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breathing spaces newsletter of National Parks Wales

Summer 2012Summer 2012Summer 2012Summer 2012

Wales and the Well-being Factories Wales and the Well-being Factories Wales and the Well-being Factories Wales and the Well-being Factories The phrase “Well-being Factories” describes

National Parks (and other protected areas, for

instance, the Areas of Outstanding Natural

Beauty). It takes a common industrial concept

and a pplies it to a green and pleasant cause,

the production of well-being from the raw

materials found within Wales’ landscapes; the

ecosystem services we depend upon.

Research has shown that access to green-space

has a positive impact on well-being and that

people with access to the natural outdoors - that

they can easily use and feel comfortable in -

have higher levels of beneficial physical and

mental activity.

The benefits of National Parks have been shared

with individuals with little or no experience of

green spaces, let alone the countryside or the

deep rural parts of Wales. This work has been

guided by the social inclusion strategies and

action plans of the National Park Authorities. The

latest version, the National Parks in Wales Social

Inclusion and Child Poverty Strategy, was

launched by the Minister for the Environment

and Sustainable Development, John Griffiths AM

at the Royal Welsh Showground on the 23rd July.

The promotion of s ocial inclusion and the

eradication of child poverty underpin the

strategy. The social inclusion aspect was

originally informed by the 2005 Social Inclusion

Audit of the Three Welsh National Parks by

Cardiff University. This piece of work provided an

evidence base that informed subsequent

strategies and action plans. The second, more

recent, aspect which focuses upon child poverty

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derived from the duty on public authorities to

produce a child poverty strategy contained

within the 2010 Children and Families (Wales)

Measure. The National Park Authorities agreed to

work toward implementing two of the thirteen

national aims:

i. to ensure all children grow up in

decent housing

ii. to reduce inequalities in

participation in cultural, sporting

and leisure activities between

children and between parents of

children.

A better understanding of child poverty

eradication is mainstreamed within the work of

National Park Authorities, while the National Parks

themselves are put to use improving well-being

and social inclusion. The well-being outcomes

and associated actions were agreed in

consultation with local community groups inside

and outside the National Parks.

National Park Authorities are unable to deliver

the strategy on their own and work in partnership

with local authorities, government agencies and

the third sector to tackle the access barriers

people continue to face. Success can be

measured by the feedback National Park

Authorities have received:

"Geocaching was a great way for them to

forget their troubles and to build on their

confidence. Just by finding a geocache

they experienced a great sense of triumph

and achievement and walking in the

Beacons had a truly positive effect on their

general mood and well-being"

(Brecknock Womens’ Aid)

“Enjoyed. Gave me something to wake up

for and look forward to."

(Gwalia Housing)

The well-being factory dividend is experienced

beyond the individuals and groups that the

National Park Authorities engage with. Improved

well-being capital within National Parks

contributes to the well-being of the public at

large.

The Social Inclusion and Child Poverty Strategy

stresses that the National Parks exist for everyone

to experience, explore and enjoy. They remain

a unique resource for Wales, and are ideally

located to promote social inclusion. Their role as

well-being factories will develop, contributing to

the improved social fabric of Wales as well as the

tackling the environmental and economic

challenges we continue to face.

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The Mosaic Project in WalesThe Mosaic Project in WalesThe Mosaic Project in WalesThe Mosaic Project in WalesThe Mosaic Project in Wales is part of the Campaign for National Parks (CNP). The project will run

for three years from January 2012 and aims to build long term links between people from urban

Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in Wales, and both the National Park authorities and

rural communities within the parks. The project partners are the CNP, the three park authorities and

the YHA.

The project aim is to recruit Community Champions who are actively involved in their communities.

They will then be able to promote National Parks, arrange visits and keep people informed. They'll

also work with the Park authorities to make organisational changes that will make access easier for

people from urban minority ethnic communities, very few of whom currently visit the Parks.

Community Champions in Wales will be provided with training, park visits and personal support to

enable them to work in whatever way makes most sense for them and their communities. They'll

have plenty of opportunities to get to know each other and build networks that will sustain activity

after the project comes to an end. They'll also be invited to join the National Network and meet up

with the English Champions.

During the three years of the project, it's hoped to recruit at least sixty active Champions across the

three parks, and for them to have engaged more than one thousand three hundred people from

Black and Minority Ethnic communities in getting to know more about the parks - what goes on and

how to get there, as well as getting to know local people and developing a passion for the

wonderful landscapes we are lucky to have in Wales.

Sian Roberts, the project officer linking with Snowdonia National Park, will recruit from the ethnic

minority communities in Bangor and Wrexham, and is attending a wide range of community events

and meeting people from local organisations to identify potential champions.

