DECEMBER
'How to Write a Successful Grant Application' Training days:
December 13th – Elan Valley Hotel, Rhayader
December 15th – Margam County Park, Port Talbot - Postponed until 2011
December 17th – Glasdir Conference Centre, Llanrwst
TRAINING IS FREE TO MEMBERS.
The course will use a live application for a real project. We will look at criteria and project fit, outcomes and outputs, writing a simple budget using match in-kind, full cost recovery and managing the monitoring and evaluation most funders require.
To book a place or for more information please contact Angela Charlton at angela.charlton@ramblers.org.uk Tel: 02920 646892.
NOVEMBER
Ministerial Meeting with Jane Davidson
30th November 2010
Welsh Assembly Government offices, Cardiff
NOVEMBER 
RAMBLERS CYMRU SHOWCASE EVENT
Meet our Partners
16th November 2010
15:30 - 18:30
The Senedd Building, Cardiff Bay
Celebrating 40 years of activity in Wales. The event is hosted by both Ministers Jane Hutt and Jane Davidson and feature presentations from members, and a wide range of partners showcasing a diversity of innovative projects that Ramblers Cymru are delivering in Wales.
Click here to read about this event in our news section.
NOVEMBER
The Welsh Assembly Government’s Third Walking and Cycling Conference
3rd November 2010
Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot
In keeping with the theme of economic renewal the 2010 conference boasts a range of speakers who offer new and varied perspectives on their experiences of regeneration. The speakers include Ignace Schops Goldman Environmental Prize Winner and the mastermind behind Belgium’s first National Park and the Minister for the Environment Sustainability and Housing Jane Davidson AM.
Delegate spaces at the conference are limited.
If you are interested in attending this prestigious event please e-mail walkingandcycling@wales.gsi.gov.uk - no later than 21st October 2010.
SEPTEMBER
17th & 18th September 2010
Ramblers Cymru Board of Trustees Away Weekend took place at Hafan-Y-Coed, Abercrave. You can read more about this event here.
SEPTEMBER
12th - 17th September 2010
“Corrwg Hills Walking Festival”
– at Ramblers Cymru Walking Hub, Glyncorrwg Ponds
The “Corrwg Hills Walking Festival” ran for a week from the 12th September at the Ramblers Walking Hub based at Glyncorrwg Ponds, Glyncorrwg. This was the latest development in this innovative pilot project – the first of its kind to be run by Ramblers Cymru.
The Walking Festival attracted over 70 people from as far afield as Whitland in Carmarthenshire, especially after a mention on BBC1 Wales Weather report by Derek Brockway, and was launched by Dr Brian Gibbons AM. A range of walks were organised to appeal to as many people as possible from an easy low level 4 miles to a more intense 15 mile hike along the Coed Morgannwg Way alongside a navigation workshop run by staff from Blacks who supported the event through the week.
AUGUST
Eisteddfod
Ramblers People's Collection Wales presentation, with eTrails. More info soon.
JULY NEW
Volunteer Training Event
Ramblers Cymru and Monmouthshire County Council in association with LANTRA are piloting a series of training events starting in July and finishing in August.
Programmes below
Map reading surveying and waymarking skills course
Course 1. Monday 10 August Venue: TBC
Course 2. Thursday 12 August Venue: TBC
Gate and Stile Construction
Course 1. Wednesday 4 August Venue: TBC
Course 2. Thursday 5 August Venue: TBC
Course 3. Friday 6 August Venue: TBC
Footbridge Construction Course
Course 1. Tuesday 20 July Venue: County Hall Cwmbran/Raglan
Course 2. Wednesday 21 July Venue: County Hall Cwmbran/Raglan
Course 3. Thursday 22 July Venue: County Hall Cwmbran/TBC
Course 4. Tuesday 10 August Venue: County Hall Cwmbran/TBC
If you are interested and would like to book a place please contact
Adam Rourke ajrcountryside@tiscali.co.uk
July 
Minister Jane Davison opens path
Walkers, cyclists, families and wheel chair users will all enjoy greater access to the beautiful North Wales Coast after the official opening on 1 July of a new section of the Wales Coast Path by Environment Minister Jane Davidson.
The 27 mile stretch of stunning coastal path, which runs from Prestatyn to Llandudno, was opened by the Minister at a ceremony at the historic site of Capel Sant Trillo in Rhos on Sea.
The Minister said “It is a real pleasure to be opening this new and beautiful section of the Wales Coast Path. I am confident that the path will help to attract more visitors to this stunning coastline and in doing so will provide a real boost to the local economy.
The opening of this section of path is another key step in realising the Assembly Government’s One Wales commitment to creating a footpath right around the coastline of Wales by 2012.
The opening of the path has been timed to coincide with Conwy Walking Week which was held from 1 to 8 July and featured 47 different walks. Many of these events have been organsied by Local Ramblers groups.
