Anglesey Rural Development Plan · Insurance Professional Public ... “The Rural Development plan...

O V E R V I E W &C A S E S T U D I E S

2011 - 2013

Anglesey Rural Development Plan

www.anglesey.gov.uk

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Introduction

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Foreword

Anglesey’s Rural Development Plan has played a significant role in supporting rural businesses and developing a diverse range of business from the rural community. The Plan has included a number of activities to enhance the rich culture and environment Anglesey has to benefit both locals and bolster tourism. The nett effect has been to deliver increased economic prosperity. Anglesey’s local economy is dependent on the countryside, environment and natural beauty of the island. Over 20 percent of businesses on the Island work in agriculture and the Rural Development Plan has successfully helped these businesses diversify into tourism markets and the development of innovative products. In addition, the Rural Development Plan has establish entrepreneurial spirit across a wide range of the rural community. In particular, it has supported young people, developing their commercial skills and encouraging them to create their own successful businesses. Many of these businesses began in 2011 and are prospering.

Importantly, Anglesey’s Rural Development Plan provided funding Island wide and helped to enhance village communities and places of historical and cultural interest that are firm favourites on the tourist’s agenda. Work in Anglesey’s nature reserves, conservation of the Red Squirrel population and the rare Water Vole are just some of the achievements of this programme that bring economic benefits through increased visitor numbers and an associated influx of spending on the island.

The Rural Development plan channelled funding from the European Union’s European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development through Welsh Government. The Anglesey Economic Regeneration Partnership was established to access funding for Anglesey, creating and monitoring the effective delivery of the funded projects. Menter Môn, Medrwn Môn and Anglesey County Council have played a major role in delivering these projects effectively, culminating in economic benefits for the rural community and Anglesey as a whole.

This document highlights the success of the projects running from 2011 to 2013. These projects lay the foundations for long term diversification throughout rural communities. The continued success of the businesses that have been created, coupled with increased levels of tourism will continue to enhance economic growth and future employment on the Island.

Councillor Ieuan WilliamsCouncil LeaderIsle of Anglesey County Counci

The Rural Development Plan 2007-2013 provided financial support to countryside and rural communities with European funding through Welsh Government. On Anglesey it has improved: the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry; the environment and countryside; and the quality of life in rural areas. It has been managed by the Anglesey Economic Regeneration Partnership (AERP) with Anglesey Council’s Economic Development Unit taking a lead role. Menter Môn, Medrwn Môn and Anglesey County Council have been responsible for its delivery.

This document looks at the achievements of the Rural Development Plan on Anglesey between 2011 and 2013. Through Six key projects, each with their own set of objectives, it supported small businesses, increased tourism and helped young people stay on the island rather than seeking career opportunities elsewhere.

Anglesey’s Rural Development Plan has fostered an entrepreneurial spirit across the island helping to create thriving businesses. The Rural Development plan has also successfully encouraged tourism by supporting businesses that have developed tourism related products and services from showcasing historic and geologically unique areas on the island to developing local facilities. Other successes that have bought communities together and engendered economic regeneration include conservation projects safeguarding habitats and wildlife for locals and tourists to enjoy.

Anglesey Rural Development PlanOVERVIEW AND CASE STUDIES 2011-2013



Anglesey Rural Development PlanOVERVIEW AND CASE STUDIES 2011-2013 43

ECONOMIC SPOTLIGHT

Gross Added Value (% of UK)

Job Seekers Allowance

Percentage of working people claiming job seekers allow-ance for more than 12 months (2013)

WALES ANGLESEY

Average Gross Weekly Earnings

WALES£455.10

WALES£475.30

ANGLESEY£431.70

ANGLESEY£446.70

2011 2013

Agriculture

Manufacturing

Construction

Wholesale

Education

Transport

Accommodation & food service

Information & Communication

Human Health

Financial & Insurance

Professional

Public administration

Sectors by Employment (2011)

3.1%

7.7%

8.8%

14.4%

11.2%

5.2%

6.9%

1.5%

15%

1.1%

3.6%

9.1%

Business birth and death(% of active enterprises in Anglesey)

2011 2013

8% 11%

10% 8%

Sector EmploymentHigher Value Industry in Anglesey (e.g. Managerial, professional)

