July 10, 2007
Wales

Former AM is the new guardian of rural Wales

Former Assembly Member Glyn Davies is the new president of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales.

The former Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, who was chairman of the Assembly’s Environment Planning and Countryside Committee until April, was elected at the CPRW’s annual meeting.

He described his new role as “both an honour and a challenge” and said the need for more housing and the drive to build wind turbines had major implications for the countryside.

“Never has the physical and social character of rural Wales been under greater threat,” said Mr Davies.

“I have always lived in Montgomeryshire, the heart of rural Wales and one of the most beautiful places in the world.

It is also a place where economic decline followed by population increase and economic regeneration has always raised many concerns and challenges.

“We accept that the reasonable demands of people and businesses have to be met, but we very strongly believe that retaining the quality of our landscapes and the social and cultural infrastructure that defines rural Wales must be central to how change takes place.”

Such challenges are familiar territory for Glyn who is a former chairman of the Development Board for Rural Wales.

CPRW director Peter Ogden said, “Glyn’s energy and passion for everything rural in Wales will be a tremendous bonus to CPRW and our work as we head towards the celebration of our 80th anniversary in 2008.

“I am looking forward tremendously to working with Glyn, who I am sure will have more than a passing interest in the Assembly’s agenda and administration as it emerges in Cardiff Bay.

“I can’t think of anyone better equipped to further our causes, than Glyn.”

CPRW is one of Wales’ oldest countryside charities. Founded in 1928, it aims to help protect and improve the rural landscape and environment and the amenities of towns and villages in Wales, while recognising the importance of its indigenous cultures.

by Steve Dube, Western Mail

icwales

10 July 2007


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/07/10/former-am-is-the-new-guardian-of-rural-wales/