"LEAPING STYLES" PROJECT"
Powys County Council have announced "The Leaping Stiles" Project
that will introduce high-quality, easily accessible and well-signed walkways
across the Powys countryside of varying lengths and difficulty in parts of the
county where similar provision is lacking. These will be new routes in addition
to existing ancient footpaths. The Council has secured Axis 3 funding of more
than £200,000 from the Rural Development Plan for the project, covering a
development period from June 2008 to February 2011. The Leaping Styles project
will be completed by 2011.
Kevin Straw from the County Council has said:
"This project aims to enhance these types of recreational facilities for rural
communities. We are keen to work with the local communities to identify and
develop new routes."
A total of at least 12 new circular routes will be introduced in the county, of
which one or more will be created in the local area of Llanbadarn Fawr. Integral
to this work will be the involvement of local community councils, local access
forums, local residents and user groups. Once chosen, the routes will be opened
and maintained by local volunteers.
Following a presentation on the aims and benefits of the Project, under the
guise of the "Circular Trails Project", given by Kevin Straw to the Community
Council at its meeting in 12 Febreuary 2009, Councillors Huw Jeffreys and Terry
Simpson volunteered their services to help identify suitable route(s), trace
route maps and generally assist with the project in the local area.
Ultimately, as the principle means of advertising
the Project, a website will be expanded to provide details of all the routes
created in the county, including mapping, overall length and difficulty grading
and important advice regarding suitable clothing, footwear and provisions needed
for a safe and enjoyable walk.
As the project progresses, this Newsheet will be upgraded to keep you informed
of developments.
Author P D Cross 8th Mar 09
September 2009 - Circular Route around Crossgates
Through the summer months steady progress has been made on identifying and
accessing an ancient circular footpath surrounding Crossgates. The route
is high-lighted on the map below:
Starting at the Baptist Chapel on Rock Road, where there is a car-parking area next to the chapel, proceed down Rock Road (heading West) to the junction with the Newtown road (A483). Follow the main road northwards a short distance to the first left turn. This lane leads to Old Mill Cottage and Farm, crossing the Brook. From there a footpath meanders across pastures westward, then south-west until it reaches the main road (A44). Cross the main road onto a track heading south to Brookside. Here, a new wooden footbridge over the brook has been constructed (see below). Continue until reaching the River Ithon, then follow the river south-eastwards, under the railway line, until reaching Church House Farm next to St Padarns Church. [See other pages for a description of this church and the Baptist Chapel]. Cross the main road (A483) at the church onto a lane heading east reaching The Croft next to a left-hand turning. Go past this junction a little way until meeting a right-hand turn. Take this turning leading to Cwm-yr-hendy where you leave the lane following a pathway eastwards across fields curving north-east, rising and falling until reaching a lane (the same lane that led from the church to The Croft). Cross the lane and continue east-north-east across fields until reaching the main road (A44). Turn right for a short distance to a left turn leading to Greenfield. Follow this lane past Greenfield taking the left-hand fork to Crossway and then on to Lower Cefn-penarth. Here, leave the lane on the left at a right-hand bend joining a footpath westwards that follows the contours around the hill that has a radio mast at its summit, passing the cemeteries, new and ancient) returning to the Baptist Chapel; a total of 5 miles approximately
Parts of the route still needs improvement and although the whole circuit is open for walking, there are sections still fairly rough so extra care should be taken. A major achievement has been the construction of a wooden bridge across The Brook near Brookside. A few pictures of the bridge under construction are provided below (courtesy of Huw Jeffeys)
A lot of hard work has been done by the project team and volunteers and a big "thank you" goes to them. Work still remains to be done and if you would like to help please contact Project Leader Kevin Straw at Powys County Council, or Community Councillors Huw Jeffreys or Terry Simpson.
Mighty beams in place! Is the guy on the right fishing?
Man in blue shirt (left) to man in green shirt: "Ok, you can stay there for ever
protesting about building this bridge but we are finishing this job today!"
Man at far end: "OK, you hold the pole steady with your left hand, and I will hit it!"
Planks in place.
Little John on the bridge shouts "Are you Robin Hood?"
Man with bald head and blue shirt: " Hey, guys, we've built it in the
wrong place - it should have been 2 feet upstream!"
Almost finished - and a sturdy job it is too!
Lady looking at camera: "I am standing here to hide the fact that we cut the railing behind me one section
too short!"
Just a few more measurements and adjustments. Not sure how useful the measurement from his chin to
the post will be?
She to the cameraman: " When you said we would have a day out at a river crossing, I thought you meant
London Bridge!"
Author P D Cross 25 Sept 09