JULY
Wednesday July 21st 2010
13:30 - 14:30
Exciting new era of partnership for Ramblers Cymru and the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW)!
Ramblers Cymru will be joining the CCW tent and together we will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This will help both parties to co-operate effectively in areas of mutual interest, supporting the delivery of strategies and objectives in areas such as joint research and the funding of projects
At 13:40, television presenter and Ramblers President Julia Bradbury will be joining the stand, speaking about the joys of walking.
If you are heading to the show, come along to join us - you may even get a slice of cake!
JULY
Reaching Out Community Walking Project
Martin Bevan, Reaching Out Consultant, will be leading a Ramblers Cymru Three Welsh Peaks challenge with Turning Point Cymru, targeting hard to reach groups. This follows Martin successfully achieving his Mountain Leadership Training with Ramblers support.
For more info contact reachingout@ramblers.org.uk
Martin has also been working with a large administrative building for Lloyds Bank to help set up a series of lunch time, weekend and pedometer challenge based walks which he plans to initiate soon.
JUNE
Taff-Ely Ramblers team up with Rhondda Cynon Taff to walk the final stretch of the MEND summer program. 29th June 2010
Taff-Ely Ramblers brought the Rhondda Cynon Taff’s MEND program for Summer 2010 to a successful finish. Daphne Little lead the youngsters and their parents from the Llantrisant Leisure Centre up onto Llantrisant Common. MEND co-ordinator Steve Meaden was delighted that the Ramblers had helped him. Lee Davies RCT’s Walking Officer was thrilled that the children and the parents had had the opportunity to meet some of the members of Taff-Ely Ramblers and to have learned about the walking Ramblers do.
JUNE Welsh Assembly Government - Health and Wellbeing Fayre
18th June 2010
Ramblers Cymru staff James Norman and Sammy Milston manned the Ramblers stall at this event which focused on promoting health and wellbeing, showcasing the numerous ways in which people can alter their lifestyle as well those information for people who's health situation may have changed.
Sammy and James at Ty Hywel for the Health and Wellbeing Fayre
JUNE
Hay-on-Wye Book Festival
1st June 9:30 - 14:00
Why Paths Need Friends, a digitally enhanced eTrail walk. Following the river to Llowes, returning to Hay via Clyro.
6 - 7 miles long. Meet at Box Office. £5.00
Sponsored by Ramblers Cymru and Powys County Council
4th June 9:30 - 14:00
A walk concerned with the themes of carbon capture, peat conservation and reducing our carbon footprint. The walk will be led by Brecon Beacons' Warden Richard Ball. We are also expecting to be joined by Welsh rugby commentator and author Alun Wyn Bevan.
6 - 7 miles long approx. Meet at Box Office. £5.00
Sponsored by BBNP LAF and Ramblers Cymru
Contact Jesse on 01497 822 629 or visit: the Hay Festival website for ticketing information quoting Event 831 for Why Paths Need Friends and Event 832 for Catching Carbon
UPDATE:
Hay-on-Wye Book Festival Walking Event: Carbon Capture Walk
Ramblers Cymru teamed up with the Brecon Beacons National Park (BBNP) to lead a walk through the Olchon Valley. Starting as a Bus Ramble, we began at the entrance to the festival and walked over diversified terrain, enjoying the sunshine above. Richard Ball from BBNP provided us with a fascinating insight into the work landscape, including the effects that peat bogs have on the environment. Richard led the walk alongside Ramblers Cymru Chair, Helen Lloyd Jones. Members of staff Robert Hanna, James Norman and Sammy Milston joined the walk, and James and Sammy have been researching content that can later be utilised to enhance the walk digitally; as part of our ongoing eTrails project. This has included interviewing the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing: Jane Davidson and liasing with the local school and other organisations including the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and Environment Agency Wales. Alun Wyn Bevan joined us to introduce the walk and we were accompanied throughout by the new Chair of CCW, Morgan Parry.
The walk had a fantastic turn out and Richard and Helen provided us with interesting local knowledge about the area.
Sammy Milston and James Norman meet Jane Davidson AM
APRIL
Family Walking event, Cosmeston Lakes - Sunday 25th April
Cosmeston Car Park at 11 am.
This walk is part of the Cardiff Group's short family walks and is pushchair friendly. Everybody welcome to come along!
Phone 029 20 752 464 for more info.
MARCH
Welsh Council 2010 - Saturday 27th March
The Media Resource Centre, Llandrindod Wells LD1 6AH
Check HERE for a link to the Welsh Council section of the website where you will find out more information including the location map and booking form.
UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who attended and helped out with Welsh Council. We really hope that everyone feels as enthusiastic and optimistic as we do about the future of Ramblers in Wales. It was great to welcome new faces to the Council this year as well as hearing from some old friends, notably our former Director Beverley Penney who was greeted with a presentation thanking her for the hard work and dedication she has given to Ramblers over the years.
Beverley Penney receives flowers and a painting from WCEC
After the event, Beverley wrote to Ramblers Cymru:
'It was lovely to see you all on Saturday and the gifts were lovely. I wanted to say thank you but am not sure who to thank. Would you be kind enough to convey my thanks to the Areas, Groups and WCEC of course, who contributed towards the gifts and to say thank you to those who organised it.
The David Bellamy watercolour of the Glamorgan coast is on the wall near the dining table where we can all enjoy it. The flowers are in pride of place and I look forward to using my voucher.
Good wishes to all at Ramblers Cymru.
Very many thanks and perhaps we will meet up walking one day - Beverley'
MARCH Communities on Foot - Friday 19th March 2010
Ramblers Cymru to launch a toolkit to promote community walking and research on developing sustainable walking communities
Time: 11am
Date: Friday 19th March 2010
Place: The Towers Hotel, Jersey Marine, Swansea
To mark the end of the first phase of the
Communities on Foot Pilot Project in Neath Port Talbot
Ramblers Cymru will be launching a Toolkit based on the delivery and lessons learned to date of this pilot.
The Toolkit is a step by step guide to establishing a similar project in your local area. It will be of interest to Town & Community Councils, Communities First Partnerships, Community Development Groups and organisations / individuals that work in the field of community regeneration, health & well-being, the environment and physical activity.
If you are interested in attending the launch contact us at:
julie.hannam@ramblers.org.uk
Please note that places are limited.
UPDATE: The toolkit launch was an inspiring success and word is speading quickly about the guide. The event was attended by a number of people from different ages and communities and was a great showcase for the sort of work that we do with communities across Wales.
Talking to Councillors about the CoF Project
MARCH
Members drop-in day - Ramblers Cymru Office, Cardiff, 17th March 2010
We are opening our doors to members on the 17th March. It will be an opportunity for members to casually drop in throughout the day between 9:00 and 16:00 where we are looking forward to chatting informally with you about the work we are currently doing and where we are heading in the future; a chance for you to get to know the staff, who works on what; while we march onwards with our charitable aims in Wales. Tea and coffee are available. If you think you intend to drop by, please send an email to james.norman@ramblers.org.uk to let us know.
UPDATE: Huge thanks to everyone who came along, was great to hear your thoughts about what we do; hope that you found the suggestions about capturing the feel of your walks useful.
Gareth & Liz Thomas from the Gelligaer Group meet the Ramblers Cymru team
Suggesting new ways to capture the social side of group walks
MARCH
Ramblers Cymru pass on the baton to celebrate 75 years at the heart of walking!
Time: 10:30 am
Date: Saturday 13th March 2010
Place: Roath Park (meeting at the Post Office, Waterloo Gardens, Cardiff)
This year, Britain’s walking charity is 75 years old. To mark the occasion, a special Ramblers birthday baton is travelling around Britain throughout 2010. In March it will reach Wales, where it will travel around the country before being passed on to England’s North West region.
On Saturday 13th March, Cardiff Ramblers will be passing on the baton to new walkers as members of the Minority Ethnic Women’s Network (MEWN) join Ramblers Cymru to celebrate 75 years at the heart of walking. First time walkers and experienced ramblers alike are invited to join the group on this scenic stroll around Roath Park.
UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who came along to make the walk such a huge success, with over 40 people in attendance from all walks of life (and cameo appearance from a pony!) we had a fantastic day. CHECK OUT THE VIDEO ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE
Penblwydd Hapus Ramblers Cymru! Staff, Cardiff Ramblers, MEWN and friends walk around Roath Park on 13th March 2010
For more information about other baton walks taking place soon visit www.ramblers75.org.uk/baton-walks
Contact Maria at the Ramblers Press Office 0207 339 8532 / 07801 749 385 press@ramblers.org.uk; or James at the Ramblers Cymru Office on 029 20 644 308
MARCH
Media Trust Cymru - Training event in Cardiff
Keep It Reel: Make Video on a Shoestring Workshop, Cardiff
Thursday 4th March 2010, 10:00 - 16:00
Venue: ITV Wales, Cardiff (Culverhouse Cross)
Get a practical hands-on intro to the skills that will help make quality video that costs little more than your time. Telling your stories in film will help raise your profile, promote your work and help your campaign. Learn to set up, record and edit polished videos on a shoestring budget.
Ideal for you if you want to use video in your work, to record successes, or to promote your organisation.
