Taff-Ely Ramblers' News
Page last updated on 30th March 2026
Walks Statistics during and following the Covid-19 outbreak.
When the foot and mouth outbreak occurred in 2001 we saw a sharp decrease in the number of people attending our walks so it was decided to look at the figures around the time of this outbreak when it has been necessary to stop our walks during lock-downs and have restrictions at other times.
| Period | Leisurely | Moderate | Moderate + | Strenuous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year before first lock-down | 12.3 (30) | 15.3 (56) | 13.4 (7) | 3 (1) |
| Between 1st and 2nd lock-downs | 11.5 (8) | 20.8 (15) | No Walks | No Walks |
| After 2nd lock-down to end of 2021 | 13.5 (18) | 16.6 (31) | 15.6 (9) | No Walks |
| January to December 2022 | 15.4 (33) | 18.8 (44) | 13.9 (10) | No Walks |
| January to December 2023 | 15.2 (32) | 20.2 (52) | 14.5 (6) | 12.0 (2) |
| January to December 2024 | 14.6 (29) | 17.2 (53) | 17.0 (5) | 14.7 (3) |
| January to December 2025 | 14.3 (32) | 16.6 (43) | See below * | 14.4 (15) |
| January to March 2026 | 12.5 (19) | 14.3 (28) | 10.5 (2) | No Walks |
The first figure represents the average number of people on these walks while the number in brackets represents the number of such walks in that period.
* In early 2025 the committee agreed to completely adopt the Ramblers' Grading system and stop employing the Moderate + grade. As a result from that time, until the decision was reversed at the end of 2025, walks in this category were graded as either Moderate or Strenuous
Ramblers' Cymru's Memorial Plaque to Trevor Whatley
Trevor was a member of our group since its inception until his death in 2022. He was joint footpath officer between 1995 and 2004 where he concentrated on footpath maintenance work. For many years he and Geoff Williams contributed as volunteers with, the now defunct, Caerphilly Mountain Service clearing paths and building stiles in our local area.
He also led many memorable walks for the group and was active with a local Scout Group. After he was unable to drive he often caught buses to Cardiff to join with the Cardiff Group, although we did still see him occasionally when David Evans gave him a lift.
The plaque can be seen on a kissing gate leading to the old saddlery ruins off the footpath leading south-west from Pentyrch School to Creigiau.
The Badger Walks have been waymarked
At long last the printed copies of the Badger walks are being distributed. Printed copies of the walks are now available from Pontyclun Community Council Office while downloadable copies are available from this web-site under the Walks Leaflets tab.
The project was meant to have been lauched in mid 2020 but problems with Covid-19, the closure of a path through Ivor Woods, the temporary closure of a bridge over the river Clun and queries about the line of a footpath near the motorway caused delays and have resulted in changes to some of the routes.
On the third week of April 2022 a staff member from Ramblers Cymru responsible for the project, a member of our group's footpath maintenance team and a member of Pontyclun Environment Group walked the first five walks and nailed or stuck the Badger waymarks to posts and gates on the various routes. Those parts of routes that are common to more than one of the walks have a Badger without a number while parts of routes that are on a single walk have a Badger with the walk number. The walks have only been waymarked in the direction described in the leaflets.
The photo shows the waymarks at the location of where walks 2 (Ivor Woods Ely River and beyond) and 3 (Talygarn Circular) part company.
The cost of production of the leaflets and way-marking discs has been supported by players of the Peoples Postcode Lottery.
Kevin is attempting the Yorkshire Three Peaks
Kevin is joining the Marie Curie Yorkshire Three Peaks Trek 2022 in June.
This is a 24.5 mile trek over Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough with 5,000 ft
of ascent and descent to be completed within twelve hours.
He did his first Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge when he was 18; this time he will be
just shy of his 72nd birthday and he thinks he will find it more challenging.
But with our backing to inspire him he is confident of being successful.
The walk is to support Maria Curie Cancer Charity. For those that wish to donate Kevin has provided a link to a Just Giving page. He has currently raised £430.
