CLIVE played host to a group of eleven female walkers at the Dare Valley Country Park in Aberdare which first opened in 1974 having been created on reclaimed land with remnants of the old coal mines still in evidence in the valleys.

During the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century the quiet and beautiful landscape of the area changed when pits were sunk and villages expanded to house the workers and their families, with two major railway lines passing through the valley which were used in the transportation of coal to the coast and the ports at Cardiff and Swansea.

The Dare Valley is a classic example of a glaciated U-shaped valley gouged out 15,000 years ago with Tarren y Bwllfa at its head and four collieries were sited there, Cwmdare, Merthyr Dare, Nant y Melin and Bwllfa Dare.

They tramped over what was previously derelict colliery land in rather overcast weather with the promise of some sunshine later in the day and climbed Craig Pen-rhiw-llech and joined part of the long distance Coed Morgannwg Way where Mynydd Bwllfa lay ahead. With slightly hazy views down into the valley on one side and a newly constructed fence on the other, the site of the new wind farm began to loom up ahead of them.

Just south of Hirwaun the Mynydd Bwllfa Wind Farm is under construction with new vehicle access being created along with site roads, hard standings, ancillary buildings, cable laying and the construction of nine new wind turbines at a cost of £35 million. Work is expected to continue until the summer of 2015 and upon completion, BT will be purchasing its generated electricity to match the consumption needs of around half of its Welsh operations.

As they crossed the open moorland a good place to stop for morning coffee was located, but the expected tranquillity of the area was somewhat disrupted by the noise of the construction vehicles working on the site. They continued onwards and made their way along a somewhat indistinctive footpath and arrived at the edge of Craig-yr –ysgol, where another little used pathway eventually led to Mynydd Cefn-y-gyngod and yet another new access road to the wind farm site.

They attempted to ignore the desecration of the valley and continued on to where the views were undisturbed before crossing several fields and stiles to reach a rocky area which seemed an ideal place to stop for lunch, as the rocks could be utilised as seating.

After lunch they descended through Nant Melyn Farm from where a track led into Cwmdare, originally built to house mine workers after the mid 1800’s and continued along the road returning to the Dare Country Park with its pretty water cascade from where they made their way back to the Visitor’s Centre.

On October 4, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a 12-mile hard walk taking in Fan Gyhirych and Fan Nedd; contact Robin on 029 2051 4051.

On October 5, meet 10am at Cogan for a 5.5-mile moderate walk taking in Cefn Onn and the ridgeway; contact Pam on 029 2025 5102.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice. To follow the group please log onto www.penarthramblers.wordpress.com Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.