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Cymdeithas Parc Bannau Brycheiniog Beacons Park Society www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS PROGRAMME AUTUMN 2012

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 2012 FEATURES

Welcome to the Brecon Beacons Park Society Guided Walks and Events Programme for Autumn 2012, we hope you enjoy it. The programme contains a rich and varied programme of walks and events, thanks to our wonderful band of volunteer leaders and speakers. There are guided walks every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, covering a variety of grades and areas and including a night time walk in the Beacons for the intrepid. Given below are details of an extra event in the Summer programme, last chance for a sauna and barbecue in the Pen Arthur Forestry. In September we will have an illustrated talk at The Bear by Ecologist John Edington on Craig Cerrig Gleisiad (Anne will lead a walk through Craig Cerrig Gleisiad the following day). Then in November we will be at a new venue, The Old Rectory Hotel Llangattock, for our second illustrated talk which will be given by young Welsh adventurer Tori James.

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]

This programme is available to view or download from the website. Postage costs have risen considerably lately and it now costs 79p to print and post each programme. If you no longer wish to receive a posted hard copy, please advise Ben Sladen on [email protected] .

Changes to the Guided Walks Programme Occasionally leaders may change or cancel a guided walk, usually because of severe weather which may affect the walk itself or the roads to the start of the walk. Whenever possible, any changes will be added to the Guided Walks Programme page on the website www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org . You are strongly advised to check the Mountain weather forecast for the Brecon Beacons before setting out for walks, on the Met Office website: www.metoffice.gov.uk . If in doubt consult the leader whose name and telephone number are given in the Guided Walks programme.

Emergency Contact Details on Guided Walks The emergency services encourage all of us to enter a contact number in our mobile phone's memory under the heading ICE - In Case of Emergency. Paramedics or police would then be able to use it to contact a relative in case of illness or accident. Those participating in BBPS guided walks are also encouraged to carry a card, preferably laminated or encased in a plastic cover, in the top of their rucksack, with their name, emergency telephone contact, and details of any medical conditions and medication carried, which could be useful in case of illness or accident on a walk.

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2012

A CHANGE OF LEADER AND AN EXTRA EVENT FOR THE SUMMER PROGRAMME

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE WEATHERMAN Date: Satu rday 25th August From the Tafarn y Garreg car park on the A4067 at GR SN Level: Energetic 849171. Dist: 16km (10 miles) Along the Rotten Stone trail, to see the stabilisation work on Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Waun Fignen Felen (as seen on TV – Walks with the Leader: ANDREW LEONARD Weatherman). Then to Sinc y Giedd, the second Afon Giedd, Contact: 01874 636674 and back through Carreg Goch and the Crater. PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF LEADER (The original leader, Clive, will be firing the sauna & barbecue ready for this evening – see below)

EXTRA EVENT: SMILES OF THE LAST SUMMER NIGHT Date: Saturday 25th August A further, and last, chance to enjoy the Russian sauna in the Level: Easy! Pen Arthur Forestry near . Time: 4.00pm – midnight 12 of us went there after the AGM and enjoyed ourselves so Leader: CLIVE EILES much that we wanted to go again, and as the Forestry is Contact: 01550 740188 closing it down on 31st August, this is the very last chance. [email protected] The setting is a sloping woodland glade, and the sauna itself is fired by wood and leads off a round wooden hut. There is also a plunge pool fed by a small stream, and a large wood fired brazier for barbecue and cooking, with a semicircular amphitheatre to eat and shelter in. There is no charge, but you will need to bring your own food and drink. The sauna will be fired up from about 1700, and since there is a walk earlier in the day from the Tafarn y Garreg the sauna would complete a day in the west. For directions and further details please contact Clive : [email protected]

SEPTEMBER

CLAERDDU BOTHY WEEKEND Date: Sat 1st - Sun 2nd September Places (limited to twelve) must be booked in advance. Leader: ANDREW LEONARD There will be a charge (no more than £10) for food. Our Contact: 01874 636674 sleeping gear will be transported by landrover. We will meet near Pont ar Elan and walk across the plateau to the Claerwen reservoir and then on the track to the Elan Trust’s Claerddu bothy near the Teifi pools. On the Sunday we will return by way of Strata Florida and the Monks Trod. A good night’s sleep is not promised but there will be two great days of walking. Further detail will be provided to those who make contact with the leader.

