The Cambrian Mountains Society's vision of a sustainable future
for the Mid Wales uplands was given an enthusiastic welcome by those
who attended the launch of the Society's Cambrian Mountains:
The Heart of Wales document at the Talbot Hotel in Tregaron
on November 18th 2006.
As well as delegates from the society's AGM, the launch was attended
by members of the public from across the Cambrian Mountains and
by politicians from every major political party: Glyn Davies, Conservative
A.M. for the Mid & West Wales region; Elin Jones, Plaid Cymru
A.M. for Ceredigion; Mark Williams, Liberal Democrat M.P. for Ceredigion;
Alun Davies, Labour candidate for the 2007 Welsh Assembly elections,
Mid & West Wales regional list; and John Davies, LibDem candidate
for the 2007 Welsh Assembly elections, Ceredigion constituency.
The launch was chaired by Prof. David Bateman, and Glyn Davies
A.M. opened proceedings.
In his opening speech, Glyn Davies, who chairs the Welsh Assembly's
Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee, outlined the case
for the designation of the Cambrian Mountains as an Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty (AONB). He stated that the benefits of designation
were many and varied, but to him "Defending the Welsh language
is what the strategy should be all about." At the heart of
the society's proposal is the need to provide the Cambrian Mountains
with viable and sustainable economic security, allowing the communities
of the uplands to continue to grow and prosper. Being critical of
National Parks for "not put(ting) enough effort into communicating
with the people within them", Mr. Davies said that the creation
of a Cambrian Mountains AONB "can be a benefit economically"
to farmers and landowners, rural businesses, those involved in tourism
and individuals.
Giving an insight into the Assembly's thinking on rural economics,
Glyn Davies said that he foresaw most of the public money available
for rural areas, in the form of grant funding, would "go to
areas with designations… everybody can't have them". This
would have a dramatic effect on the way in which agricultural payments,
including the successor to the Tir Mynydd compensatory payment would
be targeted, and with the current reforms of the Common Agricultural
Policy under way he said "To the Farming Unions… designation
is not something to be feared" as areas without designation
would probably loose out as a result of any re-structuring of the
rural payments procedure. Benefits to the tourism sector and other
rural businesses would follow as a result of designation, and AONB
status would be a great help to promoting the area in other parts
of Britain.
Mike Taylor, Chief Executive of the National Association for AONBs,
also stated that designation would be likely to lead to the prioritization
of public moneys for all aspects of the rural economy.
Speaking at the launch, Elin Jones, A.M. said that Cambrian
Mountains: The Heart of Wales was a "professional and
well balanced strategy". She said that she was "intrigued"
by the AONB proposal and that she had met with the CMS and complimented
them on their presentation and was excited by it. She mentioned
two "challenges": one being the cross border agreement
needed between the local authorities - adding that Glyn Davies would
be a great advantage to this process - and that communication with
communities was important early on so that "myths are challenged"
before they become something more. She offered her time to help
facilitate this community contact and to develop the AONB proposal.
Ceredigion M.P. Mark Williams, one of the society's newest members,
saw the benefits beyond the economic sphere and echoed Glyn Davies'
apprehensions about the un-democratic nature of the Technical Advice
Note (TAN) 8 strategy; on building large scale wind power stations
in the uplands. He said "My attraction to this society was
(at first) a defensive one… having seen the damage made at
Cefn Croes" but stated that the strategy was about a great
deal more than defence, "it's a very positive strategy."
Alun Davies congratulated the document on "bring(ing) together
environmental protection… with social, economic and cultural
strategies" saying "When we talk of the mountains here
I talk about the culture and communities within them… I don't
simply think of the physical landscape, I see human history."
Support was also received from H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, in a
letter which was read aloud at the meeting. He wrote: "…..
the changing face of agriculture means that for [Cambrian Mountains]
communities to survive, and for the next generation to have a viable
and fulfilled place in the uplands, then careful and collaborative
work needs to be put in place. I heartily agree that we need to
bring together all those with an active interest in the Cambrians,
in order to provide a plan which will support long-term regeneration
for all the community. This beautiful landscape needs protection,
as does the cultural environment."
The Cambrian Mountains Society's Press Officer Dafydd Morris-Jones
said: "With the possibility of a rush on wind farm planning
applications in the next six months due to TAN 8, and the unavoidable
rhetoric about wind power providing Mid Wales with a way forward
in the 21st century, The Cambrian Mountains: The Heart of
Wales delivers an alternative and more sustainable vision.
We believe that the only way to protect the unique culture, language
and landscape of the Cambrian Mountains is to provide the local
economy with the necessary tools to move forward and grow.
"Designation of the area as an AONB would provide greater
financial security for our farming communities, bolster our tourism
economy, and give international recognition to one of Wales' greatest
treasures. Corporate hand-outs by multi-nationals and Community
Funds with limited remits are all well and good, but are no substitute
for a living and vibrant Welsh rural economy, providing employment
and security for a local workforce within the sectors they know
and love."
Click here to view Cambrian Mountains:
The Heart of Wales
The launch was preceded in the morning by the Society's Annual
General Meeting. After lunch, members participated in a variety
of organised events, choosing either a guided nature walk with Red
Liford, a historical walk round Tregaron town led by Dafydd Wyn
Morgan, or a series of three indoor presentations: on the Cribarth
superquarry proposal in Powys (by Pip Lee Tappin), the Elenydd Wilderness
Hostels Trust (by Sue Brown of the Trust), and Cors Caron National
Nature Reserve (by Paul Culyer, CCW, reserve warden).
The Society would like to thank members and non-members who attended
for all or part of the day, particularly the speakers and walk leaders. |
Click any image to enlarge
Society Chairman David Bateman, and Glyn Davies
A.M., with a copy of Cambrian Mountains - The Heart of Wales.
Photo: Stuart Lamb
Mike Taylor, Chief Executive of the National Association
for AONBs
Photo: Stuart Lamb
Elin Jones, Plaid Cymru A.M. for Ceredigion
Photo: Liz Fleming-Williams
Mark Williams, Liberal Democrat M.P. for Ceredigion
Photo: Stuart Lamb
Alun Davies, Labour list candidate for the 2007
Assembly elections for Mid & West Wales region.
Photo: Stuart Lamb
Red Liford leads the afternoon nature walk.
Photo: Liz Fleming-Williams
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