powysramblers.org.uk

Congratulations are given to Llandrindod Wells have just been awarded the status of Walker are Welcome Town

Walkers are Welcome towns and villages are places which have something special to offer walkers. Obtaining Walkers are Welcome status, as a growing number of communities across Britain are doing,  brings a number of benefits. It helps strengthen a town’s reputation as a place for visitors to come to enjoy the outdoors, bringing useful benefits to the local economy. It helps to ensure that footpaths and facilities for walkers are maintained in good condition, benefiting local people as well as visitors. It can contribute to local tourism plans and regeneration strategies. It also allows communities to benefit from the regular networking opportunities with other Walkers are Welcome towns, when experiences are shared informally and new ideas discussed.

The Walkers are Welcome scheme is different from most top-down accreditation schemes, in that it has emerged from, and is being promoted by, communities themselves. The idea, which was first discussed in 2006, became a reality when the Pennine town of Hebden Bridge became the first Walkers are Welcome town in Spring 2007, closely followed by Moffat in Scotland’s Dumfries and Galloway region and by the north Wales community of Prestatyn More than twenty other communities now either have Walkers are Welcome status or are actively working to meet the criteria. These towns together have constituted themselves as the Walkers are Welcome Towns Network. It is this body (through its committee and its annual conference) which develops and controls the Walkers are Welcome scheme and oversees use of the logo. In other words, the Walkers are Welcome idea and brand is collectively managed by the communities themselves who are participating – real grassroots democracy in action.

The Walkers are Welcome Towns Network welcomes approaches from other towns and villages interested in working towards Walkers are Welcome status. There are six conditions to meet, outlined on a companion fact sheet.
For more information, visit the website at www.walkersarewelcome.org.uk

Walkers in mid-Wales who normally rely on their electronic gizmos for guidance need to pack a map and compass this autumn.

The Ministry of Defence will be conducting jamming exercises on the Global Positioning System signal in September, which could render GPS receivers useless for a time. The exercise will be run over five days.

Ofcom, which oversees radio communications in Britain, says the MoD has informed it the GPS signals will be jammed for limited periods between 9am and 5pm starting Monday 7 September until Friday 11 September. The affected area is within 5km of the Sennybridge Training Area, on the Mynydd Epynt.

Much of the area, between Llanwrtyd Wells and the Brecon Beacons national park boundary, is given over to an artillery range and military training area, but there are numerous rights of way across the land, including the Epynt Way, a permissive bridleway around the perimeter of the training area.

Information during the jamming exercise can be obtained from the trial manager on 07766 134520 or from the Sennybridge operations point on 01874 635461.

Thanks to Grough and Outdoors Magic for first highlighting this issue.

For all Ramblers members there is a basic footpath workshop on July 18th.  The day should be a good refresher for volunteers who are already involved with footpath work but would be equally suitable for Ramblers members who would like to learn more about getting involved with volunteering. No previous experience is required.

It is being held at the Friends Meeting House in Llandrindod Wells, Powys. The location is in the centre of Llandrindod and we will be running a list for car sharing. Tea and coffee will be provided but we ask you to bring your own lunch, please.

The agenda and application form can be downloaded. See download link on left