Countryside Volunteers Efforts Celebrated

Volunteers from across the county who have helped open up the Powys countryside gathered at one of Wales’ premier country estates in an event that celebrated their achievements. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Powys Countryside Volunteers met at Gregynog Hall in Tregynon in an event organised by Powys County Council to recognise and celebrate their achievements. The volunteer programme has been in existence since 2002 and recently expanded through the recruitment and training of volunteer team leaders. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The event, which was grant funded by Natural Resources Wales through the joint working partnership, was also used as an opportunity to gain ideas from old and new volunteers and for members of different teams to meet and get to know each other. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Ynys Mon’s Silver Slashers, Powys Ramblers, PAVO and Natural Resources Wales were guests on the day along with interested parties from neighbouring councils. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As part of the event, the volunteers and invited guests took in slide-shows and presentations showing some of the marvellous work carried out by the Powys Countryside Volunteers over the years. They also discussed the challenges faced both now and in the future. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

After lunch, the 45 attendees enjoyed a ramble on paths surrounding Gregynog Hall and crossed an impressive 12 metre bridge that was built by the Powys Countryside Volunteers in just one day. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr John Powell, Cabinet Member for Countryside Services, said: “The Powys Countryside Volunteers have built and maintained hundreds of bridges and broadwalks as well as installing countless self-closing gates since 2002. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This event was to celebrate the achievements that have been made over the years and to show that their efforts are greatly appreciated, not only by the council but by all those interested in walking in our county. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“They are fast becoming a familiar sight in the county and will continue to help the council manage the 9,200km public rights of way as well as the numerous parks, playgrounds and open spaces in Powys. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The event also provided a valuable opportunity to revisit old ideas and examine new methods of working, whilst making the acquaintance of like-minded people in Powys who are willing and able to help maintain access to our beautiful countryside.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​