News & Events
Recent News & Events
Minister confirms AONB designation for the Dee Valley
22.11.2011
Loggerheads hoists its Green Flag as one of the best !
28.07.2011
Clwydian Range AONB Award goes to the Raven Inn.
19.07.2011
News
Minister confirms AONB designation for the Dee Valley
22.11.2011
The Welsh Government Environment Minister John Griffiths has confirmed a southerly extension to the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Councillor Carolyn Thomas Chair of the Clwydian Range AONB JAC, said: “I am delighted that this area has been designated an AONB. This designation recognises that it is one of the finest landscapes in the United Kingdom. The achievement of designation comes from the endeavors of the three County Councils together with the Countryside Council for Wales and other partners.”
The landscape in question includes much of the Dee Valley from Corwen to Newbridge, including the picturesque town of Llangollen. Some of the stunning natural features are the Eglwyseg Escarpment, Horseshoe Pass and Esclusham Mountain. Historical features include the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Chirk Castle and Valle Crucis Abbey.
Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans, said: “I welcome this decision as it recognises the good work that’s already being done on the AONB. This announcement sees the extension of the AONB beyond Denbighshire and will benefit all of the communities and landscapes that fall within the new region. “
Leader of Wrexham County Borough Council, Ron Davies added: “I am particularly pleased that the AONB extension to the Dee Valley will complement and strengthen the close working relationship already developed on the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage Site.”
CCW Chairman Morgan Parry said: “We are delighted with the decision, which confirms all the evidence provided that this is truly an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Whilst the designation gives the area the national recognition it deserves, the key to its success will rest with local management.
“We now look forward to working with the local authorities of Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire, their local communities and landowners, to realise the environmental, social and economic opportunities of this national designation - so that all sectors of society benefit from the sustainable management of the natural environment.”
Loggerheads hoists its Green Flag as one of the best !
28.07.2011
Loggerheads Country Park has been officially recognised as one of the best parks in the country by being awarded Green Flag status for the third year in a row.
Green Flag is a sign to visitors that the park is well-maintained and well-managed and with excellent facilities.
Loggerheads Country Park is managed as part of the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by Denbighshire County Council, with support from Flintshire County Council.
Vanessa Warrington – Visitor Services Officer said: "We are delighted to have achieved this award again this year. We have worked hard to improve facilities here over the last 12 months, developing a series of new and exciting interpretation for the park , a sculpture trail and new gateway features. "
The Green Flag award scheme began in 1996 to recognise and reward the best green spaces in the country. It is a way of encouraging others to achieve the same high environmental standards, creating a benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas.
David Shiel – Senior Countryside Officer for the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty said, " Loggerheads is a very special place not only for the thousands of visitors who enjoy coming here every year, but also as one of the most important conservation sites in Europe so it is important that we get it right. It is a great compliment to get this award.
" It is particularly pleasing that this award recognises the role played by volunteers in helping to manage the park. Last year volunteers carried out over 2000 hours practical conservation work which is a huge contribution to the park. "
Clwydian Range AONB Award goes to the Raven Inn.
19.07.2011
Outstanding Success ! - The Raven Inn, Llanarmon yn Ial
A community group in Llanarmon yn Ial have been recognised by the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for their efforts in keeping open the local pub. The AONB Award this year goes to the volunteer group that in 2009 took the steps top reopen their local pub and very quickly were able to re-establish the Raven as a thriving hub at the centre of the village.
We have often taken our village pubs for granted – but in recent years we are sadly used to seeing pub doors closed for good.
The Raven is run by a small group of volunteers who not only work behind the bar but also run the kitchen, put on regular events and keep the gardens. Any profits made by the pub are ploughed back into community projects.
Councillor Carolyn Thomas Chair, Chair of the Clwydian Range AONB said, “ The communities of the Clwydian Range are a fundamental part of this outstanding landscape and the work that has taken place in Llanarmon to keep the pub at the heart of the village is truly inspiring. This award is very well deserved”
Ponies are Friends of Moel findeg
09.06.2011
The Clwydian Range AONB is turning to an ancient breed of native ponies for help in managing the Local Nature Reserve at Moel Findeg.
Carneddau Ponies, a traditional breed dating back over 2000 years are being brought to Moel Findeg to help keep the heathland in good condition. The open heathland on the site is rapidly disappearing as trees and gorse are taking over. The ponies will help to keep all this under control. The Carneddau ponies are a hardy breed, from some of the highest mountains in Snowdonia so are well suited to grazing upland areas. In all 10 semi feral ponies will be brought to the Reserve which will help to keep the scrub under control.
The AONB is working with PONT – the Welsh Grazing Animals Partnership, an organisation that aims to encourage and facilitate grazing projects for the benefit of conservation, landscape and heritage. PONT have arranged for the ponies to come over from Snowdonia where they are currently grazing the high mountain sides.
David Shiel, Senior Countryside Officer with the Clwydian Range said “ Moel Findeg is a very important area of heathland but over the years it has been a constant battle to keep it clear form scrub. Introducing grazing to the site is going to help to keep the area open and allow the heathland species to thrive. “
The Friends of Moel Findeg have provided the funding to bring the ponies to the site and have funded the fencing that has needed to take place. The Friends of Moel Findeg were formed in the late 1990s when the hillside was threatened with quarrying. They were instrumental in raising the funds to buy the mountain and are actively involved in the management of the site as a Local Nature Reserve.
Glyn Williams – the Clwydian Range AONB Warden said : “ Although the ponies have just arrived they appear to have settled in very quickly and I think they will enjoy their new home in the Clwydian Range. Provided they are not disturbed or distracted they will be quite content eating young birch trees, trampling bracken and grazing gorse so please don’t try to feed them.”
