Introduction

Purpose of the Events Guidance

Interest in and the variety of charitable, recreational and organised challenge event activities has grown in recent years and there are a great number of organisations and charities making full use of the great outdoors in Eryri – particularly on Yr Wyddfa itself. This document will offer event organisers practical advice on how to undertake these activities in a safe, responsible, sustainable and efficient manner and which are not detrimental to National Park purposes and to ensure that those special qualities are maintained.

The Eryri National Park Authority has an event friendly stance and recognises that events offer many opportunities for enjoyment in the form of outdoor recreation that are beneficial to health and wellbeing, that have the capacity to raise considerable sums of money for charity and contribute substantially to the local economy each year.

Whilst most events are well organised there have been instances of poor practice and management resulting in unnecessary disruption to local residents, other visitors, other planned events, local businesses, farming practices and damage to protected landscapes and habitats.

A well-planned event can help reduce any negative impacts whilst providing great opportunities for adventure and enjoyment in the outdoors that is of benefit to all.

Therefore, the Eryri National Park Authority needs to know what medium and larger events (those involving 50 or more participants) are being organised in the area. These include events that are organised for commercial benefit, those organised to raise money on behalf of registered charitable organisations or other good causes.

Knowing how they are planned and organised enables us to offer practical guidance and advice so that they can take place with minimal difficulty or disruption to the environment, local communities and to other recreational users.

Type of events covered by these guidelines are:

Activities on foot, cycling, horse riding that attract more than 50 participants. Activities for fewer than 50 are also encouraged to adhere to these guidelines.

General rule of thumb for events and recommended timetables for communication where necessary.

The National Park Authority does not need to be consulted over any smaller events of less than 50 persons however; we are always willing to offer advice to those groups or individuals if required.

Planning out of the ordinary activities (regardless of the group size) should always discuss these with National Park Authority officers to avoid any difficulties.

Whilst most formal events take place on existing Public Rights of Way (i.e. footpaths and bridleways) a significant amount of the land within the National Park is denoted as access land and privately owned and we strongly recommend that medium and larger event organisers liaise with landowners along the proposed route in good time (see guideline grid above).

Landowners appreciate early dialogue and given their local knowledge and expertise, they are uniquely placed to be able to assist and advise organisers. Allow sufficient time and include them in your pre event planning to avoid any unnecessary conflicts with their respective agricultural activities such as sheep gathering, lambing, hefting practices, calving, stock management, hay/silage cutting/storage, drainage works, crop drilling, walling, crop spraying or fencing. Special care should be applied at any boundary locations – these have the capacity to create problems particularly for stock management.

This is crucial if you plan, any routes on access land which are not on Public Rights of Way but are on `access land` (as described by the CROW Act 2000 and outlined on any OS Explorer 1.25.000 map in a cream colour). In this instance, you should always liaise with and obtain permission from the relevant landowners well in advance. Those areas may also include commons where joint grazing occurs therefore you will need to liaise with the relevant Graziers Association Secretary.

For access into public woodland other than using Public Right of Way (usually coniferous forests in the ownership of the Welsh Government), you will need to seek consent for any organised activities from Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Please note that other woodlands may be privately owned and permission will be required from landowners.

Natural Resources Wales

It is the responsibility of the organisers to liaise with landowners when and where required so please plan early. Kindly note that under the Data protection Act (GDPR) the National Park is not allowed to give landowner details to others.