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Summer 2009
breathing spaces newsletter of the Welsh National Parks Welcome to the first newsletter for the three Welsh national parks. The summer is well and truly upon us and visitor numbers in the national parks are expected to grow, most likely the result of economic problems of a national and international flavour rather than the draw of our immaculate, predictable Welsh weather! Increased tourism is expected to exert even more pressure on national parks with the natural and built environments; visitor facilities and infrastructure remaining particularly susceptible. Working together as WANPA the three Welsh national park
authorities have agreed a statement on sustainable tourism.
position
While the pressures may differ between each national park we recognise the local and national opportunities and benefits from tourism that places sustainability at its core. We will promote the values within the position statement as we work together to raise the profile of the sustainable tourism agenda amongst partner organisations and political representatives. To view the position statement go to the WANPA section of the National Parks portal
Shorts Royal Welsh Show 2009 BBNPA organised the National Parks Wales Royal Welsh Show stand at Llanelwedd this year. Built around the theme of sustainability the stand provided an opportunity for members of the public to talk to national park staff from across Wales, have a go at virtual “low environmental impact� mountain biking and children could get their faces painted as national park creatures for free. SNPA member, Geriant George on a virtual mountain bike
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‘Water of Life’ tour of Penderyn Welsh Whisky Distillery, tours of shakeholes and a lake with no name and a range of guided walks that were designed to suit the whole family and highlight Fforest Fawr Geopark kicked off its ‘rock festival the special qualities of Fforest Fawr Geopark . with a difference’ fortnight in spectacular style as it explored the Brecon Beacons with a series of rock events that helped celebrate the area’s Minister opens revamped Newport unique geological heritage. Visitor Centre
Celebrating Wales’ only rock festival with a difference
As part of the European Geoparks Fortnight, the Fforest Fawr Geopark Festival ran from the 23rd May until 7th June combining two weeks of walks, talks and other fun events to celebrate the Earth’s natural elements of air, land, and ancient seas. As Wales’ first Geopark and the UK’s only Geopark set within a National Park, Fforest Fawr is now amongst 34 locations across Europe which running events about their special and diverse geology during European Geoparks Fortnight. The Geopark Festival offered many exciting outdoor and geology-based events including Town Walks, the ‘Space to Place’ art exhibition at Brecon Museum &Art Gallery, a
Shorts SNPA were able to raise the profile of all three Welsh national parks on their National Eisteddfod stand at the beginning of August. Taking place close to Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala) the stand focused upon the strong cultural heritage of Snowdonia especially the cultural work supported by the Bwrlwm Eryri initiative. Pieces produced as a result of the initiative were on show.
Newport National Park Visitor Centre, a recently renovated building in the north of the Park, was officially opened in June by Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing Jane Davidson AM. The Minister addressed guests from Newport and the surrounding area, including local school children involved in a bilingual community oral history project that forms an interactive display in the centre. As well as the oral history project, the Visitor Centre’s displays include touch screens, a ‘feely box’, film and audio activities and a real piece
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of spotted dolerite which helps tell the story of Looking back, the the famous Preseli bluestones. Caerwyn Roberts said The Visitor Centre has achieved the accolade of a ‘Very Good’ rating from BREEAM, the international environmental assessment method for buildings.
Hafod Eryri On Friday, June 12, the Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan AM, First Minister for Wales officially opened the new £8.35m visitor’s centre on the summit of Snowdon, Hafod Eryri.
Authority’s
Chairman,
“What we are celebrating today is the success of our initiative. Five years ago the Authority decided to commit the equivalent of its entire annual budget to one project, a project located 3,500 feet up at the top of a mountain. If it wasn’t for the determination and the perseverance of staff, Members and especially the builders, we wouldn’t be here today…….I’m completely convinced that Hafod Eryri is a building that the whole of Wales will be proud of and a fitting climax as a destination to one of Wales’ most important icons.”
Designed by architect Ray Hole, it has been built to withstand extreme weather conditions on the summit, from 150 mph winds, an annual rainfall of Carillion was responsible for building Hafod Eryri over 5m and temperatures of -20°. To date, over and over 60% of the material and labour was 1,000 people have visited the building every day. sourced from Wales.
The summit of Snowdon, plus a glimpse of the recently opened summit building, Hafod Eryri seen from below
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The two trails – one designed for adults and one specifically for children led by the forgetful goblin Gwladus - start at the popular new Waterfalls Centre in Pontneddfechan and follow the old tramway to Sgwd Gwladus waterfall. A new type of rock history is being downloaded Developed by the Brecon Beacons National Park in the Brecon Beacons National Park which Authority and Fforest Fawr Geopark, they feature explores the fascinating history and geology of local historians, experts from South Wales the National Park and its industrial heritage. Universities and wardens from the National Park Authority. Emerging rockers will not only discover the interesting geology and industrial heritage of the area but there’s even a specially recorded Volunteers help reveal effects of podcast for those who wish to find out more climate change on coastal about the wildlife and conservation called archaeology ‘Waterfalls and Wildlife’.
