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Does the prospect of being able to walkthe coast of Wales excite you? It will be

a bit of a leg stretcher to walk the full 800miles but securing high quality access aroundthe edge of Wales would be quite a prize.

But there is a long way to go as only 60%of the Welsh coast has secure access, theremainder being insecure or inaccessible1

despite 94% of the people of Wales (andEngland) saying they want a legal right ofaccess to the coast2. What a challenge!

There is encouraging work happening withthe Welsh Assembly Government developingthe Wales coastal improvement programme.This aims to build an all Wales coastal pathplus path networks around coastalcommunities and better access for cyclists,horseriders, those with young children andpeople with disabilities. £1.5 million has beenprovided for year 1 and all 16 coastal localauthorities have bid for funding. The first yearbids will fund plans for the development of

coastal access in each local authority plussome works on the ground.

Is this enough? Paths alone do notproperly provide the full framework forpeople’s quiet enjoyment of the coast. Wehave been lobbying for support for a widercorridor for access. We are pleased to hear ofWelsh Labour’s 2007 manifesto commitmentto “investigate creating a statutory right ofcoastal access”. The other parties have alsosaid warm words about access althoughnothing so specific but crucially, statutoryaccess remains on the political agenda.Ramblers Cymru say it is essential to havelegislation to create this new access. It willalso need, political will and sufficient newmoney, all vital for high-quality access.

The early signs are encouraging but thereal prize will be setting both the all Walespath and improved linear access within acorridor designated for access, wildlife andlandscape benefits, which should of course

include beaches, cliffs and adjacent land. Thisis what we are seeking on behalf of the publicand is, we believe, the best way to deliver allthe potential health, community andeconomic benefits that this wonderfulopportunity raises.

Ramblers Cymru are also seeking agri-environment measures to improve both thequality of the access and biodiversity value.Wales should aim for the best coastal access inthe world - even better than that enjoyed inScotland, Scandinavia, France, Denmark andPortugal. With your help we will achieve this.

1. Countryside Council for Wales. Feb 2006 2. ICM opinion poll. May 2006

THE CHARITY WORKINGFOR WALKERS

WelshISSUE 66

Walking the coast in Wales– the news is encouraging

Jane Davidson, Assembly Minister forSustainability and Rural Development, sayswe are keen to deliver statutory coastalaccess and are looking at the coastalcorridor model. If you would like to playyour part locally please contact us 029 20 644 308 cerddwyr@ramblers.org.uk

Marloes Sands, Pembs© Andrew Davies

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PromotingWalkingOur commitment toshort walks remainsand there will be anannual grant offered of£150 to groups whoare able to meet theCerrig Camu/ SteppingStones criteria (detailsfrom the office). We are developing furtherpromoting walking projects and are in touchwith groups over these. Sports Council forWales has taken over the lead for promotingwalking from Countryside Council for Wales.More news soon.

Hello Again …Hello again, Ramblers have been having a good time. We have beendeveloping our ideas on coastal access, are really stuck into casework on paths and working with local communities onunderstanding the issues around the many more wind turbineswhich are set for particular landscapes in Wales. The Carreg Camu/Stepping Stones project is growing well too. We have alsoenjoyed a tremendous Welsh Council 2007 in Barry with JaneHutt AM speaking to us. At the meeting we suggested that wemight start to use Ramblers Cymru as a friendly title, this found

favour and we hope you like it and will tell us if not!We are keen that you build Use Your Paths into your ordinary walking, so when

you have walked the paths in a km grid square click on the website to say you havedone so at www.useyourpaths.info

The recent 75th anniversary of the Kinder Scout mass trespass was an occasionfor quite some celebration as theWestminster Environment Minister DavidMilliband came to confirm hisannouncement of a coastal accessframework for England in line with theRA’s proposals (as on page 1).

Election time has come and gone andwe will of course work with whoever takespower in the Assembly and let you knowwhat we and they are planning. Thisthinking together with that from Welshand General Councils will feed into ourplans for the future.

Enjoy walking!Beverley Director Wales

The Ramblers’ Association,3 Coopers Yard, Curran Road, CARDIFF. CF10 5NB

Tel: 029 2064 4308 • Fax: 029 2064 5187Website: www.ramblers.org.uk

email: cerddwyr@ramblers.org.uk

The Ramblers Association is a registered charity(No. 1093577) and a company limited by guarantee in England

and Wales (No. 4458492).Registered Office: Camelford House,

87-89 Albert Embankment, London. SE1 7TW.

Beverley Penney

2nd AnnualHeart of Wales

Walking FestivalLlandrindod Wells, Powys

14th - 16th September 2007This is ‘Red Kite Country’, the terrain variesfrom gently rolling countryside to moderatelyrugged terrain, incorporating narrow valleys,ancient hill forts, some riverside walking, tracesof Roman occupation, and many items ofhistorical interest in this little known region ofWales.

