Bannau Brycheiniog
As of April 2023, the ‘Brecon Beacons’ National Park has officially reclaimed its Welsh name – Bannau Brycheiniog. The new name took place on the 66th anniversary and is pronounced Ban-eye Bruck-ein-iog. The name is derived from the plural of ‘ban’, meaning ‘peak’ while ‘Brycheiniog’ refers to the old kingdom of King Brychan. Translated, it means ‘The Peaks of Brychan’s Kingdom’.
The change is part of the implementation of a new management plan designed to address the climate and biodiversity emergency and directly addresses problems the Park faces.
A variety of projects are underway with partner organisations to attempt to halt, and reverse, the impact of climate change in the 520 square mile Park. Projects include:
- 16,000 hectares of peatland restoration
- One million new trees being planted
- Water quality improvement, including getting rivers to bathing water quality standard across the Park
- A focus on sustainable farming for an improved local food economy
- Curlew population recovery
- Creation of wildlife corridors to link habitats
- Floodplains to hold water, encouraging diverse plants to thrive in order to store both carbon and nutrients
- Sustainable transport solutions, including park and ride pilots between Merthyr Tydfil and Brecon
- Encouraging everyone into nature
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Chief Executive, Catherine Mealing-Jones, said:
“With four million plus visitors to the Bannau each year, we know we can’t put a fence around nature – we have to be proactive. Our new management plan tackles climate change head on as we transition to net zero by 2035. Action will be happening across the Bannau to restore nature’s ability to capture carbon from the atmosphere.
“We want to create thriving and sustainable places celebrated for their cultural and natural heritage. If we get this right, Bannau Brycheiniog can be an exemplar for other National Parks to follow.
“Reclaiming our old name reflects our commitment to the Welsh language, but we understand people are used to calling the Park by the name everyone’s used for 66 years so we don’t expect everyone to use Bannau Brycheiniog, at least straight away.”
Welsh actor Michael Sheen said:
“National Parks have a vital role to play in providing for nature, for people, and for our shared future. Bannau Brycheiniog National Park provides so much more than beauty and inspiration.