Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas AM opens new Cadair Idris Tea Room and Visitor Centre. Friday 29th June 11.00a.m.

Photo opportunity: Schoolchildren from Coris Primary School will join Lord Elis Thomas at the opening – they have produced artwork for the Centre.

Cadair Idris Centre, photo by Paul Williams©CCW

A cottage at the foot of Cadair idris in Meirionnydd has been transformed into a tea room and visitor centre. Today (Friday 29th June 2012, 11.00a.m.) Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas AM, Chair of the National Assembly’s Environment and Sustainability Committee, officially opens the new Centre which promises to bring a welcome boost to the local economy.

The centre, developed following consultation with local people and businesses, will be available for use by local community groups and clubs as well as enriching the experience of tourists.

The project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government and one of dozens of Communities and Nature projects in Wales to support sustainable initiatives that will bring economic prosperity to rural areas.

The Centre has been developed by the Countryside Council for Wales, as part of its management of Cadair Idris National Nature Reserve. Chairman Morgan Parry said: “The tea room and exhibition will be a welcome facility to Cadair Idris’ thousands of visitors every year. The new exhibition will add to everyone’s enjoyment and appreciation of the area by revealing more about Cadair Idris’ outstanding natural heritage – the folklore surrounding Idris and the mountain’s wildlife. The light refreshments in the tea room, run by local people, will also be welcome by many walkers and local groups as well!”

Cadair Idris Farms runs the Centre on behalf of CCW. Gary Markham, company director, said: “As Welsh hill farmers, this is a great opportunity for us to engage with the public who visit us to share our beautiful and fragile environment. I’m delighted to have been able to employ two young local people - Lee Bell and Llio Elin Jones - to manage the day to day running of the tea room. They have done a fantastic job in the first few weeks. We have many such talented and enthusiastic young people in Wales that need an opportunity to show us what they can do. This project is a very good example of what can be done for the benefit of everybody involved.

The Centre also gives Cadair Idris Farms an opportunity to share its organic farming experience on the slopes of Cadair Idris. “We hope this will help in the general understanding of the work hill farmers do in balancing food production and environmental management,” added Gary Markham.

The Centre will also become a focal point for involving local people and volunteers in work to manage Cadair Idris National Nature Reserve and will be a great base for visiting education and community groups.

Morgan Parry CCW Chairman said: “The more people enjoy their visit to the area, the more likely they are to come back and recommend the area to their friends. I hope the cottage becomes a hub of activity for the local community and visitors to the area.”

The Centre is a two-storey stone cottage, owned by CCW on the Minffordd Path to Cadair Idris, 250 metres from the Dôl Idris car park, owned by the Snowdonia National Park Authority.

A fun packed day for families is organised at the Tea Room, Saturday 30 June 11am-4pm. Nature walks and talks, exhibitions, bushcraft and much more. Why not come along? Free refreshments for all! More information on what’s going on in the Centre contact Info@cadairidriswales.com

Ends.

NOTES TO EDITORS

For press enquiries about this feature please contact Helen Evans, press Officer, on 01248 387377 or 07717225589 or Brân Devey on 02920 772403 or 07747767443.

• The Countryside Council for Wales is a Welsh Government Sponsored Body, working for a better Wales where everyone values and cares for our natural environment. More information about our work – and Cadair Idris NNR - is available on www.ccw.gov.uk
• Communities and Nature is a £14.5m strategic project, developed and managed by CCW, and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Goverment. Its aim is to use our natural environment in Wales to create economic opportunities through leisure and tourism - providing valuable, sustainable jobs in areas and communities where they are needed. For more information visit http://www.ccw.gov.uk/enjoying-the-country/communities-and-nature.aspx
• European Structural Funds in Wales: The EU’s European Regional Development Fund is part of the £3.4bn Structural Funds programmes 2007-2013 aimed at creating economic, social and environmental improvements for people, business and communities across Wales. For more information visit www.wefo.wales.gov.uk