Tag Archives: news

The Grapevine – Autumn 2020 – the local newsletter for Llangorse & Bwlch

The Grapevine – Spring 2020 – the local newsletter for Llangorse & Bwlch

The Grapevine – Winter 2019 – the local newsletter for Llangorse & Bwlch

The Grapevine – Summer 2019 – the local newsletter for Llangorse & Bwlch

The Story of Bwlch with Altitude Challenge 2016

On 4th June 2016 Bwlch and Llangorse came alive with explorers visiting from all over the UK to take part in #BwlchAlitude 2016 Challenge.

in at our challenge today – prizes, food, live music in New Inn Pub after. Starts at 10am!!

The village hall opened it’s doors to fuel the explorers with tea and toast before the challenged commenced – and of course had cake ready for when they returned triumphant!

Everyone completed the challenge – some raced it to the finish line to be in with a chance of some amazing prizes donated by local businesses, and others took their time and popped into the local shops and cafes along the route.

A massive thank you to everyone involved who volunteered their time, offered prizes for the explorers and shared details about the event:

The Star Bunkhouse, The New Inn, Bwlch, Glanpant, Farm Shop at The Welsh Venison Centre, Lakeside Caravan and Camping Park, Brecon Beacons Holiday Cottages, Ty-Mawr Lime Ltd, Latte-da, Llangorse Multi Activity Centre, Velotrek LtdSingle Malt TeapotCrickhowell Adventure store, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Winnie’s Hayloft, Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, The Old Stable – Brecon Beacons & Crickhowell Walking Festival.

We are already planning #BwlchAltitiude 2017 – if you would like to be involved get in touch with us via email at [email protected]

Photos by Vic Phillips

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An extraordinary sight met anyone on or around Llangorse Lake as a group of marauding Vikings in full gear were sailing a thirty foot longship; flying across the water under the famous square, stripy sail.  The longship was bought up from Kent on a trailer and launched.

The Vikings were from the early mediaeval Re-enactor Group “Regia Anglorum”  (http://regia.org/) and included members from South Wales.  The re-enactment group were invited by Dr Adrian Humpage and Garnet Davies -members of the local community group Discover Llangorse and Bwlch- as part of their ongoing plans to celebrate the history of the Crannog on Llangorse Lake.  The Crannog, a man-made, medieval, island fortress, was attacked in AD916 by an army of Mercians.

The Vikings launched an attack on the Crannog in celebration of the original attack 1,100 years ago, but the modern day group proved a polite bunch, returning each others arrows, lending each other shields and posing for photos with the bemused but excited onlookers.

Watch out for a return visit later this year.

Discover Llangorse & Bwlch highly commended in National Park Awards

National Awards highly commend local Volunteer group

The Discover Llangorse and Bwlch Alliance group were recently highly commended in the group category of the 2015 National Park Volunteer Awards. The awards are presented to individuals, projects, and groups that have gone above and beyond the expectations of volunteers. Each year thousands of hours are given by volunteers throughout  National Parks across the UK and the Volunteer Awards are a way of saying “thank you”.

The Alliance group was formed when the two communities of Llangorse and Bwlch – two villages within the boundaries of Brecon Beacons National Park, decided to join together to encourage visits to the area which include Llangorse Lake, the largest natural lake in South Wales and the castles, ancient Iron Age forts and standing stones of Bwlch. Another of the group’s aims is to educate visitors on how best to enjoy and help protect the area through new signage and a new website. Achievements that were recognised by the Awards include developing a 12-mile walking route that links the two communities, and organising stargazing evenings that capitalise on the Brecon Beacons’ Dark Skies status.

Norman Lowe, Chair of the Discover Llangorse and Bwlch Alliance group:
“ Our volunteers and community have worked  incredibly hard to promote this area and we are pleased that this work has been recognised with this National commendation.  We look forward to even more visitors coming in 2016 to experience the wide variety of attractions the area has to offer, including our Awesome Walks and the Dark Skies events.”

Member Champion for Business and Communities at the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe added:
“ Llangorse and Bwlch are just two of the beautiful places to visit within the Brecon Beacons National Park and the work which this group has done to promote how special these places are is outstanding. Congratulations to all involved, this recognition is well deserved.”

Link

Discover Llangorse & Bwlch in for top parks award

The Discover Llangorse and Bwlch Alliance group has been nominated for a major award in the Group category at the UK National Parks Volunteer Awards 2015.

The nomination recognises what the Discover Llangorse and Bwlch Alliance group has achieved in the two communities with the installation of new signs, the production and distribution of brochures and a new website all promoting the area.

To read more, visit The Brecon & Radnor Express…

Dark Sky Event a Great Success!

The Discover Llangorse and Bwlch Group organised a successful Astronomy Evening on January 3rd 2014 in Llangors Youth & Community Centre – the Event was a sell out!

Dark Sky Wales brought a large Planetarium demonstrated by Allan Trow, and Martin Griffiths from University of South Wales gave a fascinating talk. There was also an exhibition with items for all ages from Rockets and Space Modules to details of the Solar System, Galaxies plus Photographs of the stars and night sky. Refreshments including two types of soup were available and were greatly appreciated. Although skies were not clear for viewing there was plenty to occupy those present and it was great to see youngsters taking an interest in Astronomy.

Mike Featherstone