National Park’s next generation downloading a new kind of rock history
The audio trails along with a route map can be downloaded onto your MP3 player, iPod, mobile phone or PDA to accompany you on your walk from http://www.breconbeacons.org/visit-us/ outdoors-activities/audio-trails However, you don’t have to listen to them just on site, you can download them on to your computer and listen to them at home before you leave.
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Volunteers are being asked to help identify coastal archaeology sites affected by erosion in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority is taking part in a project called Arfordir, which means ‘coastline’, along with Dyfed Archaeological Trust and Cadw.
Diary
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path was the venue for 9 - 13 September a National Park visit by members of the Europarc Conference 2009, Kosterhavet International Appalachian Trail (IAT) Committee. National Park, Sweden The group is developing a route for the 23 - 25 September International Appalachian Trail which could ANPA Conference 2009, Llandudno eventually include Pembrokeshire. The IAT is 4 - 5 November currently a concept route, using existing CCW Seminar & WANPA Members’ Seminar, developed infrastructure and trails and Cardiff encouraging the construction of any missing links. The trail would connect places linked by the geological event 250 million years ago that tore North America apart from Northern Europe.
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Three events are being held in Pembrokeshire for people to find out how they can get involved. Working with professional archaeologists, volunteers will receive training in how to identify and record archaeological sites, and will then monitor their condition over time. There will also be opportunities for follow-up work on particularly threatened sites, such as geophysical survey, excavation, field-walking and producing interpretive material.
woodlands and accommodation can be provided for 71 people in single and twin bedrooms.
Excellent Customer Service at Plas
Death of Former Chairman
Plas Tan y Bwlch is also a holder of the Visit Wales Welcome Host Gold Award and won the Visit Wales Award in 2003 for the Best Activity Provider in Wales. In 2006 it was awarded Eco-Centre status by Keep Wales Tidy.
Plas Tan y Bwlch, SNPA’s Environmental Study It was with great sadness that SNPA learned of Centre, has been presented “The Customer the death of its former Chairman, John Tudor, Service Excellence Award” by the Cabinet CBE. Office. John made an immeasurable contribution to In a ceremony held at Plas Tan y Bwlch Snowdonia National Park and to the National Maentwrog, Elfyn Llwyd MP, presented the Parks of Great Britain over many years. Initially Award to Andrew Oughton, Head of Business at appointed as Vice Chairman of the Park in 1973 the Centre. The Award is given for high level prior to its being part of Gwynedd County customer service and concentrates in particular Council he became Chairman in 1974, a role he at quality of delivery, timeliness, information, was to fulfil for 25 years. professionalism and staff attitude. Amongst many of his key achievements was Since its establishment as a Study Centre in 1975, preparing Snowdonia for becoming a free Plas has enjoyed a national reputation in the standing local Authority in 1996 and he ensured field of environmental studies, and is unique in the smooth transition as the Authority’s first Wales for the range of courses and facilities it Chairman, finally retiring in 1999. He retained his provides. Today, it offers a range of excellent deep interest in the National Park until his death facilities for professional, educational and public and all who worked with him will miss his strength courses, including a lecture theatre, lecture and and determination to do the best for Snowdonia. seminar rooms, reference and resources library, fieldwork rooms, bar, lounges and high quality AV and IT equipment. The Centre is located within 100 acres of lakes, gardens and
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New Visitor Satisfaction launched in Hay on Wye
Survey Pembrokeshire beach perfect place for Hollywood pictures
A new Visitor Satisfaction Survey developed by Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has been launched in Hay on Wye to help tourism businesses better understand exactly what visitors want when they come to Hay.
Filming of Universal Pictures’ adaptation of Robin Hood took place at Freshwater West in June, following hot on the heels of Warner Brothers’ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which finished on set at the beach in May.
Launched in time for Hay’s biggest event of the year - the Guardian Hay Festival - the visitor survey will then run for twelve months with a prize draw of a short break for two offered as an incentive for visitors to return the survey. Funded by Collabor8 – a European Regional Development Fund - the new survey has been developed by Brecon Beacons National Park Authority with invaluable support from the Hay business community. The project will provide valuable feedback to enable businesses to gain an even better understanding of what visitors would like as part of their Hay experience.
The ‘Shell Cottage’ built in the dunes for the final Harry Potter installment - which attracted huge public interest – has now been taken down. A National Park Ranger was on site all week working with Warner Brothers staff to ensure minimal damage to the beach. Casting for 450 extras for the Robin Hood film took place in May, with over 1000 hopefuls queuing for a chance to be in the film. Four local organisations have been involved in helping to accommodate both films: the National Trust, Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and the Countryside Council for Wales.
Shorts 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.