The Valleys Regional Park
Parc Rhanbarthol y Cymoedd
Site Design - Cybertyleri
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ERDF VRP PROJECT: EVENTS AND INTERPRETATION PROJECTS
The VRP project is one of the cornerstones of the Valleys Regional Park Partnership's activities. This project is partially funded by the European Union's ERDF Convergence Fund for West Wales and Valleys , Priority 4, Theme 3 (Creating an Attractive Business Environment/Environment for Growth) of that programme with matched funding provided by the Welsh Government and partner organisations.
Documentation for the VRP project including the ERDF business plan can be downloaded here .
APPROVED EVENTS AND INTERPRETATION PROJECTS
A1
The Opening of Guardian
Six Bells, Abertillery, June 28, 2010
In total, it was worth 22.7M (gross) with the project and ended operationally in 2013.
Documentation for the VRP project including the ERDF business plan can be downloaded here .
Events and Interpretation Projects
Through a tender process, bids from sponsors and VRP partners for 42 events and interpretation projects were supported with the aim of engaging and informing visitors and local communities about the natural and cultural environment of the valleys in connection with infrastructure projects being supported through the VRP. By April 2014, all projects and events had been completed, aside from one which had been de-committed and another carried out through a different non-VRP funding route making a total of 40 projects delivered in total.
The related Brown and White tourism signage scheme, which sought to provide a consistent approach to signage across the valleys, committed 250,000 to date. This was delivered through a joined-up approach, seen as key in order to achieve value, with one local authority acting as lead coordinator and applicant for the funds on behalf of the rest.
The Welsh Economy Research Unit (WERU) has estimated that for eight selected events coordinated and supported by the VRP (Six Bells 2010, Cordell Event 2010, Party in the Past 2010, Turner Exhibition 2010, Welsh Waterways 2010, Welsh Waterways 2011, Cwmbran Big Event 2011, and The Big V Festival 2011), a total of 73,339 in GVA was generated, directly and indirectly, supporting just over 3.5 FTE jobs.
The outcome of Interpretation projects, such as the installation of information panels and 'fingerpost' websites and audio trails, are more complex to calculate. However, it can be noted that a website containing audio trails, produced by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, was visited by 43,008 individuals in 2013. It is further estimated that 1.6% or 688 visitors listened to or downloaded an audio trail. Based on this information Cardiff Business School concluded that "although it is not possible to tell how many of these resulted in an actual visit to undertake an audio trail, there is a potential beneficial promotional effect of the audio trails being listened to and subsequently encouraging visitation"
C3
S01
N5
N2
N3
N4
F1
R02
C11
R1
B10
W1
G1
R02
R02
R02
R02
B02
M4
C1
C31
C2
M3
M1
M2
BG2
T5
T7
T6
BG1
B4
T2
T3
T4
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Aberbargoed Grasslands 'Mystery' Nature Trail
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Aberdulais Falls - your heritage A learning project with local communities to encourage involvement in and understanding of local history and distinctiveness, it enhanced off-site presentation and on-site interpretation. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Parc Afan Forest Cycle Route Arts
The artworks will depict the history of the landscape, habitat, community and biodiversity of the Afan Valley providing visitors with information on the local area as well as a point of interest along the route.
It will educate visitors about the rich heritage of the area while involving the local community in the creation of these artworks. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Ancient Heritage - Visitor Promotion
Ancient track way; St Derfel's Cistercian Grange Chapel site at Llanderfel Farm, Cwmbran; Bronze age cairns and Twmbarlwm on Mynydd Maen in Caerphilly; The Wenallt, Mynydd Caerphilly & Greenmeadow Woods, Mynydd Maen Cwmbran;Llantarnam Abbey and Tithe Barn; Greenmeadow Community Farm, Cwmbran ----------------------------------------------- |
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Connecting the Heritage (Merthyr Tydfil)
The proposal includes five directional fingerposts on the route indicating the two main visitor attractions along with information to localised points of interest, which will encourage visitors to move between heritage sites. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Craig-y-Ddinas Recreation Area Improvement
Interpretation Panels at two key sites within the project area. The first will interpret the industrial and cultural heritage of the site including the silica mines and iron age fort. The second will be sited to interpret the Cilhepste farmsteads and the stories and legends of Sgwd-yr-Eira. Leaflets: General marketing of the site, visitor management, and interpretation. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Cwmbran Water Festival
This water- and environment- themed event is aimed at local communities and visitors to the area, providing them with a fun day out with water-based and other activities such as walking and cycling. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Forgotten Landscapes - Interpretation and Visitor Information at the Blaenafon World Heritage Centre
Through a number of varied projects, it will bring significant long-term benefits, integrating the built, cultural and natural heritage of the area, and helping to achieve the economic, social and environmental regeneration of the wider area. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Fulfilling the Visitor Experience - Caerphilly
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Gnoll Estate Country Park Accessibility Project
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Go Wild
Over 8,000 people are expected to attend Go Wild over the next three years, learning about conservation, activities and campaigns and increasing awareness, enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of wildlife and biodiversity. ----------------------------------------------- |
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RCT Heritage Audio Trails & Interpretation The project comprises four elements: Audio commentary points for the walking trails that have been developed in three towns, Aberdare, Pontypridd, and Llantrisant as part of the Heritage Lottery funded RCT Heritage Plaques Trails project. A heritage and countryside interpretation audio trail for the Cwm Hafod Walk from Rhondda Heritage Park. Development of a local walk with interpretation focusing on the Hirwaun Ironworks and its history. Creation of audio commentary for a number of Blue Plaque and other sites around RCT. 5,000 additional visitors. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Kidwelly Industrial Museum: Bringing the industry of the past to life
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Heritage and Biodiversity of Kidwelly Quay and 'Loops and Links' of the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys
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Merthyr Tydfil Museum Events
