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breathing spaces newsletter of the Welsh National Parks

Spring 2010Spring 2010Spring 2010Spring 2010

As I write this (in May, mind you) the sky is

bright, the sun is out, but the chill in the air

reminds me of the long, lingering winter we

have all experienced, especially within the

National Parks. An eternal optimist, I am

looking forward to a warmer, sunnier

summer!

This year, the general election dominated

the news, but it is with some regret to report

that environmental issues and potential

policies did not receive the same scrutiny or

attention that they had receied in 2009.

Failure at Copenhagen in December to

secure a meaningful global deal on climate

change has taken the wind out of the

political sails, the election did not lead to a

higher profile for environmental problems,

but the same could be said for most policy.

Hopefully the profile of the environment and

other issues that are closely aligned to the

National Park principles receive the

attention they deserve post-election. The UK

Government will have to acclimatise itself to

the sort of coalition-building, consensual

government that we have experienced in

Wales for most of the Assembly’s existence

between 1999 and the present day.

With less than twelve months remaining until

the 2011 Welsh Assembly election, work will

shift to raising the profile of the environment

and of National Parks, making them relevant

to political parties as they write their

devolved manifestos. The special qualities

of National Parks have are worthy of

protection and are made accessible, this

has led to expertise that we are keen to

share within, and beyond, the lines on the

maps.

Dates for the Diary Dates for the Diary Dates for the Diary Dates for the Diary

19 –23 July: Royal Welsh Show

26 July–1 August: National Parks Week,

theme: Cultural Heritage

31 July – 7 August: The National Eisteddfod,

Ebbw Vale

20 – 23 September: The ANPA Conference,

Loch Lomond National Park

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Brecon Beacons taxi drivers get top Brecon Beacons taxi drivers get top Brecon Beacons taxi drivers get top Brecon Beacons taxi drivers get top

marks for National Park Knowledge marks for National Park Knowledge marks for National Park Knowledge marks for National Park Knowledge

In February, Brecon Beacons National Park In February, Brecon Beacons National Park In February, Brecon Beacons National Park In February, Brecon Beacons National Park

Authority successfully delivered its first pilot Authority successfully delivered its first pilot Authority successfully delivered its first pilot Authority successfully delivered its first pilot

training scheme for local taxi drivers training scheme for local taxi drivers training scheme for local taxi drivers training scheme for local taxi drivers

designed to boost the local transport designed to boost the local transport designed to boost the local transport designed to boost the local transport

industry and give visitors more than just a industry and give visitors more than just a industry and give visitors more than just a industry and give visitors more than just a

ride to their destination.ride to their destination.ride to their destination.ride to their destination.

In what is believed to be the first of its kind for

UK National Parks, more than a dozen local

taxi drivers attended the pilot scheme

appropriately named ‘National Park

Knowledge’.

With funding provided by Brecon Beacons

National Park Authority’s Sustainable

Development Fund (SDF) and a partnership

of Local Authorities, the course focused on

offering visitors a helpful ride to their

destination, with information on local

activities and attractions, festivals and

events, the main walking routes, guides to

the National Park and advice on which car

parks are regularly used by walkers.

Designed specifically for taxi drivers, the idea

behind the pilot scheme was created some

months ago after Brecon Beacons National

Park Authority approached local taxi drivers

with the view to devise some free training

sessions especially for them. The training

course was then tailored to offer taxi drivers

the chance to find out more about the area

they work in, the kind of information visitors

need and also how to help increase business

in the local transport industry.

Park Authority names new man to take the helmPark Authority names new man to take the helmPark Authority names new man to take the helmPark Authority names new man to take the helm

Tegryn Jones, former Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy, has joined the Tegryn Jones, former Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy, has joined the Tegryn Jones, former Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy, has joined the Tegryn Jones, former Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy, has joined the

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority as Chief Executive.Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority as Chief Executive.Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority as Chief Executive.Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority as Chief Executive.

