powysramblers.org.uk

Welshpool group walk – 12 February 2012

powyswalker — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:04:19 +0000

Vic Smith led a group of 15 on the familiar 6 mile walk to Rodney’s Pillar on February 12th. Unlike the previous occasion, in January 2011, the weather was fine, sunny and actually warm, if the appropriate side of the Pillar was chosen for the lunch stop! From the Criggion car park the route followed a variety of tracks and paths that encompass the Breidden Forest, skirting Brimford Wood, New Pieces and Old Mills Hill before descending to the Bytherig track. On regaining open ground, a direct but steep route was followed to skirt around the top edge of the Quarry before the welcome lunch stop at Rodney’s Pillar where the familiar views were enjoyed without signs of recent snow and floods. After descending south-east from the Pillar, the return was towards the edge of Brimford Wood before regaining the main permissive forest track to the car park.

Area Council Minutes 02 Feb 2012

powyswalker — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:57:37 +0000

The minutes of the latest Powys Area Council are now available in the Download section. See menu on right hand side of page.

Llandinam Windfarm Repowering

powyswalker — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:51:49 +0000

The Powys Area has commented on the proposal to re-power Llandinam Windfarmnear Newtown. Llandinam Windfarm, formerly known as Penrhyddlan and Llidiartywaun, is one of the oldest within the ScottishPower Renewables portfolio. It is operated with Eurus Energy under the trading name of Celt Power Limited. In May 2008 they submitted an application to repower this windfarm, meaning, if consented, they would decommission the existing 103 turbines and replace them with 39 new turbines.

To download the response (PDF format ) click here

Four Wells Walk – 4th February 2012

powyswalker — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:54:22 +0000

Eight walkers braved the cold and the predicted snow to walk the eleven miles from Hardwicke, near Hay on Wye. From a small C.P. at Hardwicke the group were led to Little Mountain, where we stopped for a warming drink sheltered by rock outcrops, before dropping down into Golden Valley. A long level lane took us to the start of the climb to Arthur’s Stone, an atmospheric Neolithic burial chamber made of great stone slabs. See photo below.

After a brief lunch stop, at temperatures below freezing no one wanted a long leisurely break, we headed to the highest point of the day, Merbach Common. By this point the snow had started to fall and what little distance views we had were now obscured preventing us from seeing the glorious views (so we were told) to the Malvern Hills to the east, Clee Hill to the north, Hay Bluff and the Black Mountains to the south and the Welsh Hills to the west. It was a slippery descent back to the lower ground and we were all relived to get back on the flat with no slips or mishaps. Another hours walk through fields and lanes brought us back to the start. Many thanks to Robin for leading the walk in such difficult conditions.

Welshpool Group Walk 29th January 2012

powyswalker — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:47:57 +0000

The walk on January 29th was a 6½ mile circular route from Clun, led by Geoff McLean and attracting 17 walkers. With frost on the ground and no sign of sun, the route headed from the Memorial Hall car park to access the track heading north-west out of the town to cross the River Unk, deviating by footpaths to Bicton and the edge of Colstey Wood before the final southerly direction to Clun via Guilden Down. This scenic area of South Shropshire was able to provide much walking pleasure despite the rather dull weather conditions.

In a change to the published walk leader, Vic Smith will lead a ‘moderate’ grade walk of approximately 6 miles on Sunday February 12th. The area of the walk will remain the Breidden Forest and will include the ascent of Rodney’s Pillar. Meet 9.30am at Church Street car park, Welshpool, from where lifts may be available, or at the car park close to the entrance of Criggion Quarry, OS Ref: 294 149, from where the walk will start at 10 am. All welcome but no dogs on the walk please. For further information, contact 01743 884930

Advance notice is given for the walk on Sunday, February 26th which will now be in the Sarn area.

