Yesterday, the Campaign for the Protection for Rural Wales (CPRW) Brecon and Radnor Branch presented its 2015 Rural Wales Award to the Bannau Brycheiniog Park Society in recognition of the enormous task required in gaining International Dark Sky status for the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
Hosted by the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority at the National Park Visitor Centre, Lt Colonel (retd) Mike Lewis, the High Sheriff of Powys presented the award to Jim Wilson, Chairman of the Park Society, who accepted the highly coveted accolade which recognised the vital role the Society played in helping the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park gain International Dark Sky Reserve status.
On accepting the award, Jim Wilson, Chairman of the Bannau Brycheiniog Park Society said: “The Park Society is delighted to accept this award. We are committed to the International Dark Sky Reserve and today is an important day for us all. Not only does it recognise the pivotal role the Park Society played in achieving this status, but also how our work has encouraged others to do the same. Snowdonia National Park Authority is currently applying for the status and we have celebrated the news that our neighbours in the Elan Valley are now an International Dark Sky Reserve – further international recognition for the quality of Wales’ Dark Skies!”
Peter Seaman, Chairman of the Brecon and Radnor Branch of CPRW said: “On behalf of CPRW, I am enormously proud to present this award to the Bannau Brycheiniog Park Society. Supported by the National Park Authority, the Park Society has delivered outstanding work and leadership in achieving and driving forward the International Dark Sky Reserve. Their overall approach was a collaborative one which has had enormous benefits for the surrounding area and environment, and this has left a great impression on CPRW. We look forward to their work on the next chapter of Dark Skies.”
John Cook, Chief Executive of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “We are delighted to have been able to work in partnership with the Park Society and other local partners over the last four years to not only achieve this status, but to give our wonderful dark skies the protection it so rightly deserves. The designation has been embraced far and wide and has had a huge impact on our communities. It’s brought with it significant benefits reducing light pollution, protecting biodiversity and the environment, as well as enhancing the opportunities for our communities and tourism businesses to encourage people to experience our dark skies.”
-ENDS –