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2012

A DYFFRYN CRAWNON CIRCUIT Date: Saturday 1st September From car park opposite village hall GR SO 154195. Level: Energetic Up through cairn strewn Pant Llwyd (rough ground) to the Dist: 21km (13 miles) Chartist Cave, then across to Trefil quarry and return via Pen Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Rhiwcalch and Tor y Foel. Leader: CHRIS PLAYFORD Contact: 01497 820074

FAN LLIA, FAN DRINGARTH, FAN FAWR & GWAUN CEFNYGARREG Date: Sunday 2nd September Meet at car park GR SN 929134. From Ystradfellte Level: Strenuous walking out to Fan Llia and Fan Fawr returning via Gwaun Dist: 29km (18 miles) 2800ft Cefnygarreg. Time: 9.30am – 6.00pm Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07411 084613

WEDNESDAY WANDER: RHYMNEY RIVER - AN “ANNIVERSARY WALK/WALTZ!” Date: Wed 5th September Start at Machen Village Hall car park, Forge Road, Machen Level: Moderate (behind Social Club) GR ST 212891 Explorer map 152. A Dist: 14.5km (9miles) return to the first WW route, completed in September 2011. Time: 10.30am – 3.30pm Lanes and fields to Rupera Castle before returning alongside Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY & the river. WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664

THE GARDEN IN THE CLOUDS Date: Friday 7th September Meet at Priory GR SO 288278 for a gentle start on Level: Energetic the low level paths to the west of the Honddu to . A Dist: 16km (10miles) loop around Cwm Iau with a quick look at one of the finest Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm Welsh farmhouses in the area, before ascending via Tair Leader: DAVID THOMAS Ffynnon – where there is “The Garden in the Clouds”, which Contact: 01873 812011 we may try and see – and up onto the back to Llanthony. Ascent 2000 ft.

A SHORT WALK WITH A BIT OF CLIMB Date: Saturday 8th September From the small car park on the road (an Level: Strenuous unclassified road running north from the Tafarn y Dist: 16km (10 miles) Garreg on the A4067). GRID REFERENCE OF Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm STARTING CAR PARK SN 856223. (Grid Reference of Leader: CLIVE EILES Tafarn y Garreg SN 850172). Contact: 01550 740188 A rough walk – it is the West – across Moel Feity and [email protected] Afon Trinant and their crash sites. Then underneath the escarpment and up onto it via Blaen Twrch. Down to Llyn y Fan Fawr and down Nant y Llyn with its waterfalls to the Standing Stone, Circle and Avenue by Afon Tawe. To return up the road would be too short so we will return via Cefn Cul.

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RIDGES AROUND TALYBONT RESERVOIR Date: Sunday 9th September Meet on the roadside by the Talybont Level: Strenuous reservoir dam GR SO 099197. The walk Dist: 24 km (15 miles) takes a high level clockwise route up Tor Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm y Foel, along the Brinore Tramroad then Leader: CLINE GINSBERG along Pant y Creigiau for lunch at the Contact: 01633 867653 waterfall. Then the ascent of Craig y Fan Ddu, on to the Bomber Memorial, then contouring the shoulder of ridges to Carn Pica before the steep descent back to the start point.

