The Great Orme is celebrating 30 years as a Country Park, and to mark the occasion an anniversary celebration has been arranged for Sunday, 6th June 2010.
The day will start with a special service at St Tudno’s Church at 11am, other activities will then take place near the summit from midday.
The Country Park anniversary celebrations will provide an exciting opportunity for people to learn more about the Great Orme Country Park, its wildlife and management.
The Great Orme has been managed as a Country Park since 1980, with the aim of conserving the scenic beauty, relative remoteness and wildness of the area, as well as conserving the natural flora and fauna found on the headland. This conservation aim is coupled with providing recreational and educational opportunities for people, as the Great Orme has been popular with visitors since early Victorian times. Now the headland is visited by over 600,000 people every year.
Today, a visitor centre, numerous walking trails around the Country Park and educational opportunities for school groups are provided by Conwy County Borough Council’s Countryside and Rights of Way Service. These give people opportunities for recreation and education, and also encourage an appreciation of the Great Orme Country Park’s natural qualities.
Sally Pidcock, the Great Orme Country Park Warden, commented on the importance of the Country Park designation: “The designation of the Country Park has allowed more people to enjoy and understand the importance of the Great Orme, and make sure that their enjoyment is balanced with the conservation of the natural environment that they have come here to enjoy.”
“As a result, the Country Park designation has made a huge difference to the Great Orme, as staff now welcome over 70 school groups every year, and provide walks and slide talks for numerous local groups, such as the WI and Wildlife Trusts. Wardens also work hard to conserve the rare flora and fauna that makes the Country Park so special, such as the rare cotoneaster plants or silver studded blue butterflies.”
“Thirty years ago, there was a realisation that the Great Orme is a very special place, and whilst being home to diverse and interesting wildlife, it was also a place that people, both local residents and tourists, enjoyed visiting. As a result it was designated as a Country Park to ensure that the Great Orme was cared for and remained a beautiful place for future generations to come and enjoy.”
Residents and visitors alike are therefore invited to join the celebrations on Sunday, 6th June 2010 at the Great Orme Country Park, Llandudno from 12noon – 4:30pm.
Activities include a guided Wildflower Walk at 12:20pm, to look at some of the flora that makes the Country Park so unique, and Living History Walks at 12:20pm and 1:50pm will bring the history of people on the Great Orme to life. These walks leave from the marquee, near the summit of the Great Orme, where you will also find stands and displays, children’s activities and a family trail. A mask-making competition for local schools will also be judged at the marquee at 2:00pm. This promises to add some colour to the celebrations.
Great Orme attractions will be offering discounts on the day to help celebrate the Country Park’s 30th Anniversary.
- Marine Drive scenic toll road
- Great Orme Mines
- Great Orme Tramway
- Llandudno Cable Car
- Llandudno Ski & Snowboard Centre
- The Summit Complex café
- Rest and Be Thankful Café
- The Olde Victorian Picture House
- Rocky Pines Adventure Golf
With free car parking at the summit car park on Sunday, 6th June 2010.