Each day there will be a choice of all day walks,two or three half-day walks with a theme suchas churches, natural history, geology, generalhistory, and a short town heritage walk designedfor families.

There is a £5 registration fee, plus £1 per walk.Accommodation can be booked by visitingwww.gomidwales.co.uk. For further details -www.llandrindod.co.uk

The success of the Countryside Rights of WayAct 2000 in delivering 21% of Wales asmapped access land was a credit to Ramblersfor having developed the idea, to theAssembly for sharing the vision and toCountryside Council for Wales for deliveringthe mapped land.

Ramblers have worked to maximise thebenefits for the walking public over the lastdecade and more. But what next? Over thelast eighteen months the RA has beendeveloping a new approach to securing accessand has adopted a working approach ofseeking access gradually so first coastalaccess, then considering waterside access andwe will review progress to see next where weshould develop access. Ramblers admire andsee many pluses to the Scottish Land ReformAct 2003 achieved with huge input fromRamblers’ Scotland but Ramblers in Walesand England have to consider how best todevelop access and footpaths together and sothe gradual approach has been adopted.Further work is being done on our futurefootpaths strategy and there will be aconsultation in the autumn.

Access theWay Ahead

Cerrig Camu / Stepping Stones

UPDATE

2007JULY23rd - 26th –Royal WelshShow, Builth Wells.Volunteers welcome.

AUGUST4th - 12th – National Eisteddfod , Mold.Volunteers welcome.

13th – Powys Area AGM.

SEPTEMBER16th – National Day of Walking

DECEMBER26 Dec - 2 Jan 2008 – Week of WinterWalks.

APRIL 200812 - 13th – Welsh Council

Photos show Welsh Council Members and guests at Barry (above), with Vale ofGlamorgan Mayor and Mayoress Nic and Shirley Hodges (right)

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WORKING FOR WALKERS Welsh

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The Coast Path in Ceredigionby David Bateman Footpaths Officer Ceredigion Area

WORKING FOR WALKERS Welsh

PROMOTING WALKING >>>

Calling all photographers! We are looking for your original images showcasing thebeauty and diversity of the Welsh countryside for a photo competition. The winningentries will each receive a fantastic rucksack worth between £35 and £65 courtesy ofCotswold Outdoor and have their photo published in a future edition of Welsh Rambler.There are four categories: � Splendid Vistas – our amazing countryside;� People and Places – showing the wide range and variety of people who enjoy

walking in Wales;� Blot on the Landscape – anything from litter to a badly designed building;� Obstacles on my Path – things that get in your way. Dead line: 30th September 2007

• Files can be supplied digitally or hardcopy (prints, transparencies). • Include a short caption describing the exact location of the photograph (including a Grid ref)

and some background (why something caught your eye, why the image is unique etc). • Winners will be announced and published in the next edition of Welsh Rambler.• You give us permission to use your photographs.

Please send entries to: The Ramblers’ Association, 3 Coopers Yard, Curran Road, Cardiff, CF10 5NB or e-mail to cerddwyr@ramblers.org.uk

Photo Competition#2in association with:

As the Assembly’s proposals for an all-Wales coast path are just beginning to

move ahead, Ceredigion County Council’sown coastal path scheme is nearingcompletion.

Despite its magnificent coastal scenery,Ceredigion has always lacked an adequatecontinuous path, particularly in the south ofthe county. Very soon now, after a majorObjective 1 scheme, a continuous path will atlast be available. Key features are:� Most of the gaps have been filled by

agreement following patient negotiationby Nigel Nicholas, the Council’s CoastPath Project Officer.

� The route provides access throughoutwhich is permanent and legally definedrather than permissive.

� For most of its length the path is close tothe coastal edge.

� Wherever possible, arrangements havebeen made to take account of expectedcoastal erosion.

� Very little of the route is on road.� In the few cases where negotiation was

not possible, the Council were prepared touse their compulsory powers to createpaths. Objections led to a three-day publicinquiry with RA involvement.

The Inspector has now confirmed theCouncil’s proposals subject to minormodifications.

� The Footpath Working Parties of Cardiganand Aberystwyth RA Groups havecontributed significantly to the work thathas been done with a mass of stiles, gatesand bridges.

There remains just one snag. Near CardiganIsland Farm Park the County Council,

perhaps fearing that a route on the coast edgemight involve compensation costs that theycould not afford, chose a less attractive route.Despite an RA appeal for a coast edge path,the Inspector ruled in favour of the Councilproposals.

RA members involved in the new coastalaccess partnerships in other parts of Walescould well benefit from a close study of theCeredigion case.