Mr Jones, 41, joined Keep Wales Tidy in 2004, having moved from a senior

policy post at the General Teaching Council for Wales. A fluent Welsh

speaker, he was formerly Deputy Director and Education Officer of an

educational activity centre run by the Urdd Gobaith Cymru movement in

the Snowdonia National Park.

Richard Howells, Chairman of the Authority, said that that Tegryn’s

excellent track record and experience within the conservation sector,

and his vision, qualities and leadership skills would guide the Authority into

the future with enthusiasm and commitment.

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The Hafod Eryri EffectThe Hafod Eryri EffectThe Hafod Eryri EffectThe Hafod Eryri Effect

The benefits of the development of Hafod The benefits of the development of Hafod The benefits of the development of Hafod The benefits of the development of Hafod

Eryri are becoming clearer as information Eryri are becoming clearer as information Eryri are becoming clearer as information Eryri are becoming clearer as information

comes in from counters and surveys. comes in from counters and surveys. comes in from counters and surveys. comes in from counters and surveys.

Visit Wales has found that it was an initial

destination of 16% of the visitors surveyed in

North Wales last year outstripping all other

attractions. Visitor numbers to the mountain

were 27% up on previous counts and the

railway ran at near full capacity after the

opening.

The knock on benefit to the local tourist

trade was considerable and the coming

season looks promising with the Mountain

Railway Company appointing a Centre

Manager to oversee all aspects of the

operation.

Pen y Pass Refurbishment Pen y Pass Refurbishment Pen y Pass Refurbishment Pen y Pass Refurbishment

The old café at Pen y Pass, Snowdonia

National Park has come in for a lot of

criticism over recent years and has been in

desperate need of a re-vamp.

The appointment of new tenants for the

coming season has given the Authority the

opportunity to re-furbish the café, provide

new lighting and furniture and greatly

improve the interior. The new tenants will be

re-developing the catering side and

providing an interesting and diverse menu

with the possibility of evening opening as a

restaurant.

Improved Accessibility to the Miner’s TrackImproved Accessibility to the Miner’s TrackImproved Accessibility to the Miner’s TrackImproved Accessibility to the Miner’s Track

All the work on Hafod Eryri and Pen y Pass

can tend to overshadow the continuing

developments in access to the mountain.

Using capital funding the Authority is

developing the first mile of the Miner’s Track

to greatly improve access for the disabled

and young families. Resurfacing the track

from Pen y Pass to Llyn Teyrn will allow

smooth access into the lower slopes of

Snowdon and open up views not easily seen

before.

The Authority has also purchased a powerful

tramper buggy to help transport disabled

people up into the mountains.

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Oriel y Parc scoops top UK planning Oriel y Parc scoops top UK planning Oriel y Parc scoops top UK planning Oriel y Parc scoops top UK planning

prizeprizeprizeprize

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Authority clinched the Royal Town Planning Authority clinched the Royal Town Planning Authority clinched the Royal Town Planning Authority clinched the Royal Town Planning

Institute (RTPI) 2009 UK Award for ‘Rural Areas Institute (RTPI) 2009 UK Award for ‘Rural Areas Institute (RTPI) 2009 UK Award for ‘Rural Areas Institute (RTPI) 2009 UK Award for ‘Rural Areas

and the Natural Environment’ at a and the Natural Environment’ at a and the Natural Environment’ at a and the Natural Environment’ at a

ceremony at the London Hilton in February.ceremony at the London Hilton in February.ceremony at the London Hilton in February.ceremony at the London Hilton in February.

Located on the outskirts of St Davids, Oriel y

Parc was opened just over a year ago and

marked the culmination of the Authority’s

long standing plans for developing this

gateway site providing a gallery, visitors’ car

park and a bus service hub.

