Deputy Minister Discovers National Park’s Culture and Coastline

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Business News Pembrokeshire , 9th August 2019

Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn AM visited the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park recently to see the work that enables visitors and residents to enjoy this protected landscape, its wildlife and heritage.

During her visit she was introduced to Park Authority staff and volunteers, as well as local residents as she was given a tour of Carew Castle and enjoyed a walk along a stretch of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail at Freshwater East.

National Park Authority Chairman Cllr Paul Harries said:

“We were grateful to be able to show the Deputy Minister the huge range of work undertaken by our hardworking staff and variety of projects in which we engage with volunteers.

“The visit enabled us to demonstrate how we balance conservation and recreation in the National Park, as well as how our staff and volunteers play an important role in educating visitors about Pembrokeshire’s rich culture and heritage.”

Hannah Blythyn AM added:

“Our fantastic National Parks offer us access to some of Wales’ most spectacular scenery. It was great to learn about the work the team here in Pembrokeshire are doing, managing these landscapes, supporting rare plants to thrive and welcoming visitors to some of our ancient monuments.”

After trying out some of the traditional Tudor activities that are on offer at Carew, the Deputy Minister was given a tour of the Castle and told of some of the mysterious myths and legends that tell of the ghosts and spirits that are said to inhabit the site.

At Freshwater East, the Deputy Minister took a short walk along the Coast Path and was joined by Park Authority staff, who explained the various ways the National Park is managed and conserved in order to promote wildlife, as well as providing access for members of the public.

Along the way she also met residents from the local Freshwater East Reserve for Nature Group (FERN) and participants in the Park Authority’s Walkability project, which is due to be rolled out across Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion following its success in Pembrokeshire.

Aeth Hannah Blythyn AC, y Dirprwy Weinidog Tai a Llywodraeth Leol, i Barc Cenedlaethol Arfordir Penfro yn ddiweddar i weld y gwaith sy’n galluogi ymwelwyr a thrigolion i fwynhau’r dirwedd warchodedig hon, ei bywyd gwyllt a’i threftadaeth.

Yn ystod ei hymweliad, cafodd ei chyflwyno i staff a gwirfoddolwyr Awdurdod y Parc, yn ogystal â thrigolion lleol wrth iddi gael ei thywys o amgylch Castell Caeriw a chrwydro ar hyd Llwybr Cenedlaethol Freshwater East sy’n rhan o Lwybr Arfordir Sir Benfro.

Dywedodd y Cynghorydd Paul Harries, Cadeirydd Awdurdod y Parc Cenedlaethol:

“Rydyn ni’n falch o allu dangos i’r Dirprwy Weinidog yr amrywiaeth eang o waith sy’n cael ei wneud gan ein staff diwyd a’r holl brosiectau gwahanol rydyn ni’n gweithio arnyn nhw gyda gwirfoddolwyr.

“Roedd yr ymweliad yn fodd i ni ddangos sut rydyn ni’n cydbwyso cadwraeth a hamdden yn y Parc Cenedlaethol, yn ogystal â sut mae ein staff a’n gwirfoddolwyr yn hollbwysig i addysgu ymwelwyr am ddiwylliant a threftadaeth gyfoethog Sir Benfro”.

Ychwanegodd Hannah Blythyn AC:

“Mae rhai o’r golygfeydd mwyaf godidog yng Nghymru yn ein Parciau Cenedlaethol. Roedd hi’n wych dysgu am waith y tîm yma yn Sir Benfro, wrth iddynt reoli’r tirweddau hyn, gan gefnogi planhigion prin i ffynnu a chroesawu ymwelwyr i rai o’n henebion hynafol.”

Ar ôl rhoi cynnig ar rai o’r gweithgareddau Tuduraidd traddodiadol sydd ar gael yng Nghaeriw, cafodd y Dirprwy Weinidog ei thywys o amgylch y Castell lle clywodd y straeon hud a lledrith am yr ysbrydion sydd, yn ôl pob sôn, yn byw ar y safle.

Yn Freshwater East, aeth y Dirprwy Weinidog am dro bach o amgylch Llwybr yr Arfordir ac ymunodd staff Awdurdod y Parc â hi, gan esbonio’r holl ffyrdd y caiff y Parc Cenedlaethol ei reoli a’i gadw er mwyn hyrwyddo bywyd gwyllt a darparu mynediad ar gyfer aelodau'r cyhoedd.

Ar ei thaith, cyfarfu â thrigolion o Grŵp FERN (Gwarchodfa Natur Freshwater East) a chyfranogwyr ym mhrosiect Walkability Awdurdod y Parc, sydd ar fin cael ei gyflwyno ar draws Sir Gaerfyrddin a Cheredigion yn dilyn ei lwyddiant yn Sir Benfro.