Aber Ramblers, Ceredigion

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What are Rights of WayImprovement Plans (ROWIPs)?Rights of Way Improvement Plans (ROWIPs)are important documents currently beingprepared by all the local highway authoritiesin Wales. ROWIPs should assess the state ofrights of way and construct coherent plans toimprove management over the next ten years.All local authorities are required to have theirplans completed by November 2007- this willfollow public consultation on the final draftROWIPs. Some local authorities havepublished their draft documents and othersare on their way (check local authoritywebsites for info).

The importance of the rights of waynetwork is such that ROWIPs should befundamental plans for improving recreationin the countryside and improving thesituation in town too e.g. Cardiff, Swanseaand Merthyr have missing or incompletedefinitive maps.

The last chance to contributeThe RA has already played a key role in thewhole ROWIP process as a consultee andsource of expertise on the path network.Ramblers have lead people in place for eachROWIP. Please liaise via the office.

Things to look out forWhen considering a ROWIP draft there are anumber of important things to remember.The key question to ask is what do we, asusers, want from the ROWIPs? Thinkstrategically and try to fit your response to theROWIP objectives. ROWIPs are about rightsof way locally, they should assess theircondition and consider existing and futureneeds, gaps and deficiencies and mobilityneeds too.

Then they should offer a statement ofaction setting out clear details of plannedaction. The example in the Assembly’sguidance for ROWIPS suggests, “maintainthe network of paths in the County such thatthey are “easy to use”. So this statement ofaction is vital to the document and the futureimprovement of rights of way. It shouldinclude maintenance, definitive mapmanagement, enforcement and protection,accessibility for different users, pathimprovements, promotion, publicity andmonitoring and reporting. This is the section

where the authority will outline what it plansto do and equally important, how it will do it.Remember to look at how the authorityintends to prioritise its work schedule andwhether this fits with the needs of walkers.This is also the section where prioritisationplans for rights of way may appear and docheck that these don’t amount torationalisation.

Authorities need detailed local input toreally make their ROWIP relevant and localwalkers know what needs doing! If aparticular access issue isn’t mentioned in theROWIP and you think it should be, tell themabout it. These specific details will make allthe difference to local people and bring thetargeted improvements that will be of greatestbenefit to users.

If you want more guidance, WelshAssembly Government sets out itsexpectations of each highway authority (i.e.County Council) in preparing the ROWIP fortheir area in a document called Rights of Way Improvement Plans:Guidance to Local HighwayAuthorities in Wales. A fullcopy is available from theCountryside & Coastal PolicyBranch of the WelshAssembly on (029) 20801398 or online at: http:www.wales.gov.uk

Mike Mills Rights of Way Officer

COASTAL ACCESS >>>

What do you think?Local Authority consultation on draft Rights of Way Improvement Plans (ROWIPs)

Footpath Trainingin WalesFollowing on from the successful basic leveltraining days run by Ramblers Cymru during2006, a further three days have now beenscheduled for 2007. Sessions are open toeveryone and we are particularly keen to hearfrom new and existing members or volunteerswho would like to become more involved in theprocess of keeping our footpath network openand well maintained. Dates and venues are shownbelow:

� North Wales Training Day - 14th July 2007at Glasdir Centre, Llanrwst.

� South Wales Training Day - 22ndSeptember 2007 (venue to be confirmed)

For more information or to book your place pleasecontact Mike Mills at Wales office on 029 20644308 or email mikem@ramblers.org.uk

RROOWWIIPP DDrraaffttssNNoovveemmbbeerr22000077

Members at one of oursuccessful FootpathTraining Days

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WORKING FOR WALKERS Welsh

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Use Your Paths ChallengeHave you completed a square?

Play your part in the Use Your Paths Challenge – to walk all the public rights ofway in England and Wales by September 2007. It’s the biggest ever walking

project in the UK!

Anyone can join in – as individuals or as part of a group.

Summer PrizeDraw 2007

Submit your completedsquares and each one will

be entered into a freeprize draw.

First five squares to be drawn will

win a prize

What to do…1. Choose a grid square (or squares) to walk. You’ll find the national grid on most maps.2. Walk all the public rights of way (see map key for information) in your chosen square(s).3. Report any problems you come across (obstructions, missing signposts etc.) to the relevant council4. Submit your completed squares and these will be turned green once entered into the interactive ‘Use

Your Paths’ map at www.useyourpaths.info

And that’s it – simple and fun…As an added incentive for summer 2007, each square completed will be entered into a prize draw givingyou the chance to win one of five prizes. Simply complete and register you chosen square or squares asshown above, when your square (or squares) have been turned green, notify Wales office and each one willbe entered into a free prize draw.