Medium value (e.g. skilled , Technical)

Lower Value (e.g. Processing , Administration)

Business size on Anglesey (2011)

Large (>20 employees)

Medium (10-19 employees)

Small (5-9 employees)

Micro (<5 employees)

23.3% 6.2%

28.3% 8.1%

48.4%11.3%

74.4%



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ADFYWIO PENTREFOL PROJECT• Supported 17 Schemes• Growing Villages• Developing community Pride

GWASANAETHAU BRO PROJECT• Establishing third sector businesses• Enhancing inclusive societies• Funded 44 projects run by 23 organisations

MENTERGARWCH PROJECT• Engaging young people• Tapping entrepreneurial spirit• Created 20 businesses

MONA NATURA• Enhancing Anglesey’s natural beauty• Stimulating Tourism• Conserving wildlife

MONAMAETH PROJECT• Diversification from Agriculture• Eight growing businesses

YMWELD A MÔN PROJECT• Attracting independent explorers• Promoting unique geology• Developing walking and cycling

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A5025

A5025

A545A5

A5

A4080A4244

A4085

A55A55

Bontnewydd

Llanrug

AberffrawMalltraeth

Rhosneigr

Gwalchmai

LlanfaethluMoelfre

Llanerchymedd

PentraethLlangoed

ValleyTrearddur

Llandygai

Bethesda

Llanberis

Penmaenmawr

LlanfairfechanBeaumarisLlangefni

Amlwch

Benllech

Y Felinheli

Cemaes

Menai Bridge

Holyhead

Caernarfon

Bangor

Cartographics ML/47/14.15 RDP Projects

Isle of Anglesey

Rural Development Plangrant funded projects

Monamaeth

Mentergarwch

Ymweld a Môn

Gwasanaethau Bro

Adfywio Pentrefol

Mona Natura

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Where We Made a Difference

Rural Development Plan, Business Plan 1 Projects (2007-2011): Projects Total Project cost RDP Funding

Outdoor Pursuits £177.797 £133,530Rural Coastal £330,000 £264,000Rural Services Social Enterprise £240,000 £180,000Town & Village Environments £330,000 £255,000Natural Environments £225,000 £165,000Mona Antiqua £240,000 150,000 Rural Tourism £300,000 £239,820Copper Kingdom £270,000 £210,000

Rural Development Plan, Business Plan 2 Projects (2011-2013):Projects Total Project cost RDP Funding

Adfywio Pentrefol £256,000 £206,000Gwasanaethau Bro £328,000 £240,000Mentergarwch £339,000 £330,000Mona Natura £282,000 £225,000Monamaeth £280,000 £224,000 Ymweld a Môn £686,000 £549,000

6Anglesey Rural Development Plan

OVERVIEW AND CASE STUDIES 2011-2013Anglesey Rural Development PlanOVERVIEW AND CASE STUDIES 2011-2013



Nia Roberts is a mum who is passionate about children’s play and the benefits it brings not only for the children, but the parents too as they come together to keep an eye of their kids and socialise. Parc Bryn Pandy in Llangefni was once a derelict field with a couple of swings in it. Now, thanks to the hard work of Nia, the Parc Ffrindiau Pandy group she formed, and funding through the Rural Development Plan, Parc Bryn Pandy has been transformed into a Park with an all-weather football pitch and a natural play area in which the play equipment is set and a bounce trail.

“Children love this park and use it daily. It has also become a recognised focal point in the community with a wide range of events being held here from play days to martial arts demonstrations and Jubillee lunches. Importantly, the park looks and feels like a children’s play area, so the community understands it is no longer just a field to walk their dog and are bringing their families here and looking after it. We are all very proud of the parc and how it has brought us all together,” reflects Nia.

ADFYWIO PENTREFOL PROJECT

Adfywio Pentrefol provided funding to help rural community groups improve their local environment. The project has financially supported 17 schemes across the island that have improved the rural life of over 46,000 residents and 6,800 children. Adfywio Pentrefol has developed a deeper sense of community and belonging, stimulating a pride and community spirit that has seen a number of villages grow as they become desirable locations to live, work and play.