WEDNESDAY WANDER: PART OF THE BEACONS WAY FROM CWMDU TO BWLCH AND RETURN Date: Wednesday 12th September Meet at CRiC building in GR SO 218184 for car Level: Moderate share at 10am OR 10.15am at starting point. From Cwmdu Dist: 12 km (7 miles) Village Hall (£1 fee) GR SO 180239. Time: 10.15am – 2.30pm Exploring Blaenycwm, along the ridge and return through Leader: ROGER AUSTIN the fields. Contact: 01873 810145 [email protected]

PAST THE PARK: EXPLORE THE LOWER Date: Friday 14th September From the village hall at LlanfihangelnantBran 9 miles north Level: Moderate west of Brecon GR SN 944343. £1 car park. Dist: 22km (14 miles) We walk a stretch of the to join the old routes Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm along the ridges above the Bran and the Cilieni valleys and the Leader: PENNY LEONARD villages of LlannantBran and Pentrebach. Contact: 01874 636674

ILLUSTRATED TALK: CRAIG CERRIG GLEISIAD – MAN AND NATURE Date: Friday 14th September The talk by Ecologist John Edington will describe something of Time: 7.30pm the geological, human and natural history of this little visited Place: Bear Hotel, Crickhowell area. Mention will also be made of the way it is managed to Speaker: JOHN EDINGTON protect its special features and suggestions made about the best route for visiting.

ROUTES ANCIENT AND MODERN Date: Saturday 15th September From Craig Cerrig Gleisiad picnic site layby on the A470 GR Level: Energetic SN 971222. Up through Craig Cerrig Gleisiad NNR, over Dist: 19 km (12miles) following the Beacons Way, along , Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm then up through Cwm Du to Fan Frynach before returning by Leader: ANNE PRITCHARD another route through the nature reserve. Contact: 029 2061 0397 07748 463545

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CENTRAL BEACONS HORSESHOE BY NIGHT Date: Sunday 16th September Meet at Taf Fechan car park GRSO 036170. From the Taf Level: Strenuous Fechan car park, making our way up onto Graig Fan Ddu and Dist: 19.5km (12 miles) 2600ft to Corn Du and Pen y Fan, Cribyn, Fan y Big, returning via the Time: 8.00pm – 2.00am approx Roman road. Leader: JASON WINNEY Note: Please bring a head torch and spare batteries, hot Contact: 07411 084613 drink and a sense of adventure, fleece or jumper for the break stops.

WEDNESDAY WANDER: WENVOE, MYSTERIOUS TOMBS! Date: Wed 19th September Start Wenvoe Village Hall GR ST 122730 OS Explorer map Level: Moderate 151. Dist: 11.5km (7 miles) Out across fields to pass by ancient burial sites, returning via Time: 10.30am – 2.30pm the old police station! Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664

CRUG MAWR AND CRUG HYWEL Date: Friday 21st September Meet at Llanbedr Church GR SO 240204. Some village Level: Energetic (640m ascent) parking (please park considerately) or car share from Dist: 13.5km (8.5 miles) or Crickhowell. Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm Walk joins the Beacons Way to ascend Crug Mawr and Crug Leader: ROS GRANT Hywel with hopefully good views from the summits. Contact: 01873 854894 07773 262068

CEFN CIL-SANWS & CWM TAF FECHAN Date: Sat 22nd September Start Brecon Mountain Railway car park GR SO 059096 north Level: Energetic of . Dist: 17km (10.5 miles) A walk north of Merthyr Tydfil south of the Beacons. In Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm limestone country through the Cwm Taf Nature Reserve and Leader: ROB SHORT over the Bronze Age mounds of Cefn CilSanws. Contact: 01495 718254 07976 885132

PEAKS EAST AND WEST OF CWMDU Date: Sunday 23rd September Meet at Cwmdu Village Hall car park fee £1 GR SO 180240. Level: Strenuous Route direction Pen Tir, Mynydd Llangorse, Mynydd Troed, Dist: 24 km (15 miles) Pen Trumau, Mynydd Llysiau, Pen Twyn Glas and finally mid Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm point exit off Pen Alltmawr for a descent back to Cwmdu. Leader: CLINE GINSBERG Contact: 01633 867653

