Wales Farmer APRIL 2014 COUNTRYSIDE 27 A year kept in the dark PICTURE: Copyright Michael Sinclair.


WALES’ first International Dark Sky Reserve has celebrated


its


anniversary. The Brecon BeaconsNational


Park was officially designated the first International Dark Sky Reserve in Wales, and only the fifth in the world last February. Since then, Dark Sky training courses have been offered to


first


local businesses to help them benefit from this aspect of the national park, with more than 20 going on to specialise and gain Dark Sky Ambassador status. Ruth Coulthard, funding


development officer for the national park authority said: “For the last year we have been working very hard with our resi- dents and tourism businesses


and this has paid offin divi- dends. Almost everyone I have dealt with has seen an increase in visitors seeking dark sky experi- ences and some businesses have specially developed facilities for their guests to enjoy the night sky - with observatories and pur- chasing telescopes for customers to use. “We have a record number of


dark sky events being organised and sold out and three commu- nities (Talybont and Crai, Hay on Wye and Llangors) have even organised their own mini festi- vals.


“Astronomers are working


with children across the park, in guides, cubs, scouts, to learn more about the night sky and negative impacts of light pollu-


tion and we’ve had national and international interest from jour- nalists.” Margaret Underwood, mem-


ber champion for biodiversity said the designation has also brought benefits for wildlife. She added: “Being able to see


the stars is a wonderful experi- ence, darkness has a quality which we are seldom able to


appreciate in today’s world of electricity. It is also very impor- tant for our wildlife. For some species darkness brings a time to rest and sleep, for others a time to feed and hunt but all depend to a greater or lesser degree on a period of true darkness.” Work is underway to establish


an astronomical observatory at the park’s Mountain Centre.


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