Case Study

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A Flood of PrideADFYWIO PENTREFOL PROJECT

Prior to 1812, the Cefni Estuary extended from Malltraeth to Llangefni. John Rennie and Thomas Telford designed a mile long sea embankment incorporating tidal doors that close automatically with the flow of the tide. The Tidal Doors’ operation and maintenance is still a key part of the tidal defences today. In 2010, the last set of Tidal Doors to the original 1812 design were removed and replaced. These were believed to have been in place since 1900, having been refurbished in the early 1950’s, and only the second set to have been in place on the mouth of the Menai Drain. The historical importance of these doors, built to the original 1812 design and specification, was recognised by the local community regeneration group. With funding from the Rural Development Plan, the doors are mounted in their original timber frame within two stone pillars metres away from their original location, directly adjacent to the Anglesey Coastal Footpath. A stone plinth was built in front of the structure in which the doors are located, on which are mounted three information panels. In the opinion of Dafydd Jones, the Chairman of the Community Group Malltraeth Ymlaen, it highlights to locals and tourists the heritage and beauty of the area and is generating a real pride in Malltraeth.

1 Lets Play TogetherADFYWIO PENTREFOL PROJECT

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Case Study



Case Study

The Anglesey Coastal path provides a popular walking route for visitors and local people alike. Along the coastal path between Molfre and Lligwy is the site of the old Bryn Wylfa Coastguard lookout station. The station was demolished over 30 years ago and all that was left was a set of concrete slabs and an unsightly bench. “The Rural Development plan funded a project to transform the site of the old Coastguard lookout into a real feature on the coastal path that celebrates the history of the site. With additional funding from Anglesey Charitable Trust, and Medrwn Môn the project commenced, managed by the Molfre Partnership,” said Derlwyn Hughes of Medrwn Môn. The site is now

home to a striking piece of modern abstract art, set on a hard standing viewing platform, which reflects the island’s heritage. “It instils a real sense of pride from people in the village who enjoy it to the local contractors, artists and community group that made it possible. Local businesses from the Aber quarry who provided the stone to Arwel Griffith and Gary Thomas, the local craftsmen who build the viewing platform, invested skill and love into making this project special and a permanent reminder of our beautiful village,” concludes Derlwyn.

The red squirrel project on Anglesey has been running since 1998 when just 40 red squirrels were left on the island, hiding out in Pentraeth Forest. An extensive programme of systematic trapping saw grey squirrels removed from the Island and Red Squirrels re-introduced. Anglesey is now home of 700 red squirrels. The battle to keep red squirrels safe continues with regular monitoring and trapping of any grey squirrels making their way back to the island from Gwynedd. “Without a maintenance programme I estimate it would take just three years for grey squirrels to become established again on Anglesey,” reports Craig Shuttleworth, a Director of Red Squirrels Trust Wales. The Rural Development plan funding has played a significant role in raising awareness of the programme, engaging the public to report grey and red squirrel sightings and establishing revenue streams through commercial activities. “The funding has allowed us to develop a website, a mobile App and establish an interactive presence on social media. The App enhances the tourist experience while gathering useful data,” reflects Craig. The Rural Development Plan also funded a vehicle and allowed the Trust to explore effective revenue generating opportunities establishing a range of innovative and branded products. “One of our best sellers is our branded line of sweets. Tourists and locals alike can enjoy a treat knowing they are supporting the continued welfare of the red squirrel on Anglesey,” confirms Craig.

GWASANAETHAU BRO PROJECT

Since March 2011, Gwasanaethu Bro funded 44 projects run by 23 organisations. Gwasanaethau Bro stimulated charities, social enterprises, voluntary and community organisations to create wealth through establishing businesses and begining trading. Projects helped to benefit the lives of a wide cross section of Anglesey’s community from disabled people to young entrepreneurs, building business skills and generating prosperity. Projects such as the establishment of a café in Holyhead’s Breakwater Country Park, run by a social enterprise that works with people with learning difficulties, also generated employment on the island with the creation of seven jobs as the business grew..

