STREETWISE YOUNGSTERS HELP TO BUILD NEW FOREST CYCLE TRAIL
Added: (Thu Feb 14 2002)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
A group of Neath and Port Talbot youngsters are helping Forest Enterprise Wales to construct a new section of the popular mountain biking trails in the Afan Argoed forest of South Wales. Their efforts have attracted the attention of local Assembly Member Dr Brian Gibbons, who will visit the project on Sunday, 10th February.
The young volunteers, from Seven Sisters, are part of the Streetwise project and are willingly giving up their Sunday to assist the Forest Rangers in clearing the way for a new track.
The initiative is aimed at providing fulfilling and meaningful activities for young people who might otherwise be spending time on the streets.
In addition, the Neath Port Talbot Youth Offending Team will also be assisting with this project. The Afan Argoed forest is an important focus for recreation in the area and the forest can be an opportunity for young offenders to put something back into the community and the environment as part of their court reparation order.
The groups of young people will be undertaking strenuous physical tasks such as cutting the branches off trees, clearing bracken, turning and flattening the earth, removing roots and generally making the trail safe for mountain bike riders to use. All equipment will be provided by the Forestry Commission in Wales.
Dr Brian Gibbons, the AM for Aberavon, will be visiting the Afan Argoed forest to express his support for the combined efforts of all parties in building these trails which hope to attract mountain bikers of all abilities from all over the world.
Completion of the track section has been planned in time for Easter when Forestry Rangers will lead the young volunteers from the Streetwise Project in mountain biking to experience the results of their hard work and effort.
Ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
Forest Enterprise is an agency of the Forestry Commission in Wales which manages the nation’s woodlands on behalf of the Assembly.
PHOTO OPP: Dr Brian Gibbons AM for Aberavon will be arriving at 11.30am to support this project.
Contact Dafydd Davis for more information on mountain biking in Wales’s woodlands, tel 01341 422289.
Media enquiries to Clive Davies, Forestry Commission Information Officer for Wales, tel: 01970 625866, mobile 07788 190922.
More information on recreation in the woodlands of Wales can also be found on the Forestry Commission’s website – www.forestry.gov.uk