Forestry Commission Wales, in partnership with a local medical centre, have received the highest achievable award from the Countryside Agency for an innovative scheme to promote walking as a healthy, educational and social activity.
The award was given for FC Wales’s role in launching the successful Walking the Way to Health scheme in the forests around Llandovery, along with medical professionals, and with the help of current and former FC Wales staff and other volunteers.
The scheme provides an introductory advice and support workshop for local people, with waymarked attractive circular health routes in and around Llandovery, and a programme of graded short led walks. On hand to help are a team of motivators able to support and encourage personal progress.

John Williams, FC Wales Local Area Manager in Llandovery, is the Towy Valley Walking the Way to Health scheme initiator. He said, “Woodlands are the ideal place to encourage increased activity and the building of community partnerships. Supported by the Countryside Council for Wales and the British Heart Foundation, the scheme aims to help sedentary people improve their health and well being by promoting regular walking.

“Eleven million visits are made every year to FC managed woods, and this latest scheme is a great way for people to get involved with leisure and recreational activities in their local forest, whilst enjoying spectacular scenery.”

Selecting the Llandovery Forest District’s Towy Valley scheme for the award, Tanya Dawson, who verified the scheme on behalf of the Countryside Agency, said, “This was a very well organised project with friendly, experienced and very knowledgeable walk leaders.

“The ‘3 Heart Award’ is the highest achievable award within this scheme, and was awarded to FC Wales’s Towy Valley scheme for providing safe, informative led walks with appropriately qualified walk leaders on interesting routes which actively promote educational, healthy and social activities.”

People can be introduced to the scheme either through the local GP, Practice Nurse and Health Visitor at Llanfair Surgery and Meddygfa Cadog (Llangadog) or by telephoning John Williams, Forestry Commission Llandovery 01550 720394.