4Squirrel Success is SweetGWASANAETHAU BRO PROJECT

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3 Moelfre Coastguard StationADFYWIO PENTREFOL PROJECT




Holyhead and Anglesey Weight Lifting and Fitness Centre (HAWFC) has a track record for training weight lifting champions. This is not surprising as it is the brain child of former Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Ray Williams. Based in Holyhead, it opens its doors to anyone wanting to exercise, lose weight and get fit. The Rural Development Fund is helping HAWFC take fitness to other communities across Anglesey. “Holyhead is to the South of the Island, so it’s not convenient for everyone to come to us. I’m dedicated to getting the whole of Anglesey fit, so I wanted to develop a programme that takes the opportunity to them,” explains Ray. HAWFC has developed a ‘Functional Fitness’ programme and is touring the island with it. Functional Fitness involves exercising with a range of equipment beyond the running machines and weight machines found in conventional gyms. It helps people train for activities they do in normal daily life using ropes, free weights and kettle bells.

“Our training programmes are popular with women, men and children participating. Many women have joined when they realise that our resistance training helps weight loss, toning and sculpting the body rather than building big muscles. The training programmes include a variety of components to improve fitness and we vary them to keep them interesting. People leave with the satisfaction that they have completed an hour of sustained exercise for their level of ability and have had fun,” reveals Ray.

The outreach programme has proved popular with up to 50 people coming to each session across the island. The number of people attending and the number of regular sessions being held continues to grow since it began in May 2013. “We are committed to providing affordable fitness for all and HAWFC is achieving this through innovative entrepreneurship combined with a social conscience that constitutes the heart of our business,” concludes Ray.

Case Study6A Crafty Social Business with Cake

GWASANAETHAU BRO PROJECTCase Study

Anglesey Good Gifts in Dulas is a collective of caring adults who have combined creative talents to form a unique business in which people can feel welcome, valued and increase their self-esteem. The Rural Development Plan funded the development of the building they trade from, selling crafts and running a café, providing the essential facilities to make operating their business possible. Georgina Melling, Company Secretary, has seen the enterprise grow over the last 2 years. “Anglesey Good Gifts started with twelve volunteers contributing crafts for sale and providing an accepting and nurturing environment in which adults with special needs can participate in helping make a business run at their own pace, making valuable contributions where they can. The new facility provides opportunities for vulnerable adults to blossom. We are an open hearted organisation that is truly inclusive, providing a therapeutic place where business is combined seamlessly with a listening ear and time for people,” reflects Georgina.

Anglesey Good Gifts’ volunteers sell a wide range of craft products from talented artists across the learning spectrum. The funding provided a focal point for activities and in just 2 years 12 people has grown to 120 people contributing crafts for sale with profits contributing to hosting art therapy groups, music workshops and crafting activities that provide opportunities for vulnerable adults to develop their creative talents. “Whether working in the shop or making products for sale, adults with special needs are finding a place in our business and society where their talents are recognised and valued. The Rural Development plan has given us a home from which a range of talented hard working people are creating something special in our community,” concludes Georgina.

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Moving the WeightGWASANAETHAU BRO PROJECT

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The Fashion academy, run by former fashion designer Sian Gittins, proved a popular academy particularly with girls. Over two years they gained a real insight into the fashion industry. A number of themes from ‘Pop star’ to ‘recycling’ provided inspiration for garment designs. The academy researched materials and the cost of producing a garment. After producing paper patterns sophisticated technology, such as a laser cutter, were used to cut materials to the pattern.

The academy looked at the commercial aspects of the fashion industry including pricing, profit margins, promotion and marketing. Visiting fashion shows

provided an understanding of the importance of promoting to sell new lines and holding their own fashion shows gave the academy experience of running them. The academy put the shows together from the ground up including booking models, working on hair and make-up, music and choreography.

The Academy has stimulated one of its members to take up fashion as a career and is currently studying Fashion and Marketing at college. Everyone at the academy has developed an understanding of the many different skills and commercial considerations required to be successful in the world of fashion.

MENTERGARWCH PROJECT

Anglesey is recognised as a tourist destination, but struggles to keep high achieving young people on the Island. Few return from University, seeking careers elsewhere as they perceiving career opportunities to be limited on the island. The Mentergarwch Project engaged young people and tapped into their entrepreneurial spirit, helping young people create their own businesses. Technology-driven entrepreneurship academies engaged school children to provide first-hand experience of business processes. The project established 20 businesses with young people at the helm creating 21 jobs in the process.