In South Wales Jasmin Chowdhury (Brecon Beacons) and Pat Gregory (Pembrokeshire Coast) are

working with BME communities in Newport, Cardiff and Swansea. In May they organised an event

in Cardiff. Park rangers from the two parks came to meet people and talk about their parks. Over

forty people attended, and many of them decided to volunteer with the project. The first Group

Leader visits, where potential champions will visit the parks to experience the types of activity

available and meet with park and YHA staff, will take place in July.

If you'd like to contact Mosaic project staff:

Sian Roberts: sian@cnp.org.uk or tel: 07732 340728

Jasmin Chowdhury: jasmin@cnp.org.uk or tel: 07792 380931

Pat Gregory: pat@cnp.org.uk or tel: 07816 498108

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Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Brecon Beacons National Park Authority

and partners launch project benefiting rural and partners launch project benefiting rural and partners launch project benefiting rural and partners launch project benefiting rural

communities across Europecommunities across Europecommunities across Europecommunities across Europe

An exciting new €10million initiative aimed at driving

forward enterprising opportunities and regenerating

rural communities across Europe was recently

launched in Cardiff.

Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and its

eleven partners spread across Europe launched the

three-year collaborative Rural Alliances project at

the Millennium Centre, Cardiff. The new scheme will

support rural enterprises and communities, inspiring

them to work together in new alliances to generate

new business opportunities, safeguard rural services

and make their local areas special places for

people to visit, live and raise their families.

The Brecon Beacons will benefit from €0.5million

(£400,000) allocated to Wales through the project

under the EU’s Interreg IVB North West Europe

programme. On top of this, the Welsh Government

will invest over €400,000 (£320,000) through its

Targeted Match Fund.

As leaders of the Rural Alliances project, Brecon

Beacons National Park Authority will focus its efforts

on enabling tourism clusters to make links with their

local communities in order to better manage and

develop opportunities, including green tourism and

the impact of demographic change in their

communities.

Mrs Julie James, Chairman of Brecon Beacons

National Park Authority, said: “Brecon Beacons

National Park Authority is excited and proud to take

the lead with this forward-thinking new scheme,

which we hope will breathe new life into rural

communities not just here in Wales, but across

Europe also.”

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Walkability puts best foot forwardWalkability puts best foot forwardWalkability puts best foot forwardWalkability puts best foot forward

A simple walk, especially through beautiful scenery,

can be an uplifiting experience, but for many it can

be difficult to take the first steps onto a walking path

on their own or to join a walking group. The

Walkability Project established last year by the

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and

Sport Wales helps people to take these first steps

and make the most of the walking opportunities on

offer to them. This highly successful project has

gone from strength to strength with 141 sessions

held and meeting over 1,800 people between

August 2011 and June 2012.

The Project Co-ordinator, Paul Casson said: “The

Walkability project helps people to get out and use

the Park to recover from an illness or just to improve

their fitness, no matter what level they are starting

from.”

“We’ve had a very promising start to the

programme, initially working with public health

bodies, National Park Authority staff and

Steps2Health volunteers. We now have established

regular groups, including Bro Cerwyn day care and

ex patients, Shalom House palliative care group,

open sessions to include patients signposted by St

Davids and Solva surgeries which anyone can

attend,  and liaising with the Army Family Welfare

Team for parents and children of army postings.”

Paul also supports a Bikemobility group, where those

with special needs use adapted bikes to take part

in a bike activity. He has recently started working

with local hospital staff to support weekly lunch time

health walks and is developing more formal sessions

with exercise referral patients on a fortnightly basis.

For more information contact Paul Casson:

paulc@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk or call 07866

771107.

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A Tour with a Difference to Cwm Cynfal A Tour with a Difference to Cwm Cynfal A Tour with a Difference to Cwm Cynfal A Tour with a Difference to Cwm Cynfal

A group of visually impaired people and a group of

volunteers were recently offered the chance to visit

the ravine at Cwm Cynfal. Walking tours for visually

impaired people are now held every month.

However, this was the first trip to Cwm Cynfal ravine.

Twm Elias, lecturer at Plas Tan y Bwlch, was the tour

guide and he narrated lively stories about the

exploits of

wizard and

poet Huw

Llwyd,

together

with stories

about

Blodeuwe

dd and Lleu

from the

Mabinogi.

The journey

culminated with coffee and cake at the community

pub, Pengwern in Llan Ffestiniog.

On behalf of the group of walkers, Buddug Jones

said,

"Coming on these walks with Snowdonia National

Park Authority means that we get to visit places that

would otherwise be impossible, and having

someone like Twm Elias as a guide, enhances the

journey. We are grateful to the staff of the Authority

and the Sports Council for Wales for enabling us to

gain better access and understanding of the

countryside in Snowdonia."