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WEDNESDAY WANDER: CLYDACH GORGE AND THE INSCRIBED STONES Date: Wednesday 26th September Meet at CRiC building in Crickhowell GR SO 218184 for car Level: Moderate share at 10am OR 10.30am at starting point. Dist: 12 km (7 miles) From picnic site layby on the right just before Clydach Time: 10.30am – 3.00pm village (off A465) GR SO 232137. Leader: ROGER AUSTIN By the iron works and up the gorge and then across to the Contact: 01873 810145 hill by Nant yr Hafod to search for the stones. [email protected]

A WATERFALLS WALK Date: Friday 28th September Meet in front of the Angel Inn GR SN 900076 Level: Energetic – we do not have permission to use the pub car park, please Dist: 18km (11.25 miles) park considerately along street. Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm A classic tour of the waterfalls visiting Sgwd Gwladus, Sgwd Leader: ANNE PRITCHARD Clungwyn, Sgwd yr Eira and many more. Not much steep Contact: 029 2061 0397 ascent or descent, but can be rough and muddy underfoot. 07748 463545

BORDERLAND CIRCULAR Date: Saturday 29th September Meet at the Carpenters Arms, Walterstone GR SO 340250 OS Level: Moderate/Energetic Map 1:25000 OL13. Dist: 20km (12 miles) Please park in lower car park down lane on right before pub. Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm No fee but visit to pub after walk appreciated. Up through Leader: DAVID GRANT fields to Mynydd Ferdin then descent and circuit north Contact: 01873 890291 of Longtown. Return to start along the bridleway at the foot of the Black Mountains ridge and Oldcastle.

PAST THE PARK: FESTIVAL PARK AND ANOTHER PEN-Y-FAN Date: Sunday 30th September Meet in the Main Car Park of the Ebbw Level: Strenuous Vale Festival Park GR SO 175061 OS Explorer Map 166. The Dist: 26.5km (16.5 miles) walk will take us over Y Domen Fawr, linking with the Sirhowy Time: 9.30am - 5.30pm Valley and Ebbw Valley Walking Trails with spectacular views Leader: CLINE GINSBERG of both areas, and an afternoon stop at Penyfan Pond. Contact: 01633 867653

OCTOBER

WEDNESDAY WANDER: ROSS ON WYE Date: Wednesday 3rd October Start at Ross On Wye TIC GR SO 599241 OS Explorer 189. Level: Moderate “Up and down” through lanes, fields and woodland south of Dist: 13km (8 miles) Ross on Wye. Time: 10.30am – 3.30pm Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664

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A CATS BACK RAMBLE Date: Friday 5th October Meet at the Black Hill picnic area, 7km north west of Longtown Level: Moderate at GR SO 288328 for a classic Black Mountains ridge ramble. Dist: 12km (8miles) Up the narrow crest of the Cat’s Back, with great views on Time: 11.00am – 3.00pm either side, to Black Hill, then over to Offa’s Dyke Path and on Leader: JIM WILSON to Hay Bluff for its terrific panoramic outlook. Returning via the Contact: 01874 711773 Olchon Valley and some pretty little waterfalls. 07976 724845

ABOVE Date: Saturday 6th October Park at the Gliding Club (suggested donation Level: Moderate/Energetic £1) GR SO 173319, for a walk over open moorland and along Dist: 16km (10 miles) a high level ridge. Should be great views. Time: 10.00am - 3.30pm Leader: WENDY SLADEN Contact: 01568 720424

CALLING BY THE TUFA ROCK Date: Sunday 7th October Park at Llanthony Priory car park OL 13 GR SO 288278 to car Level: Energetic share up to CapelyFfin (limited parking space there). Leave Dist: 16km (10 miles) start to locate wellhidden geologically interesting Tufa rocks. Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm Follow Nant Ganol valley up to Rhos Dirion to return down (including car travel) attractive Nant Bwch Valley. Leader: LIZ LLOYD Contact: 07974 765508

WEDNESDAY WANDER: A GEOLOGICAL EXPERIENCE Date: Wednesday 10th October Park in the road opposite the Horseshoe Inn, Llangattock GR Level: Moderate SO 212177. Dist: 13km (8 miles) A steady climb up fields to the escarpment then along the Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm tracks to the road, returning again through fields to Ffawyddog Leader: JUDY COX and on to Llangattock. Contact: 01495 773495 07982 442464