ACADEMIESFour different academies were run for young people giving them a real world experience of how business works across four exciting industry sectors: Fashion, sport, music and technology. Run from the Ffiws building in Llangefni, children had access to industry experts and cutting edge technology allowing them to experience the full product development process from initial design to manufacture.

The general technology academy, run by Chris Thornton, a product development specialist, taught young people how to make prototypes in preparation for selling a concept to potential manufacturers. The academy gained valuable experience of generating ideas for products and learning about the stages needed to get a product to full scale manufacture. Working on a range of topics from energy to gaming, ideas with the most potential were developed into small scale prototypes. An ergonomic mouse with vibrational feedback was one of the designs that captured the academy’s imagination. They first produced a clay model and then used a three dimensional scanner to turn it

into a CAD model. From this a sophisticated three dimensional printer produced a prototype. Circuitry and electronics were added to enable the mouse to vibrate. The Technology Academy concluded with an open day presenting the designs that had been developed.

Case Study

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From Print to PrototypeMENTERGARWCH PROJECT - ACADEMY

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The Future of FashionMENTERGARWCH PROJECT - ACADEMY

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TOM VOUSDEN

Tom Vousden has launched an innovative range of tableware designed primarily for high end restaurants in September 2014. The Mentergarwch bursary helped Tom set up the business with funding for machining equipment and marketing materials. “The tableware is crafted from walnut primarily, so machining equipment was needed to produce a product range that high end restaurants could see as nobody is going to purchase from design drawings, they need to see a finished product that is well made and has a luxury feel to complement the food they are serving,” said Tom. The marketing materials have included a website where customers can view the products and prices, getting an understanding of how the natural design and finish can enhance the food presentation. Tom launched the tableware range at the Anglesey Seafood Festival. “While high end restaurants are the target market we have also enjoyed sales to the public who buy in small numbers. Most popular are the butter blocks and the bread box. I have been researching the bigger exhibitions that restaurant buyers attend and I’m planning to exhibit at BBC Good Food Show to showcase the product line and generate sales from independent high end restaurants internationally,” explains Tom.

JESS LEA WILSON

Jess Lea Wilson used her bursary to open a gift shop in Menai Bridge three years ago. The bursary helped to provide the initial equipment and the visual merchandising that was essential to attract footfall into the store. The business has grown and now employs two people. The bursary provided the facilities and environment to assist Jess in developing her business skills. She has moved premises recently to take advantage of retail space at a major tourist attraction on Anglesey.

BursariesMENTERGARWCH PROJECT

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Case Study9 Bursaries

MENTERGARWCH PROJECT

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LAURA SMITH

In September 2014 Trojan Tanning and beauty, diversified to offer beauty treatments including tough gel-based manicures and spray tanning after Laura received her bursary. The bursary funding provided the essential equipment required for Laura to establish her beauty business and give it the best possible start. The equipment ranged from nail tables to specialised products used to deliver long lasting manicures. The manicures are proving popular with clients who were previously travelling as far as Gwynedd to make their nails look beautiful.

KIM JONES

Kim Jones established KJ Promotional Events in autumn of 2014 with her bursary. The bursary provided her with essential office equipment to begin trading and advice on how to establish her business. Her business focusses on assisting new ventures to launch their businesses, organising launch events and associated publicity. The bursary has helped provide equipment and software programmes that are needed to help design and develop a company’s image for marketing materials and visual displays at events. Kim found the business advice that came with the bursary invaluable providing the confidence and motivation to begin trading.

BURSARIES

Mentergarwch bursaries helped 13 businesses to set up and trade in a wide variety of sectors from beauty to automotive. Bursaries consolidated plans for young people to create their own business or provided the stimulus for young people to create a business where they previously would not have contemplated it. The bursaries provided a financial contribution to assist business start-up, together with advice and encouragement to take the entrepreneurial plunge.





