Waterfalls Walk and AGM Results

Well hello there!

After a successful AGM and a glorious sunny walk around Rhossili, we have Jo and Tom's splendid waterfall walk to look forward to on Saturday. The fun just keeps on coming in the Tawe Trekkers! Jo and Tom have sent us a detailed and authorative preamble to the ramble so take it away guys...

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Waterfalls Walk - Pontneddfechan - Sat 16th Feb

We spoke to one of the wardens who said that the Sgwd yr Eira falls wereshut but 90% of people were ignoring the signs. It is the boulders aboove that are the problem but there should be no issue with walking under them. Not really sure that anyone would want to take the risk to the blurb is for an alternative route

Start: 09:00 at County Hall or for a 10:00 start at the Angel Hotel,Pontneddfechan Special

Interests: This site supports one of the most extensive and diverse areas of semi-natural woodland in Wales. The fauna of these valleys is well developed, and includes birds such as breeding dipper, grey wagtail, goosander, pied flycatcher, redstart, woodwarbler, woodcock, buzzard and sparrowhawk.

Walk: Starting at Pontneddfechan we follow the Nedd Fechan, which branches into the Nedd Fechan and Afon Pyrddin up to the impressive Sgwd Gwadlus. We double back to a foot bridge and follow the Nedd Fechan up the valley viewing waterfalls of differing sizes up to a picnic point. The Coed y Rhaidadr is on the West side of the River.

From the picnic point we continue Northwards to an old river crossing and then head up hill (which is the hardest bit of the walk) to cross the road which leads to Ystradfellte. From this vista you can see many peaks in the Beacons Fan Fawr to the North East and Fan Dringarth to the North West. We head down an old path that forges its way through the hedge rows towards Porth Yr Ogof and the Afon Mellte. Here there is a car park and toilets. This is the most Northerly point of the walk and we head south following the Afon Mellte.

Asthe Sgwd yr Eira falls are shut, we cross the Afon Mellte at the footbridge. However, you will not be disappointed as from the Westerly bank you can admire the full spectacle of the Sgwd Clun Gwyn waterfall. There is a viewing point from which you can see this amazing natural feature.

We then head across country over the common land, which is a bit wet at the best of times but better than walking on the road.We skirt a farm where the sheep are very friendly and head down the track, again very muddy towards Glynneath Golf Club. We follow a steep path through the woods and end upon the end of the road of Pontneddfechan.

It is short 10 minute walk backto the Angel. The walk should take about 6 hours in total. Hopefully the Angel Hotel or the White Horse will be open for teas and coffess.

Hazards: If raining it could be slippery or quite wet in a few places.Would recommend gaiters to keep the mud off.

Rating: Moderate to difficult if not raining, if raining pretty hard going in the mud.

Dogs: This walk is not recommended for our four legged friends due to the awkward terrain in parts.

Joanne and Tom

Tel: 01792202266

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AGM Results - Election of Officers

And here are the results of the AGM. Glad to say we've got more people involved this year and here's how it panned out with the positions in alphabetical order:

Chair: Jo Lodge stands down, Christian Heathcote-Elliot is elected.

Footpath Officer: This is a new position for 08. Graham Rutt is elected.

Programme Secretary: Christian stands Down and Trudi Cooke is elected.

Publicity Officer: This is a new position for 08. Adele Whittle is elected.

Secretary: No change here. Doug Morgan is re-elected.

Social Secretary: No one stands down and no-one is elected, so this position is still vacant.

Treasurer: Another non-mover. Rob Lewis is re-elected.

So here's wishing the new committee a great year ahead!

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That's it for this week. Remember it's pub week next week, and also remember to have a look at the programme on the website to see what's coming up further ahead; you don't want to miss out on anything do you?!

Look after yourselves, and each other,

Doug