Walks start from the Society for the Blind’s office in

Bangor, on the third Wednesday of each month,

and over the next few months walks will be held in

the areas of Trawsfynydd, Dinorwig and Nant Peris.

For more information contact Carys Dafydd, Snow-

donia National Park Authority's Community Officer

on 01766 772269 or Carys.Dafydd@eryri-npa.gov.uk.

Your Park starts to knock down the barriersYour Park starts to knock down the barriersYour Park starts to knock down the barriersYour Park starts to knock down the barriersThe Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s

latest BIG Lottery funded project, Your Park, Your

Future has recently appointed its Project

Coordinator.

Over the next three years, Discovery Ranger Tom

Moses will set up a programme of sustainable

activities to develop the use of the National Park by

other organisations, supporting people who face

barriers to accessing the natural outdoors.

Last December, the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) People Big Lottery Fund (BIG) People Big Lottery Fund (BIG) People Big Lottery Fund (BIG) People

and Placesand Placesand Placesand Places programme awarded the Authority just

under £250,000 to set up the project which builds

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upon learning gained through the Authority's Go4It!

project, also funded by Big Lottery Fund, which ran

from 2006-2011 and sought to engage young

people from Pembroke Dock in regular physical

activity outdoors.

Tom said: “The Your Park programme will

complement our mainstream education and

activity and events programmes, and involve

working with a wide range of organisations to

ensure that people of all ages and from all

backgrounds right across Pembrokeshire will be

able to access and benefit from the special

qualities of the National Park.

In particular we are looking to make it easier for

organisations working with traditionally under-

represented groups including those with physical or

learning disabilities, older people, disengaged

young people, disadvantaged communities or

those being supported through rehabilitation

programmes.”

“Participants will be able to choose from a range of

exciting activities as a reward for undertaking an

environmental project challenge, and gain a John

Muir Award which gives recognition to their effort,

and enthusiasm for wild places like the National

Park.” 

Do you want to be a friend of Yr Ysgwrn?Do you want to be a friend of Yr Ysgwrn?Do you want to be a friend of Yr Ysgwrn?Do you want to be a friend of Yr Ysgwrn?

An evening to establish the Friends of Yr Ysgwrn was

held in Trawsfynydd on the 2nd July. The aim of the

evening was to set up a support group which will

contribute to the development of the site and its

interpretation. Once established, it’s hoped the

group will develop activity programmes and work

alongside the Snowdonia National Park Authority to

raise the profile of Yr Ysgwrn as a record of

agricultural life and Welsh culture at the turn of the

20th century and commemorate the life and literary

contribution of the poet Hedd Wyn.

On 1st March 2012 Snowdonia National Park

Authority announced that Yr Ysgwrn the family farm

of the famous poet and First World War soldier,

Hedd Wyn had been secured for the nation, thanks

to funding from the Welsh Government and the

National Heritage Memorial Fund. As a result of the

purchase, the National Park Authority will be able to

protect and provide access and raise awareness of

historical, literary, and local heritage. In doing so, it

will educate and raise public awareness of the

importance of heritage and land management.

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Astonishing time-lapse film reveals National Park skies as you’ve never seen them Astonishing time-lapse film reveals National Park skies as you’ve never seen them Astonishing time-lapse film reveals National Park skies as you’ve never seen them Astonishing time-lapse film reveals National Park skies as you’ve never seen them

beforebeforebeforebefore

Brecon Beacons Park Society and Brecon Beacons National Park Authority are hoping a new short

film showcasing the Park after dark will make viewers starry-eyed and help the area win

accreditation as Wales’ FIRST International Dark Skies Reserve.

The short film was created by photographer Michael Sinclair who, over the course of several

months, painstakingly captured countless hours of time-lapse footage of the dark skies above the

Brecon Beacons National Park.

 

Commissioned by Brecon Beacons Park Society and Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, the

film underlines how dark the night sky is above the National Park. Introduced with the rich tones of

Brecon Male Choir bass baritone Edwin Roderick, the two minute short film features iconic scenes

from around the National Park transitioning from familiar sunshine into darkness, when the skies burst

into life.

Charles Henderson, Vice Chairman  of the  Brecon Beacons Park Society, said: “We’ve now

completed our lighting surveys and so far the support we’ve had from communities in the National

Park has been excellent. We’re extremely grateful for their co-operation and we’re hoping that this

new video will encourage more people to enjoy our deep dark nights.