Llaniestyn Common and Llanddona Common are popular with horse riders and walkers who come to enjoy the spectacular views and the wildlife. “The Rural Development Plan has funded extensive work to protect and enhance the heathland and grassland habitats across these two commons. Their effective management ensures that the common continues to support the natural floura and fauna providing a home for Anglesey’s native wildlife,” explains Gareth Pritchard from Menter Mon who managed the project. Llangoed Common and Aberlleiniog Local Nature Reserve are two other popular places to observe Anglesey’s wildlife. “These nature reserves have lots of woodland, so the Rural Development Plan has helped to clear away wind blown trees and produce signage to remind people to take care on the boardwalks that have been created as they can become very slippy. Importantly, it has allowed us to thin some of the woodlands to let light in through the tree canopy encouraging a variety of woodland plants to grow. The funding has also allowed us to install

owl boxes to encourage barn owls to nest,” says Gareth.

The Aberlleiniog Local Nature Reserve also has a hidden gem. “The reserve is home to a 900 year old castle recognised as a scheduled ancient monument,” reveals Gareth. It is one of Wales’s first motte-and-bailey castles built by the Normans. These lookouts were constructed by digging a deep ditch around a hill, called a motte, and building a strong keep on top of the motte together with a fenced area, the bailey, where they would have workshops and livestock. “The rural Development Plan has funded work to prevent erosion of the motte, removed damaging graffiti from the walls, controlled scrub and grown ancient woodland plants around the castle. It has also funded promotional activities to engage locals and tourists alike, including hosting a website that provides details of volunteering events, activities and news,” says Gareth.

MONA NATURA

Mona Natura sought to enhance Anglesey’s natural beauty and rural heritage that attracts tourists to the island. Mona Natura has worked with Community Councils, Schools, Voluntary groups and conservation specialists to ensure that Anglesey’s countryside retains a wide variety of its indigenous species and continues to attract locals and tourists to enjoy the wildlife, benefitting Anglesey’s economy as a whole.

Water Voles love Anglesey. Island life provides the perfect habitat for them as water provides an innovative method of escape from their natural predators. Water Voles have some burrow entrances underwater and often the Vole will kick up silt to disguise its movements after diving into the water. Anglesey’s natural rural landscape has plenty of riverbanks that are not disturbed by engineering works or over growing. Water voles are difficult to spot, but are thriving in Cors Erddreinog and Malltraeth Marsh. While Water Voles have a number of natural predators its number across much of wales have been dwindling. “The demise of the water Vole is due to loss of habitat and the escape and release of mink originally bought to the UK for the fur trade,” explains Gareth Pritchard from Menter Mon. “Once in the wild they are aggressive hunters and would wipe out the water Vole population in Anglesey very quickly if they became established here. They would also have a severe impact on our important ground nesting bird colonies. The mink is semi aquatic, so it can pursue a Water Vole underwater and easily follow it into its burrow rendering its normal defences useless,” explains Gareth.

The Rural Development Plan has funded a programme to conserve the Water Vole through monitoring for Mink and catching them before they can become established on the Island. “Like the Water Vole Mink are difficult to see, so we use an ingenious ‘Mink raft’ that has a tray filled with soft clay in it. The curious mink comes to inspect the raft and leaves its footprints in the clay giving itself away. We can then set traps in targeted areas to catch it,” says Gareth

The Rural Development Plan funding has meant that Mink are being monitored regularly and colonies caught before they can damage the local Water Vole populations. Mink rafts, volunteers and a mink capturing strategy is ensuring the long term future of the water Vole.

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Creating a Haven for Water VolesMONA NATURA

12Case StudyCase Study

11 Keeping Anglesey’s Nature Reserves Natural MONA NATURA




Rhian Jones describes her diversification from cattle farming to establishing a Glamping business as a ‘light bulb moment’. “Yurts are a circular tent made traditionally of felt or skins on a collapsible framework experience becoming known in the market as glamping,” says Rhian. The £80,000 project had £25,000 support from the Rural Development Plan and saw the creation of three 18 foot yurts in a field close to the farmhouse offering stunning views of the Anglesey countryside. “I decided to provide a contemporary yurt experience for Anglesey tourists that provides camping with a wide range of modern amenities,” explains Rhian. “This project would not have happened without the

funding from the Rural Development Plan. We bought and assembled three yurts that we set up and dress from April to October. The yurts have home comforts, each sleeping five people with a comfortable double bed and three futons. Each also has a barbeque for cooking and dining outdoors together with a log burner for cosy nights in by the fire. Fairy lights, powered by solar panels, add to the ambience,” says Rhian. An on-site building with toilets, showers and a kitchen complete the project, offering conventional self-catering cooking and dining facilities.

