Thursday 17th March 2011 Thieves steal thousands of trees
Many thousand trees, destined for the Welsh forests, have been stolen.
The trees, including red cedar and Norway spruce, were taken from
sites in the Llandovery and Welshpool areas. Neil Muir of the Forestry
Commission said: "In the past, there have been isolated cases where a
few bags have been taken, but this year there have been several
thousand gone missing, which is unusual. This causes problems as it
means more trees have to be sourced, at additional cost, which is
frustrating for staff and contractors as it takes time for the
replacements to be found." Mid Wales

Friday 5th November 2010 Work starts on Royal Welsh showground surface
A £500,000 project is now underway to replace the main ring at the
Royal Welsh showground in Powys. The work to lay a hard wearing strain
of grass was prompted by the rain-soaked events in the last four
years. A new drainage system of gravel and stone soak aways is also
being put in place. The work is expected to be completed for next
year's show. A Royal Welsh Agricultural Society spokesman told the
press that work to scrape away the top three feet of soil and to put
in drainage pipes had now started in the main ring. Mid Wales

Friday 1st October 2010 Brecon museum revamp could be funded by building sales
Powys council is considering the sale of buildings in an attempt to
fund repairs to the Grade-II star listed Brecknock Museum and Art
Gallery. The museum needs repairs to its Victorian stonework and roof.
The council have identified buildings they describe as "surplus to
requirement" that could be sold to pay for the work after it failed to
secure £2.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund last year. Councillor Gwyn
Gwillim, who is responsible for the arts, said: "These new plans take
on board the feedback from the funders on how to strengthen the bid.
We wish not only to repair and conserve this historical building but
to transform it into a museum and art gallery of the future, offering
an unrivalled visitor experience whether as a local resident, school
pupil or tourist. However, the costs will be high and in order to
realise this aspiration the council needs to raise funds to help
support the work.” Mid Wales

Tuesday 6th July 2010 Vyrnwy estate overlooking Lake Vyrnwy up for sale
A utility company is selling off a 23,000-acre site in Wales that
includes conservation areas and a nature reserve. The Vyrnwy estate in
Powys is a popular tourist destination and it is hoped will fetch
£11m. Water company Severn Trent is selling the land, along with the
several sites of special scientific interest, in four lots by property
consultant Knight Frank. The agent selling the land claims it it to be
the largest section of land to be sold for many years. Lake Vyrnwy is
a reservoir originally built by The Liverpool Corporation built in the
late 19th Century to supply water to the city. The village of
Llanwddyn was sacrificed to the water although the ruins re-appear
when the level drops during a dry summer. Mid Wales

Thursday 1st July 2010 Call for new bridge in Machynlleth
A call has been made for another road crossing at Machynlleth, after
repeated vehicle damage to a 200-year-old Grade II-listed bridge. The
side wall on the Dyfi Bridge, on the outskirts of Machynlleth, was
knocked down by a lorry last Friday. Town and county councillor
Michael Williams complained that the bridge was regularly damaged by
vehicles, and also floods in heavy rain. The Welsh Assembly Government
is now looking at options to improve it. Mr Williams, a former mayor
of Machynlleth, said: "I understand the assembly government is looking
at strengthening and improving the bridge, but I also understand
[historic monuments agency] Cadw has concerns because it is a listed
structure." Mid Wales

Monday 5th April 2010 Toad tunnels built in Wales
Toads and other amphibians seeking their breeding grounds now have two
tunnels to help them safely on their way. The tunnels, and a roadside
ditch to help them find them, have been built near Llandrindod Wells
lake to help protect amphibians on their way to mate. Previously the
road would be closed for three weeks each year to allow the amphibians
safe passage.

Powys council's ecologist, Hannah Powell, said: "The Llandrindod
population is one of the most significant in Wales, but since the
1970s numbers have fallen from over 10,000, by nearly two-thirds. Such
declines now mean that common toads are listed as a priority for
conservation action across Wales. The purpose of the ditch and the
tunnels is to provide a safe route for the toads underneath the road
to the lake where they can avoid the dangers of crossing the road,
including the steep kerbs around the lake, cars and predators." Mid Wales

Tuesday 22nd December 2009 Prisoners to work on canal crews
Talks are taking place to bring inmate labour teams from Shrewsbury
prison to help with work on the Montgomery Canal. The hope is that the
prisoners will learn new skills that will help them on release. The
inmates will work on upgrades planned for a 35 mile stretch of the
waterway.

Shrewsbury prison governor Gerry Hendry said: "There is a great
shortage of skills at the moment so if we can teach the prisoners the
required skills needed to become volunteers then it will be of a great
advantage to both them and the canal. The scheme would also give the
prisoners an opportunity to give something back to society." Mid Wales

Monday 14th September 2009 Praise for Brecon Beacons planning
Sweeping changes made to Brecon Beacons National Park’s planning service have come in for praise Environment Minister Jane Davidson. The park’s planning process came under heavy criticism after an inquiry found “serious failings” with the way a planning application for a caravan park in Talybont-on-Usk was dealt with. A report produced by the inquiry led to the Brecon Beacons National Park coming under fire from Radnorshire AM Kirsty Williams. She was joined by local councillors and planning consultants in her damning of the process and the park’s former chief executive Chris Ledhill departed his job “to pursue a new career”.

The new chief executive John Cook is overseeing the implementation of a new planning structure and said: "We have seen a huge improvement in the processing of applications, the determination rate, the reduction of the backlog and in staff morale."

Ms Davidson said: "I am very pleased to be here today to be able to highlight the significant improvements which have been made in the authority's planning service. I would like to thank all the members and officers of the authority for their hard work and diligence in securing the improvements required in the planning service.” Mid Wales

Monday 14th September 2009 Prosecution after 17th century staircase destruction
When an eagle-eyed member of the public spied the remains of a 17th century oak staircase lying in the back yard of a Brecon public house he took swift action and reported it to the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority. The National Park’s Enforcement Officers responded equally promptly and had initiated action immediately. Sadly, Mr Mahmood Ali from Newport had already destroyed the treasured staircase in removal from the Grade II Listed Bell Inn on High Street, Brecon.

Ali was subsequently prosecuted, received a £1,000 fine and was made to pay £2,887.50 in costs.

The Enforcement Officer for Brecon Beacons National Park Authority said: "We are extremely pleased to have this successful prosecution under our belts. This was a serious breach of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 and we hope the successful prosecution will send a strong message to building owners and others who consider destroying the historic value of our Listed Buildings and heritage. I would like to thank the members of the public who continue to remain vigilant." Mid Wales