1
Summer 2010
breathing spaces newsletter of the Welsh National Parks This edition of Breathing Spaces arrives as Summer gives way to Autumn. During this period of very visible seasonal change it is perhaps no surprise to learn that other changes are occurring within Wales in the way that we look after our environment. These changes are partly a product of the environmental challenges we continue to face, but also the result of the financial constraints the public sector is having to manage. Discussions are now taking place within the environmental sector concerning the Natural Environment Framework, otherwise known as ‘A Living Wales’. The document is the Welsh Assembly Government’s strategic response to Wales failing to meet its 2010 Biodiversity targets along with other environmental issues. ‘A Living Wales’ sets out a new and much more integrated approach to managing the natural environment that is focussed on improving the health of ecosystems as a whole. This is a similar, though possibly smaller, approach to the landscape-scale approach favoured by the NPAs. None the less this marks a significant shift in Government policy and may provide a number of opportunities for Wales National Parks. A second, related, area of work, chaired by CCW’s Chairman, Morgan Parry will involve a review of organisational arrangements and
functions between Wales three large environmental agencies, CCW; Forestry Commission Wales; and the Environment Agency Wales. Partly the result of the environmental problems mentioned earlier, and also a response to financial pressure, the review is due to examine whether the agencies are providing an adequate integrated and sustainable dimension to their work. The National Park Authorities will be contributing to the consultation over the coming three months and no doubt you will be asked to participate. If you’d like more information or a copy of the consultation document please visit: http://goo.gl/Q99E
Dates for the Diary 25th-26th November, the Annual Welsh Members Seminar, hosted by Snowdonia National Park Authority, Plas Tan Y Bwlch
2
New Chairman elected for Brecon Beacons National Park Authority
Mrs Julie James, a Welsh Assembly Government appointed Member was elected as Deputy Chairman for the Park Authority. Cllr Saxon is well known in the county of Monmouthshire, where he has been a County Councillor for the last 6 years and a Community Councillor for the last 14 years. He brings a wealth of experience in areas such as business, the environment and public service governance and excellence.
Cllr Eric Saxon, a Member from Monmouthshire County Council has been elected as the new Chairman for Brecon Beacons National Park Authority at an AGM meeting held at the end of July. Cllr Eric Saxon from Monmouthshire County Council was elected as the new Chairman. He succeeds Mrs Mary Taylor – the Park’s longest serving Chairman - who steps down from the National Park Authority officially on 31st August 2010 after 13 years of dedicated service.
On his appointment as Chairman, Cllr Saxon said: “Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has made significant progress under the valued leadership of Mrs Mary Taylor, but we cannot afford to be complacent – we still have much work to do. I do not want this Authority to be either a Member led or an Officer led organisation. Good governance and effective leadership depends on mutual trust and respect, co-operation and partnership. We must continue to work together to strengthen the mutual trust and respect I have seen develop since my time here. I am very honoured to be elected as Chairman and I am ambitious for the National Park and keen that the improvements we have achieved so far should be a foundation for further improvements. Above all, I have a deep belief in National Parks and I will strive to ensure that I can guide, support and lead the National Park Authority’s positive work in conservation and in our local communities.”
3
Highest Praise for Highest Building
15 finalists, Hafod Eryri won the “Construction Skills Welsh Project of the Year.”
In a ceremony hosted by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Wales (RICS Wales) recently, Hafod Eryri was awarded the “Project of the Year” prize. Also, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), has concluded that Hafod Eryri should be one of seven buildings in Wales to be praised for the quality of their design and contribution to the local environment.
On behalf of the National Park Authority, Chief Executive Aneurin Phillips said,
“The Authority insisted from the beginning that we would have a building on the summit of Snowdon which the whole of Wales would be proud of. Since the opening of Hafod Eryri, the response which we have received from the public, has been incredible. Nearly ½ million Pierre Wassenaar, president of the Welsh branch people visited the mountain between mid June of the RIBA, acknowledged that Hafod Eryri had and the end of October last year – an increase been chosen partly because of the sheer of 27% on the previous year’s figures. challenge of its construction. In addition to this incredible response, receiving “It is a tremendous achievement. It would be these awards by organisations which are difficult enough to build on the level ground – internationally renowned for their expertise in the which they did in fact before dismantling it and construction and architectural fields not only bringing it up the mountain – so just from an confirms that we were successful in the task we effort point of view I think it deserves accolades.” set out to accomplish, but they’re also a tribute to all the workers associated with the hard task Although Hafod Eryri was short listed for the RICS of building Hafod Eryri.” Wales Awards’ “Regeneration” category, of the
4
Land signing marks historic day for Park Authority
landowners appear to have used this power in Wales.