Anglesey Yurt Holidays opened for business last year. “We had 60 families staying with us in our first year and the season got off to a good start at Easter, so we expect to be very busy this year. We are attracting visitors from Cheshire, Liverpool and Manchester all looking to enjoy a luxury outdoor experience on Anglesey,” reveals Rhian.

MONAMAETH PROJECT

The Monamaeth Project helped farming families develop sustainable businesses that are not dependent on agriculture. Funding supported the acquisition of activities and equipment required to establish businesses including adapting buildings, preparing land and producing promotional materials. Eight businesses benefitted. Seven focued on tourism, delivering opportunities for visitors to Anglesey to experience something unique from glamping in Yurts to experiencing beautiful unique gardens. The eighth diversified into foot care, spotting a demand from locals across the island.

Former farmer Anthony Tavernor is a man with a vision, who over the last 20 years has restored the extensive overgrown gardens at Plas Cadnant to create a horticultural tourist attraction drawing garden lovers to North Wales. The garden restoration work at Plas Cadnant has been self-funded, but the Rural Development Plan has provided funding to enhance the visitor experience as the numbers of tourists grow. “There are ten acres of gardens and little by little we open more to the public. We attract a particular demographic of visitor and have facilities to make their visit to Plas Cadnant comfortable and enjoyable. The Rural Development Plan has funded

seats in the garden, to allow visitors to rest a while, in addition to interpretation boards and equipment for a newly created tea room. Tables and chairs in the tea room courtyard mean visitors can choose to enjoy refreshments in the sunshine,” says Anthony. Plas Cadnant is firmly on the gardening map, now recognised as one of the best gardens to visit in Wales. “Plas Cadnant is becoming a key tourist destination that is benefitting the local economy as visitors come to see the gardens and spend money both at Plas Cadnant and in the surrounding area,” reflects Anthony.

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Glorious GardensMONAMAETH PROJECT

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Luxury Camping Mongolian StyleMONAMAETH PROJECT

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Three years ago Sara Jones began a project to turn their farmhouse into a beautiful holiday home. She farms sheep and beef, but was looking for an additional revenue stream. She decided to turn the farmhouse, Pentreheulyn, into a self-catering holiday home. It needed bringing up to the standard needed to rent it out to the tourist market. The three bedroom property took a year to restore and The Rural Development Plan funded major works from levelling floors to stud work and creation of a new facilities within the house. The outside coal shed was converted to provide the facilities required by a family looking to rent holiday accommodation, providing an extra toilet and shower facilities in addition to a second kitchen. The whole house underwent a major renovation internally and externally. The property offers the tranquillity of rural life together with a taste of farm life that is popular with children and adults alike. The opportunity to feed spring lambs or get to know the geese on the farm often proving irresistible. Pentreheulyn is proving popular with families from London, Chester and Mold all enjoying the Anglesey countryside.

The Holiday FarmhouseMONAMAETH PROJECT

GeoMôn is Anglesey’s Geopark that promotes Anglesey’s unique geology internationally. It includes geotrails along the coastal path and town centre trails through villages, like Beaumaris, to see how local rock has been used to build houses, churches and castles. For those with a geological interest GeoMôn, includes outstanding examples of beautifully coloured Precambrian ‘pillow’ lavas and is one of the finest places to study plate tectonic processes and features. In 2009, Anglesey became the second area in Wales to become a European Geopark. The Rural Development Plan funded the revalidation of its status for a further 4 years contributing to interpretation boards at 12

strategic locations around the island and the production of literature including tourist leaflets and a GeoMôn book entitled ‘Footsteps through time’ written by Margaret Wood, Director of GeoMôn. The book covers the entire 125 miles of coastline, including geological highlights amongst over 100 rock types spanning 1,800 million years of Earth history. There is no better place in the world to marvel at melange containing blocks of limestone with 800 million year old fossils or get close to exposed deep ocean sediment.

