency The Passivhaus exploits the natural re-use of all building materials through design would all help reduce costs. advantages of the site and minimises a sequence of building/deconstruction Cindy Harris concentrated on the energy inputs, by prioritising energy and re-building. A proposed appearance of low-energy houses efficiency in its approach to light and demonstration project on Anglesey and the consequent changes in our Rhyd Ddu Wind farm photomontage © Signal graphic for Non Renewables and Forestry Commission Wales warmth. The ReFab house by contrast would concentrate on simplification of expectation of what a ‘traditional’ house starts from the premise that all materials detail to facilitate deconstruction (eg should look like. She, too, stressed should be reusable without the energy using bolts rather than welding) and on the design of sites was as important as cost of recycling. Both approaches modular construction. The economics the look of the individual house. The were discussed, along with reflections of re-use and leasing were discussed current ‘suburban’ feel of estates with of a private house building in Penmon: with reference to current research small detached boxes and circular cul de Gwobrau Cymru Wledig Rural Wales Awards both aspirations and the inevitable projects arising from the Olympics, sacs should be rejected in favour of the compromises of regulation, availability, where the water polo arena has been terrace which can produce better scaled costs and timing. Again we were very deconstructed and moved to Rio. units and a great sensitivity to context grateful to Prof Gareth Wyn Jones for In contrast to these professional in linear valleys. Materials should Clwyd Branch chairing the lively discussion sessions. projects, Julie and Monty Williamson’s be locally sourced and processed, Jonathan Hines, of Architype long, sometimes faltering, journey renewable and abundant. Such criteria Architects from Hereford, outlined towards a new house at the end of provide an opportunity for the use the Passivhaus concept and his own their garden, brought the day back of Welsh wood, timber technology The Glynne Arms, approach to house building. The to a personal scale at which costs, being currently an area of considerable location must be carefully chosen for compromises and regulations were very development. She admitted however Hawarden, Flintshire good light and ventilation, all maximised real. Planning permission was initially that no design trend had yet emerged by primary design elements, well- refused, and only gained some years later. that fully complemented the Welsh The Glynne Arms, a Grade II Listed building, was controlled construction practices Windows facing south to provide sunlight landscape, but planners and the public falling into disrepair until the Gladstone Estate eliminating thermal bridges and, were not permitted, because of proximity need to keep their minds open about renovated the property and brought it back disciplined energy use. All such to neighbours. The rainwater harvesting what is an ‘appropriate’ house. into the life of the community. The sympathetic houses should be rigorously monitored was however their personal crusade. In general discussion, the cultural restoration, using locally sourced materials to achieve the desired outcome of Jonathan Hines and Cindy Harris shift which sustainability will demand where possible and local craftsmen, has resulted minimum energy use and maximum spoke about energy-efficient buildings was highlighted, in the context both in the emergence of its original character and comfort but should not be awarded of alterations to existing buildings and appearance as an early 19th Century coaching certificates on design alone. The overall of new houses. Obtaining planning inn. The Glynne Arms is now back at the heart aim must be to use less energy, and permission for an innovative house of the village, employing 26 persons, using tests show a fully ‘’Passivhaus’’ reduces was difficult, and unfamiliarity may locally grown produce and providing facilities energy needs by 80-85% compared with make buyers (and mortgage lenders) for local community organizations and functions, a “low energy” or standard house.’ reluctant. In Germany and Scandinavia and even featuring in the 2014 edition of the Gary Newman’s contribution looked capitalism seems to be compatible with Michelin’s ‘Eating Out in Pubs Guide’. at efficiency in design of materials and sustainability, but not here. However Receiving their Rural Wales Award, General structural elements to ensure maximum the standards put in place by Jane Manager, Mr Alan Downes, said, “The Award will re-use of materials. Steel in particular Davidson in Wales should be helping to take centre stage. We’re delighted and proud to Dr Jean Rosenfeld (CPRW Chairman), Mr Anthony Hall (Project manager William Hall & Co.) should be designed for re-use rather change these attitudes. have received it.” Miss Victoria Gladstone (Representing Mr Charles Gladstone, who took on the restoration.) Mr Paul Eastwood (Builder)

Wedi ei argraffu trwy ddulliau caredig at yr amgylchedd ar bapur o ffynonellau cynaladwy Back cover: 26 Dark skies reserve Brecon Beacons National27 Park Printed by environmentally friendly methods on paper from sustainable sources © Michael Sinclair T] Gwyn 31 Stryd Fawr 31 High Street Rhif Elusen Gofrestredig Registered Charity No. 239899 £3 Y Trallwng Welshpool, Powys CYMRU WLEDIG yw cylchgrawn swyddogol YDCW. SY21 7YD RURAL WALES is the official magazine of CPRW. 01938 552525/556212 ISSN 1473-8198 01938 552741 This edition of Rural Wales has been published with financial www.cprw.org.uk support from Natural Resources Wales