Welshpool Ramblers Group Walk 15th January 2012

powyswalker — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:17:16 +0000

25 walkers obviously felt that a cold, frosty but sunny day was right for a 7¼ mile circular tour, led by Vic & Sandra Smith, of some of the industrial and transport relics – and attractive scenery – that the area around Llanymynech has to offer. Starting from the Montgomery Canal towpath in the centre of Llanymynech, this was followed towards Welshpool for a short distance to Walls Bridge where a lane and a bridleway were followed north to join the Offa’s Dyke Path on the edge of the Golf Course at Asterley Rocks. The ODP was followed along the ridge to the point where it descends to Port-y-Waen, the group continuing on the high ground of the ridge formed by Blodwell Rock, pausing at the view-points for a coffee break and to admire the Tanat Valley and the hills beyond. There followed a steep descent off the ridge to the main A495 road where our ‘guest’, Chris Parker of the Wales Group of Railway Ramblers provided some details of the interesting and complex railway history of the area. With specific prior permission from the Cambrian Heritage Railways, the ‘mothballed ’railway track was followed in the area of Whitehaven, stopping to note points of historic interest and to chat with volunteers busy clearing the vegetation that has encroached during years of disuse since trains ceased to connect Blodwell Quarry to Oswestry and Gobowen. Though not the first working station that the Welshpool Ramblers have used for a lunch stop, this was the first time the delightful replica station at Llynclys South had been visited, again, with the generous prior permission of CHR (www.cambrianrailways.com). Closed to the public for the winter, the site nevertheless had volunteers at work on the many tasks that are required for railway preservation. The railway was left for an earlier form of transport when the group made its way to the Montgomery Canal at Crickheath Wharf, part of the system that awaits restoration. The towpath was followed back to Llanymynech, passing a large group of Canal restoration volunteers who, like their railway preservation colleagues, were busy hedge-laying and clearing vegetation from the Canal bed and banks. Just before the end of the walk, the Canal was once again ‘in water’, the narrow boat George William Buck, named after the Canal’s engineer and operated by the Duchess Countess Trust, from the Wharf Visitor Centre being the sole vessel on this section of the Canal.

Geoff McLean will lead a 7mile ‘moderate’ grade walk from Clun on Sunday January 29th. Starting from the Memorial Hall car park at 10.15 am ( Grid Ref: SO 302 811 – not the CP near Clun Bridge), the circular route will follow mostly footpaths and tracks to the Castle, the River Unk, Bicton, Colstey Wood and Guilden Down. Meet at Welshpool Church Street car park at 9.30 am (please note the revised meeting time that will apply for most weeks), from where shared transport may be available, or at the start of the walk. All welcome, but no dogs on the walk please. Further information can be obtained on 01686 688465.

Advance notice is given for the walk on Sunday, February 12th which will be in Breidden area.

East Radnor Walk – 14th January 2012

powyswalker — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:34:44 +0000

14th January 2012

On Saturday, January 14th, the East Radnor group started in thick mist and hoar frost at Hay-on-Wye. Going through the village of Cussop and its churchyard we ascended steeply up Cussop Hill, arriving in delightful winter sunshine with pools of mist below. Underfoot was frozen ground and firm footing. We contoured across the fields and New House Wood to the shoulder below Hay Bluff. We descended on Offa’s Dyke Path to Hay, where we discovered that the mist and cold had not lifted all day. The joys of being above it all!

East Radnor Walks – 11th January 2012

powyswalker — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:31:13 +0000

11th January 2012

On a clear morning on January 11th Jan led the East Radnor group up Hergest Ridge for a circular walk around Gladestry. We entered grey mist on the top and turned at the now invisible whetstone descend around Hanter Hill. We crossed fields and circled around a hill to Weythel Common. The delightful route was new to all of us. Passing by Llanhaylow Wood we followed a short stretch of lane to avoid a muddy track. Circling back to Gladestry we enjoyed fine views of the hills.

Four Wells Group Walk New Years Eve 2011

powyswalker — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:25:56 +0000

As part of the Ramblers Winter Walks Festival the Four Wells Group held a New Years Eve walk that included Aberedw Rocks and views of the Wye Valley towards Builth Wells. Twelve walkers including the leader, Derek, braved the damp conditions. The walk started about 2kms north east of Llandeilo Grabam Church on open common, heading east and skirting fields to our left we continued to Aberedw Rocks. We dropped below the rocks on a path that unfortunately has been damaged by illegal motor bike use and it was near here we stopped for morning coffee and were rewarded with some blue sky and rainbows. After the break we continued the circle of the rocks before reaching the main common once again. We were now heading south east and on reaching Glannau Pool we turned NE to Henllyn Pool where we were unfortunate in witnessing two 4 wheel drive vehicles racing across the common ripping up the grassy paths. Within a short while we were back at the cars where we quickly changed and headed off to a warm fire, a few drinks and a well deserved bar meal at the Wheelwrights in Erwood.

Start Grid Ref of SO 108 508, Length 5.75miles

East Radnor Group Walk 28 Dec 2011

powyswalker — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 23:18:58 +0000

On December 28th the group took a short walk, only three miles, starting at Nash Woods near Presteigne. We ascended to a view point with a fine outlook towards Hergest Ridge and the Whimble. As we slowly descended by circling round the hill, the sun brightened the landscape with views over Presteigne — a relaxing post Christmas stroll.