Opening up & preparing for the future

The past 18 months have seen an ever-increasing number of visitors to the Radnor Forest. When the first lock down period ended, it became very obvious that people needed their open spaces to revitalise and recover from the very serious side-effects of long periods of confinement. The carparks around the Forest were full, to overflowing on some days, and walkers, cyclists, horse riders, trail bikers and off-roaders appeared in large numbers. This pattern has continued throughout 2021 and into this year. It is quite clear that large open spaces like the Radnor Forest really are the “lungs of Mid Wales”.

Aerial photo courtesy of Alex Ramsay

Whether you’re walking a short distance to Water-Breaks-its-Neck and into the trees a little way, or rambling up into the great silent spaces on higher ground, the sound of running water, birdsong and bleating sheep and the clean fresh air can quickly lift the spirits and soothe the troubled mind. The positive benefits to our health from these large expanses of peaceful uplands are being acknowledged increasingly by governments and incorporated into plans for the future well-being of the population. They need to be preserved and protected.