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Ruth Coulthard, Funding Development Manager

for Brecon Beacons National Park Authority said: 

“There are so many benefits to us gaining

accreditation, which is the reason we are

actively pursuing this designation with the Park

Society. Not only will it give deserved recognition

to one of our most special features, it will help

reduce light pollution in the future, reduce C02

emissions, have many benefits to wildlife and

give a real boost to our tourism economy. In

addition, with the education and community

events programme we hope to develop, we will

be able to increase understanding and

enjoyment of our wonderful dark skies to

residents and visitors – now and in the future”.

 

Residents living within the Brecon Beacons National

Park are being encouraged to get involved in the

initiative and see how reducing their light pollution

could save them money on their energy bills,

enhance their own views of the night sky and help

support the drive to become Wales’ first International

Dark Sky Reserve.

Health meets tourism in new roleHealth meets tourism in new roleHealth meets tourism in new roleHealth meets tourism in new roleHannah Buck has recently been appointed to

the newly developed role of Health and Tourism

Policy Officer by the Pembrokeshire Coast

National Park Authority.

Hannah will take responsibility for policy

development for health and well-being,

recreation and tourism in the National Park and

for increasing the profile and role of the Park in

addressing relevant issues by helping to develop

projects and programmes.

Working with Members and staff of

Pembrokeshire Coast and other National Park

Authorities, Welsh Government, Health Trusts,

Local Health Boards, Pembrokeshire County

Council, local tourism associations,

Pembrokeshire Greenways, Pembrokeshire Local

Access Forum and other organisations working in

relevant areas as well as local communities,

community groups and councils in the Park.

Hannah will take up her position in September,

and said: “It’s a very interesting and diverse role,

fusing healthy environments with healthy

communities. The initiative is an opportunity to

open the Park’s aims to diverse groups.”

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Walkers Praise Safety InitiativeWalkers Praise Safety InitiativeWalkers Praise Safety InitiativeWalkers Praise Safety Initiative

A new safety initiative developed by the

Mountainsafe Partnership and implemented by

the Snowdonia National Park Authority has

received widespread praise from mountain users

on the social networking site Twitter.

A series of grid-reference points are being trialled

on Snowdon as part of a wider campaign to

promote mountain safety. Small grid-reference

discs are already in place on many of the stiles

and gates on Snowdon.

Snowdonia National Park Warden, Gruff Owen,

explains the principles behind the measure, “The

idea for placing grid references on footpath

furniture originally came from local mountain

rescue teams. By working closely with recreation

groups through the Mountainsafe partnership

we’ve developed the idea so that it’s as

unobtrusive as possible. The markers are being

placed on pre-existing stiles and gates so that

temporarily disoriented walkers who’ve brought

a map and remember their geography lessons,

will easily be able to pinpoint their position. I

hope the markers will also serve as a reminder for

some to polish up on their map and compass

skills.”

This is the latest in a package of measures

developed to promote mountain safety in

Snowdonia. Earlier in the year the Mountain Info

Services Project was launched at the National

Park Warden Centre at Pen-y-Pass, aimed at

giving mountaineers and hill-walkers access to

state-of-the-art information, as well as traditional

safety advice. The National Park Warden Service

also plays an active role in promoting mountain

safety. Along with a visible presence on the

mountain, a twitter service was launched which

updates users on potential risks and links directly

to the Met Office’s weather forecast for

Snowdonia. A set of commissioned designs by

illustrator Jac Jones have also been distributed

amongst businesses in the National Park to

reinforce the safety message.

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First National Park Authority meeting broadcast live on the Internet.First National Park Authority meeting broadcast live on the Internet.First National Park Authority meeting broadcast live on the Internet.First National Park Authority meeting broadcast live on the Internet.

Brecon Beacons National Park Authority is leading the way among UK National Parks by becoming

the first to stream its committee meetings live online.

Users will now be able to watch the Authority’s meetings which include Audit and Scrutiny and

Planning and Rights of Way live over the internet,

while a recording of proceedings will be made

available on the Authority’s new webcasting micro

site 48 hours after the meeting has finished, which

will be archived for a six month period.

Members unanimously voted to give the 18 month

pilot webcast the green light at the Authority’s AGM

held on Friday, June 15. The webcasting pilot was

made possible with financial support from the Welsh

Government’s Office of the Chief Information Offic-

er.

Chairman of Brecon Beacons National Park Author-

ity Mrs Julie James said: “The National Park

Authority’s decision to webcast its meetings live

online is a real step forward in our ongoing bid to

improve accessibility and transparency of our deci-

sion making and overall governance.

“We hope this innovative approach and live access

to decision making gives internet users across the

UK, local people and communities real confidence in our services, as well as making our meetings

more accessible.”

Brecon Beacons National Park Authority’s live webcasts and archive are available at

http://www.breconbeacons.public-i.tv/core/