Books, maps and other things to look at, training opportunities for businesses…
Video
Artist Sandra Masterson has worked with the Geopark on several occasions. You can view her latest piece ‘You, Me and Peat’ on YouTube – this short film compares town life and sustainability issues in our uplands. Why not visit her blog on this art/science collaboration in the Brecon area?
Sandra’s previous works include the Geoterrace at Craig-y-nos Country Park and an exhibition, ‘Space to Place’ which drew large numbers of visitors to Brecknock Museum & Art Gallery last year.
Audio Trails
Go to the National Park website for the chance to download a variety of audio-trails and podcasts at Henllys Vale and around Waterfalls Country.
Displays & Exhibitions
Waterfalls Centre
The Waterfalls Centre at Pontneddfechan is a one-stop introduction to Fforest Fawr Geopark. Its two floors tell the stories of Waterfalls Country, the wider Geopark and its international context.Open seven days a week through the summer.
National Park Visitor Centre
A new display features the main rock types of Fforest Fawr Geopark and an interpretation of the panoramic views from the ’Mountain Centre’ near Libanus.
Black Mountain Centre
A new display opened in March 2011 in the centre at the heart of Brynaman features colourful aerial photographs of the surrounding area and highlighting a long history of human influence on this landscape from quarries to tramways and trackways.
Geopark Newsletter
Take a look at our twice-yearly newsletter – the latest is Fforest Fawr Geopark News Spring 2012 - bringing you up-to-date with what’s happening in the area.
Training
Several training days for businesses are held in the National Park each year in partnership with Medrwn. Generally free to local tourism businesses.
Brecon Beacons Ambassador Scheme
An ’Ambassador Scheme’ has been developed for the Brecon Beacons National Park. As you’d expect, a number of elements relate to the Geopark and its attractions. More information available on the National Park website.
Fforest Fawr Geopark Ambassador Scheme
Those tourism operators who have been enrolled as National Park Ambassadors are eligible to take the Fforest Fawr Geopark Ambassador training. The first courses will take place in late Autumn 2012 and spring of 2013. More information will appear here shortly.
Maps
‘A picture paints a thousand words’ — the same can be said for maps which are in effect a picture of the landscape. There are a range of maps available covering Fforest Fawr Geopark.
General maps
Most people will be familar with Ordnance Survey maps — the key to exploring the countryside on foot or otherwise. Other mapmakers offer similar ‘topographic’ maps too, and at a variety of scales. Find out what’s on offer.
Historic maps
Looking at an old map can reveal what changes have taken place in an area over 50 or 100 years or more — utterly fascinating to see railways come and go, quarries and reservoirs appear and towns and villages expand. Buy one secondhand, inspect a library copy or buy a modern copy of an old map. See what’s available.
Geological maps
What’s that rock? Why do those valleys line up? Questions like these can often be answered with a map showing the underlying geology. The British Geological Survey have been publishing maps for over 150 years — take a look at what they’ve got for this area.
Books and leaflets
Geology guides
A few books, booklets and leaflets which explain what’s going on! Take a look at this list of geology guides — find the one that meets your needs.