A BEACONS BUMBLE Date: Friday 12th October Meet at the Cwm Gwdi car park (the top one) at GR SO Level: Energetic 024247 for a different circuit in the Central Beacons. Up Cefn Dist: 20km (13 miles) Cwm Llwch to Pen y Fan, on to Corn Du and along Craig Fan Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm Ddu and down to the Neuadd Reservoir, up (or round) Cribyn Leader: DAVID THOMAS down into Cwm Sere and returning to the car park via some Contact: 01873 812011 nice waterfalls.

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FANS FROM THE SOUTH Date: Saturday 13th October From car park in Ystradfellte village GR SN 929134. Ascent of Level: Strenuous Fan Gyhirych and Fan Nedd on mixture of tracks and rough Dist: 22km (14 miles) moorland. Lots of ancient history and features fort, cairns, Time: 9.00am – 4.30pm pillow mounds, pot holes. Leader: CHRIS PLAYFORD Contact: 01497 820074

AROUND CWMWYSG Date: Sunday 14th October From Pont ar Wysg car park GR SN 8200 2715 a circular walk Level: Moderate around the Usk Reservoir, along country roads and fields, Dist: 14km (9 miles) skirting the edge of the mountain before returning through the Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm forestry to the car park. Leader: ANGELA MORGAN Contact: 07801 915707

WEDNESDAY WANDER: TRELLECH: “GET YOUR PAPER HERE!” Date: Wednesday 17th October Start Trellech Village Hall GR SO 501052 OS map OL 14. Level: Moderate By popular request a return to the woodland surrounding Dist: 14.5km (9miles) Trellech, visiting the site of old paper mills and enjoying early Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm autumn scenery. Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664

BRECON – FISH AND FORTS Date: Friday 19th October Meet at the Recreation ground car park by the Usk in Brecon Level: Moderate GR SO 037289 (follow signs to the Promenade). A walk Dist: 16km (10 miles) around Brecon and its surrounding area, with the possibility of Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm seeing salmon leaping, and some good views if we’re lucky. Leader: SOO TURNBULL & JUDY COX Contact: 01874 622136 01495 773495

CRIBARTH RIDGE AND HENRHYD WATERFALLS Date: Saturday 20th October Park in the layby next to Craigynos Castle at GR SN 8409 Level: Moderate 1523. Dist: 14km (9 miles) The walk starts at Craigynos Castle with a steady climb up Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm onto Cribarth ridge then down the valley to the river Tawe to Leader: PAULA ACE follow the Llech to Henrhyd Waterfalls, returning to Craigy Contact: 07967 140689 nos via .

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TWO CHURCHES, FROM THE PRIORY Date: Sunday 21st October From Llanthony Priory car park OL13 GR SO 288278. Bal Level: Strenuous Bach, Cwm Nant Brân, Ffordlasfawr to (Methur Dist: 22km (14 miles) Issui). On to Cwmyoy (Cwmiou) via Gaer returning by way Time: 9.15am – 4.45pm of Hatterrall Hill. Leader: FRANK SCOTT Contact: 01432 275388 07713 772499

WEDNESDAY WANDER: HILL, CWM AND CANAL Date: Wednesday 24th October Meet at CRiC building GR SO 218184 for car share at Level: Moderate 10am OR 10.30am at start. From Picnic Site layby on the Dist: 13km (8 miles) right just before Clydach village (off A465) GR SO Time: 10.30am – 3.00pm 232137. Leader: ROGER AUSTIN A climb up to the old railway viaduct, up the hill to Pwlldu, Contact: 01873 810145 down Cwm Llanwenarth and back by the canal. [email protected]

THE PANTYGELLI BASH Date: Friday 26th October Meet at the Pantygelli Inn map OL13 GR SO 302179. Parking Level: Strenuous is free, the car park is behind the pub. We were asked to park Dist: 18km (11 miles) on the grass. Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Across the fields and up and over Bryn Arw to Forest Coal Pit, Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY up the Sugar Loaf, down the Rholben and back across the Contact: 029 2062 8861 base of the Deri to the pub for a pint or a cuppa.

