Jay is a campaigner for open spaces and rights of way, and, as the former Open Spaces Society’s local correspondent for Rhondda-Cynon-Taff CBC, she has attempted to improve public access and enjoyment of their open spaces and paths. She is strongly in favour of multi use wherever possible – on foot, on horseback, on bicycle or any other non-motorised means – to enjoy getting around our towns and countryside.
As a supporter of arts and of Women’s Art Association Wales, she includes visits to exhibitions or situations on this blog as well as open spaces. Sometimes it is simply quirky things that appeal.
ossjay 
Hi
I am curious to know when part of the common land above The Darren near Dare Valley Country Park (SN9601) was deregistered and who now owns it and why the fence was built? Do you know anything about the site at all?
Thanks Alan Bateman
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Hi Alan, There should be a register of common land with RCTCBC but I haven’t found it yet online. Please email me on jaykynch@oss.org.uk and I’ll let you know. (I could do with a copy of the register anyway.) Jay
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I have asked RCT about this land – they do not have online info on common land or town or village greens. It could be Deregistered Common Land to the North and West of Dare Valley Country Park (Ref CL.116), which was void from 15 March 1993. I haven’t seen the decision, but CL116 did appear in the London Gazette in October 1968 as Hirwaun, Rhigos and Aberdare. You could find the current owner through the Land Registry (small charge online). If you believe the land should be registered then a process is available.
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Hello Jay, I’m a member of the Kilvey Community Woodland Volunteers, and just happened upon this article while researching a largely unrelated subject. Would it be possible to get in touch by email, or similar? I’d love to have a chat with you about the subject of access and rights of ways the greater Swansea area, if you’d be willing. Thank you, both in the immediate sense and for your long term efforts =)
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Dear Jay
I am a researcher at Cardiff University, currently conducting a research project that explores the motivations and experiences of citizen scientists. I would like to conduct an interviews with you, as I have not met anyone who is participating in Wales yet. I’d love to hear about your experiences as a Track a Tree recorder.
I have written a blog post on the Track-a-Tree website (http://trackatree.bio.ed.ac.uk/node/267), about my research interests and the project. If you would like to get involved, I can visit you for an interview (of around an hour) at a time and place convenient for you in 2016.
Please do get in touch and I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Ria
Ria Dunkley (Research Associate)
Sustainable Places Research Institute
Cardiff University,
33 Park Place,
Cardiff,
CF10-3BA
Email: dunkleyra@cardiff.ac.uk
Tel: 029 208 75726
Profile: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/view/62019-dunkley-ria
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I’ll be in touch direct via email after reading your blog. Jay
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Thank you Jay, that would be fantastic, I very much look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes, Ria
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Thanks Jay. I’ve enjoyed reading your stuff on here. It’s good to see you documenting life around Efail Isaf……more of us need to emulate you. Diolch.
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Hi Jay,
I too was at the Adopt a Path launch. Can you direct me to websites about the Ridgeway path above Brynna/Llanharan? I went to a public meeting in Brynna yesterday where REG Windfarms were promoting their Planning Application for a new windfarm on Mynydd Portraf just above the old St. Peter’s Church – seems Ridgeway path is within the area that they own/lease but they say ‘it won’t be affected’. I’m interested in what is allowed to use the Ridgeway path – pedestrians, horses, bikes, offroad vehicles?
I have taken up the footpaths and bridleway in and around Brynna Woods and Llanharan marsh where I am a volunteer with the Wildlife Trust.
If you have time, please contact me by email: marksteer@talktalk.net
Thanks and regards,
Mark Steer
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Hi Mike. The Glamorgan Ridgeway Walk follows footpaths, bridleways, forest tracks, common land and lanes and the rights of users depend on which type of path is being followed. For example, the lanes are usually classified as byways for use by all those you mention and also for driving horses too unless restricted, but a footpath would only be for pedestrians.
Windfarms are a very divisive issue: I liked the moving sails as we traversed the commons a bit west of Mynedd Portref last week, and I know others who are happy with a few, like spires. Open Spaces Society opposes any development on commons and will oppose this windfarm if any turbines are on the common or negatively affect public enjoyment of the Ridgeway. People are attracted to visit turbines too and the balance is not clear. A wind turbine will affect a right of way if it is too close: guidelines are in UK Government’s Planning Policy Guidance note PPG 22 Renewable Energy: a set back from roads and railways of a least the height of the turbine. The equivalent document for Wales is PG
PP & TA No.8 Wales. BHS has a useful advisory booklet on minimum distances at http://www.bhsaccesscornwall.org.uk/Wind%20Turbines.pdf and a quick google on minimum distances come up with figures from 80 to 200 metres from a right of way.
I hope that provides some info – will be in touch by email.
Jay
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What a brilliant site! Do you have a follow button as I’d like to see this regularly, John B.
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Thanks – I loved your Over the Hill too and have added a link. There should be a small dark grey “Follow” sign on the bottom right hand side. Jay
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