Important Changes to Gorge Arrangements, August 2020: (2) Riverside path from Loonies’ Leap to Dinas Rock now available for group use

Further to our recent reminder that gorge-walking groups should not use the private lane between Loonies’ Leap / the Gunpowder Works and Pontneddfechan Village Hall, we are delighted to report that NRW will now permit groups to use the path on river-left from the lower Mellte footbridge (near SN915081) to Dinas Rock car park, subject to … Read more

Supporting Members’ return to activities: poll to find best time for an interactive workshop

Our recent survey on how best we might support SWOAPG Members as they start returning to activities following lock-down (see attached summary) showed that: Providers are by-and-large finding their way through the maze of guidance, but would find additional support from SWOAPG useful; A simple ‘guide to the guidance’ – together with venue-specific guidance – … Read more

Paddling from Glasbury-Hay: reminder & extension for SWOAPG Members’ views on how to respond to the Wye & Usk Foundation’s new ‘arrangements’

Following the publication of its new ‘arrangement’ for paddling from Glasbury-Hay, the Wye & Usk Foundation  (WUF) has offered some additional explanation (see below) and has asked SWOAPG to give the arrangement our “fullest support on the basis that we need to end the conflict and build a way forward across Wales’ rivers.” Deadline extended: … Read more

Two Questionnaires: Swiss Valley Reservoir, Llanelli (urgent!); and Wales Outdoor Activity Sector Barometer Survey (important!)

If you might be interested in using Lower Swiss Valley / Cwm Lliedi Reservoir for group paddlesports, please complete this brief questionnaire from Llanelli Rural Council by this Friday (31 July). WATO (Wales Adventure Tourism Organisation) is collecting data about the impact of Covid on outdoor activity businesses in Wales, to help us inform and … Read more

Paddling from Glasbury-Hay: SWOAPG needs Members’ views on how to respond to the Wye & Usk Foundation’s new ‘arrangements’

Following the publication of its new ‘arrangement’ for paddling from Glasbury-Hay, the Wye & Usk Foundation  (WUF) has offered some additional explanation (see below) and has asked SWOAPG to give the arrangement our “fullest support on the basis that we need to end the conflict and build a way forward across Wales’ rivers.” Please let … Read more

Glasbury-Hay paddlesport ‘arrangement’

Following the concerns raised by fisheries owners over recent years, the Wye and Usk Foundation last year set about negotiating an ‘arrangement’ for paddlesport between Glasbury & Hay. This ‘arrangement’ has now been published on the WUF website. In summary, land- and fisheries-owners have agreed to ‘permit’ continued paddling providing that: Departure below the bridge … Read more

Closure of Pwll-du road, Gilwern Hill

The minor road behind Gilwern Hill (and on the edge of the Blaenavon World Heritage Site) has recently been closed off by Monmouthshire County Council, NW from SO 243119 with concrete blocks and a concreted in gate across the carriageway: This will affect one means of access (westerly approach) to the quarried limestone crags on … Read more