Remember… there is no limit to the number of squares you can submit and the more squares youcomplete… the better chance you have of winning a prize!

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SUMMER 2007Welsh

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Public knowledge about thesedevelopments is not widespread. Infrustration, Glamorgan Area Ramblers havebeen active in raising awareness in theircommunities to get people involved inresponding to planning applications andlobbying their councillors, AMs and MPs. Aseries of six walks – ‘Gorwel Agored’ or ‘ClearHorizon’ – were designed to take people,members and non-members, onto themountains to see the views that arethreatened. With almost two hundred peopleturning up for the first walk, the strength offeeling over this issue is clear. The walks havebeen led by Ramblers’ leaders, in what hasbecome the centre of a truly locally-ownedcampaign.

Media interest has been strong, withjournalists attracted to the walks. DavidJames, (Cynon Valley) and Neil Perry(Maesteg) were interviewed on local radioprogrammes. ITV Wales also featured one ofthe ‘Clear Horizon’ walks on their renewableenergy special on ‘Wales this Week’ inFebruary.

Letters to the local press have joined aregion-wide exchange of views on the issue.Terry Griffiths, Neath-Port Talbot group, hasused his MP surgery (with Peter Hain, no less)to put across the Ramblers’ perspective on thevalue of open landscapes for health,recreation and tourism. Terry has noted asoftening in politicians’ stance over the lastyear. As the poor efficiency andenvironmental impacts of on-shore windturbines have been recognised – so have thebetter opportunities from energy saving andconservation, and the feasibility of a widerrange of renewable options become clearer.

It has been fantastic seeing this campaigngrow, particularly the networks it has createdwith local communities. The walks haveattracted new membership, as participantsrealised that Ramblers’ walks were in theircapabilities after all. Whether you feel stronglyabout wind farms or not, the way this projectdeveloped is a model for us all to follow.Ramblers really can be campaigners for thecountryside!

COUNTRYSIDE >>>

Clear Horizons for theWelsh Valleys?

Tumbling and sparkling, the Afon Diluwis forced through a rugged defile

between Bryn Diluw and Mynydd y Defaid,framed by a backdrop of dark conifers. Onceout of the short gorge it slowly winds its waydown the peaceful valley before turningsharply west to become the Afon Ystwyth.This is Mid-Wales scenery at its best, typical ofthese Cambrian heartlands, the gloriousbackbone of Wales. Scenery that wouldproudly grace any national park. Then thebulldozers arrived. Trees were torn out.Tracks wide enough to drag along thefuselage of an airbus were gouged out of thehillsides, a brutal scar visible for miles.Thirty-nine wind turbines, up to 328 feethigh were sunk into slabs of concrete,completely dwarfing the remaining conifersand completely out of scale with theenvironment. The Diluw now flows against abackground of an industrial wasteland.

Why are these places so important to us?For a great many, especially those withstressful lives the peace, solitude and openspaces enrich the sense of freedom andescape. Most of us have a strong need torecharge our emotional and spiritual batteriesin a healing environment. The social andeconomic benefits conferred by these regionsshould not be underestimated. When built enmasse across the mountain ridges of Walesturbines become an intolerable degradation,discouraging walkers and tourists fromvisiting the area.

Of course, it’s not just visitors that areaffected by such industrialisation: locals haveto live beside the turbines all the time withthe added blight of diminishing propertyvalues and noise. The RA has taken theinitiative in arranging walks in somelocations threatened by such development, to

Disappearing Wild Walesby David Bellamy, Landscape artist

Once tarnished by large-scale coal extraction, the mountains of the South Wales Valleysare now green again, offering an extensive area of moor and heath land that forms the

heart of many of our Ramblers group walks. But these landscapes are threatened once againby large-scale development - this time in the guise of wind turbines.

Windfarm above Abercregin

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WORKING FOR WALKERS Welsh

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COUNTRYSIDE >>>

As I often relate to my colleagues here inthe Cardiff office, you can have the most

perfect footpaths and all the best access in theworld, but if there is nothing worth seeingfrom them, nobody will use them. Thatcrudely is the essence of countryside work

This was also brought home during somerecent footpath training courses that MikeMills organised. Having been invited to delivera session on planning, we realised that newbuildings, especially residential properties,often go ahead without the consideration of

the humble footpath. And by the time anyonehas realised what is going on, the right of wayis lost beneath the foundations.

The importance of having someone keepand eye on planning applications and getinvolved in local authority development plansis vital. “But planning is boring!” I hear youcry. A matter of opinion maybe, but at the end of the day it will be the one thing that willreally make a difference in protecting theplaces we walk in.

