Janet Finch-Saunders MS – the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy and the Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs – has welcomed local members of Ramblers Cymru for a socially distanced handover of their 2021 manifesto, Wales for Walking – the routes to recovery.
Commenting on the handover, Janet said:
“As a result of recent Coronavirus restrictions, many local residents have discovered a new appreciation of the benefits that walking brings to their health and wellbeing. I have personally taken up Nordic walking, over recent months, which has helped me to reconnect with the wonderful paths and green spaces that can be found on our doorstep.
“I would like to thank Ramblers Cymru and members of their North Wales area branch who attended my constituency office for a socially distanced handover. This is an important document that calls for the protection of green spaces which make our communities a healthy place to live, work, and volunteer. I look forward to reviewing the document, in full.
“I am also pleased to learn that it echoes my calls to ensure that our nation’s walkers have a better understanding of how to protect and respect our green spaces. Whilst we have had an enshrined set of rules for almost a hundred years, it is abundantly clear that public knowledge of these rural responsibilities has not kept pace.
“It is why I have repeatedly called on the Welsh Government to investigate how we can better educate the public on the Countryside Code. In this modern age, there are many different channels that Ministers can use to empower us all to learn how to safely and responsibly behave in Wales’ rural regions.
“I encourage all local residents to engage with the walking related challenges that the Ramblers organisation have kindly crafted to help motivate people to head out and explore. Only by getting out and connecting with nature are we truly reminded of its importance to our health and future prosperity.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- Please find the Ramblers manifesto, by clicking here.
- Please find Janet’s recent work on the countryside code, by clicking here.
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS meets with members of the Ramblers Cymru North Wales area branch.