powysramblers.org.uk

Four Wells Big Welsh Coastal Walk

powyswalker — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:58:24 +0000

On the weekend of the official opening of the all Wales Coast Coastpath 13 members went to Anglesey to help celebrate this achievement.

The group met up lunchtime on Friday at Newborough Forest and walked 7 miles taking in Llwyddyn Island with it’s many interesting features including pilots cottage and lighthouse.

On Saturday, the day of the official opening, the group walked the 12 miles from Port Amlwch to Moelfre. It took us 30 minutes to get past Port Amlwch and its interesting industrial past. Other highlights included spotting seals at lunch, Traeth Dulas, and the sculptures at Moelfre and finally taking our boots of at the end of a long walk.

The final day of our Anglesey weekend saw us walking from Holyhead Marina to Treadur Bay via Holyhead Mountain and South Stack.

On all our walks we came across others enjoying walking the coast path and it showed what a benefit this is for both the people of Wales and for visitors alike. There are still areas where the coast path detours inland and we all hope that in time agreement can be reached to bring the route nearer to the coast.

Welshpool Ramblers – Hergest Ridge Walk 22nd April 2012

powyswalker — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:55:00 +0000

On 22^nd April, Kath Pugh led a group of 11 people on an energetic 10 mile circular walk starting from Old Radnor. With weather generally better than forecast, the route headed south around Hanter Hill before climbing steeply to the Whet Stone on Hergest Ridge (Offa’s Dyke Path) where a coffee stop was made and the commanding views also enjoyed. The gently descending ODP was followed towards the edge of Kington, crossing the Cynon Brook and the A44 for the climb to England’s highest golf course on Bradnor Hill where the hitherto mainly dry weather departed to make for a somewhat wet lunch break on the edge of the Hill, more sensible members of the group making for the partial shelter of The Bower, south of Rushok Hill. Lunch completed, and sunny weather returning for the remainder of the walk, the ODP was again followed for most of the return route around Rushok Hill & Herrock Hill, then minor tracks through Navages Wood to emerge for the final crossing of the A44 which was followed for a short way to the lane leading back to the village of Old Radnor

Rail Ramblers on Country Focus

powyswalker — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:07:19 +0000

Marion Law of Rail Ramblers was interviewed for BBC Radio Wales Country Focus Programme by Jane Davidson (Ramblers Wales President). Marion describes the benefit of walking using public transport in particular trains and the fantastic resource that the All Wales Coast Pathwill become.

The Shrewsbury to Pwllheli rail line passes over the Mawddach estuary at this point. © Copyright Gordon Hatton and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Marion said:

It involved a long day out to meet the producer and interviewer for a very short piece, but I think it was worthwhile. Unfortunately the programme goes out from 7 am on a Sunday morning when not many people were unlikely to be listening.

For those of you who missed the programme here is a small clip of the programme.

Rail Rambles_Radio Wales recording of our contribution April 2012

More information on the programme can be found on the BBC Wales website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/sites/countryfocus/updates/20120408.shtml

Big Welsh Coastal Walk 5th May 2012

powyswalker — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:02:04 +0000

To celebrate the official opening of the 870 mile All Wales Coast Path Powys Ramblers are leading a walk from Machynleth to Furnace . Although this part of the coast path is not beside the sea, it passes through beautiful mid Wales countryside overlooking the Dyfi estuary. It is the only part of the coast path that passes through Powys.

Dyfi Estuary

Meet at the clock tower in the centre of Machynlleth (A487/A489 junction) at 10.00. There is a public car park nearby.

Distance 8 miles and 580m/1900ft ascent in total. Grade moderate but with some fairly steep climbs. The walk takes up to 5 hours allowing for plenty of stops. Boots advisable. Bring drink, a packed lunch and waterproofs (just in case). Children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult and no dogs will be allowed on the walk.

Return to Machynlleth (or Aberystwyth) will be by bus from Furnace (fare needed).