The building has a BREEAM (BRE

Environmental Assessment Method) rating of

‘Excellent’ for its sustainable design and

management and raises awareness through

its interactive displays and programme of

family-friendly activities.

Visit www.orielyparc.co.uk for more details.

Brecon Beacons launches first UK Park Brecon Beacons launches first UK Park Brecon Beacons launches first UK Park Brecon Beacons launches first UK Park

Ambassador scheme for businessesAmbassador scheme for businessesAmbassador scheme for businessesAmbassador scheme for businesses

Last month, Brecon Beacons National Park Last month, Brecon Beacons National Park Last month, Brecon Beacons National Park Last month, Brecon Beacons National Park

Authority delivered the first of series of day Authority delivered the first of series of day Authority delivered the first of series of day Authority delivered the first of series of day

courses to formally launch the UKs’ first courses to formally launch the UKs’ first courses to formally launch the UKs’ first courses to formally launch the UKs’ first

National Park Ambassador Scheme aimed National Park Ambassador Scheme aimed National Park Ambassador Scheme aimed National Park Ambassador Scheme aimed

at helping tourism businesses offer at helping tourism businesses offer at helping tourism businesses offer at helping tourism businesses offer

outstanding service to visitors.outstanding service to visitors.outstanding service to visitors.outstanding service to visitors.

Funded by the EU Interreg IVB project as part

of Collabor8, the new Park Ambassador

Scheme is a series of free on-day training

workshops designed to offer local tourism

businesses the information they need to

engage and inspire visitors to explore the

Brecon Beacons National Park.

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Snowdonia BuzzSnowdonia BuzzSnowdonia BuzzSnowdonia Buzz

In partnership with WBKA (Welsh Bee In partnership with WBKA (Welsh Bee In partnership with WBKA (Welsh Bee In partnership with WBKA (Welsh Bee

Keepers Association) and CALU Bangor Keepers Association) and CALU Bangor Keepers Association) and CALU Bangor Keepers Association) and CALU Bangor

University (Centre For Alternative Land Use), University (Centre For Alternative Land Use), University (Centre For Alternative Land Use), University (Centre For Alternative Land Use),

the Snowdonia National Park is offering a the Snowdonia National Park is offering a the Snowdonia National Park is offering a the Snowdonia National Park is offering a

unique opportunity for those living within the unique opportunity for those living within the unique opportunity for those living within the unique opportunity for those living within the

Park to keep bees!Park to keep bees!Park to keep bees!Park to keep bees!

Anybody can attend a training course

through WBKA, gaining a qualification which

will enable them to keep bees and this will

also allow the participant to apply for a

grant through the Park in order purchase a

traditional beehive.

This is an exciting way of learning new skills as

well as a means of promoting local produce

and contributing towards biodiversity within

the Snowdonia National Park.

Rhys Owen, Head of Agriculture and

Conservation for Snowdonia National Park,

said :

“through this partnership between the Park,

CALU and WBKA, we are offering a fantastic

opportunity for our local people to learn

traditional and exciting new skills. By

encouraging more people to keep bees, we

are also strengthening the biodiversity within

the Park and educating people about the

importance of preserving our wildlife.”

Competition winners are buzzingCompetition winners are buzzingCompetition winners are buzzingCompetition winners are buzzing

Pembrokeshire’s bumblebees beat off all Pembrokeshire’s bumblebees beat off all Pembrokeshire’s bumblebees beat off all Pembrokeshire’s bumblebees beat off all

contenders to win a £25,000 prize for a contenders to win a £25,000 prize for a contenders to win a £25,000 prize for a contenders to win a £25,000 prize for a

bumblebee habitat conservation project. bumblebee habitat conservation project. bumblebee habitat conservation project. bumblebee habitat conservation project.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Authority and the Countryside Council for Authority and the Countryside Council for Authority and the Countryside Council for Authority and the Countryside Council for

Wales joined forces with the Bumblebee Wales joined forces with the Bumblebee Wales joined forces with the Bumblebee Wales joined forces with the Bumblebee

Conservation Trust to enter a competition Conservation Trust to enter a competition Conservation Trust to enter a competition Conservation Trust to enter a competition

run by EOG Association for Conservation run by EOG Association for Conservation run by EOG Association for Conservation run by EOG Association for Conservation

and ‘Live for the Outdoors’ website.and ‘Live for the Outdoors’ website.and ‘Live for the Outdoors’ website.and ‘Live for the Outdoors’ website.

