Latest news with #AdrianJones
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Powys Council planning committee chairman re-elected
Powys County Council's planning committee chairman will remain in the hotseat for at least another year. Councillor Gareth D Jones was re-elected at a behind closed doors annual meeting of the Planning, Taxi Licensing and Rights of Way committee on Thursday, May 22. Cllr Adrian Jones was also given the thumbs up and voted in to continue as the committee's vice-chairman. The role of committee chairman comes with a senior salary, which will mean that Cllr Gareth Jones will receive £9,886 on top of the councillor's basic salary of £19,771, Likewise, as vice-chairman Cllr Adrian Jones will receive half a senior salary worth £4,943 on top of the basic. The council was asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) why the meeting which was closed to the press or public had not been published online later – as has been the case in the past. A council spokesman said: 'The meeting was held via (Microsoft)Teams. 'It lasted three minutes as no change to the elected positions of chair and vice chair.' Last year Cllr Gareth Jones, who represents Llanfair Caerenion and Llanerfyl, took the chair from previous incumbent Cllr Karl Lewis by just one vote.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memories of woodland fun and the work of the Forestry Commission
Our local forests have long been hives of activity, and we're looking back at some of the events they've hosted and the organisation responsible for them. A training day for childminders at Whinlatter Forest (Image: Newsquest) The Forestry Commission is a government department responsible for the management of publicly owned forests and the regulation of both public and private forestry in England. Forestry Commission harvest and site supervisor Paul Allen with a £300,000 harvester (Image: Newsquest) It was established in 1919 to expand Britain's forests and woodland, which had been severely depleted during the First World War. The commission bought large amounts of agricultural land on behalf of the state, eventually becoming the largest manager of land in Britain. Adrian Jones, manager at the Forestry Commission at Whinlatter (Image: Newsquest) Today, the Forestry Commission is divided into three divisions: Forestry England, Forestry Commission and Forest Research. Over time, its purpose broadened to include many other activities beyond timber production. ADVERTISEMENT Shane Lowe, 16, of Tebay, won the prestigious John Muir Trust Conserver Award thanks to his work with the Forestry Commission (Image: Newsquest) One major activity is scientific research, some of which is carried out in research forests across Britain. Recreation is also important, with several outdoor activities being actively promoted. Protecting and improving biodiversity across England's forests are a further part of the Forestry Commission's remit. Bike specialist Cyclewise Whinlatter and the Forestry Commission created two new courses for the young mountain bike enthusiast (Image: Newsquest) Before the setting up of separate bodies for Scotland, the organisation managed almost 700,000 hectares (about 1.7 million acres) of land in England and Scotland, making it the country's biggest land manager. Brownies from Cleator Moor teamed up with the Forestry Commission to mark their centenary and help make the area greener (Image: Newsquest) Deforestation was the main reason for the creation of the commission in 1919. Britain had only five per cent of its original forest cover left and the government wanted to create a strategic resource of timber. ADVERTISEMENT Claire Steel and Savannah Carruthers, three, from Workington meet The Gruffalo on the Forestry Commission's trail (Image: Newsquest) Since then forest coverage has doubled and the commission's remit expanded to include greater focus on sustainable forest management and maximising public benefits. Woodland creation continues to be an important role of the commission, and it works closely with government to achieve its goal of 12 per cent forest coverage by 2060, championing initiatives such as The Big Tree Plant and Woodland Carbon Code. Tawny owl numbers were soaring at the Forestry Commission's Kielder Forest (Image: Newsquest) The Forestry Commission is also the government body responsible for the regulation of private forestry in England; felling is generally illegal without first obtaining a licence from the commission. It is also responsible for encouraging new private forest growth and development. Part of this role is carried out by providing grants in support of private forests and woodlands.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
Step, snack, sit: Bank holiday walks and picnic spots
While many in the country flock to busy parks and beer gardens, some may prefer the off-the-beaten-track this bank holiday weekend. The West Midlands is home to dozens of nature reserves that offer picturesque viewings and escapism. With a backpack, flask of tea and a sandwich or two, West Midlands' nature guides have shared their favourite spots, perfect for a gentle walk during the long weekend. Clent Hills, Ashlawn Cutting, Clowes Wood and Swift Valley are some walking routes that are wildlife-rich and accessible for all walkers to enjoy. Adrian Jones from the National Trust has loved the outdoors since he was a little boy. Now 74-years-old he still finds joy in the discovery of new walking routes and comfort in those he has walked dozens of times. Clent Hills in Worcestershire is Mr Jones recommended spot to visit, offering panoramic views over the Cotswolds, Shropshire Hills and Welsh borders. "I've been walking up those hills since I was five with my parents, and I never get tired of the views. "The bluebells are magnificent in the woodland areas, leaving a typical carpet of blue right across and covering underneath the trees - it is breathtaking." Although the majestic bluebells will capture anyone's attention, Mr Jones warns to pay attention to the surroundings. "There are lots of paths that sort of meander off the hill, and there aren't a massive number of signposts on the smaller paths, which is why many people like to keep to the summit of the hill," he said. Visitors can easily access the hills from Nimmings Wood car park. