Wales Farmer 26 COUNTRYSIDE May 2013


Local heroes rewarded for conservation work


MEMBERS of aPembrokeshire Careinthe Community group have been rewarded with alocal heroes awardinrecognition of their continued conservation work in the national park. Fourteen adults from St


Davids Careinthe Community have been working towardstheir thirdJohn Muir Awardoverthe past twoyears,and their concert- ed efforts have earned them the PembrokeshireCoast National Park Authority’slocal heroes national parkaward. Authority


chairman Councillor Tony Brinsden said:


“These 14 people thoroughly deserverecognition fortheir con- tinued work to conserveand enhance arange of habitats in the national park’slandscape,from wild meadows to woodlands as they work towardstheir third John Muir Award.” The group,which started its


activities five years ago, is due to complete the John Muir Conserve programme in June,having alreadygained the Discovery and ExploreAwardswith help from national parkauthority staff. Work undertaken by the group includes the creation of awild


meadownear St Davids,tree felling and step building at Prendergast Wood in Solvaand litter picking on Newgale Beach. National parkvoluntary war-


den and project co-ordinator Liz Taylor said: “They have gone from strengthtostrength, devel- oping newskills and making a good contribution to the conser- vation of the national park.” Twomembers of the group


travelled to Bluestone National Park Resort to receive the award at apresentation ceremonyand the group has since held its own special celebration.


❑ HEROIC EFFORT: The local heroes award winners with Wendy Hale and Liz Thomas, of St Davids Care in the Community, Pembrokeshire Coast National park Authority chair- man Cllr Tony Brinsden and chief executive Tegryn Jones.


Chartering praise for park partnership work


PARTNERSHIP working in Brecon Beacons National Park has received special praise


from Welsh Government minister John


Griffiths. The minister responsible for


the three Welsh national parks joined the parkauthority,local businesses and residents at Peterstone Court, Llanhamlach to celebratethe re-award of the European charter forsustainable tourism in protected areas. The minister forcultureand


sport heardhow the charter was achievedthanks to successful working between public and pri-


vate sector bodies.The charter is awarded to stakeholder partner- ships from economic, community and environmental sectors for working together to develop the local economythrough tourism while at the same time protecting the special natural qualities of the area. John Griffiths said: “With the


awardofthe European charter forsustainabletourism in pro- tected areas comes recognition of all the hardworktoimprovethe experiences of those visiting the national park, as well as enhanc- ing the quality of life forthose living and working in the area.” Geraint Hopkins,deputy


Fellows unearth anew member


AN ARCHAEOLOGIST with a passion forPembrokeshirehas recentlybeen ushered into an esteemed society. Pete Crane waselected as afel-


lowtothe 300-year old Society of Antiquaries of London, an exclu- sive learned organisation regarded as recognition of significant achievement in the fields of archaeology,antiquities,history and heritage. The society,which includes Benjamin Franklin among its for- mer fellows,isthe oldest heritage organisation in Europe and beyond. Pete spent 11 years working on


the dig circuit beforeembarking on adegree course at Cardiff University,when he undertook archaeological projects with Cadwand English Heritage beforereturning to Wales to work forDyfed Archaeology Trust for 16 years. Pete,who


has been


PembrokeshireCoast National Park Authority’sarchaeologist since 2009, said: “It’sahuge hon- our and privilege to be elected to the society alongside some of the world’smost prominent archaeol- ogists and cultural heritage authorities.” The authority’scultureand


heritage manager Phil Bennett said: “Pete has ahuge amount of experience as an archaeologist


chairman of Brecon Beacons National Park Authority,added: “The re-award of the European charter forsustainabletourism is ademonstration of the national parkauthority’songoing com- mitment to working with our fel- lowbusiness,community and environmental stakeholders.” The event also celebrated the


revalidation of Wales’ first Geopark–Fforest Fawr.The minister spokewith Geopark development


officer Alan


Bowring about the revalidation process and the newGeopark ambassador scheme completed by eight businesses so far. The minister added: “Geopark


status demonstrates howsuccess- fulthe park authority and its partners areatprotecting the nat- ural environment. By conserving and enhancing these special resources we aresecuring for futuregenerations these magnifi- cent areas.”


❑ SINGING PRAISES: Minister for culture and sport, John Griffiths, addresses the audience at the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority sustainable tourism partnership event.


Take awellywalk on the wild side


A‘WELLYwalk’ is being held on Anglesey to encourage children to explorethe outdoors in all weathers and learn about their surrounding natureand wildlife. The walk, around Llanddwyn


Island, is being organised by the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) Anglesey county branch and the island’sWelsh language promotional organisation Menter Iaith Môn. FUW’sAnglesey county


executive officer Heidi Williams said: “It is our intention to


encouragethe children of the community out into the open air while learning about their surroundings. “Asachild Ialways


remember thatmysiblings and Iwerehardlyeverinthe house. We were out and about walking the fields,sitting under trees, picking flowers,birdspotting and collecting kindle.Wehave so manyhappy childhood memories.” Children taking part in the


WellyWalk must be accompanied by aparent or


guardian and will be guided by warden Graham Williams. Children will be taught the different Welsh names forthe various trees,birds and plants. The event has received


excellent support from different agencies and the FUW and Menter Iaith Môn are particularly grateful to the Forestry Commission for agreeing free entry to all adults and children, forwhich thereis normallya£3fee. Forestry Commission forest education officer Catrin Owen


said: “Woodlands arean outstanding learning resource and give children the opportunity to be close to nature. “Thereare manyassociated


physical and mental benefits to being active in an outdoor environment and using woodlands forlearning can contribute to children’s’health and wellbeing.” The walk, on May29th at


1.30pm, follows an earlier welly walk at the Dingle,Nant y PandyNatureReserve.


100 steps in the right direction to preserve sensitive beautyspot


DIGDEEP: Pete Crane uncovers the past at a recent dig during renovations at Carew Castle.


and also as acommunicator and has done agreat deal towards making archaeology moreaccessi- bletothe public.” Pete’scurrent role focuses on


conservation and outreach, work- ing on arange of projects such as the Arfordir-Coastline project and at Nevern Castle.


WALKERS heading to an envi- ronmentallydelicate beautyspot arenow able to takeadvantage of improved footpaths.. Workstook place throughout


the winter at Waterfall Country at Pontneddfechan, Brecon Beacons National Park to dig out and replace 100 steps on the route to the iconic SgwdyrEira waterfall, which has apublic footpath running directlybehind it, as well as improving the path down to SgwdPannwr to makeit


safer and easier to use.The foot- bridge at Swgd Gwladus has been completelyrebuilt, while Nantllechau bridge has been reinforced and had newtimber fitted. Ed Evans,Brecon Beacons


National Park Authority cham- pion foragricultureand land management, said: “The Celtic rainforest in Waterfall Country is aSpecial Area of Conservation and aSite of Special Scientific Interest –some of the rare moss-


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es and ferns onlygrowinthe gorges there. Visitor footfall to the area continues to increase, and it is important thatwe ensurethe routes areproperly maintained to protect this sensi- tive environment. “Some of the areas where


workshavetaken place are remote and difficult to reach, so carrying materials and tools has been achallenge forthe wardens, volunteers


and


conditions.Wethank all those involved forthe hardworkthey put in to ensureweprotect what’s special


about Waterfall


Country.” The project to improvefoot-


paths and bridges in Waterfall Country wasfunded through the authority’scontinuing Rights of WayImprovement


Plan partners involved, as have the weather


Programme,ascheme which is grant aided by the Countryside Council forWales and the Welsh Government.


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