The project also commemorates key events related to the Cyfarthfa Ironworks with an exhibition to educate visitors by illustrating a direct link to the industrial revolution, a major facet of Merthyr Tydfil's heritage. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Merthyr Tydfil Heritage Trails Interpretation Project
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Parc Slip Nature Reserve Visitor Centre Interpretation
A large-scale display and map of the nature reserve on the southern external wall of the visitor centre will act as a guide for visitors when the centre is closed, highlighting areas of interest. A leaflet will give information on each of the WTSWW nature reserves in the Valleys, promoting tourism and people's enjoyment and understanding of wildlife. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Parc Tondu - Heritage Connections The project will enhance accessible interpretation at the site. It will: Attract community cycle/walking route users into Parc Tondu and the wider valleys areas through 5 signs Make the site's archaeology more accessible through an interpretive sign board Publish a leaflet to interpret the site for visitors, and increase visitors to Parc Tondu by promotion at other local venues There will be a range of signposted activities to bring in families. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Six Bells Miners Memorial - 'Guardian' opening
10 Communities First Board Chairs and Coordinators, 7 community groups in Six Bells, 3,000 individuals assisted; 3,000 additional visitors ----------------------------------------------- |
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Valleys Cycle Network sculpture project
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Valleys Cycle Network marketing Valleys Cycle network marketing - events and promotion of the cycle projects across VRP ----------------------------------------------- |
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Tonypandy 2010 & Cordell Festival
A planned programme of events includes a touring educational play, art competition, launch of Archibald Hood Community Garden, re-installing the 'Lady with the Lamp' statue, a performance of specially commissioned musical at Park & Dare Theatre and Community Play, as well as links with the Valleys Walking Festival. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Torfaen Community Workshop Programme
This programme of workshops and activities will complement other events at the three venues throughout the year. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Welsh Waterways Festival 2011 incorporating the IWA National Trail Boat Festival The Welsh Waterways Festival 2011 with an estimated 40 boats will be held over the May Bank Holiday 201 along the Neath Canal in conjunction with Neath Canal Navigation and Neath & Tennant Canals Trust. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Blaenafon World Heritage Site - a 10 year celebration
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Spirit of Bevan - Sirhowy Sculpture
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M4 Valleys Regional Park South-Western Gateway (Coed Gwilym)
Provide visitor orientation and information boards near to the parking area and links to adjacent canal footpaths and cycleways. Renovate a disused heritage centre with fixed interpretation, temporary exhibitions and IT provision for digital information relating to local attractions Work with Clydach local history group to develop the centre as a hub for a collection of historic photographs, tracing important local families and interpretation of local industrial heritage. Market and promote events at Coed Gwilym and link to events at other hubs within VRP, particularly within the local region, such as walking/cycling events, fishing events at Lower Lliw Reservoir, and Garnswllt Activity Centre. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Green Valley Sustainability Centre Interpretation and Promotion Scheme
? Interpretation panel guide for the Green Valley Site, with links to other heritage and visitor outdoor attractions within the area: ? Locality signage points linking to the Green Valley Centre; ? Development of an interactive website; ? Production and distribution of high-quality publicity material;
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Dyffryn Llynfi Porthcawl Railway (DLPR) Digital Interpretation
The DLPR Interpretation Plan has grouped all the sites of historical significance with interpretive potential into 4 geographic clusters. These will form the focus for each element of the project for use of traditional on-site interpretation at each site, alongside Quick Response (or QR) code technology for additional interpretation immediately accessible via SMART phones. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Community e-Trails Community e-trails are part of a Wales-wide initiative to deliver local community content to the Peoples Collection Wales website. The objective of Community e-trails is to provide the very best walking experiences within each of the participating communities. Their content will develop trails and routes to encourage visitors and local communities to discover their heritage on foot. All the trails will be on Public Rights of Way. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Enhanced Community and Visitor Facilities in the Upper Amman Valley Information guides for visitors to provide a visual link as to what was once at the heart of this community and to raise awareness of the return of the flora and fauna. Upgrade and development of the club's website to tell the history of the former mining communities and a guide to the area's future development. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Parc Taf Bargoed Signage and Interpretation
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Cwmaman Sculptural Area
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Caerphilly Miners Making History Project The proposed project is unique as a tourism heritage initiative that tells the story of the creation of a 'Miners' Hospital'. The first phase of the project will build the content for a 'living archive', which has commenced with the collection of some digital stories. This project will add more stories and develop the capacity to hold addition material in the form of written information; photographs; art and creative writings at the time; and artefacts. The second phase concerns the physical display of the collection in the refurbished Miners' Centre with two rooms on the ground floor of the former Beeches building identified for exhibitions. ----------------------------------------------- |
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Ebbw Fach Trail - Signage and Interpretation
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Gren Way The proposed works are to follow on from the concept launch that is to occur in September; this will involve a plaque on Grens former house and a series of temporary Komopore boards depicting characters along the route. 2 community groups assisted; 1,000 additional visitors. -----------------------------------------------
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Cwm Garw Fechan To create a popular visitor attraction that will involve the creation of a scenic circular walk capitalising on the natural beauty of Cwm Garw Fechan ----------------------------------------------- |