Congratulations to Andy and Hayley
Andy and Hayley undertook a 50 km walk on 10th October starting at midnight over the hills to Treorchy, then over the Bwlch, round the back of Tonypandy and through Penygraig. Then a climb of Mynydd Dinas, through Trebanog to Mynydd y Glyn, down to Barry Sidings and back to Porth to meet their fellow ramblers the following morning for the last 16 Km via Penrhys, Tylerstown, Old Smokey and back to Porth along the hillside.
The walk was to support the BBC's Countryfile Ramble and Andy's 50th birthday. For those that wish to donate Andy and Hayley have provided a link to a Just Giving page. They have currently raised £938.
We salute Steve Ferrari and Hayley Moon
Steve's colleagues supported him when he suggested shaving his curly locks that were his prize and joy; he joked that "People have offered money to run their fingers through my curls. He then responded to Hayley's desperation to visit a hairdresser by getting her to join in. They originally hoped to raise £300 for the Red Cross but by the week-end following the event their total had reached £1,530.
Congratulations to the Ramblers' National Volunteer Award winners
Ramblers have announced the winners of our National Volunteer Awards. These awards recognise special volunteers or groups of volunteers for their outstanding contributions. Whether that’s inspiring people to walk or helping to protect and expand the places we love to walk, they are the real walking heroes.
Congratulations to this year's award winners:
- Anne Suffolk - Telford and East Shropshire Ramblers
- Bekah Cork - Glasgow Young Walkers
- Essex footpath secretaries
- Jacqui Stiefel - Chiltern Young Walkers
- Robert Fraser - Cornwall Area Ramblers
- Taff Ely path maintenance team
- Tom & Rita Doncaster - Rotherham Metro Ramblers
- Wendy Bannister - Cumbernauld & Kilsyth Ramblers
The winners represent the huge amount that is done across the Ramblers so we can enjoy the pleasures of walking. Each award winner was nominated by someone who has been inspired by them.
Congratulations to Roger Dinham on his Award
At our Christmas Dinner this year Tony Yule, in the Chairman's absence, presented an award to Roger Dinham from Ramblers' for his outstanding contributions to the organisation.
For the past few years Roger has been organising our group's footpath maintenance team in addition to being a regular walk leader for the group and the Women's Institute. He is also our area representative.
Re-launch of the Bunny Walk Leaflets
Saturday the 28th saw the relaunch of the Bunny Walks. Over the last few months our footpath maintenance team has been working with Ramblers' Cymru and Llantrisant Community Council in producing an updated set of six walks leaflets.
Despite the poor weather the day was highly successful with around 50 people taking part in the four arranged walks. The official opening was performed by Councillor Linda De Vet, the Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf, who expressed her delight at this example of communities working together. We were also grateful to Stephen Powell, the leader of Llantrisant Community Council, for his support. The cake was then cut by our own Roger Dinham with the assistance of his footpath maintenance team.
We are grateful to Ramblers' Cymru who arranged for the design and printing of the new leaflets, the cost of which has been supported by the Post Code Lottery
Visit from Members of Staff of Post Code Lottery
The group's footpath maintenance team were accompanied by members of the Post Code Lottery Staff, RA Cymru Staff and members of Llantrisant Community Council to see and help out with ongoing work with the, soon to be released, updated Bunny Walks; these, along with a similar set of leaflets for Pontyclun Community Council are being produced by Ramblers' Cymru with the assistance of our group.
Following the work a meeting was held in Llantrisant Community Council's hall with welcome refreshments provided by Ramblers' Cymru assisted by the Community Council.
The Area Walks for 2019 were arranged by our group
Many thanks go to our six leaders of the three area walks this year. These were held on Saturday the 6th July in the Clydach Vale area.
A total of seventy three walkers enjoyed a dry and sometimes sunny day around the lakes, hills and open areas around the Vale. Drinks and biscuits were provided at the local cafe in a reserved room.
Thanks to Pontyclun Community Council and RCT
While reconnoitring his Thursday evening walk Tony came across two fallen trees that would have been difficult for some of the group to bypass. Although it was only a week until the actual walk Pontyclun Community Council responded to the problem by clearing the smaller tree and asking Rhondda Cynon Taff Council to clear the larger tree. Despite many calls on their time a ranger from RCT cleared the larger obstruction. Our thanks go to all concerned.
