AM Joyce Watson has praised volunteers for their work improving the environment for others to enjoy.

Mrs Watson met the Path Minders group at Machinations in Llanbrynmair to discuss their work on Rights of Way.

Mrs Watson, whose father came from Llanbrynmair, heard how the Path Minders group regularly meets up to improve and document the network of footpaths and bridleways around Llanbrynmair and Bontdolgadfan, working with help from Powys County Council and Keep Wales Tidy.

A keen nature lover and birdwatcher, Mrs Watson said: “These volunteers are everyday heroes. They dedicate their spare time to improving local footpaths for all our benefit.

“They fit stiles, clear brambles and other growth and put up signage to make paths more attractive. They produce maps of local routes, making those routes more accessible to visitors.

“As a consequence of their work people are able to access some paths which had previously been inaccessible, which they have cleared.

“I am delighted that these volunteers have done so much to improve this diverse environment.

“This work supports wildlife and birds and is also good for tourism, bringing much needed revenue into the area.

“Demand from walkers enjoying our beautiful countryside has led to an extra 50 accommodation beds in the local area, and they are now looking at ways to encourage cyclists in an appropriate way without impacting on the pleasure of others.”

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