With funding support from the Community Welcome Scheme and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, the Tawe Uchaf Community Council initiative involved working in partnership with Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority to provide vital improvements – including the installation of exciting new audio boxes and interpretative panels – to the Nant Llech Trail which runs down from the Henrhyd Falls to the confluence of the River Tawe and Lech above Abercraf.
The Community Welcome Scheme is one of a series of 16 projects part funded by the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007 – 2013 which is financed by the European Union and the Welsh Assembly Government. The Community Welcome Scheme aims to assist local communities, town/community councils and social enterprises with small-scale community based tourism projects.
Improvements include the replacement and construction of a causeway at Henrhyd, new steps along the route, duck boarding at badly drained and damaged parts of the trail, path widening, and the installation of audio visual panels at the site. Four audio panels with seating areas will allow visitors to hear recordings from experts on geology and botany and local residents who recall their memories of landslides and industry in the valley, as well as their childhood memories of growing up in the area.
Cllr David Thomas from Tawe Uchaf Community Council, said: “I am delighted to see this work completed at one of Wales’ most beautiful waterfalls. We have so many partners to thank including the Community Welcome Scheme, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, National Trust Wales, CCW and our local residents who kindly shared their memories for the new audio boxes. The new interpretation panels and audio aids will help visitors and locals navigate their way around the Nant Llech Trail and Henrhyd Falls, and encourage them to learn more about this area’s rich landscape and cultural heritage. “The Tawe Uchaf Community Council hopes that many people, both locals and visitors, to the area, will come and enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of the Nant Llech Trail now and for many years to come.”
Julian Atkins, Director of Countryside and Land Management for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “Our wardens have worked extremely hard to undertake major repair work along the route, which is a designated SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). With work now complete, it means that people for many generations to come can really enjoy what Abercraf and the surrounding area has to offer, safe in the knowledge that they are not causing any damage to the SSSI. We look forward to working with the Tawe Uchaf community on other projects in the near future.”
Cllr Krishn Pathak, Member for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “I am delighted that the National Park has been able to provide vital match funding to help improve the Nant Llech Trail. It’s a wonderful tourist attraction in Wales which will benefit not only the local community but its visitors alike at this protected site.”
The new audio trails, maps, directions and a short film made by the pupils of Pen-y-cae, Cehopkin, Coelbren and Abercraf Primary School can be downloaded in Welsh and English at www.breconbeacons.org
Tawe Uchaf have received a grant of £16,900 (through two grants) for trail improvements, installation of exciting new audio boxes and interpretative panels from the Powys Regeneration Partnership grants programme – Community Welcome Scheme, which is managed by Powys County Council Tourism Section.
“This project is part-funded through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007 – 2013 which is financed by the European Union and the Welsh Assembly Government”.
“Ariennir y prosiect hwn yn rhannol trwy Gynllun Datblygu Gwledig Cymru 2007 – 2013 sy’n cael ei ariannu gan yr Undeb Ewropeaidd a Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru.”