A case in point recently concerns a majorplanning application in South Wales. ‘MerthyrVillage Company Limited’ (a slightmisnomer!) sought to introduce large-scaleretail and business developments at Rhydycar,on the outskirts of Merthyr Tydfil – a site,which despite being the site of a former coalmine, had over many years greened over.Indeed it had developed into a wildlife haven,with mature woodland, heath land andnumerous ponds. It also offered valuabledoorstep walking to local residents, with easyaccess from the town.

Following a public inquiry, the NationalAssembly’s Planning Committee has finallyturned down the developer’s application. SaysAlun Dyment (Merthyr group), whorepresented the Ramblers’ Association at thePublic Inquiry last year, “As I explained to thePlanning Inspector, we have been walking thisarea for many years and to build on it wouldhave pushed the countryside even furtheraway from the town. The decision shows thatlocal people can challenge developers anddefend our rights to access to thecountryside”.

Carwyn Jones AM, chair of the PlanningDecision Committee confirmed in thedecision letter that impacts to the “visualquality of the landscape and to the publicamenity of the site” as well as its natureconservation and historic interests wereunduly harmed by the planning application.This has been a significant recognition thatpublic amenity can be indeed be defended ifwe get our arguments right.

It is really important then that CountrysideSecretaries or Footpath Officers register withthe local authority to receive planningapplications affecting footpaths. Forewarned isforearmed!

Paths and Plansby Martin Dowson, Countryside Campaigner

e n c o u r a g eboth ramblersand localsalong. Gilfach

Goch, for example, will be surrounded onthree sides by a horseshoe of wind turbines ifthe proposed development goes ahead.Walking the tracks across the surroundinghills would have diminished appeal. In SouthWales communities, where the coal industryravaged the landscapes for so many decadesmany feel that once again the area is beingexploited for profit, bringing a tragic loss of asense of belonging to the landscape.

All the turbines in Britain have failed toshut down even one power station.Construction of the turbines and associatedinfrastructure adds pollution, particularly inthe case of the concrete bases. Where peatbogs have been disturbed, as at Cefn Croes a

considerable amount of CO2 emissions isreleased into the atmosphere, the very thingthe turbines are supposed to be reducing! Farfrom symbolising good, these structures tomany evoke a threatening sense ofimprisonment and oppression.

Natural scenery encourages a sense ofwell-being, and can turn thoughts ofdepression or a foul mood into feelings ofeuphoria, one of the most powerful stress-removers known to man. Only in theseplaces can we feel a true sense of freedom, tohave our spirits uplifted by the song of theskylark; or the murmuring stream tumblingdown a rocky cwm, the rowan bent in thebreeze. The wholesale intrusion of windturbines would eliminate all these benefitsand completely destroy any sense ofwildness.

David Bellamy is a landscape artist specialising mainly inwild coast, mountain and desert scenery. He has writteneleven books and his latest, Painting Wild Landscapes waspublished by Harper Collins in October 2005. See his website: www.davidbellamy.co.uk

Rhydycar site, looking towards Merthyr

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YHAF 2007

Beloved Tywigan Ken DayAdolygwyd gan David BushMae’r llyfr hwn yn dangos ffotograffau o fannauhardd ar hyd y daith o 67 o filltiroedd ar hyd afonTywi o’i tharddiad yn y mynyddoedd uwchlawTregaron i’r môr ym Mae Caerfyrddin.

Cofnodir angerdd Ken dros Ddyffryn Tywi yn yffotograffiaeth wych ond cefnogir y ffotograffauhefyd gan erthyglau da am yr ardal gan un arhugain o ysgrifenwyr gwadd.

Er nad yw’r llyfr yn rhoi manylion am unrhywdeithiau cerdded mae’n sicr yn plannu digon oawgrymiadau ym meddwl y darllenydd ac yn rhoimanylion am gyfeiriadau map i unrhyw un afyddai’n dymuno ymweld â’r safle y cymerwyd yffotograff ohono. Er enghraifft mae Rhobert apSteffan yn adrodd hanes Cymru a’r manylionhynod waedlyd am pam a sut y mae Llewelyn apGruffydd yn marw a pham fod cerflun 16 troedfeddo uchder yn pwyso dwy dunnell ar bymtheg mewndur di-staen yn Llanymddyfri.

Dyma’r math o lyfr a fyddai’n cael derbyniad dafel rhodd neu a fyddai’n ddiddorol i’w adael ar ybwrdd coffi i westeion bori drwyddo, ond mae’ndebyg y byddai’n apelio mwy at y ffotograffydd nagat y cerddwr.Gwasg Gomer, 2006, £19.99

Hill Walking in Wales(ail argraffiad)gan Peter HermonAdolygwyd gan David BatemanBydd y rhai hynny sy’n gyfarwydd ag argraffiadcyntaf y canllaw hwn i’r ddwy fil o odreon yngNghymru yn gwybod beth i’w ddisgwyl: disgrifiadwedi ei ysgrifennu’n dda am amrywiaeth o lwybraui fyny pob un o’r 166 o gopaon. Y prif wahaniaethers yr argraffiad cyntaf yw bod nifer fawr offotograffau lliw ardderchog wedi eu cynnwys.