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust health and wellbeing manager, Anna Wright, said Clowes Wood, in Solihull, is her favourite route because of the mix of old trees with beautiful features in the trunks. "There's a tree I've always called the hugging tree, since I was about four. "It's grown up with a solid trunk in the middle, and stems out looking like it's got two arms, and in front of it is another tree. "I still get the same excitement and welcoming feeling, like I'm going home, when I walk the route," she said. Karl Curtis, the Director of Nature Reserves, said Ashlawn Cutting offers wildlife lovers a treat where birds, butterflies and insects are expected to be seen on the trail. The nature reserve in Rugby was restored from a railway line. "It sounds awful a disused railway line but it's this wonderful green vein that has become a green artery that comes from the middle of rugby out to the countryside," he said. He added although the outdoors is do be enjoyed, that is only made possible if everyone is mindful. "Be a responsible dog walker as this time of year, we have lambs and birds nesting on the ground. "People need to take more ownership of their litter because the more time we spend having to clean up after other people it stops us from doing the good work, making sure our spaces are good for wildlife and accessible for people," Mr Curtis said. Mrs Wright said being outdoors, whether in the sun or rain, the benefits are undeniable. "We are built to be out outside, not to be inside four walls all the time, and it really does give the chance to awaken your senses in new and different ways." Recommended walking routes across the West Midlands: Clent Hills Oakley Wood Clowes Wood Leam Valley Ashlawn Cuttings Rough Hill Wood Brandon Marsh Parkridge Welcombe Hills and Clopton Park Swift Valley Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Six city beauty spots named among world's best Canal routes to become 'nature havens' Warwickshire Wildlife Trust National Trust
BBC News
04-05-2025
- BBC News
Bank holiday walks and picnic spots in the West Midlands
While many in the country flock to busy parks and beer gardens, some may prefer the off-the-beaten-track this bank holiday West Midlands is home to dozens of nature reserves that offer picturesque viewings and escapism. With a backpack, flask of tea and a sandwich or two, West Midlands' nature guides have shared their favourite spots, perfect for a gentle walk during the long Hills, Ashlawn Cutting, Clowes Wood and Swift Valley are some walking routes that are wildlife-rich and accessible for all walkers to enjoy. Adrian Jones from the National Trust has loved the outdoors since he was a little boy. Now 74-years-old he still finds joy in the discovery of new walking routes and comfort in those he has walked dozens of Hills in Worcestershire is Mr Jones recommended spot to visit, offering panoramic views over the Cotswolds, Shropshire Hills and Welsh borders."I've been walking up those hills since I was five with my parents, and I never get tired of the views."The bluebells are magnificent in the woodland areas, leaving a typical carpet of blue right across and covering underneath the trees - it is breathtaking." Although the majestic bluebells will capture anyone's attention, Mr Jones warns to pay attention to the surroundings."There are lots of paths that sort of meander off the hill, and there aren't a massive number of signposts on the smaller paths, which is why many people like to keep to the summit of the hill," he can easily access the hills from Nimmings Wood car Wildlife Trust health and wellbeing manager, Anna Wright, said Clowes Wood, in Solihull, is her favourite route because of the mix of old trees with beautiful features in the trunks."There's a tree I've always called the hugging tree, since I was about four."It's grown up with a solid trunk in the middle, and stems out looking like it's got two arms, and in front of it is another tree."I still get the same excitement and welcoming feeling, like I'm going home, when I walk the route," she said. Karl Curtis, the Director of Nature Reserves, said Ashlawn Cutting offers wildlife lovers a treat where birds, butterflies and insects are expected to be seen on the nature reserve in Rugby was restored from a railway line."It sounds awful a disused railway line but it's this wonderful green vein that has become a green artery that comes from the middle of rugby out to the countryside," he added although the outdoors is do be enjoyed, that is only made possible if everyone is mindful."Be a responsible dog walker as this time of year, we have lambs and birds nesting on the ground."People need to take more ownership of their litter because the more time we spend having to clean up after other people it stops us from doing the good work, making sure our spaces are good for wildlife and accessible for people," Mr Curtis Wright said being outdoors, whether in the sun or rain, the benefits are undeniable. "We are built to be out outside, not to be inside four walls all the time, and it really does give the chance to awaken your senses in new and different ways."Recommended walking routes across the West Midlands:Clent HillsOakley WoodClowes WoodLeam ValleyAshlawn CuttingsRough Hill WoodBrandon MarshParkridgeWelcombe Hills and Clopton ParkSwift Valley Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
