Architecture Award. Every year we make an award for good design of a building which complements its setting. Last year we gave our Award to the Wye Valley Canoes development in the old chapel at Glasbury. Please let us know of your suggestions.

Rural Wales Award. We are delighted to announce that this year, the recipient of the Rural Wales Award will be Chris Bruce who lives near Hay on Wye. Chris is a wizard with mapping and GIS – turning complex data into visual form overlaying maps. He has been a godsend to us in visually representing the potential damage to our natural environment, its biodiversity, and its communities inherent in the proposals contained in the Renewable Energy parts of the LDP. This is complex and highly skilled work that has enabled us to get ‘one-up’ on the poor case put forward by the Council. The Award will take place at the branch drinks & nibbles party in June (see the last item below).

Annual General Meeting. This will take place at 2pm on Thursday 6th July at Howey Village Hall. (Howey is a village between Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells, about 2 miles from Llandrindod. Turn off the main road at the signpost to Howey and the hall is on your left. Map and more detailed directions.)

Chairman to retire. I shall be retiring from the Chairman’s role at the AGM and your help is sought once again please? Will you be willing to stand as Chairman? The branch has a brilliant committee who are very good at getting on with things. They support the Chairman very well and it is therefore a role that will appeal to someone who wants to guide our branch work, allow the team to get on with the detail, keep them motivated and be prepared to criticise authorities where necessary and praise where required. We have over 180 members now – by far the largest branch in Wales – someone out there must come forward and volunteer please? We also need one or two new committee members, especially someone who would like to lead on our social events.  We are a friendly and productive bunch – do come and join us.

Invitation to a summer fund-raising drinks and nibbles garden party. All members and their partners are invited to an informal drinks and nibbles garden party at the home of the branch Chairman, Peter Seaman. This will take place from 3pm on Sunday 11th June at Brynhyfryd, Scethrog, LD3 7EQ near Brecon. (Scethrog is on the A40, 9 miles from Crickhowell and 4 from Brecon. Turn off A40 at signpost to SCETHROG. Up hill for 50 yards, and then turn right at red phone box. Brynhyfryd is a cream coloured cottage in front of you. Parking around the village. Map.) We need to restore some money to our branch funds and to help in our planning ‘battles’ so please support the event. If you are unable to come, donations are very welcome and cheques should be made payable to ‘Brecon & Radnor CPRW’ and sent to our branch treasurer, Ann Payne at Glanffrwd, Llanfihangel Talyllyn, Brecon, LD3 7TL.  The event will give you an opportunity to meet members of the committee who are working so hard on the LDP, and to acclaim Chris Bruce, whose expertise in mapping and website technology has been a game-changer in our work to save the Powys countryside, when he is presented with our Rural Wales Award. Please confirm your attendance by phoning Peter on 01874 676225.

Peter Seaman MBE
Chair, Brecon & Radnor Branch,
Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales
Registered charity number 239899