Outcomes:
* Choose the right equipment for your budget and needs
* Shoot good quality interviews, vox pops and film of activities
* Cheaply edit your film into workable videos
* Work with lighting, sound, picture, background and equipment
Speakers
Andy Collinson, Current Affairs & Features Editor, News, ITV Wales
Andy is also series editor of the award-winning Wales This Week and the highly popular Fishlock's Wales. He currently oversees the day to day running of the newsroom. Previously chief reporter, Andy has travelled the world for the company over the last 20 years. Founding chair of the Wales Council of the National Union of Journalists, Andy has been a consistent campaigner for a strong media and cultural industry in Wales. He is ITV group-wide Talent and diversity champion responsible for issues around sexuality.
Mike Bryan, Operations Manager, ITV Wales
Mike Bryan has had a long career in television working as a picture editor in news editor and studio manager. Responsible for all the day to day technical operation including camera operators, editors and studio he has a keen interest in all aspects of television production and new media.
Cost:
£95.00 charity / voluntary
£118.75 public / private
Contact: Call Naz on 020 7217 3779 or email: nazani@mediatrust.org
Media Trust work with media organisations and charities to enhance their communications and enable communities to find their voice and make it heard. For more information about Media Trust, please visit their website: http://www.mediatrust.org/about-us
FEBRUARY > MARCH
Communities on Foot Project
Join us for walks around Briton Ferry and discover hidden gems and the history of this area while getting fit for free!
The next walk will take place on Wednesday 3rd February 2010. Starting from the canal bridge at the bottom of Giants Grave.
After this a walk is planned for every other Wednesday:
Wed 17th February
Wed 3rd March
Wed 17th March
Everyone welcome!
Please email:
julie.hannam@ramblers.org.uk
or visit:
www.britonferrywest.co.uk/news.php the Briton Ferry West Communities First Website for more information.
britonferrywest.co.uk is a community website in association with Community First - Keeping in touch with the Community of Briton Ferry.
Walks from Glyncorrwg take place every Thursday starting from the Post Office at 1pm
Communities on Foot (CoF)
An innovate pilot project taking place in Neath Port Talbot (South Wales).
Participants walk in their local communities seeing it from a new perspective.
Footpaths surveyed and problems reported to the Local Authority.
Increase in confidence, health and well-being.
One participant has started working after several years raising children.
Groups have their own nicknames such as “Rambling Chums”.
Project has been reproduced by a development trust outside of the core areas.
Supported by Town Councils, Schools, Development Trusts and the LA Access Team.
Positively raised profile of the Ramblers in the area.
FEBRUARY
Media Trust Cymru - Training event in Cardiff, hosted by Ramblers Cymru
E-newsletters in a nutshell
Wednesday 24th February 2010, 14:00 - 17:00
Venue: Ramblers Cymru office (3 Cooper's Yard, Curran Road, CF10 5NB)
No-one wants to spend time writing an email only to have it trashed unopened. Get your e-newsletters read, not deleted, by making your regular emails a useful tool for engaging with your audiences, and getting them to be your ambassadors, supporters and volunteers.
Ideal for you if you want to boost your organisation's profile, and get your contacts to act on what they read
Outcomes:
* Plan your newsletters with measurable aims and objectives
* Write emails and subject lines that get opened and read
* Write content people want to read
* Get people to click through to your website
* Build your mailing lists
* Send emails that don't get blocked as spam
Trainer:
Lindsay Herbert, Strategy Consultant, Precedent Communications
Lindsay, a former journalist, is a leading strategy and content expert with Precedent, a digital and traditional communications agency with offices in London, Cardiff, and Edinburgh. Creator of the seminar series 'Creating Killer Content: Simple steps, significant results’, Lindsay specialises in helping organisations develop communication strategies that are targeted to right audience, in the right market, at the right time. A professionally trained writer and photographer, Lindsay also runs Precedent's customised writing for the web workshops, and leads the company's online publishing and content strategy services.
Cost:
£95.00 charity / voluntary
£118.75 public / private
Contact: Call Naz on 020 7217 3779 or email: nazani@mediatrust.org
Media Trust work with media organisations and charities to enhance their communications and enable communities to find their voice and make it heard. For more information about Media Trust, please visit their website: http://www.mediatrust.org/about-us
FEBRUARY
Ramblers present eTrails to Tourism experts. 5th February 2010
Mid Wales Marketing Conference
Annual Mid Wakes Marketing Conference will be held on Friday 5th February at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre. The theme for this year's event is 'Mid Wales - Marketing our Natural Resources' Contact 029 20 646 895 for more information
JANUARY
Family Walking Event: The Woods in Winter, Castell Coch. 10th January 2010 Join the Cardiff group on a magical walk around the woods of Castell Coch on a walk suitable for people with young children. Sounds like a great way to persuade the children to enjoy the outdoor freshness of a crisp Sunday in January! Contact Calum for more details: 029 20 613 909
Ramblers Walks Finder