“We hope that the example it sets will The first day of this year’s Pembrokeshire County encourage more local authorities in particular to Show marked an historic occasion for the adopt this course of action. Where there is a National Park Authority as it officially designated history of public access and recreation is 22 hectares of Access Land in Freshwater East. considered to be sustainable activity, there are clear advantages to landowners to dedicate Members of Freshwater East community joined Access Land.” Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane “The dedication of public access rights at Davidson, and the Chairman and officers of the Freshwater East fulfils a long term commitment of Park Authority for the official signing at the the National Park Authority to meet local community aspirations for the protection of County Show. public access across the Burrows.” The dedication of Access Land is an irrevocable act providing the permanency and certainty of access rights which can be enjoyed by future generations and which the local community has desired for many years. It also marks the first of a number of National Park Authority land holdings which will be designated as Access Land over the next few years. Speaking at the event, Authority Chairman Richard Howells said: “The designation of Access Land will dedicate a new right of access on foot for the public and will complement existing public access provided by the Coast Path and public rights of way at Freshwater East. “Landowners can dedicate Access Land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 but to our knowledge, few local authorities or private
The National Park Authority began preparations to dedicate Access Land in Freshwater East in 2008 which involved consultation with over 80 households and several organisations.
5
Foundations for learning through play Children from Sageston CP School displayed their pinchpots, paintings and poems amongst other creative works at Carew Castle at the end of June. The Lesser Hall came to life with buntings and banners, swords and shields produced by the 24 children in a number of sessions at Carew Castle, which is managed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. Sageston CP School Headteacher Mrs Joan Morris said: “It has been a tremendous opportunity for our pupils to work in such a stimulating environment. The range and scope of activities undertaken at the castle have inspired the children to be creative and enthusiastic about learning. James Parkin, Director of Recreation, Marketing and Communications for the Authority attended and observed: “It was a superb example of how much children learn through play and what better place to spark the imagination than Carew Castle!”
Love Llandovery launches new hope for town This month, Llandovery - one of Wales’ most picturesque market towns - launched its ‘Love Llandovery’ brand along with a vibrant new logo to enhance its rural appeal with the aim of sparking a life-long love affair with visitors to the area. Over one hundred people turned out to see Love Llandovery launched with grand aplomb at the Market Square on Saturday 14th August. A new Love Llandovery logo along with a giant heart-shaped collage of over 400 personal photographs representing what townspeople love about their town was unveiled, along with exciting news to launch the Llandovery Sheep Festival which is due to take place on 24th-26th September. Love Llandovery’s visually attractive logo has been created in the traditional colours of Wales – red and green – that represent its cultural heritage which the town’s people hope will revitalise Llandovery as the quintessential Welsh town on the border of Brecon Beacons National Park, in the County of Carmarthenshire. The logo will be used for all festivals, communications and promotional campaigns as a simple yet powerful image that people can easily identify with.
6
Enterprising Wales 2010 – Success for Green coastal biodiversity Gwynedd
corridor
boosts
The winner of Enterprising Wales 2010 is a scheme to promote enterprise and innovation, and to create business opportunities in Gwynedd. The news was announced at the 2010 Royal Welsh Show as the Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones presented to Enterprising Wales award to Gwynedd Economic Partnership for its Llwyddo yng Ngwynedd project.
A ‘green highway’ running along the county’s coastal corridor has provided a biodiversity boost thanks to the work of the One of the main aims of the project is to develop Pembrokeshire an enterprising population, and an extrovert and Coast National Park Authority and its partners. confident culture amongst the people and The green corridor is the end result of long-term communities of rural Gwynedd. conservation planning by the Authority to Llwyddo yng Ngwynedd works with target promote biodiversity. groups which have not yet met their entrepreneurial potential. The programme is Head of Conservation, Mike Howe, said: “The made up of a series of projects which are breakup of habitats by human activities is one of operational in Gwynedd, through the Rural the most important threats to biodiversity, and as Development Plan for Wales (2007-2013) and is 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity, it’s aimed towards encouraging enterprise and fitting that we have been able to develop work innovation in rural Gwynedd. Llwyddo yng on sites across the Park to combat this issue. Ngwynedd is run by Gwynedd Economic Partnership, which includes representatives from “Overall, habitats are in much better condition a wide range of organisations, including and linkages within and beyond the site boundaries are much improved. The coast Snowdonia National Park.
