Ramblers Cymru capturing the hearts of three communities across south west Wales

Ramblers Cymru’s flagship community led Paths to Wellbeing project will work with communities in Brynberian, Llanybydder and Ystalyfera to help people enjoy walking and improve their local green spaces.  

Of the 70 communities across Wales that applied to be part of this £1.2m project, 18 were chosen across Wales. These chosen communities in south west Wales will receive support, tools and training to help improve local paths and nature.  

Paths to Wellbeing is a community led project and throughout October, the regional officers ran consultation events to listen to the voices of local people and find out more about the needs of each community. 
 
South west Wales Paths to Wellbeing Project Officer, Zoe Richards said: “Each one of the communities we will be working in has its own distinctive characteristics and history.  

 
“Although found within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the village if Brynberian is inland and located on the Northern foot of the Preseli Hills, offering stunning views from many locations out to the sea. Brynberian is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC), due to the many local historical and conservation sights of interest, including the Waun Mawn Standing Stones, the site of a Neolithic stone circle that was dissembled and taken to Stonehenge. 

“The historic market town of Llanybydder sits on the river Teifi and is a fantastic place to walk. I have been fortunate enough to meet and walk with some of the community and local council members. They are an extremely welcoming and encouraging group who want to reach out to the wider community, and I’m excited for work on the ground to begin. 

“Ystalyfera and Godre’r Graig evolved as villages with the development of the coal and iron working industries. In 1838 a furnace was built in Ystalyfera by James Palmer Budd; it grew into the largest iron works in the world reaching peak production in 1872 and closed in 1885. Ystalyfera to me typifies the ‘Welsh Valleys’, salt of the earth people, post heavy mining industry struggles with all the fascinating historical links to that which we don’t want to lose. 

“Despite the uniqueness of the landscape and one thing that really stood out about these communities was the passion of each one to improve paths and nature in their local area. I’m really looking forward to working with them to improve and establish new routes and to get even more members of the community involved.” 

In the application to join the project, Alun Llewelyn from the Ystalyfera area, said: “Walking local paths has been crucial to physical and mental wellbeing during the difficult past 18 months with residents discovering or re-discovering many local routes. There is an extensive network of public footpaths and rights of way within the community. They reflect the environment and heritage of our area, and we can’t wait to promote these through the project.” 

By joining the project, local people will be able to learn new skills to help make their community greener and more accessible to all. Helping to transform access to some of the paths in south West Wales.  

Ramblers Cymru will work alongside the Wildlife Trust Wales and Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales, with a key part of the project focused on improving nature. Volunteers will make their local area greener for nature to thrive, and it will be a great chance for the community to come together.  

With activities such as tree planting, wildflower sowing and wildlife activity days, there’s something for all ages and backgrounds to get involved in.

First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford said: “It’s great to see another project getting underway supported by our Enabling Natural Resources and Well-being Grant.  It is important for us all to be able to access good quality green spaces that supports nature and provides so many opportunities for our health and well-being.  

“These spaces are vital for our communities so we can come together and enjoy our local areas. This project and many others supported by our grant programmes are helping us to deliver our commitment to create and significantly enhance green spaces.” 

This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government. 

If you would like to find out more and get involved visit: www.ramblers.org.uk/pathstowellbeing