Leete Access Improvements

It has been a busy few months at Loggerheads Country Park working on a project to improve the Leete Path to Devil's Gorge.

The Leete Path is of important local historical significance as it follows the line of the channel of water which was taken from the River Alyn at Loggerheads and carried all the way to Rhydymwyn to operate waterwheels within the lead mining areas. On the ground it is possible to see the trough that carried the water in this porous limestone area. We know that this area was such an important part of the lead mining industry and had a huge impact on the local area in terms of industry and employment opportunities within the community.

The Leete Path project is part of a wider programme of work along the Alyn Valley that includes access improvements to Devil's Gorge, woodland management, limestone grassland improvements and the restoration of other archaeological features within Loggerheads Country Park.  The Leete Path is probably one of the most popular paths in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB and, with help from Natural Resources Wales, we have been able to invest in some of the features that make it so special.

As well as the above, the project has also focussed on making the route much more accessible for everyone to enjoy. For example, we have resurfaced many areas of the path including widening part of the route by adding revetments to make it more accessible for visitors using prams and wheelchairs as many had previously found it difficult. Furthermore, we have also replaced one of the gates to provide easier access. Therefore we hope that this will enable the public to connect further with their local history whilst enjoying the natural environment that surrounds it.

Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB Annual Forum

The annual lecture from the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley was recently held at Llangollen Pavilion.  This year’s lectures focussed on ‘Recreation in Designated Landscapes’.

Keynote addresses were received  from Rob Dingle, Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail Officer; Hannah Arndt Countryside Access Officer; Ian Owen One Planet Adventure Director; Mair Huws, Head of Warden and Access Service, Snowdonia National Park. Katrina Day, Walking for Health Officer  & Helen Mrowiec , DCC & AONB  Senior Recreation Officer. 

The hosts for the evening were Andy Worthington OBE, Chair of the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley Partnership and Dewi Davies Chair of the AONB Partnership Recreation, Tourism & Business Working Group.

It was a most interesting and informative evening with good attendance.

Denbighshire caves on camera

A television series being broadcast on S4C in the new year will feature a historic site in Denbighshire whether the oldest human remains were discovered.

The remains of 19 Neanderthal teeth, dating back 230,000 years were discovered at the Pontnewydd Cave near Cefn Meiriadog following excavations which took place over many years.

Neanderthals were a different species of humans who use to live within this landscape. Studies have shown that the teeth found have come from at least five individuals ranging from children to adults.

Around 1,000 hand axes were also found, together with the remains of other animals, such as a brown bear skull, making it one of the most significant archaeological sites in Wales.

The cave is protected for its geological and archaeological interests. During the Second World War the Cave served as a munitions store and a wall was built across the cave entrance. 

Responsible Moorland Access Campaign

Ride North Wales and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB will be launching an online campaign highlighting the sensitive nature of some of our most sensitive habitats in the AONB.

Ruabon Moor, which stretches from the Horseshoe Pass towards Coed Llandegla and along to World’s End is one of the UK’s finest examples of heather moorland and blanket bog in Wales. Around 80% of the Welsh Black Grouse population live on this moorland, alongside many other ground nesting birds such as skylark, golden plover and hen harrier. The moorland is sensitive to recreational access and this can sometimes have a negative impact on the entire area.

Degradation of heather and bilberry through trampling can lead to the loss of ground cover, which in turn leads to the loss of soil particularly in winter through the harsh conditions faced at altitude. In spring, the area is teeming with ground nesting birds, breeding, nesting and raising their young.

The responsible access campaign will highlight the routes to access the moorland by foot, bike and on horseback in order to minimise the impact to the habitat. Look out for the videos, photos and facts on our social media pages @RideNorthWales and @Clwyd_Dee_AONB to find out more about this fascinating and fragile landscape.

Discovering Limestone Landscapes

Limestone is a special feature of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and forms some of the most scenic and remarkable landscapes in Denbighshire, places like Loggerheads, Eglwyseg Escarpment, Prestatyn Hillside and Bryn Alyn.

A new publication produced by the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley (AONB), celebrates these landscapes and provides an introductory guide to how limestone was formed, it special geological features, associated archaeological features, industrial and natural heritage, together with a series of suggested walks to encourage people to experience the best limestone landscapes within the area. A copy of the booklet can be viewed at http://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/geodiversity/ , or pick up a copy from Loggerheads Country Park.

The special heritage of the limestone landscape at Loggerheads Country Park has also been captured in a short film created by pupils from Ysgol Tir Morfa in Rhyl working with artist Rob Spaull of Mediapod. (click here to view the film I need to send you the link – just waiting for one logo to go on). The pupils became film writers, producers, presenters, illustrators and camera crew, with fantastic results. A second film shows the children interviewing John Morris, the Park’s Warden about the park and his work, which has a surprising twist at the end (click here to view this film). 

In a second art project, the Community First Walking Group from Rhyl have created a beautiful mosaic designed by Julie Rogers of Illuminarte. The piece captures what is special about Loggerheads, the limestone, the Park’s industrial past, mining, plants such as herb paris, rockrose and bloody cranes bill, the birds and butterflies that are found and also the connection of the area with Liverpool and the Crosville Bus Company.

These two art projects were delivered as a partnership between Denbighshire Countryside and Art Services. The projects were only made possible through the support of the funders Natural Resources Wales, Art Council and the Sustainable Development Fund who have supported various elements of the work, delivered as part of two wider projects, Active Alyn Valley and Limestone Legacy. Limestone habitat management and access improvement works have also been completed under these schemes. We hope that these projects will show people what fantastic geological heritage we have here on our doorstep, increase people’s awareness and understanding about limestone and hopefully help care for its special features in the future.

To receive updates about the work of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, like our facebook page.

Christmas at Loggerheads

Christmas spirit has well and truly reached Loggerheads Country Park. We have a magical Christmas experience this year where children, guided by Elfie will meet Mrs Clause in her living room to receive a story and a little message from Santa, complete a woodland trail challenge around the Park, do some craft and decorate a biscuit, before receiving a small gift to take home. Public visits start from December the 9^th and can be booked at£8 per child (target age 4-8 year olds) at http://plasderwforestschool.co.uk/product/christmas-visits-loggerheads/

Why not come down to Loggerheads to do some Christmas shopping at Loggerheads Centre which has a great range of Christmas gifts available, including local food hampers. Complete your visit with breakfast, lunch, cake, tea or coffee at Caffi Florence.

And when you feel full of turkey, sprouts and mince pies, we will also have a New Year Trail to get the family walking in the New Year.

We hope to see you during the festive season, Merry Christmas from all at Loggerheads Country Park.

To receive information about future events and activities at Loggerheads Country Park follow us on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/LoggerheadsCountryPark/

AONB Christmas Gifts

Looking for some inspiration for gifts for Christmas?  How about one the AONB’s Dee Valley posters? 

We have a range of scenes from Llangollen to Corwen, including the railway in A3 and A2 sizes.  These are available from Llangollen Tourist Information (01978 860828) or make enquiries at Loggerheads Country Park (01824 712738).  You can view the full collection at www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/dee-valley-posters/

Alternatively, you could pick up one of our Local Produce Hampers which are now available in the shop at Loggerheads Country Park!