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Working for Powys Walkers
Weatherman Walking-New Series
A new series of Weatherman Walking started today 7.30pm on BBC One Wales. For those of you who may not know, the "Weatherman" is Derek Brockway the main weather presenter for BBC Wales.
Each programme consists of two walks where Derek is Joined by a local walker who knows the area.
The first episode included a walk on the Gower and another from Pont Neddfechan in the "Waterfalls"area of the Brecon Beacons.
Future episodes include a walk along a section of Glyndwr’s Way, from Dylife to the Wynford Vaughan Thomas memorial, accompanied by Rab Jones, access officer for Powys County Council.
In episode 4 broadcast on the 4th of August the walks include one around Llangorse Lake.
Derek Brockway is not my favourite presenter for walking programmes, give me Julia Bradbury (Wainwright Walks) any day, but it is good to see the wonderful walking that can be found in Wales, especially Mid Wales.
Powys County Council Rights of Way Committee
Powys County Council‘s Rights of Way Committee minutes are available online. The latest meeting 18th June 2008 is now available. Also look at the agenda as there are links to the documents supplied to the officers of the Rights of Way Department.
The documents can be accessed here
Waterfall Walk to be Opened Soon
Image via WikipediaThe footpath below Sgwd-yr-Eira waterfall in the Brecon Beacons was sealed off in May 2007 over concerns about danger to walkers due unstable overhanging rocks. It has been announced that works to stabilise the rocks will be completed by the start of the school summer holidays.
The site is both a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation and it has been these environmental designations that has caused the works to be delayed for this length of time.
Dai Jones of the Forestry Commission said: “We are delighted to be able to announce that remedial work is due to begin at this site, which will result in the waterfall opening in time for the school holidays.
“We have all gone to great lengths to ensure that the particularly fragile nature of this site will not be unnecessarily affected by our intervention.
More information from BBC Mid Wales
Grant Money for Dolgoch Youth Hostel
The Elenydd Wilderness Hostels Trust was set up to save three much-loved youth hostels in the Elenydd for future generations in an area in the southern Cambrian Mountains of mid-Wales, between Llanwrtyd Wells and Tregaron.
The Youth Hostels Association closed these hostels in 2006, but they have managed to save two of them – Ty’n Cornel and Dolgoch. These are both converted farmhouses in the mountains and are full of character
Now grant application for £82,000 to improve the structure and amenities at Dolgoch has been successful!!
This is European money which has been allocated to the Ceredigion Rural Development Plan via the Welsh Assembly.
Improvements will take place over the next 3 years and will include structural repairs, some changes to the interior of the building and the addition of disabled accommodation. Everything will be done sympathetically to maintain the unique character of the place. And of course major repairs to the access track are high on the list of priorities.
As far as possible Dolgoch will remain open during this period and any periods of closure will be kept to an absolute minimum.
Ceredigion Coast Path
Image by Ben Bore Rhys via Flickr
First Minister Rhodri Morgan will join the Ramblers and Ceredigion County Council at Prince Charles’ Quay, Cardigan to launch a six-day festival that will see the whole 60 miles of the new coastal path walked, from Cardigan to the Dyfi Estuary, between the 4th-9th July.
The Ceredigion Coastal Path is a £500k path jointly funded by Ceredigion County Council and the European Union. It has taken 5 years to create and is expected to be popular with walkers far and wide, providing a real and lasting boost to the local economy.
For more photos click here
Working as volunteers, members of the Ramblers’ in Ceredigion have made a major contribution to the building of the path by constructing gates, building bridges and walls, excavating paths, erecting fences and by way marking the route. The Ramblers’ have also worked with local Councils and other organisations to develop the Walks Festival project.
During the Festival, walkers will also be seen off by Elin Jones, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Rural Affairs and Mark Williams MP; local Ceredigion Councillors and the Mayor of Aberystwyth will also start walks.
A six day walk programme has been organised by the Ceredigion Ramblers in celebration of the opening of the Ceredigion Coast Path. All walks are linear and provision is made for the return to the morning and afternoon start points by minibus.