Ychydig o fân gwynion sydd yna: mae’r trefniantyn nhrefn yr wyddor yn y ddwy gyfrol yn gadael yGlyderau a’r Carneddau mewn cyfrolau gwahanol;nid oes unrhyw gyfeiriad at fetrau; nac at gludiantcyhoeddus; ac mae Cadair Idris yn cael ei sillafu ynyr hen ddull Seisnigaidd. Ond doedd dim o hyn ynfy atal rhag prynu copi i mi fy hun.Cicerone, 2006, £12 am bob cyfrol (dwy gyfrol)

Aerial Britain - ThePembrokeshire Coast PathDVD, a adroddir gan John WoodvineAdolygwyd gan B. PenneyMae John Woodvine yn adrodd disgrifiadau ar DVDsy’n dangos hofrennydd yn ffilmio arfordir SirBenfro, ac mae’r golygfeydd ynwych. Mae’r sain yngyfuniad o gerddoriaethglasurol a llais JohnWoodvine, sydd weithiauyn ormod. Mae’n driniaethbrws bras, gan roi sylw erenghraifft i hanes milwrol yny De; crybwyllir yWeinyddiaeth Amddiffyn yngNghastell Martin gyda’irwystredigaeth i gerddwyr sy’ncael eu gwahardd o lwybr yrarfordir oni bai bod trefniadauwedi eu gwneud ymlaen llaw.Persbectif y gadair esmwyth ageir yma sydd er ei fod yn harddyn colli’r mwd, y glaw a’r chwys abrofir gan y cerddwr ar lawr gwlada gwir gymeriad llwybr yr arfordir.www.beckmanndirect.com, 01624 816585, £12.99

Blaenau Ffestiniog:Delweddaugan JeremyMoore, Geiriau ganGwyn ThomasAdolygwyd ganCelia ParryMae’r llyfr bwrddcoffi hwn yn rhoibron i 90 tudalen offotograffau gwych ini, ynghyd â cherddiGwyn Thomas yn yGymraeg a’r Saesneg.Mae Jeremy Moorwedi dewis dangos ycreithiau diwydiannolar yr ardal hon o Eryriyn ogystal â’i harddwchnaturiol, tra bo GwynThomas, brodor o’rBlaenau, yn talu teyrngedi’r dref a’i phobl. Anrhegddelfrydol i’w rhoi neu eiderbyn.Gwasg Gomer, 2007. £19.99

Our Common LandGan Paul Clayden MA,Cymdeithas y Mannau AgoredAdolygwyd gan B.Penney

Mae tir comin Cymru yn gorchuddio8.4% o arwyneb tir Cymru. Mae angengwarchodaeth a rheolaeth ofalus ar ycyfoeth hwn i warchod ei dirluniauagored gwyllt, y cyfleoedd ar gyfermynediad a chyfoeth y bywyd gwyllt.Mae griniau pentrefol Cymru yncyflawni rôl sydd yr un mor bwysig.Mae’r llyfr hwn ar gyfer y sawl sy’ndotio at y naill neu’r llall.

Fe’i diweddarwyd ar gyfer DeddfTiroedd Comin 2006, ac mae’n ymdrinâ rôl a hanes tir comin yn ogystal âdeddfwriaeth ddiweddar bwysig sy’neffeithio ar gofrestru tir comin amynediad ato.Cyhoeddwyd gan Gymdeithas y Mannau Agored,2007 £19.95.Society, 2007,£19.95

LLYFRAU >>> NEWYDDION >>>

NEWYDDION YRARDALOEDD >>>Disodlwyd hen ardal Dyfed gan ardaloeddnewydd ar gyfer pob un o’r awdurdodau lleol.Mae gan Sir Benfro a Cheredigionysgrifenyddion newydd bellach, gweler isod.Mae Sir Gaerfyrddinyn ailadeiladu eistrwythur ardal; mae Cadeiryddion y grwpiauyn cymryd yr arweiniad. Yr enw cyswllt ywDavid Murfin, 01269 850914.Ysgrifennydd Ardal Sir Benfro, Rose Taylor, 17Gaddarn Reach, Neyland, Sir Benfro, SA73 1PWstratocu@waitrose.comYsgrifennydd Ardal Ceredigion: AnneMacmillan, Maes y Wawr, Lôn Rhyd y Gwin,Llanfarian, Aberystwyth, 01970 624475,amacmi2606@aol.comLlawer o ddiolch am waith eu rhagflaenwyrChris Morris, Sue Johnson, Eileen Beaumont,Andrea Matthews a’u cyd-swyddogion.Ysgrifennydd Ardal Gwent Fwyaf - cymerwydlle Mike Williams gan Adrian Sheehan, 6 WoodCrescent, Rogerstone, Casnewydd, NP10 0AL.01633 89625. adrian.sheehan@btinternet.com. Llawer o ddiolch i Mike.

