Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has welcomed news of a new project which will help people in Denbighshire enjoy walking and improve their local green spaces.

Ramblers Cymru ‘Paths to Wellbeing’ project has launched today and is working in two communities in Clwyd West: Pwll-glas and Graigfechan.

Of the 70 communities across Wales that applied to be part of this £1.2m project, 18 were chosen across Wales. These chosen communities in north east Wales, which also include Caia Park and Clywedog Valley, and Llanfynydd, will receive support, tools and training to help improve local paths and nature.

Paths to Wellbeing is a community led project and throughout October, the regional officers ran consultation events to listen to the voices of local people and find out more about the needs of each community.

Welcoming the project, Darren said:

“I am delighted that Pwll-glas and Graigfechan were selected to be involved in this fantastic project, which will enable local people to learn new skills to help make their community greener and more accessible to all.

“Ramblers Cymru will work alongside the Wildlife Trust Wales and Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales, with a key part of the project focused on improving nature. Volunteers will make their local area greener for nature to thrive, and it will be a great chance for the community to come together.

“With activities such as tree planting, wildflower sowing and wildlife activity days, I am pleased that there is something for all ages and backgrounds to get involved in.”

North east Wales Paths to Wellbeing Project Officer, Heather Martin said:

“Each one of the communities we will be working in has its own distinctive characteristics and history.

“Pwll Glas and Graig Fechan, two small, quiet villages just south of Ruthin in the Vale of Clwyd, have the Offa's Dyke national trail passing above them along the Clywydian range. This area, with limestone pavement habitat, sustains north Wales’ strongest populations of the threatened pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies.

“Despite the uniqueness of the landscape and one thing that really stood out about these communities was the passion of each one to improve paths and nature in their local area. I’m really looking forward to working with them to improve and establish new routes and to get even more members of the community involved.”

If you would like to find out more and get involved visit: www.ramblers.org.uk/pathstowellbeing