Representing providers of Outdoor Adventurous Activities in South Wales and the Brecon Beacons
Following its earlier “Post Covid-19 Recovery Plan for the Outdoor Sector in Wales“, the Outdoor Alliance Wales (led largely by WATO Members with contributions from SWOAPG) has now produced: The aim of this new document, which has been designed specifically for use by Outdoor Activity Providers, is to provide an ‘at a glance’ guide to … Read more
Just in case any of you have missed the many recent announcements, we have put together a summary of the support available from Welsh and UK Governments to businesses, employees and the self-employed at this difficult time. SWOAPG would be interested to hear your experiences of using these various schemes so we can pass on … Read more
Following the First Minister’s announcement today, Wales Adventure Tourism Organisation (WATO) has released the following statement which confirms that group activity by outdoor providers will now be permitted from Monday: “The Welsh Government has today announced that it ‘is making changes to the regulations to allowlarger gatherings outdoors of up to 30 people where these … Read more
We understand that the hazardous trees on the Wye between Glasbury and Hay have now been cleared, thanks to Ollie Sandeman and anyone else who helped! Providers should, of course, continue to take care to assess any changes since they last used the river.
The Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) has launched a new survey to capture the challenges that outdoor providers are facing in planning their way out of the crisis. Its findings will be published for all and they will inform a clear voice to UK and Home Nation governments describing the breadth and scale of the … Read more
NRW has advised us that they will be providing ‘portaloos’ at Dinas Rock to cover the main summer period, due to uncertainty over opening of the Pontneddfechan public toilets (by the Angel) and reduced village hall opening. NRW has stated that “the company will clean them a couple of times a week and we will … Read more
Following our recent post about the Brecon Beacons reservoirs being re-opened on 13 July, we have received the following message from BBNPA: “Reservoir passports are issued on a financial year basis so whenever they are issued they are valid until 31st March. Given that reservoirs have not been available for just over 3 months we will … Read more
Apologies for yet another message from SWOAPG. Things are changing so fast at the moment that there seems to be something new to say every day, some of which can’t always wait until Sunday evening’s newsletter. Today, a few paddlesport items as well as a reminder of this week’s ‘Gunpowder & Gorges webinar’. Brecon Beacons … Read more
The latest Waterfall Country newsletter from Brecon Beacons National Park Authority is attached. Although Dinas Rock and Sychryd / Mellte Gorges are now open for public use, the restrictions on group gatherings and rules on social distancing mean that we are not expecting group gorge-walking or climbing activities to re-commence immediately there on any scale. … Read more
The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has just “lifted the remaining access area and rights of way closures in the Brecon Beacons National Park” – the Brecon Beacons are now open, with the following message from the Authority: “We are looking forward to providing a warm Welsh welcome to the Brecon Beacons National Park, however … Read more
Wales Adventure Tourism Organisation (WATO) has released the attached statement summarising the latest guidance for outdoor providers, following the changes announced by the Welsh Government for the next 2 weeks. The statement includes a key clarification from the Welsh Government that “some outdoor activities by professional providers with groups of professional clients, such as some … Read more
You may not have seen or had time to have read this recent document about the full opening / return to England’s schools in September. It specifically has a section on Educational Visits (about two thirds of the way through), and as it is designed to clarify ahead of next term how schools can operate … Read more