Buddugoliaeth iGerddwyr ym mhobman Mae Cymdeithas y Cerddwyr yn ddiweddar (20Mehefin) wedi ennill buddugoliaeth fawr i gerddwyrmewn penderfyniad cofiadwy a wnaed gan Dw’rArglwyddi. Aeth Cymdeithas y Cerddwyr â’r achos iDw’r Arglwyddi a herio’r dyfarniad anfad a oedd ynei gwneud yn anghyfiawn o hawdd i dirfeddianwyrwadu presenoldeb hawliau tramwy drwyddefnyddio tystiolaeth gudd i’w gwneud yn breifat.Cytunodd Ty’r Arglwyddi i ddymchwelyd dyfarniad,a oedd yn caniatáu i dirfeddianwyr ddefnyddiotystiolaeth nad oedd wedi cael ei gwneud yngyhoeddus, er enghraifft llythyrau i gyfreithwyr neuhyd yn oed sgyrsiau preifat, i awgrymu eu bod ynbwriadu i’r llwybrau fod yn breifat. Golygai hyn ygallai aelodau o’r cyhoedd wastraffu misoedd ynprofi presenoldeb hawl tramwy cyhoeddus, dim ondi gael eu trechu gan dystiolaeth nad oeddent yngwybod dim amdani.

Felly hyd yn oed ar ôl ugain mlynedd o ddefnyddcyhoeddus, roedd gwybodaeth gudd neu breifat ynaml yn trechu hawliadau pwysig am lwybrau troed.

Meddai Janet Davis, Cydlynydd Polisi HawliauTramwy yng Nghymdeithas y Cerddwyr: mae hwnyn ddyfarniad pwysig a fydd yn golygu bod yn rhaidi gamau gweithredu i atal llwybrau rhag cael eucydnabod fel hawliau tramwy cyhoeddus fod yndryloyw. Mae eu Harglwyddi wedi ailedrych ynfanwl ar y gyfraith ynghylch sut y sefydlir hawliautramwy, gan fynd yn ôl at ddatganiad yr ArglwyddDenning o’r gyfraith a oedd wedi para am fwy nadeugain mlynedd heb ei herio. Mae dehongliadaudiweddar wedi golygu bod aelodau o’r cyhoedd yngwastraffu misoedd yn gwneud hawliadau amlwybrau a oedd yn cael eu trechu gan dystiolaethnad oedd yn gyhoeddus.” Ychwanegodd: “Maellawer o lwybrau troed yn cael eu defnyddio’nhelaeth ond nid ydym yn eu gwerthfawrogi hyd neseu bod dan fygythiad. Mae rhai yn gysylltiadauallweddol yn y rhwydwaith cludiant, mae llawer ynllwybrau inni ddianc ar eu hyd pan fo arnom eisiaumynd i gefn gwlad am ychydig o dawelwch adyma’r gampfa rataf yn y wlad. Mae’n bwysig iawneu bod yn cael eu gwarchod i bawb eu defnyddio.”

TUDALEN 8

SUMMER 2007Welsh

PAGE 8

Beloved Tywiby Ken DayReviewed by David BushThis book shows photographs of beauty spots alongthe river Tywi’s sixty seven mile journey from itssource in the Cambrian mountains to the sea atCarmarthen Bay.

Ken’s passion for the Tywi valley is recorded inthe wonderful photography but the photographsare well supported by articles of the area by twenty-one guest writers.

Whilst the book does not detail any walks itcertainly plants plenty of suggestions in the mindof the reader and details map references for anyonewho would wish to visit the site from which thephotograph was taken. For example Rhobert apSteffan relates Welsh history and the extremelygory details of why and how Llywelyn ap Gruffydddies and why there is a seventeen tonne 16ft highstainless steel sculpture in Llandovery.

It’s the kind of book which would go down wellas a gift or something of interest that you couldleave on the coffee table for guests to browsethrough, but would probably appeal more to thephotographer than the walker.Gwasg Gomer, 2006, £19.99

Hill Walking in Wales,(second edition)by Peter HermonReviewed by David BatemanThose familiar with the first edition of this guide tothe 2000 footers of Wales will know what to expect:a well-written exposition to a variety of routes upevery one of the 166 peaks. The main differencefrom the first edition is the inclusion of a largenumber of excellent colour photographs.

