Wales Farmer 26


Walkers welcome on the hillsides


BRECON Beacons


National Park has cement- ed its reputation as atop walking destination after two more towns have gained


Walkers are


Welcome status. Crickhowell and Hay-on-Wye


have been granted the prestigious Walkers areWelcome status, afforded to fewerthan 100 towns and villages around the UK.


The initiative strengthens a


destination’s reputation as aplace wherevisitors can enjoyoutdoor activities,ensures footpaths and facilities aremaintained, con- tributes to local tourism plans andregeneration strategies,and provides the opportunity to engage with other certified towns.


Anna Heywood, secretary of


HayTourism Group,said: “The Walkers areWelcome status will help to promote Hayand the sur- rounding area as agreat place to go walking, and we hope it will encouragepeople to stayfor a number of nights,supporting local businesses while they do.


“For asmall town thereisalot


going on in Hay, and severaldif- ferent groups organising their ownactivities connected with walking, and the Walkers are Welcome status will also act as an umbrella forthese groups to work together.”


AndyJohns,ofWalkers are


Welcome in Crickhowell, echoed these comments,adding: “Weaim to promote Crickhowell as ayear- round outdoor destination, build-


■ Beacons towns join the special few


ing on the greatreputation of our annual Walking Festivalin March. “The Black Mountains area


brings not onlywonderful walk- ing, butalso fine history,wildlife and hospitality. “Wewant to promote walking


to benefit all local businesses,and we will also help visitors to appre- ciate and respect the countryside they areenjoying.” Crickhowell and Hay-on-Wye


join Talgarth in becoming mem- bers of the Walkers areWelcome network–making it ahat-trick of Black Mountains communities to win the sought-after status. Trish Doree,information offi-


cer forBrecon Beacons National Park Authority,said: “It’sgreat news thatCrickhowell and Hay- on-Wye have joined Talgarth in being granted this status. “It’safantastic coup forthe


area, and I’m surethis accolade will attract evenmorewalkers and help drive tourism opportu- nities in each of the towns.” All three towns were supported


through the accreditation process by Brecon Beacons National Park Authority as part of its Walking with Offa project, which has receivedfunding through the RuralDevelopment Plan for Wales 2007-2013.


For more information about the Walkers are Welcome scheme go to www.walkersarewelcome.org.uk.


Fire and water mixto mark canal’s 200 years


Picture: Muen Photography


COMMUNITIES along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal celebrated the historic waterway’s 200th anniversary in style with aspectacular Lighting up the Canal event in December. More than 500 people floated handmade lanterns on the water, while alife-size, walking lantern shire horse and swimming lantern swans added to the magic.


Incredible fire sculptures and


street performers gave even more colour while the sounds of Samba Brecon and live folk groups enter- tained the crowds. Brecon mayorPaul Ashton,


alsoamember of Brecon Beacons National Park Authority,said: “I wasreally impressed with how spectacular the Lighting up the Canal event was.


Fallen giant back on its feet


AN iconic Pembrokeshiremonu- ment has been restored to its home after being knocked down by avehicle last year. The impressive standing stone


of BeddMorris,which is more than six feet tall and ascheduled ancient monument, marks the parish


boundary between


Newport and Pontfaen in the PembrokeshireCoast National Park.


After it wasknocked down,


the stone wasremovedtoasecret location and repaired. During thattime,national


parkarchaeologist Pete Crane and Professor GeoffWainwright, in partnership with Cadw, exca- vated its location and determined it had been in place around 3,500 years ago, probablyfor ceremoni- al or ritual purposes. The National Park Authority’s


cultureand heritage manager Phil Bennett said: “Weare all delighted thatthe stone is back securelyinits original setting. “It’sahugelyimportant part


of the heritage of the national parklandscape and the people of Newport will be pleased to see this iconic standing stone back


“Hopefully the story of these


celebrations will be passed on down the generations, and with a bit of luck, residents here will plan something similarly inspir- ing to mark the canal’s400th anniversary in 200 years’ time.” The event wasaspectacular


finale and celebrations included a peal of bells at 30 churches along the 49-mile canal –recreating the


opening in 1812 –and the com- missioning of aspecial beer and ploughman’s sandwich. David Morgan from Canal and


River Trust in Wales said: “The canal is acommunity asset, and these Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal 200 events have been a great wayfor canal-side commu- nities to come together to cele- brate their local canal.”


Bid to save green from developers


RESTORED: The Bedd Morris stone was knocked down by avehicle last year BeddMorris is an important


whereitbelongs.” Newport mayorPeter Smith


added: “Tosee the stone safely restored to its rightful position on BeddMorris is abonus for both the Baronyand the people of Newport as awhole.”


part of Newport’sfolkloreand is linked with notorious robber Morus,who wasallegedly hanged forhis crimes and buried underneath it. Legend also has it he was


Picture: Pete Crane


involved in aduel near the stone forthe hand of the daughter of Pontfaen. BeddMorris will once again be


the first stop in the annual Beating of the Bounds ceremony in August.


For the latest Wales farming news: walesfarmer.co.uk


THE environment minister is being urged to refuse an application to dig up a ‘small pearl on the edge of Swansea’. The Open Spaces Society has objected strongly to plans by Carrington Moore Estates to dig up Picket Mead Common at Newton, Swansea, to bury underground services and lay grasscrete –cellular grassed paving. The work is part of plans to build four houses and partially demolish nearby Picket Mead House. Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, said: “The public has the right to walk and ride all over this small common and to enjoy this


green lung. “The works will severely interfere with the common and people’s enjoyment of it. The developers claim that the works are ‘of a minimal nature’ but that is misleading. “Even when all the services have been laid and the land put back, it will not be the same. Grasscrete is an inappropriate surface for this open space where children run about, and it will suburbanise it. “The developers also say that the area ‘is not used by the general public’. That too is wrong, for people love this small green space, they wander over it while children run and play here.”


COUNTRYSIDE February 2013


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