Essential funding has been secured from Kingspan Panels to complete a community link project from the Pen y Maes estate in Holywell, to join with the All Wales Coastal Footpath.
Flintshire County Council’s Coastal Rangers approached Kingspan for support in delivering this important project, and to secure financial backing to complement the existing funding offered by Cadwyn Clwyd and the Coastal Team.
County Councillor, Robin Baker, Secretary for the Friends of Pen y Maes Woods said “Pen y Maes Community Wood is one of only 16 sites in Wales designated with the Green Flag Award, and to have Kingspan step in to support our link to the All Wales Coastal Footpath, bringing visitors up to our woodland from the path, just adds the cherry to the cake!”
Peter Early, Coastal Ranger, said “Historically people working in the old Courtaulds Plant where Kingspan Panels now stands would have walked down this route from Pen y Maes everyday, to work in some rather tough conditions. This will be our tribute to those workers.”
The Community Links Project aims to stitch every coastal community back to the estuary by opening up and promoting long lost links once created by the community. This will be the third link, with Greenfield and Gronant opened earlier this year.
“It’s a scheme we wholeheartedly support” said Mark Harris, Building Technology Director at Kingspan Insulated Panels. “Not only does it incorporate the industrial heritage of the area but it also helps the community of Pen y Maes to safely visit the Dee Estuary and its mosaic of natural features that make it so special.”
“Our Coastal Rangers will be installing new kissing gates and upgrading the footpath with local volunteers from the Friends of Pen y Maes.” said Coastal Ranger Mike Taylor. “Local renowned artist Michael Johnson will be creating bronze panels to mark the start and finish of the link down to the coast, installing them on selected boulders from Halkyn Mountain. We aim to complete this link for the New Year.”
Kingspan’s support has secured a £4000 total pot of funding and resources through Flintshire County Council, Cadwyn Clwyd and the Friends of Pen y Maes.
Cadwyn Clwyd’s funding of £2,800 for this project, comes from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) through the Welsh Assembly Government’s Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013.
Flintshire County Council’s Coastal Rangers would like to hear from anyone who walked down from Pen y Maes to work at Courtaulds. Please contact the team on 01244 814931.