NO LADY NO LAKE NO RIVER Date: Saturday 27th October From the Water Board Car Park at GR SN 799238. Take the Level: Strenuous unclassified road which runs from Trecastle to the A4069 Dist: 19.5km (12 miles) between Llangadog and Brynaman. Follow signs to Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Llanddeusant, the Youth Hostel and Llyn y Fan Fach. Leader: CLIVE EILES We will go across Bryn Mawr, Fan Foel and Fan Brycheiniog, Contact: 01550 740188 to Bwlch y Giedd, and the local vampire. Then to the [email protected] disappearing river at Sinc y Giedd, an ancient settlement, and back via the western end of Bannau Sir Gaer. Since we will not be going to Llyn y Fan Fach the story of the lady is optional, and by request only!

AUTUMN COLOUR IN THE COTSWOLDS Date: Sunday 28th October Meet at car park in Cranham GR SO 894131, map OS Level: Energetic Explorer 179. Walk in the beech woods around Cranham and Dist: 20km (12 miles) Sheepscombe. Optional pub lunch at the Butchers Arms in Time: 9.30am-4.30pm Sheepscombe. NB hour change Leader: CHARLES & HELEN HENDERSON Contact: 01594 542473 Mobile: 07792 652299 (on morning of walk only)

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WEDNESDAY WANDER: TALYBONT CIRCULAR Date: Wednesday 31st October Meet at car park alongside Talybont Reservoir GR SO Level: Moderate 099197. Dist: 11.5km (7 miles) Crossing the dam of the Talybont Reservoir, the route takes Time: 10.30am – 3.00pm us over the ridge and to the canal. After lunch at Talybont and Leader: RICHARD DAVIES a look at the industrial heritage, the return is along the historic Contact: 029 2084 2923 Bryn Oer Tramroad.

NOVEMBER

SKENFRITH: “FOLLOW THE SWANS” Date: Friday 2nd November WEDNESDAY WANDER HAS WANDERED TO FRIDAY! Level: Moderate Start Skenfrith Castle GR SO 456203 OS Explorer 189. Dist: 10km (6 miles) A walk following swan way markers in the countryside Time: 10.30am – 2.30pm surrounding the castle at Skenfrith. Includes a couple of climbs Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY & taken at WW pace. WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664

ILLUSTRATED TALK: ALTITUDE & ATTITUDE Date: Friday 2nd November Tori James was the first ever Welsh woman to reach the Place: The Old Rectory, summit of Mount Everest. She was a member of the Pink Llangattock Lady PoleCats who became the first ever allfemale team to Time: 7.30pm complete The Polar Challenge, a gruelling 360 mile race to Speaker: TORI JAMES the Magnetic North Pole. And she has cycled the length of New Zealand, a total of 2400 km, unsupported from north to south. For directions to venue see: http://rectoryhotel.co.uk/

TWO CASTLES and TWO GREAT HILLS Date: Saturday 3rd November Meet at free car park outside Skenfrith Castle GR SO 457202. Level: Strenuous Walk Garway Church – Garway Hill – Kentchurch Park Dist: 26km (16.25 miles) Grosmont (pub/cafe or picnic lunch). Return via Edmunds Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Tump and Three Castles Walk. 2500 ft ascent. Leader: GUY VOWLES Contact: 01242 251412 Mobile: 07968 797186 (on the day only)

TRALLONG – ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK Date: Sunday 4th November Meet at Village Hall GR SN 967297. Exploring the Level: Moderate paths, quiet lanes and open access areas to the north and Dist: 16km (10 miles) east of Trallong, with good views of the Park weather Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm permitting. Leader: SOO TURNBULL Contact: 01874 622136