For further information you can phone Alan Rugman on 01686 626366 or email secretary@powysramblers.org.uk

Welshpool Family Walk

powyswalker — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 23:00:23 +0000

Neuadd Coch Windfarm

powyswalker — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 23:41:46 +0000

In January 2012, RWE npower renewables submitted a planning application for Neuadd-goch Bank Wind Farm to Powys County Council. The planning application reference is P/2012/0040.

The application is for a wind farm of 9 turbines (each with a maximum tip height of 126 metres) and associated infrastructure, including a small onsite substation, transformers, anemometer mast, new and upgraded access tracks and a temporary construction compound. Subject to planning permission, and any conditions attached by the Local Planning Authority, each turbine could have a capacity of 2-3 megawatts (MW), meaning the wind farm will have an installed capacity of up to 27 MW.

Site of the proposed Neuadd Coch Windfarm

Powys Area has commented on the proposal for the windfarm, part of which is on common land. The comments can be seen in the download section or by clicking here.

Welshpool Group Walk – 11th March 2012

powyswalker — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 23:22:57 +0000

The recent run of Ramblers’ favourable weather continued on March 11th when David Evans led a local 6 mile walk from the Sarn-y-Bryn-Caled nature reserve. Starting with a short detour to observe the wildfowl from the spacious ‘hide’, the route followed the main road towards the Airport near to which an old trackway, skirting the Airport, was taken to the bank of the River Severn at The Gro. Near to this point, the opportunity was taken to enjoy the River as it flowed gently between pleasant banks which provided ideal ‘seats’ for an early coffee stop. Continuing WNW towards the Newtown road, crossed at Wernllwyd, the public footpath was followed to the Canal, followed to The Horseshoes PH thence the lane climbing towards Brithdir Hall. The NE footpath, with its commanding views of the Severn Valley and its enfolding hills, was the principal return part of the route, providing also an ideal lunch stop location. Regaining the Canal at Chapel Bridge, Llwynderw, the towpath was followed to Belan Locks for the final few hundred yards to the finish of this pleasant walk.

Members of the Group heard with sadness of the recent death of Ron Slack who was, for many years, a regular walker with Welshpool Ramblers and organiser of the local ‘Walk & Talk’ events. Always willing to offer his services as walk leader in his own right or to offer himself for additional walks should the need arise, he was the Programme Secretary’s salvation at times. His quiet, amiable disposition will be very much missed on future walks. The Group extends its condolences to Connie and Family.

Welshpool Ramblers Walk – 26th February 2012

powyswalker — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:32:06 +0000

On the 26th February Howard Wright led a group of 18 on a ‘moderate’ grade walk of about 8 miles. Starting from Sarn Village Hall (OS grid ref SO204908), the route left the village to access tracks and bridleways, following a small river valley for a short way, before ascending steeply to the Kerry Ridgeway at nearly 2000 feet. During the ascent, several opportunities were taken to pause, not only for breath, but to admire the superb views that the wonderful weather was allowing, and also to chat to a local farmer busy tending his sheep, before a coffee break which most of the aforementioned sheep seemed keen to share!
On gaining the Ridgeway, 4½ miles of its course was followed through the Kerry Forest, in company with the national boundary, passing the ancient Short Ditch before a lunch stop on the edge of the car park in The Long Plantation near to Cefn Golog. After leaving the Forest, the impressive scenery of the Kerry Valley and the distant mountains again provided interest for the descent to Sarn, along a quiet lane, before a short stretch of the A489, and another minor country lane concluded this excellent walk.

The walk on Sunday March 11th will be led by David Evans. It will be a short, low level circular ‘easy’ grade route of about 6 miles. Meet at Welshpool Church Street car park at 9.30am, from where shared transport may be available, or at the start of the walk, Sarn-y-bryn-caled, at 9.45am. (Nature Reserve; OS Explorer map 216 Grid. Ref.052211). In case of any local flooding in the Severn valley, there will be a change of route. For further information, contact 01588 580352. All welcome, but no dogs on the walk please.

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.