On Saturday, the Upland Paths Volunteers met to celebrate the second birthday of their scheme. Attendees from the 40 strong group of volunteers who help to look after the vital network of footpaths that cover the Central Beacons and Black Mountains, spent the morning on the snow covered Blorenge overlooking Abergavenny repairing a section of the footpath. The event called for an extra celebration this year as between them the group contributed 380 days of volunteering. Afterwards the team enjoyed a well-earned celebratory lunch in Govilon.
Melanie Doel, Chairman of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority on the Blorenge footpath with Upland Paths Volunteers Eddie Proctor and Lynda Towney.
Melanie Doel, Chairman of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, visited the group to congratulate them on their work, “I have been so impressed by seeing the volunteers in action especially out in this snow, our volunteers play a crucial part in looking after the landscape. I am delighted to be able to personally express our gratitude to them for the hard work they put in each year.”
Jason Rees, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority Assistant Conservation Officer who manages the volunteers said, “Not only do the Upland Volunteers carry out important repairs to combat footpath erosion but they welcome visitors and take part in other upland activities including wildlife surveys. Over the past year the group have surpassed themselves in the amount of hours they have contributed and it is a real pleasure to work with such committed volunteers. We are all extremely grateful for their help.”
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer with the National Park should contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Jackie Thomas at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority; jackie.thomas@beacons-npa.gov.uk.
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Editors notes
Photograph © Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority