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Immediate release                                                                                                     27 November 2012                                                   

 

 

 

Llanelli Ramblers tackle the spectacular Cambrian Way  in celebration of Tony Drake MBE

 

The Llanelli Ramblers are celebrating the dramatic coast to coast walk that makes up the Cambrian Way, devised by walker, mountaineer and writer Tony Drake MBE, who sadly passed away earlier this year.  To honour Tony’s impressive contribution to the outdoor movement -  which included over 60 years as a volunteer with the Ramblers to protect and enhance footpaths and trails -  the Lanelli Group of Ramblers Cymru will be taking on the challenging 270 mile route in stages as part of their walks programme over the next year.

 

The route covers Wales from south to north via the Brecon Beacons, Cader Idris and Snowdonia. Described as the "mountain connoisseur's route", it traverses some of the highest and wildest parts of Wales, covering every bit of high ground between Cardiff and Conwy with an ascent of 61,540  - double that of the Pennine Way. 

 

The Llanelli Ramblers will embark on the first stage of the walk on Saturday 1^st December. Starting in Cardiff’s Bute Park at 10:30am, this 11 mile stretch will follow the route past Castell Coch onto the Ridgeway. Members and non members are welcome to take part in the walk, there are plenty of opportunities to join in or drop out along the way if a shorter route is more appealing.

 

Ramblers Cymru President Jane Davidson and Director Angela Charlton will be at the event to see off the Lanelli Ramblers for their first stretch.

 

Angela Charlton, Director of Ramblers Cymru said, “This is a really important route across Wales and Tony Drake was such a pioneering volunteer for the Ramblers that we feel it is a very fitting way to celebrate his efforts for the charity. We wish the Lanelli group well on their journey and encourage others to join in along the way.”

 

John Cook, Chair of Llanelli Ramblers said, "Llanelli Ramblers have decided to walk  The Cambrian Way, which commemorates the life of Tony Drake.  Tony spent an immense amount of time and effort in helping to develop this trail through wild and scenic parts of Wales. Although the Cambrian Way has not yet been adopted as an official long distance footpath, we aim to help promote its unspoilt beauty to our own Welsh walkers as well as to our many visiting walkers."

 

Long distance routes across the country are a hugely important asset and enable walkers to access the  remarkable and beautiful countryside the Ramblers campaign to protect.

 

For more information about the event and for details fo the next stages visit www.ramblers.org.uk/wales.

 

 

*** ENDS ***

 

 

**Photo opportunity at the launch of the Walk with Llanelli Ramblers, Ramblers Cymru President Jane Davidson and Ramblers Cymru Director Angela Charlton.  Bute Park Education Centre, 10.30 a.m 1 December 2012.

 

Contacts on the day Ceri Thomas 07775 427168 or Angela Charlton 07920 092536

 

 

 

For more information call the Ramblers press office 0207 339 8531 or 07584 848083 (out of hours) press@ramblers.org.uk, www.ramblers.org.uk/wales

 

Follow us: Facebook www.facebook.com/ramblers and Twitter twitter.com/RamblersCymru

 

 

Notes to editors:

 

 

• Ramblers Cymru is at the heart of walking in Wales. Everyone walks, so the Ramblers is for everyone.

 

• It is Wales’ walking charity.  It works to make it easy for everyone to walk, whether in countryside, cities, hills, coasts and on or off the beaten track. 

 

• It is a grass roots network of over 6,000 members and volunteers who work tirelessly for a walking Wales.  For 75 years it has helped build and protect Wales 33,000 mile long path network, it runs thousands of walks every year, and campaigns for better walking routes and more walking opportunities.

 

• Direct spending in Wales on walking and hill walking amounts to about £632m each year and this helps to support about 11,980FTE jobs.

 

• Cambrian Way information http://www.cambrianway.org.uk/

 

 

Ceri Thomas

 

Swyddog Cyfathrebu a Chyllid/ Communications & Finance Officer

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