The use of Waterfall Country for gorge-walking activity is a privilege extended to us by the custodians of the land (since there is no public right to swim in rivers nor for commercial activity within ‘access land’); and the local community welcomes us when we treat them with the respect they deserve – which is why we’ve all worked so hard to maintain the Codes of Conduct that are there to protect us all.
Sadly, it seems that some providers are slipping back into old habits at Pontneddfechan / Dinas Rock, so this is just a reminder of a few things that will help us continue to ‘earn a welcome’ in this busy area:
- Please don’t allow gorge group members to use the Village Hall Play area, which has been developed with a huge fundraising effort by the community specifically for the young children in the local area, not for gorge groups’ entertainment (unless of course group the group members are children being supervised by their parent).
- Please don’t use the ‘Village Square‘ (in front of the Village Hall) and the surrounding roads as a transportation hub, briefing or changing area – please use the designated car park(s) and changing areas instead.
- Coaches may drop-off and pick-up groups at the Village Square but should not remain there while groups are in the gorge – they should instead make their way back ‘beyond the traffic lights’ in Glyn-neath and find somewhere suitable to wait before returning later for their groups.
Most SWOAPG Members are committed to supporting the local community, so it would be a great shame to see their reputation and our relationship with the community damaged again through the careless actions of a few: enough said…