At Prime Minister’s Questions on 17th November, Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes asked whether the Prime Minister would join him in celebrating the 50th anniversary this year of the formation of the 177-mile path for walkers along Offa’s Dyke, which runs through Clwyd South, and invited his support for the recently launched Offa’s Dyke Rescue Fund to repair and preserve the monument and nature reserve for future generations.
In response, the Prime Minister said:
“I had the good fortune to walk Offa’s Dyke very recently. I am delighted that English and Welsh organisations are working together to protect that fantastic national monument, and Historic England has committed to give almost £300,000 more to that great cause.”
Speaking later, Simon Baynes MP said:
“I was very pleased to be able to raise this important issue in Prime Minister’s Questions and to highlight efforts to repair and safeguard Offa’s Dyke for future generations. The importance of this monument cannot be overstated, not least in its exceptional length of 177 miles and its status as a protected nature reserve. It is wonderful to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Offa’s Dyke path and the huge pleasure it gives to many thousands of walkers every year – so I’m full-square behind efforts to secure it for the next generation.
“During a recent visit to Offa’s Dyke near Chirk, I met with artist and conservationist, Dan Llywelyn Hall, who is leading the campaign for the Offa’s Dyke Rescue Fund, and artist and writer, Rory Motion, to learn more about the importance of protecting Offa’s Dyke. And I applaud the commitment of these campaigners and the Offa’s Dyke Association to maintaining and supporting this extraordinary and much loved national monument, particularly through the Offa’s Dyke Rescue Fund.”
The Rescue Fund: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/offas-dyke-rescue-fund has been established to safeguard the dyke for posterity. Land purchases and maintenance under supervision of CADW will be arranged for sections under threat of neglect or deliberate damage.