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WEDNESDAY WANDER: THE VERY EDGE OF THE PARK Date: Wed 7th November Meet in the car park at Penperlleni on the A4042 Level: Moderate road GR SO 322046, just off map Dist: 16km (10 miles) OL13 on Explorer 152. Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm A wander on the footpaths in and around the SE tip of the Leader: JUDY COX National Park. Contact: 01495 773495 07982 442464

PEN Y BRYN AND WAUN RYDD Date: Friday 9th November Meet in the layby alongside Talybont Reservoir GR SO Level: Energetic 099197. Across fields and through woods to reach the Dist: 16km (10 miles) Bryn. Onwards and upwards to the fifth of the Brecon Beacons Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm (Point 769). Across the wilderness of Waun Rydd and around Leader: ROGER WHITE its splendid escarpments before dropping down to the picnic Contact: 01873 811539 site at Talybont Reservoir.

A WANDER OVER THE CRIBARTH Date: Saturday 10th November Meet at the layby along the road next to the Gwyn Arms GR Level: Moderate SN 846165. A gentle climb above Dan yr Ogof showcaves Dist: 13km (8 miles) onto the Cribarth looking at some points of in terest on the way. Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Returning over Penwyllt. Leader: PAULA ACE Contact: 07967 140689

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: A CEREMONY AT THE MEMORIAL STONE Date: Sunday 11th November From the car park at Goytre Wharf GR SO 312064 (parking Level: Moderate fee). Dist: 20km (12 miles) A walk from Goytre Wharf up the steep eastern face of the Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Garn Wen ridge to the Blenheim Bomber Memorial Stone Leader: MALCOLM & WENDY where there will be a brief memorial giving the story of the WINNEY crash. Then on to the Goose and Cuckoo for soup and a roll Contact: 029 2062 8861 (and beer) before finding a route back to the canal and the 07773 389561 Wharf. This is a public walk, open to all who wish to join the ceremony. We are also joined by Lower Wye Ramblers, Pontypool Ramblers and others just walking the ridge.

WEDNESDAY WANDER: THE GRWYNEY VALLEY AND LOWER SLOPES OF SUGAR LOAF Date: Wednesday 14th November Meet at CRiC building GR SO 218184 for car share at Level: Moderate 10.00am OR 10.15am at start. Dist: 12km (7 miles) From Glangrwyney Village Hall on A40 (£1 fee) GR SO Time: 10.15am – 2.30pm 238163. Leader: ROGER AUSTIN A walk up the Grwyne with a stop at the salmon leap and Contact: 01873 810145 then a climb up to Gobpwllau, along the mountain wall [email protected] and down by Hall Farm.

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2012

FAN FRYNYCH AND CEFN LLECHID Date: Friday 16th November Meet at National Park Visitor Centre (Mountain Centre) car Level: Energetic park (parking fee) GR SN 979264. After an initial foray up Fan Dist: 19km (12 miles) Frynych with good views from the top if weather kind, we Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm descend to join Sarn Helen. We then make our way over to Leader: WENDY WINNEY Cefn Llechid, returning via the pretty Cwm Camlais and Traeth Contact: 029 2062 8861 Mawr to the Mountain Centre. Depending on time finishing 07773 389561 refreshments can be purchased at the Mountain Centre. No dogs please.

TWRCH Y TROT Date: Saturday 17th November From the Water Board Car Park at GR SN 799238. Take the Level: Strenuous unclassified road which runs from Trecastle to the A4069 Dist: 19.5km (12 miles) between Llangadog and Brynaman. Follow signs to Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm Llanddeusant, the Youth Hostel and Llyn y Fan Fach. A route Leader: CLIVE EILES down the head waters of the Twrch, and then back via the Contact: 01550 740188 Bronze Age Burial Cairns on Carreg Las. [email protected]

IT’S A WALK IN THE PARK Date: Sunday 18th November Meet in Llanbedr. Map OL13 GR SO 240204. Level: Strenuous Please park considerately where you can and meet in front of Dist: 19.5km (12 miles) the church. A walk along the river and up to Crug Mawr, down Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm to Blaenau up to Table Mountain and back to the cars. Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY Contact: 029 2062 8861