Grumbles are few and minor: the two-volumealphabetic arrangement leaves Glyders andCarneddau in different volumes; no reference tometers; nor to public transport; and Cadair Idrisspelt in the old anglicised manner. None of this willprevent me from buying myself a copy.Cicerone, 2006, £12 each volume (2 volumes).

Aerial Britain - ThePembrokeshire Coast PathDVD, narrated by John WoodvineReviewed by B.PenneyJohn Woodvine narrates a DVD showing helicopterfilming of the Pembs coast, the views are a treat.The sound is a combination of classicalmusic and JohnWoodvine's voice, whichis occasionally too much.It's a broad brushtreatment with e.g.military history featuringin the South; MODCastlemartin is mentionedwith its frustration forwalkers excluded from thecoast path unlessprearranged. This is anarmchair perspective whichwhilst beautiful inevitablymisses both the mud, rain andsweat experienced by the walkeron the ground and the realcharacter of the coast path.www.beckmanndirect.com, 01624 816585,£12.99

Blaenau Ffestiniog:Images byJeremyMoore, Words byGwyn ThomasReviewed byCelia ParryThis coffee tablebook gives usnearly 90 pages ofgloriousphotographs,complemented withthe poems of GwynThomas in Welsh andEnglish. Jeremy Moorehas chosen to show theindustrial scars on thisarea of Snowdonia aswell as the naturalbeauty, whilst GwynThomas, a native ofBlaenau, pays tribute tothe town and its people. An idealpresent to give or receive.Gwasg Gomer, 2007. £19.99

Our Common LandBy Paul Clayden MA, Open SpacesSocietyReviewed by B.PenneyWales’ common land extends to 8.4%of Wales’ land surface. This wealthneeds careful protection andmanagement to protect its wild openlandscapes, access opportunities andwildlife richness. Wales’ village greensperform a similarly important role.This book is for the enthusiast foreither or both.

Updated for the Commons Act 2006,it covers the role and history ofcommon land as well as importantrecent legislation affecting theregistration of and access to commonland.Published by The Open Spaces Society, 2007,£19.95

BOOKS >>>NEWS >>>

AREA NEWS >>>The old Dyfed Area has been replaced by newAreas for each of the local authorities. BothPembrokeshire and Ceredigion have newsecretaries see below. Carmarthenshire isrebuilding its area structure; the Chairmen ofthe groups are taking the lead. The contact isDavid Murfin, 01269 850914.

Pembrokeshire Area Secretary, Rose Taylor, 17Gaddarn Reach, Neyland, Pembs SA73 1PWstratocu@waitrose.com

Ceredigion Area Secretary: Anne Macmillan,Maes y Wawr, Lon Rhyd y Gwin, Llanfarian,Aberystwyth 01970 624475amacmi2606@aol.comMany thanks to the work of their predecessorsChris Morris, Sue Johnson, Eileen Beaumont,Andrea Matthews and their fellow officers.

Greater Gwent Area Secretary, Mike Williams,has been replaced by Adrian Sheehan, 6 WoodCrescent, Rogerstone, Newport NP10 0AL.01633 89625 adrian.sheehan@btinternet.comMany thanks to Mike.

A Victory ForWalkers EverywhereThe Ramblers’ Association has recently (20 June)won a major victory for walkers in a landmarkHouse of Lords ruling. The RA took the case to theHouse of Lords and challenged the iniquitousjudgment which made it unjustly easy forlandowners to deny the existence of rights of way byusing hidden evidence to make them private.

The House of Lords agreed to overturn a ruling,which allowed landowners to use evidence, whichhad not been made public, for example letters tosolicitors or even private conversations, to implythey intended the footpaths to be private. Thismeant that members of the public could wastemonths proving the existence of a public right ofway, only to be defeated by evidence about whichthey knew nothing.

So even after 20 years of public use, hidden orprivate information often defeated importantfootpath claims.

Janet Davis, Rights of Way Policy Co-ordinator,at the RA, said: “This is a landmark ruling whichwill mean that actions to stop paths beingrecognised as public rights of way must betransparent. Their Lordships have thoroughly re-examined the law on how rights of way areestablished, reverting to Lord Denning's statementof the law which had stood for more than fortyyears unchallenged. Recent interpretations hadmeant that members of the public were wastingmonths making claims for paths which weredefeated by evidence which was not in the publicdomain.”

She added: “Many footpaths are heavily usedbut we only appreciate them when they are underthreat. Some are key links in the transportnetwork, many are our escape routes when wewant to get out into the countryside for somepeace and quiet and are the cheapest gym in thecountry. It is very important that they areprotected for everyone to use.”

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