Emergency Closure of footpath 15 on the Elidyr trail, Nedd Fechan riverside footpath

We have received the following message from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority: “We had to put in place yesterday an emergency footpath closure, please see attached map notifications for reference. Unfortunately, one of NRW’s trees has uprooted, fallen across the footpath and struck one of the bridges on the footpath, causing lots of damage to the … Read more

Outdoors for All – response from Outdoor Alliance Wales

SWOAPG Members may be aware of the ‘Outdoors for All’ manifesto launched recently by a coalition of 36 partners calling for new legislation to open up more countryside for public enjoyment, including waterways, woodland, riversides and downland (see e.g. the BMC announcement at Outdoors For All: A manifesto for the outdoor sector). Although presented as … Read more

New bolts in Will’s Hole

The Cambrian Caving Council team have recently installed new P bolts for ladder and SRT in Will’s Hole (the cave in the Sychryd gorge), replacing the old 8mm spits. As of 2nd FEBRUARY they will have cured and be safe to use (although there is some tidying up still to be done to remove excess … Read more

Trees in Porth yr Ogof

Following recent rain, the LARGE tree-trunk that was outside the entrance to Porth yr Ogof has now been swept inside and is forming a blockage on river-left in the main chamber (which means the entire width of the river is now obstructed). It’s currently possible to clamber over this tree, but more rain will likely … Read more

Hazard on River Usk below Talybont

The suspension footbridge across the Usk downstream of the Talybont access point (upstream of Mill Falls; about 100m upstream of the NRW gauging station) has recently collapsed – after many years of looking in a sorry state – and is currently forming a river-wide strainer. It appears to be possible to portage (at low levels, … Read more

River Wye Glasbury-Hay – proposed Concordat arrangements

Since Powys County Council suspended the launching of paddle-craft at Upper Glas-y-Bont Common (‘the Bont’) at Glasbury on 1 April 2021 to conduct a Habitat Regulations Assessment, SWOAPG has been working with the Council on a Concordat Arrangement for Management of Paddlesport Operations – drawing on our experience of our Waterfall Country gorge-walking Concordat with … Read more

FINAL REMINDER for Members – SWOAPG AGM Wed 24 Jan including decisions on River Wye Glasbury-Hay Concordat ‘next steps’

If you’re planning to attend our online AGM tomorrow (for SWOAPG Members only, 6.30-8.00pm via Teams), please RSVP NOW using the button on the event listing at 24 Jan 2024 SWOAPG Annual General Meeting (or by e-mail to coordinator@swoapg.com), so that we can send you the meeting link and the background papers. Thanks!

REMINDER for Members – SWOAPG AGM Wed 24 Jan: register places to receive Glasbury-Hay discussion papers

Please register as soon as possible your intention to attend our online AGM next Wednesday, 6.30-8.00pm, using the RSVP button on the event listing at 24 Jan 2024 SWOAPG Annual General Meeting (or by e-mail to coordinator@swoapg.com). The agenda, minutes of last year’s meeting; and this year’s annual report and accounts are all now available … Read more

REMINDER of forthcoming SWOAPG events: Dinas climbing workshop, AGM & PyO Workshop

Please book now if you’re interested in the following events. Click on the links for more details & bookings: 20 Jan 2024 Climbing & Abseiling at Dinas Rock, a practical workshop, 9.30am-1pm, facilitated by Matt Woodfield, looking at how participating organisations can demonstrate safe practice when using the left side of the slab at Dinas … Read more