TV star Iolo Williams contributes to new walking guide

Mar 18 2010 by Eva Ketley, North Wales Weekly News

CELEBRITY wildlife enthusiasts have contributed to a new guide written by two Conwy RSPB volunteers.

Audrey Parry and Alan Gray, from Dolwyd, who both volunteer for the RSPB Conwy Support Group, produced the collection of walks.

They recently gave one of the first copies to TV and wildlife presenter Iolo Williams when he dropped into the RSPB reserve in Llandudno Junction.

Collection of Favourite Walks includes five in North Wales, with one of Iolo’s favourites, near Lake Vyrnwy in the Berwyn Mountains.

Other contributors are Countryfile’s Adam Henson with his favourite walk around his Cotswold farm and The One Show’s David Lindo with his favourite walk at London’s Wormwood Scrubs.

The collection comes in the form of individual laminated cards so they can be referred to and carried easily come rain or shine.

As Audrey explains: “I was delighted to get so many positive responses from well known people, and this guide will give visitors to North Wales a chance to follow in their footsteps.”

Funds raised from the guide go towards the work of the RSPB Conwy Support Group, which recently funded an upgrade to the footpaths at the popular nature reserve to make it easier for visitors using pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

New seating has also been donated to the reserve by the stallholders of the popular gardeners’ market held on the site.

The new seating will replace the old wooden benches previously used in the Tal y Fan and Carneddau viewing hides. The seats are brightly coloured, give extra height to children, are more comfortable and can be easily moved compared to the old wooden benches they replace.

Collection of Favourite Walks is available from the RSPB Conwy visitor centre shop for a suggested donation of £4.50.