The project will be based at Castlemartin

Range and includes planting native

wildflowers, linking related habitats and

working directly to conserve a UK Biodiversity

Action Plan species, alongside the MOD’s

proposed creation of a new trail for walkers,

cyclists and horse riders.

Pippa Rayner, the Conservation Officer for

the Trust, will be working alongside Lynne

Houlston, Castlemartin Ranger to ensure rare

species like the shrill carder bee continue to

thrive in essential wildflower grasslands.

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National Park’s online reporting National Park’s online reporting National Park’s online reporting National Park’s online reporting

system leads to successful prosecution system leads to successful prosecution system leads to successful prosecution system leads to successful prosecution

of off-roaders.of off-roaders.of off-roaders.of off-roaders.

Brecon Beacons National Park Authority’s Brecon Beacons National Park Authority’s Brecon Beacons National Park Authority’s Brecon Beacons National Park Authority’s

new online reporting system has led to its first new online reporting system has led to its first new online reporting system has led to its first new online reporting system has led to its first

successful prosecution of illegal off-roaders successful prosecution of illegal off-roaders successful prosecution of illegal off-roaders successful prosecution of illegal off-roaders

using a restricted byway in the National Park. using a restricted byway in the National Park. using a restricted byway in the National Park. using a restricted byway in the National Park.

Last month at the Brecon Magistrate Court,

three off-roaders from South-West England

pleaded guilty to driving on the restricted

byway at Sarn Helen, after being caught

red-handed by Police and National Park

Wardens in October last year. The off-

roaders were caught after a concerned

member of the public submitted a report

using the National Park’s online reporting

system which then led to immediate action

undertaken by Dyfed Powys Police to

apprehend the offenders.

Jon Pimm, Western Area Warden for Brecon

Beacons National Park Authority who

assisted Police Officers at Sarn Helen last

year said: “Illegal off-roading has a huge

impact on the countryside and our

protected landscape and it was only last

year, after liaising closely with Dyfed Powys

Police and local communities in the worst

affected areas, that we set up the online

reporting system. It’s good news that our

residents and visitors feel confident using the

online reporting system to provide details of

any incidents that occur – the results of

which we are finally starting to see. If off-

roaders are looking for safe and legal places

to drive they are welcome to contact our

Local Rights of Way Officer for information or

they could join one of the organisations we

work closely with who represent riders  such

as Treadlightly, LARA, TRF, GLASS or CRAG

who will also help them.”

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Making the cyberspace connections Making the cyberspace connections Making the cyberspace connections Making the cyberspace connections

Two, relatively new, internet buzzwords. If you have not experienced ‘Facebook’

(www.facebook.co.uk) or ‘twitter’ (www.twitter.com), you may well do so in the future,

since this is once growing aspect of the Internet, taking on and sometimes replacing, more

traditional forms of computing such as websites and email. In academic circles, social

networking considered to have greater potential than acting as a tool for communication.

It could offer a new approach to addressing environmental problems since it is less

hierarchical than traditional organisations, and thereby better able to reflect opinion and

identify solutions and innovation.

Some National Park Authorities, including all three Welsh NPAs have begun to engage with

social networking and are raising the online presence of National Parks.

If you want to check out the new profiles, pages, tweets and channels. The National Parks

Portal has a page that contains most, if not all of the appropriate links. That page is here:

http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/aboutus/ourwebsites.htm

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.