From Open Space to Cyber Space The presence of the National Parks on the Internet continues to grow. Most of the UK National Park Authorities, including all three Welsh NPAs are engaging with social networking and are raising the online presence of National Parks. If you want to read their profiles, pages, tweets and channels, which all provide continual up to date information. The National Parks Portal contains a comprehensive selection of appropriate links. That page is accessed via this website address : http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/aboutus/ourwebsites.htm
7
corridor around Pembrokeshire is now an excellent example of a functioning green “On three small sloping sections of the path between Llyn Teyrn and Llyn Llydaw, to ensure highway. better access and longevity of the surface, we “It’s really important that the Authority can have had to use durable methods and, in this continue this important core conservation work, instance, tarmac topped with crushed granite helping to improve the Park’s biodiversity, was used. This will now enable more people of all despite operating in a tough economic climate.” abilities to use the track from Pen y Pass to Llyn Llydaw, and it also forms part of our continuous Working with partners including the National vision to improve access and enjoyment to all.” Trust, Wildlife Trust West Wales, Countryside Council for Wales, MoD, Pembrokeshire The Miners’ Track to Llyn Glaslyn was built during Biodiversity Partnership and South Hook LNG, the the last century to serve the Britannia Copper National Park has been aiming to reinstate the Mines. The track to the lake is still almost a road, network of wildlife friendly corridors and to and provides an exciting and safe mountain manage and enlarge the key wildlife habitats walk for people with little experience of mountains. The path beyond Llyn Llydaw to the that make up the fabric of the countryside. summit is considerably steeper and is not accessible to wheelchair users.
Work on the Miners’ Path
‘Snowdonia for All', is a project run by SNPA Following detailed consultation with SNPA’s Disability Forum, Northern Snowdonia’s Access Forum, local landowners and Gwynedd Council’s Highway Department, contractors have been working on repairing and maintaining sections of Snowdon’s Miners Track as part of SNPA’s annual programme of improvements.
which aims to encourage disabled people, people with restricted mobility or parents who have young children to visit Snowdonia and have an enjoyable and relaxing time. As part of this project, Snowdonia National Park Authority’s Wardens Service provides an annual programme of events for people of all abilities, from wheelchair users walks to walks for the visually impaired.
Hywel Jones, SNPA Access Project Officer said, “The work on the Miners Track is part of a general planned programme of repair and maintenance within a much broader programme of improving access in the National Park.”
You can learn about WANPA at www.nationalparkswales.gov.uk. Most of our work, including seminar materials, consultation responses and position statements are constantly being made available on the site and comments are always welcome wanpa@anpa.gov.uk.
8
Open Farm Llanthony
Sunday
success
at
Glorious sunshine, a stunning location and the promise of a huge variety of farming activities brought hundreds of people flocking to the Llanthony Valley for Open Farm Sunday at the end of June.
Possibly the most popular attraction was the heavy horse and timber extraction from the wood near to the farm. Visitors admired a beautiful Ardennes horse doing the kind of work it’s ancestors were bred for - extracting timber from a conservation woodland. Dense woodland and steep slopes makes it virtually impossible to use a tractor so a heavy horse such as the Ardennes is ideal to work in such a difficult spot.
Organised as part of Open Farm Sunday and Wales Biodiversity Week, the event explored how Owner of Llanthony Court Farm Colin Passmore Llanthony Court Farm combines traditional hill said: “The enthusiasm of the National Park staff farming with landscape management, volunteers and neighbouring farmers who gave biodiversity and the visiting public. such interesting presentations about the countryside and farming made this a most rewarding day.”
Llanthony Court Farm’s owner Colin Passmore and his family worked with Brecon Beacon National Park Authority, and dozens of supporting partner organisations to make the day a resounding success. Activities on offer included pony trekking, sheep shearing and plant life talks.