Congratulations to Daphne Little on her Award
At our Christmas Dinner this year our Chairman Brian Morgan presented an award to Daphne Little from Ramblers' for her outstanding contributions to the organisation.
Prior to our group being formed in 1993 she was an active member of the Cardiff group and was instrumental in the group's formation. Since then she has been an ever present member of the committee in a number of roles including Chairman, Walks Organiser and Secretary. For the past few years she has been responsible for arranging the program of walks for our Saturday Strollers. Outside the group she has also supported the Glamorgan Area Committee as Minute Secretary.
Pontyclun Community Council come up trumps
While trying out a couple of routes for walks Tony came across a broken step-up at a stile between Miskin and Groes-faen. He informed Pontyclun Community Council and by the time the walks took place shortly afterwards a new step-up had been put in place. The photo shows our Saturday Strollers at the stile during one of the walks.
We would like to thank Cardiff City's Public Rights Of Way Department
When reconnoitring her walk in December, Tracy and Roger came across a style in a dangerous state in the Pentrych area. After we contacted Cardiff they were extremely helpful in resolving the problem and they also accompanied them on another occasion to ensure the complete route was in good condition. The photo shows the group at the gate on the day of the walk.
Our thanks go out to RCT's Environment Services Department
When out walking part of bunny walk #6 near Castellau one of our members came across a large tree that fallen across the footpath. It was very difficult to get past the obstruction and he reported it to the footpath officer for Rhondda Cynon Taff.
The rangers have now visited the site and cleared the obstruction. The photograph shows two members of our Footpath Maintenance Team passing the site while checking this bunny walk for Llantrisant Community Council.
We would like to express our thanks to RCT for dealing with this problem so quickly.
Purchase of four kissing gates for RCT
Chairperson of the Taff Ely(Llantrisant) Ramblers, presented a cheque on the 17th September 2015 on behalf of the club to Rhondda Cynon Taff council at Llantrisant Castle. The Countryside Manager of RCT accepted the cheque on behalf of the Council. Excess funds from the social activities of the club are donated for the benefit of the maintenance of the countryside for walking in the local area. Today’s donation from the club was matched by Glamorgan Area Ramblers' Association to install four new kissing gates in the area.
The presentation was made in front of the memorial stone to the Llantrisant Archers, who in 1346 helped Edward the Black Prince win the victory over the French at the battle of Crecy using the longbow and they are depicted in the Taff Ely(Llantrisant) Ramblers' Logo. Llantrisant is now twinned with Crecy. Also present are members of the Local Ramblers' Committee and the photograph was taken by a local member and walker.
The first two of these kissing gates have now been installed by RCT on the Glamorgan Ridgeway Walk near to the Caesars Arms. The following shows our group using these gates on a Sunday Walk.
One of the other gates has been installed where the Ridgeway walk passes behind the Caerau hill fort near Rhiwsaeson; the other is also on the Ridgeway walk as it leaves the Eastern end of Llantrisant.
Our thanks to Llantrisant Community Council
One of our members reported a problem with a stile while reconnoitring bunny walk #6 for a Thursday night walk . This was fixed the following day so the fourteen walkers crossed the stile with ease the following week. We would like to thank Llantrisant Community for their speedy response.
New Web Address and host
Our original Web site was set up in March 1994 and has been hosted on web space provided by one of our members. We have now switched to Ramblers-Webs that has been set up by a small group of Ramblers volunteers to support a number of Group and Area Web Sites. The web host account allows them to host a number of Web Sites at reasonable cost; these are borne by Ramblers' Central Office.
We would like to thank Chris Vaughan of the Derby & South Derbyshire Group for his help in transferring our site to this new host.
Two new kissing gates on the Ridgeway Walk
In 2014 the group applied to a fund provided by a legacy to the RA for kissing gates. With the money RCT brought two gates and these have now been installed on the Glamorgan Ridgeway walk that runs between Margam Park and Caerphilly Mountain.
The above kissing gate replaces a fallen down stile between Rhiwsaeson and the Caesars Arms.
This new gate is between the Caerau hill fort and Rhiwsaeson