Upper Usk Rural Alliance (U.U.R.A.)

This is a picturesque scene of patchworked green fields, deciduous woods and coniferous forestry with a river meandering through it. This is!  The Upper Usk Valley Rural Alliance and it`s Eastern edge of Brecon is connected to The Western Edge at Llandovery by the A40 Trunk road. Most of the A40 is an ancient Drovers Road and it was also used by bowmen and soldiers who went to fight at Agincourt in 1415. As preferred by Iolo Williams who walked the area with the local community in 2018...He said it is a special place....it has remote areas which are not trodden by the millions of tourists that venture into the National Park. You can still hav a mountain to yourself in this area. It has fantastic views and is the gateway to the Epynt Hills. The Epyny Army Range is used by many countries for their training and is one of the finest Europe has to offer. It is also used for Car Rallies! It has been used for National Rallies, both forestry and Tarmac, and has been used for World Championship Events. It is the finest tarmac rally venue in Great Britain. There are proposals to use it again for Motor Cycle Racing, Wales T.T. during 2018...but this had to be deferred , possibly to 2019. Pegasus Ultra Running organised The Eddum event in November 2018, which was a great success in it`s inaugural event in November 18.

This is the “Wilder Side of Wales” in the Upper reaches of the River Usk, close to its source.

The source of The Usk River is located in the higher ground close to Lyn Y Fan, which is famous for the story of The Lady in The Lake, and her sons The Physicians of Myddfai. The story which is told well by Owen Staton on Youtube .

The Upper Usk Valley lies very neatly between the hills of Mynydd Epynt Army Ranges and The Carmarthen Fans. The area is regularly used by film companies and television because it is unspoiled by modern construction and is predominantly the same as it was 500 years ago.

The area is dripping in ancient and recent history. It is embedded in the fabric of the area. This is the “Wilder side of Wales!!” The local sites offer residents and tourists a variety of sites from ancient stones in churches, and on nearby hillsides, Yew trees of 3000 years old, castles and roman camps to wartime plane crash sites. The open countryside also has the obvious attractions for wilder activities which will offer the range of natural elements to the so called “Extreme Sports”. If you want to test your own determination in your sport then the Upper Usk Valley is the place for you! But if you want to spend your leisure time just breezing through the beauty of The Upper Usk Valley, then that`s o.k. by me!

Some of the Activities Undertaken in the Area

• Walking
• Mountain biking
• Hang gliding
• Archeology
• Camping
• Moto rallying
• Fishing
• Expeditions
• Duke of Edingburg Awards (DofE)
• Orienteering
• Caving
• Ornithology
• Photography
• Painting
• Cycling
• Pot Holing
• Astronomy
• Hiking
• History
• Motorcycling

The Upper Usk Rural Alliance initiative is supported by Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, and The Welsh Assembly Government, and the support has helped to bring the four villages of Defynnog, Crai, Trecastle and Sennybridge closer together. These villages are main players in this association and the area offers a natural beauty that is comparable to other areas of Wales. It is also a Dark Skies area! Recently Heol Senni, Myddfai, Llanddeeusant, Llandeilo`r Fan and Pentrebach have been represented in the association. The U.U.R.A. is an open group of enthusiasts who want others to benefit from the attractions of the area. Those presently involved want to encourage increased involvement by local residents and businesses, but would also like to see an increase in the use by visitors and tourists. U.U.R.A. is keen to organise extra events for our local calendar and would like to maximise opportunities for local people. The group is dedicated to the promotion of social, economic, cultural and environmental vibrancy within its geographical confines..which are the U.U.R.A....Our community!! Please Join in!

Contacts for the  Upper Usk Rural Alliance are:

• Dave Howells Email:  Dave@HowlinGTIR.plus.com       Tel: 01874638290

• Sharon Millar Email: Sundayschoolroomtrecastle@gmail.com

• Julia Blazer Email: Hello@gooddayout.co.uk