Latest news with #OwenDerbyshire
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Yahoo
Mountain rescuers halt training to clear up litter
A mountain rescue team have said they were "heartbroken" to have to "down tools" to clean up rubbish including disposable barbecues during a training session at a beauty spot. Volunteers from the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team were out in the area known as Waterfall Country in the Bannau Brycheiniog national park when they spotted litter strewn across the ground. In a post on social media, the team said they were "forced to down tools – but not for a rescue". "Our volunteers give their time to help people in need. Picking up after others shouldn't be part of the job but sadly, it's becoming more common," the volunteers said. Litter fears as TikTok sparks forest visitor surge Instagram tourists urged to respect beauty spot "In one of Wales' most beautiful areas, it was heartbreaking to see nature treated as a dumping ground. "Training was paused as our volunteers gathered as much rubbish as they could safely carry out." The team said they also found plastic bottles, crisp packets and broken glass strewn across the landscape. They warned litter "not only spoils the landscape, it's dangerous for wildlife, livestock and other visitors". They urged visitors to Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons, to "follow the simple leave no trace principle: whatever you bring with you, take it home". The "Instagrammable" national park is visited by about four million people each year and, last summer, the authority urged tourists to research and respect the area. Keep Wales Tidy said recent figures showed fast food packaging was found on 26.4% of streets and drinks litter on 43.6%, saying this was "a clear sign that throwaway culture is taking a toll on every corner of Wales". It warned litter "continues to blight communities, threaten wildlife and damage our precious natural environment". The organisation has teamed up with content creators across Wales to help spread the message to new audiences via social media. Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy chief executive, said it was "unacceptable that areas of such outstanding beauty are being disrespected in this way, putting wildlife, people and our fragile ecosystem at risk". He added: "We're saddened that mountain rescue volunteers had to come face to face with the growing problem of litter in one of Wales' most beautiful and fragile landscapes. "Their experience in Waterfall Country is, sadly, all too familiar." Ceredigion-based ecologist and content creator, Joe Wilkins, who does the Sandwich with a View series on Instagram, said: "As someone who loves Wales and encourages people to explore our wonderful nation responsibly, I know how vital it is that we keep these special places litter-free. "Nature in Wales is under pressure from many threats beyond our control, but taking our litter home is one simple action we can all take to help wildlife recover and thrive. "Let's make memories, not mess." 'Leave barbecues at home' Natural Resources Wales has also urged visitors to Wales' green spaces to enjoy the outdoors responsibly this summer. "To prevent wildfires from igniting, do not light campfires, discard cigarettes or leave litter in the countryside, especially glass bottles," it said. It said barbecues should be left at home in dry weather or only used in designated spaces where signs say they are allowed, before being put out and disposed of responsibly once the ashes are cold. They also urged people to stay safe around water, adding waterfalls were dangerous places to swim due to strong currents. More like this story Litter 'nightmare' as street cleanliness worst on record Man with hypothermia rescued from mountain peak Woman rescued after fall in ravine
Powys County Times
17-07-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Powys hospital first in Wales to receive Green Flag Award
A Powys hospital has become the first in Wales to receive a Green Flag Award. Bronllys Hospital received the award from Keep Wales Tidy during a ceremony attended by staff, the director of allied health professions at Powys Teaching Health Board, and the CEO of Keep Wales Tidy. The Green Flag Award, now in its third decade, recognises well-managed parks and green spaces across 20 countries. Claire Madsen, director of allied health professions at Powys Teaching Health Board, said: "Bronllys Hospital has a long history of using its green spaces to benefit patients and staff. "From our woodland walk to our new partnership with Flora Cultura to enable patients to get involved with gardening, as well as our veterans garden, we try to ensure that as much of the hospital site is available for staff and patients. "I am very proud to receive Keep Wales Tidy's Green Flag Award and we hope to continue a partnership for the future." Owen Derbyshire, chief executive of Keep Wales Tidy, said: "Congratulations to everyone at Bronllys Hospital on achieving a Green Flag Award – a fantastic recognition of your commitment to creating and maintaining high-quality green space. "Bronllys is currently the only hospital site in Wales to hold a full Green Flag Award, and that's something truly worth celebrating. " It's a powerful example of how healthcare settings can provide not just medical care but also access to nature and green space that supports the wellbeing of patients, staff and the wider community."
Business News Wales
15-07-2025
- General
- Business News Wales
Neath Port Talbot Parks Recognised with 2025 Green Flag Awards
Parks and green spaces across Neath Port Talbot have reached the high standards required to fly the Keep Wales Tidy Green Flag. The environmental charity has revealed the sites across Wales which have won the 2025 Green Flag and Green Flag Community awards including the following in Neath Port Talbot: Gnoll Estate Country Park (Full Award) Margam Country Park (Full Award) Swansea University Bay Campus Grounds (Full Award) Talbot Memorial Park (Full Award) Victoria Gardens (Full Award) Amman Valley Trotting Club (Community Award) Cilybebyll Community Growers (Community Award) Craig Gwladus Country Park The Friends and Neighbours Centre, Neath Gardd y Pobl, Neath Sandfields Community Garden Cwmafan Community Orchard (Community Award) Glantawe Riverside Park (Community Award) Vivian Park Nature Garden (Community Award) The Lane Community Garden (Community Award) A Neath Port Talbot Council spokesperson said: 'These awards signify parks and community green spaces which have met very high standards and they represent a reward for outstanding environmental and gardening efforts and the maintenance of excellent visitor facilities. 'These are awards are due to a great team effort from our dedicated staff and from many hard working, much appreciated volunteers from our local communities. 'As well as thanking all involved, this year I would particularly like to thank those who are responsible for our new Community Award winning parks and gardens at Craig Gwladus Country Park, the Friends and Neighbours Centre, Gardd y Pobl and Sandfields Community Garden.' Now in its third decade, the Green Flag Award recognises well-managed parks and green spaces in 20 countries around the world. Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy's Chief Executive, added: 'We're thrilled that green spaces managed by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council have once again achieved the prestigious Green Flag status – a true testament to the dedication and hard work of the many staff and volunteers who care for them. 'High-quality green spaces are essential to the physical and mental wellbeing of communities across Wales, and to have these sites recognised as among the best in the world is a remarkable achievement. Congratulations to everyone involved.'
Wales Online
15-06-2025
- Wales Online
'Bring back dog licences and charge for paper cups to help tackle littering epidemic'
'Bring back dog licences and charge for paper cups to help tackle littering epidemic' Senedd members have drawn up a wishlist of demands as parties look to create their manifestos Fly-tipped waste was left on the B4562 in Pontprennau, Cardiff, recently Higher fines for repeat offenders and awareness courses for people caught littering, dog fouling or fly tipping are just some of the ideas being touted to make Wales cleaner. Other suggestions made by a cross-party group of Senedd members include reintroducing dog licences - something that was mandatory in England, Wales and Scotland until 1987. Councils should be subject to performance measures, and be checked as to how they meet targets for street cleaning too, they said. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Wales' carrier bag scheme could also be expanded and there could also be a charge for disposable cups, they suggest. The document, titled 'The Wales We Want To See', heard from Keep Wales Tidy, Fly-tipping Action Wales and the Marine Conservation Society to show gaps in current legislation and explain how existing legislation could be used to keep Wales cleaner. The aim of the document is to encourage all Senedd political parties to put the issue of littering and fly-tipping front and centre of their manifestos. The suggestions are: Article continues below Review licensing and planning guidelines for fast food premises Amend the legislation to make drivers responsible for littering from vehicles (already applied in England) to facilitate enforcement and to explore the option for adding penalty points for offenders Review and amend waste licensing and waste permit system Introduction of a statutory duty for local authorities to investigate and prosecute fly-tipping and publicise enforcement successes A national litter/dog fouling/fly-tipping awareness course for all offenders Review penalties (including fines and vehicle seizures) and penalty escalations for repeat offenders to ensure credible deterrent level, including consideration for the introduction of a 'sliding scale' for FPNs and increasing penalty amounts A Local Prevention Plan which includes the adoption of a template to report progress against prevention focused indicators and continual progress monitoring Reintroduction of Performance Measures (PAM) for street cleansing and regulation for any local authorities who consistently under-perform to be supported by independent support and tailored 'improvement plans' Expansion of charges and levies such as a disposable cup levy (like the carrier bag charge) A tax or levy on fast food packaging (a discount is common on take-away rather than eat in) Consider the reintroduction of dog licences to specifically support the provision of dog wardens and promote and educate responsible dog ownership. Owen Derbyshire, CEO of Keep Wales Tidy, said: "The spike in littering rates across Wales is deeply worrying. We urgently need the next Welsh Government to prioritise bold, radical, and preventative actions to tackle litter at its source. We warmly welcome the recommendations from the Cross-Party group and hope political parties will give them serious consideration when developing their manifestos." Neil Harrison of Fly-tipping Action Wales said: "Fly-tipping Action Wales support local authorities who are working extremely hard to tackle fly-tipping and bring offenders to justice. "Unfortunately, the fines being awarded by the courts are not always reflective of the impact fly-tipping has on the environment, wellbeing of communities, and the local authority resources required to clear the waste and take forward enforcement action." In the foreword to the report, Labour MS Mick Antoniw, the chair of the group, said; "Wales is a beautiful country - still - but we are nearing a literal tipping point. Fly-tipping and littering are at epidemic levels and it's not just our environment and quality of life that suffers. It's bad news for our economy, it leads to more crime and has a devastating effect on wildlife. "This booklet sets out the extent of the problem and just how important addressing this issue is to voters. They expect government to act and they will support policies that will deliver action. Article continues below "The good news is that there is plenty we can do. Each recommendation listed will make a difference and take us closer to the Wales we all want to see. Many of the initiatives support broader goals such as promoting the circular economy, which already has cross-party support. Others, such as using technology to clamp down on those who throw rubbish from car windows could be self-funding. We are confident that all our proposed measures will attract significant voter support. "This booklet does not set out policy - that is for each party to develop - but we believe it is a good basis for developing effective, sustainable policy. We hope that all political parties in Wales, as part of their manifesto development process, will consider the issues raised here and join us in helping to create the Wales we all want to see."
South Wales Argus
07-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
New proposals launched to tackle littering in Wales
Members of the cross-party group on litter, fly-tipping, and waste reduction will put forward the manifesto proposals on Tuesday, June 10, at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay. The document is supported by organisations including Keep Wales Tidy, Fly-tipping Action Wales, and the Marine Conservation Society, who will be at the event. Mick Antoniw MS, the group's chairman, said: "Littering and fly-tipping are issues that voters care deeply about and where leadership, a more effective use of existing legislation, and a bolder approach to enforcement and penalties can help deliver the Wales we all want to see. "We hope that our proposals will be of assistance to all political parts at the Senedd in compiling their manifestos for the 2026 Senedd election." Owen Derbyshire, CEO at Keep Wales Tidy, added: "The spike in littering rates across Wales is deeply worrying. "We urgently need the next Welsh Government to prioritise bold, radical, and preventative actions to tackle litter at its source." He also said that Keep Wales Tidy 'warmly welcome' the recommendations made by the Senedd Cross Party Group on Litter, Fly-Tipping and Waste Reduction. Mr Derbyshire expressed hope that the political parties will take them into serious consideration when developing their manifestos.
