Brynle Williams (Assembly Member)

Please see below an email to Brynle Williams AM and his reply. As you may or may not know as well as being an AM he is a farmer with particular interest and experience with ponies, as such he knows what he is taking about and we are grateful for his reply.


From: Williams, Brynle (Assembly Member) Brynle.Williams@wales.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Pony grazing on Bryn Euryn Nature Reserve
Date: Thursday, 30 July, 2009, 2:57 PM

Dear ??????

Thank you for your email sent yesterday regarding the above. I am in full support of your views. I have already spoken to David Jones MP to ensure he is aware of this matter.

It is my intention to send a letter agreeing with your concerns to Conwy Countryside Services and relaying my view that it is not a good idea to introduce ponies or donkeys onto this open area that is presently enjoyed by local residents.

I shall forward a copy of my correspondence to you for information. I hope this course of action is agreeable to you at this stage. Please do not hesitate to contact me further should you feel I can be of further assistance on this issue, or indeed any other matter.

Kind regards

Brynle


From: ????????
Sent: 29 July 2009 10:50
To: Williams, Brynle (Assembly Member)
Subject: Pony grazing on Bryn Euryn Nature Reserve

Dear Mr Williams
I am writing to you both as AM and also as a farmer with a keen interest in ponies. I don’t know whether you are aware that our local Conwy Countryside Services are looking into the feasibility of introducing grazing ponies or donkeys onto our local nature reserve Bryn Euryn, Rhos-on-Sea. This is an area which has been an open public space with no grazing since the 1930’s and is widely used by the residents for exercising their children and dogs, and which is crisscrossed with footpaths. Our local MP, David Jones has been very supportive as have some of our local councillors especially one who keeps his own horses and ponies. However, in a truly bullish manner, the Bryn Euryn Management Committee have seen fit to proceed with a feasibility study at council tax payers expense despite the local outcry for common sense to prevail.
One resident with 50yrs farming experience has made the following points and I would be very grateful for your thoughts on the matter.
1. Due to the size of the area and type of grass the ponies would need supplementary feed. (Countryside Council for Wales have stated by email that this would not be allowed as it would introduce nutrients which would adversely affect the rare grassland, they state the two areas at approx 2.25 ha each at 5 ponies or donkeys per enclosure. They suggest grazing early spring and again late summer, early autumn.)
2. Water provision would have to be tamperproof to prevent soiling or small children drowning.
3. Shelter would be needed to protect them from the elements and flies.
4. The large amounts of ragwort would need to be cleared.
5. The shallow soil would soon be eroded by hooves.
6. Well meaning members of the public are likely to feed titbits which could lead to the ponies becoming demanding.
7. As the area has a long history of late night drinking and fire lighting, what responsible owner would leave their animals vulnerable to mistreatment?
There is also the cost factor, estimated at £30,000 just for the fencing and kiss gates required, and these will have to be very impressive to keep out dogs from the surrounding woodland, the large number of which has ruled out grazing with sheep. No grazing fee could be charged as a covenant forbids any business use.
I would be very grateful if you could visit our blog site at http://save-our-bryn.blogspot.com to see the map, strength of public feeling and information we have found through the freedom of information act.
Yours sincerely

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