Find out more about web archiving at The National Archives
'); metaDataWindow.document.write('Page Properties<\/b>

'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Navigation Title:<\/b><\/td>Soldiers Assist National Trust<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Keywords:<\/b><\/td>Wales, National, Trust, Brecon, Soldiers, Army<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Description:<\/b><\/td>A Party Of Local Soldiers Have Carried Out A Task With A Difference In The Brecon Beacons National Park<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Content Contact:<\/b><\/td>Army Web Editor<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Telephone:<\/b><\/td>9621 85960<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Email:<\/b><\/td>Land-MediaComms-WebContent@land.mod.uk<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Protective Marking:<\/b><\/td>Unclassified<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
FOI Status:<\/b><\/td>Releasable<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Copyright:<\/b><\/td>UK Crown Copyright<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('<\/table>
<\/body><\/html>'); } //-->

Local Soldiers Assist National Trust

12 April 2006


A party of local soldiers have carried out a task with a difference in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

24 soldiers who serve at the Army's 160 Wales Brigade Headquarters in Brecon, deployed to an area near Storey Arms on Wednesday 12 th April and spent the day assisting National Trust staff in repair work to culverts, cross drains and ditches on two footpaths leading up to Pen y Fan and Corn Du.

The assistance forms part of an ongoing process where soldiers based in Wales and those that come from outside to train in Wales are encouraged to spend some of their spare time conducting conservation, environmental and public access work in the Welsh countryside and in particular in support of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and the National Trust.

Many conservation type tasks have been undertaken by the army in the Welsh countryside over the years including the construction of footbridges, the installation of styles and gates, tree planting, clearance of undergrowth and the helicopter lifting of stone to high and inaccessible areas in the Park to aid the repair and construction of footpaths. Local soldiers help repair footpaths in the Brecon Beacons

Local soldiers help repair footpaths in the Brecon Beacons

Rob Reith, Access Warden for the National Trust mid and south east Wales who was in charge of proceedings was grateful for the efforts put in by the team of soldiers:

"We greatly value army assistance at any time and have received much assistance from army units in the past. The help they provide is much needed in the ongoing battle against erosion on the heavily trod footpaths. I very hope the cordial relationship that we have enjoyed over the years continues."

Brigadier Iain Cholerton, Commander 160 Wales Brigade and the Army's senior officer in Wales who took part in the task said:

"The Army in Wales enjoys an excellent relationship with both the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and the National Trust and I am delighted that we have been able to assist them in this way. We are indeed fortunate in being able to carry out vital training exercises in the Brecon Beacons and we work together to ensure that military training can take place alongside but without detriment to other National Park users. It is nice therefore to be able to put something back into the Welsh countryside."