Actions you can take
Action – Appeal for list of community groups
Do you belong to a group that meets in or near Brechfa Forest?
We are compiling a database of groups. There are a couple of reasons for this.
- To determine how many user groups exist (important for the campaign)
- To have better connections in order to share information, updates and events
If you run or belong to any group eg community, volunteers, hobby, interest or sport, please send the name of your group, a description and a contact email address to info@dimtyrbinau.cymru
Action – Help build a record of local businesses
Register local businesses with the community run Visit Brechfa Forest Website
The formal definition of tourism activities is anything that someone does for recreation. So even local residents who go for a walk or ride in the forest count as tourists.
The local tourism cluster group is developing a new website with information for anyone who uses the forest for recreation. They plan to add a map to the visitbrechfaforest.com website showing the location of any business that someone may want to call on while walking or riding in the forest. Everything from the honesty stall at the end of a drive selling eggs or veg, to pubs, shops, cafes, craft workshops, local mechanics who will come to a visitors vehicle which will not start in a car park, cobblers who will repair walking boots, bike mechanics for a visiting mountain biker or a farrier or vet who will come out to a visiting equestrian as well as accommodation providers.
Entry onto the map is free, and will include links to a businesses webpage or facebook page, so should help with marketing as well as being a useful start point for gathering evidence on the value of our forest to the local economy.
There are two other categories of businesses which count in the formulas for the value of Brechfa Forest and its cultural heritage to the local economy. –
- People who run a business and chose this area to live in because of their hobby. For example a builder or IT consultant who is a keen mountain biker, or horse rider all count when assessing the value of the forest to our local economy.
- Businesses that have been in the area for multiple generations.
We would be grateful if you could complete the form for your own business, or share it with local contacts in any of the villages or settlements in walking or riding distance from Brechfa Forest and Llanllwni Mountain. Membership Form – Business – Visit Brechfa Forest
Action – Complete consultation form
The volunteers who previously worked alongside staff on secondment from Natural Resources Wales to develop this area as an exemplar of community-led sustainable development are now collaborating with other ancient forest communities and partners in England and across Mid Wales on a cultural heritage initiative.
Trydan has highlighted the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 in support of renewable energy development, However, the Act gives equal importance to creating a Wales of Cohesive Communities.
A cohesive community is defined as “one that is attractive, safe, well-connected and economically viable — a place where people can live, work and build relationships within resilient neighbourhoods. Central to this vision is the role of local “community anchor” organisations in supporting long-term well-being.”
To enable the Brechfa Forest community to demonstrate that they value their cultural heritage including their role as a community anchor we need responses from as many local people as possible to the consultation to support our inclusion in the new register of cultural heritage.
Action – Write Action letter of objection
A volunteer has put together this suggestion for a letter of objection which you can cut and paste into your word processor or download if you are looking for inspiration on how to raise concerns.
Action – Write to your own Community Councillors now
Ask for your issues to be discussed in their next meeting. They are being engaged in the early stages, and at various points, of the planning application process. It is essential that they understand the issues and the strength of feeling of residents. Either, from those that will be directly affected or, from those that believe there are better ways to progress the move to green energy, at a slower pace and without destroying large parts of rural Wales
Contact for each area –
LARYC info@llanfihangelrhosycorn.co.uk Clerk Pam Davies
Llanybydder CC mybeynon@hotmail.co.uk Clerk Mavis Beynon
Llansawel CC llansawelccclerk@gmail.com Clerk Charlene Jones
LLanfynydd CC clercllanfynydd@btinternet.com Clerk Gaynor Davies
Llanegwad CC clercllanegwad@btinternet.com Clerk Gaynor Davies
Talley CC talleyccclerk@gmail.com Clerk Gethin Williams
LLanllwni CC eirlyscwmderi@btinternet.com Clerk Eirlys Owen
To find your ward click on this link, choose the option Town and Community Councils and enter your postcode https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/council-services/in-my-area
.Action – Lobby political contacts.
Feel like picking up a pen to let politicians know how you feel about how our community is being treated? Click here to find a list of suggestions of contacts, their emails and some suggestions on the contents. HOWEVER please remember unless you copy PEDW in to the email it will not be considered as part of the planning application.
Action – Sign a petition
The National Trust is being asked to allow industrial access roads through the Dolaucothi Estate for FOUR massive wind-farm developments.
This would mean: :-
- Up to 150m-wide haul roads carved through the estate
- Damage to Roman archaeology and historic landscapes
- Disturbance to Greater Horseshoe Bats, one of the rarest species in the UK
- Loss of tranquillity and heritage forever
- Dolaucothi was gifted to the nation in 1941 so it would be protected — not industrialised.
A petition has been set up to encourage the National Trust to not abandon its fundamental principles. Sign here
Do you enjoy walks in the local area? Can you help with flora and fauna data collection?
There is evidence needed on what flora and fauna can be found in and around Glyn Cothi and Mynydd Pencarreg. We have around a year to gather this, so no rush. If you are interested please view the details here.
There is a local walking group that meets regularly at different locations to enjoy nature, consider what we have that needs protecting, and share ideas. If you want to know more, drop them an email focusonfandf@gmail.com.