Dipper nesting by Sychryd top pool
One of our members has reported that there is a dipper nest in the large tree river left at the large pool below the wooden footbridge on the Sychryd. Please take care not to disturb these sensitive birds.
REMINDER: could you offer short-notice activities to visitors in Waterfall Country?
We have now issued to the BBNPA wardens our initial list of three ‘short-notice providers’, but there’s room for more! We’ll re-issue the list if-and-when others sign-up… The wardens in Waterfall Country occasionally get asked by visitors “how can we get to have a go at activities like caving or gorge-walking while we’re in the … Read more
Refurbished toilets at Cwm Porth
BBNPA has informed us that the toilet block at Cwm Porth will be re-opening today and has asked us to pass on thanks to providers for their understanding and patience while the work was being done, which did over run a bit due to extra work being identified. The good news is, there will now … Read more
Ogof y Ci access suspended
The owners of Llwyn Cilsanws Farm have requested that people refrain from accessing Ogof y Ci through their farm, as they are finding this intrusive and they gain no benefit from cave users. Staff at Parkwood Outdoors Dolygaer are in discussions with them to try to find a mutually acceptable solution for all users, but … Read more
Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal petition
We’re sure that most of our Members will by now have seen the latest news about the canal – that CRT has agreed short-term to fund water top-ups following NRW restrictions on abstraction from the Usk which threatened the canal’s imminent closure (see Emergency water supply for at-risk Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal – BBC News). … Read more
Gorges sign-up reminder
We have updated the list on our website of (and sent out ID cards to) current registered gorge-walking providers (see Gorge Walking) – if you’re not listed it probably means you’ve missed one of the steps below (or you’ve asked us not to publish your details)… Just to remind you, you’ll only be covered to … Read more
SWOAPG Membership renewal reminder
We have updated the list on our website of current (paid-up) Full Members – if you’re not listed it probably means we haven’t yet received your payment (or you’ve asked us not to publish your details), but if in doubt please do drop us an email… SWOAPG Members can now renew their membership for 2025/6 … Read more
Could you offer short-notice activities to visitors in Waterfall Country?
The wardens in Waterfall Country occasionally get asked by visitors “how can we get to have a go at activities like caving or gorge-walking while we’re in the area” – so they’ve asked us whether we have a list of providers who they could direct people towards; not necessarily for same-day but perhaps next-day or … Read more
Usk Reservoir northern launch site closure, 7 April 2025 to August 2026
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has now advised us that the works at Usk Reservoir, which will see the northern launch site closed (as advised in our recent post Usk Reservoir works at ‘slipway’ launch – starting April 2025), will start on 7 April and last until August next year. This means there will be no … Read more
Possible pollution in Sychryd
Not for the first time, we’ve recently received from one of our members a report of poor water quality in the Sychryd gorge: “The pool was distinctly cloudy and had a bluey green tinge. On those levels it should have been completely clear with our favourite peaty brown tinge. Visibility was zero. Conversely we could … Read more