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Case StudyCase StudyRock Your WorldYMWELD A MÔN PROJECT

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YMWELD A MÔN PROJECT

The Ymweld a Môn project focussed on attracting tourists to Anglesey by enhancing and promoting a selection of outdoor leisure orientated tourist attractions. Based predominantly around walking, cycling and the unique geology of the island, it built on the assets of the island’s natural environment to enhance existing tourism and promote Anglesey as a sustainable tourism destination.




Lon Las Cefni is an extension route of the national cycle network’s route 566. An 11 mile scenic cycle route starting in Malltraeth, it travels through the centre of Llangefni and the Dingle, Llangefni’s nature reserve. Riding above the River Cefni on an impressive boardwalk to Llyn Cefni reservoir, it then heads west to finish in the village of Bodffordd. The Rural Development Plan funded improvements to Lon Las Cefni to make it a designated part of the national cycle network including comprehensive signage to ensure cyclists travel the right way around Llangefni town centre. Improvements to the route also included improving some of the surfaces cyclists ride on bringing

the route up to the standards required to be part of the national network. In addition, funding was used to produced a leaflet to promote the route to tourists. The leaflet was distributed widely, including cycling clubs across North Wales, Chester and Liverpool.

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Electronic Walking GuideYMWELD A MÔN PROJECT

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Get Your Kicks on Route 566YMWELD A MÔN PROJECT

Anglesey is a popular destination for walkers with a variety of scenic and challenging walks on offer. Heritage routes, Geotrails and the famous Anglesey Coastal path draw walking tourists to the island. The Rural Development Plan funded the creation of and Electronic walking guide featuring 10 walks across the Island. Available as an App for download on smart phones the App guides walkers around the route providing information and pictures as they walk the route. It provides information on the heritage of the area, wildlife they may encounter and the landscape they are walking through. It also provides details of local amenities such as cafes, pubs and post offices. Before

starting, The App helps walkers choose one of the ten walks by presenting initial information on their levels of difficulty and the time to walk them. The App was built in 2014 ready for the walking season and has proved popular with young people.

17Case Study



Case Study


The Rural Development Plan funded a wide range of events across Anglesey targeting independent explorers. Cyclists were tempted to Anglesey by Tour de Môn that grew to become a two day festival with a choice of cycle routes, live music, a half pipe and cycle display team. The Anglesey Walking and Cycling Festival has helped to consolidate the island as a walking and cycling tourist destination and collectively bring s over £1 million to the Islands economy each year. Other outdoor tourist activities to attract explorers have included taster sessions for coasteering. Running for four months over the summer this exciting sport was tried by many local school groups and tourists as guides lead them on an adventure scrambling along rocks and jumping into the sea as they made their way along the coastline. Over 650 people tried this popular sport. Other taster sessions branded as ‘a walk on the wild side’ included abseiling and orienteering.

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Let’s Get PhysicalYMWELD A MÔN PROJECT

20Case Study

Art in the ParkYMWELD A MÔN PROJECT

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Breakwater Country Park in Holyhead was once a quarry. The rock was excavated to build the breakwater and, prior to 1973, it was the site of a brick works that produced heat resistant bricks for steel works across the UK. In the 1990s the site became a country park, but the old brick shed remained. The Rural Development Plan has funded an innovative scheme to transform the building into an art gallery. The brick shed has no roof, so the 70 pictures in the open air gallery are mounted onto 3mm aluminium and vinyl treated to protect them from the elements. The exhibition includes paintings from local artists ranging from landscapes to illustrations of local wildlife. The gallery also provides visitors with a sense of the history of the building. The old furnace and other brick working equipment make a centre piece complementing the art. Entry to the gallery is free and attracts many tourists and locals throughout the year.



Economic and Community Regeneration Service

Anglesey Business CentreIsle of Anglesey County CouncilBryn Cefni Business ParkLlangefniAngleseyLL77 7XA

Tel: 01248 752 435

Fax: 01248 752 192

Email: [email protected]

Anglesey Rural Development Plan · Insurance Professional Public ... “The Rural Development plan...

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Transcript of Anglesey Rural Development Plan · Insurance Professional Public ... “The Rural Development plan...