Brecon Beacons News

The Alliance for Welsh Designated Landscapes (AfWDL), consists of representatives from the three Welsh National Parks Societies and from some of the AONBs in wales. They have responded to the Welsh Government’s consultation on public transport, which can be seen here.

The Society has responded to the BBNPA’s Consultation on their Rights of Way Improvement Plan. You can see our response by downloading it here.

Advance Notice of AGM This year’s AGM will be held on 8th June 2019 at Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. It will probably start at 10.30am and include, in the afternoon, a guided tour of the new Y Gaer cultural centre. Details are being finalised.

David Viner and David Morgan from the Canal & River Trust, gave us an informative and fascinating talk last Wednesday evening at Henderson Hall, Talybont, making us realise just what a vital resource limestone has been in history. The link  here   takes you to their website which summarises a little of the talk –  the…

Giant Hogweed is much less common on the River Usk after a concerted effort to control it but its seeds can survive in the soil for up to 15 years so still one to watch out for. This plant lives up to its name and can grow up to 5 metres tall with gigantic white…

Japanese Knotweed: Also known as Japanese bamboo due to the appearance of its stems. A tall perennial plant it can grow up to 2-3m in height with leaves arranged in a zig-zag pattern on the stems, small white flowers appear between July and October. It’s another invasive non-native plant and regularly makes headlines due to…

Himalayan Balsam: Also known as Policeman’s Helmet due to the shape of its flowers and it’s Welsh name is Jac y Neidiwr. It’s an invasive non-native annual plant that forms dense stands outcompeting our native wildlife and leaving river banks subject to erosion as when it dies back in winter it leaves bare ground. It…

We are delighted to announce that our Chairman, Martin Buckle, has been appointed Chair of the Welsh Government’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee by Environment Minister, Hannah Blythyn. The Flood and Erosion Committee was established under the provision of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016. The purpose of the Committee is to advise Welsh Ministers on…

BBPS has objected to the installation of a 17.5m telecommunications mast in Nant Bwch near Capel-y-ffin on the grounds that it is totally unsuited to such a sensitive and beautiful area. Read our letter to BBPS. See the proposed site. See the Planning Application

Here is an update from Bev Lewis of the National Park Authority on Himalayan Balsam:- Himalayan Balsam: It is also known as Policeman’s Helmet, due to the shape of its flowers, and it’s Welsh name is Jac y Neidiwr. It’s an invasive non-native annual plant that forms dense stands outcompeting our native wildlife and leaving…

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Brecon Beacons National Park Authority took place on Monday 30th July at the Authority Head Offices in Brecon.  Mr. Ed Evans, a Welsh Government appointed member was unanimously voted in as the new Chair of the Authority and Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe as Deputy Chair. There were other key appointments…

Help is on the way in our fight against Invasive Non-Native Species such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed.  Bev Lewis is running a project for the BBNPA over the next 2 years looking at surveying & controlling INNS and working out how they can be managed in the future. Read on for more…