WEDNESDAY WANDER: THE KYMIN Date: Wed 21st November Start River Wye bank Monmouth GR SO 512129 OS map OL Level: Moderate 14. Dist: 11.5km (7 miles) Follow the river out to go under old railway bridges before Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm picking up Offas Dyke Path to Naval Temple at The Kymin, Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY & fine views weather permitting over Monmouth. WILLIAM COOPER 1 climb up to The Kymin taken at WW pace. Contact: 01633 667664

THE BRYN Date: Friday 23rd November Meet at the lay by alongside Talybont Reservoir, GR SO Level: Energetic 099197. Walk back along the road to cross the dam and pick Dist: 16km (10miles) up part of the Henry Vaughan way before crossing to the other Time: 10.30am – 4.00pm side of the valley and ascending through fields and woods Leader: DAVID THOMAS along the Usk Valley way to the Bryn with its unrivalled views. Contact: 01873 812011 Then down through the woods and cross fields to the start. Ascent 2000ft.

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2012

TOWY VALLEY WALK Date: Saturday 24th November Start at picnic area in Pen Arthur forestry on the A4069 GR Level: Moderate SN 71742555 Dist: 17km (11 miles) A ridge and valley walk which takes in fine views of the Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Mynydd Ddu (Black Mountain) to the south, the Towy Valley Leader: ANGELA MORGAN to the north, and features a visit to one of the largest hillforts Contact: 07801 915707 in Britain.

HAY-ON-WYE TO CRASWALL Date: Sunday 25th November Meet at HayonWye car park GR SO 229422 – opposite the Level: Energetic Castle. Charge for car park but free parking is available in car Dist: 20km (12.5 miles) park on Brecon Road by the playground / near fire station. Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm Walk will take us up over Cusop Hill and Cefn Hill to the ruins Leader: SEAN O’DONOGHUE of Craswall Abbey, where we will lunch. Return along valley Contact: 01497 822831 at foot of Black Hill to Standing Stones car park and home 07816 821745 following Digidi Brook via to Hay. [email protected]

WEDNESDAY WANDER: BY RIVER AND FIELDS – TO CRICKHOWELL Date: Wednesday 28th November Meet at CRiC at 9.30am to catch 9.41am service bus Level: Moderate (X43) to Abergavenny OR 10.15am at start point. Dist: 12km (7 miles) From Llanfoist (Usk) Bridge GR SO 292138. Time: 10.15am – 3.30pm Along the north bank of the to Llanwenarth Hotel Leader: ROGER AUSTIN on A40 and then by road and fields to Crickhowell. Contact: 01873 810145 [email protected]

FIVE ELAN METAL MINES Date: Friday 30th November Meet at the Llanerchi car park, which is next to the church, 5 Level: Energetic miles SW of , GR SN 908638 map OS Explorer Dist: 20km (12.5 miles) 200. Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm A circular walk, mostly on tracks, visiting Dairhiw, Nantcar Leader: ANDREW LEONARD South, Nantygarw, Nantcar North and Cwm Elan mines. We Contact: 01874 636674 will walk above Cabancoch and Dolymynach reservoirs to Llanerchycawr, up the Rhiwnant, round to the Claerwen, skirting Gors Goch to Blaencoel and on to Nant Methan, returning beside Garregddu.

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 2012 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 AUTUMN 2012 GET LOST AGAIN – Saturday 3rd November and Sunday 4th November

A twoday more advanced navigation course From 10.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and 1.00pm to 9.00pm Sunday.

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 2012 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION The Brecon Beacons Park Society

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

Title and Name.

Title and Name.

Address..

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Post Code..Telephone

Email Address.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Membership year 1 January to 31 December Membership for those joining 1 October to 31 December runs to following 31 December Individual.£15.00 per annum. Under 18 .£8.00 per annum Family.£22.00 per annum.

Life membership rates available, contact Hon.Treasurer

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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