Madam,

In response to the correspondent in the Cambrian News (Are residents breaking the law when they dig gardens?), can I provide reassurance to everyone living in the Maesmaelor and Maesheli areas of Penparcau, or living anywhere near the vicinity of Pen Dinas Iron Age hill fort, that there are no CADW-related restrictions on domestic gardening or other lawful digging activity within or around these residential areas.

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 permits the designation of ‘scheduled ancient monuments’, and the hill fort area at the top of Pen Dinas is designated as a ‘scheduled area’ under the definition of this legal framework and only metal-detecting and digging that take place within a specifically designated boundary (which is clearly marked on the map pictured right) is therefore unlawful.

All ‘scheduled areas’ where metal detecting is forbidden on ancient monuments are readily available, with boundary maps, for inspection and reference on CADW’s website.

For more information, and to get involved with the Pen Dinas archaeology project contact the Penparcau Community Forum’s History and Heritage Group.

There have been further reports of metal detecting within the scheduled area on top of Pen Dinas during recent weeks, and it’s important that everyone who cares about protecting our designated ancient monuments is vigilant and reports any suspicious activity.

Yours etc,

Dylan Lewis, Maesmaelor, Penparcau, Aberystwyth.

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