Tamsin Dunwoody opens Llandegla Forest Visitor Centre
22 May 2006 | By billy1979
Coed Llandegla Forest, one of the largest privately-owned recreation facilities in North Wales and the UK's first mountain bike centre to receive IMBA accreditation, was officially opened, on Thursday 4th May, by Tamsin Dunwoody, Deputy Minister for Environment, Planning & Countryside.
During her visit, Tamsin Dunwoody, sportingly enjoyed a mountain bike tour of the forest - cycling through a ceremonial ribbon to declare the site officially open in spectacular fashion.
"Congratulations to UPM Tilhill, the Forestry Commission and all the partners for their success in creating this wonderful new facility at Coed Llandegla," said Tamsin Dunwoody. "This is a first-rate example of sustainable development in action, and demonstrates what can be achieved by the private forestry sector in providing high quality recreation facilities.
"I am delighted that this world-class mountain biking venue is attracting ever-growing numbers of visitors to Wales and in turn, transforming the way people think about forests".
Steve Lavery, Managing Director of UPM Tilhill which owns the forest, with representatives from Forestry Commission Wales; RSPB; Cadwyn Clwyd; IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) and Oneplanet Adventure, led Ms Dunwoody on a tour of the Centre and Forest to learn more about its origins, sustainability and recreation facilities.
"We were delighted to welcome Tamsin Dunwoody to officially open Coed Llandegla Forest. Her visit represents a real 'coming of age' for this whole enterprise," said Steve Lavery, Managing Director, UPM Tilhill. "It has been 25 years since UPM Tilhill began working in the then young Llandegla forest establishing one of the first privately owned forests in Wales, with UPM Tilhill leading on management systems for sustainable timber. Over the years, thanks to funding from the Forestry Commission, Wales Tourist Board, and Cadwyn Clwyd, we have been able to transform opportunities for recreation in the forest with the creation of 30km of new graded trails and the construction of the new visitor centre. It is a credit to the dedication of all involved that over 5,000 walkers and cyclists currently visit the forest each month."
The purpose-built, log cabin style visitor centre - an example of successful sustainable development - with its spacious café, shop, bike hire and repair, and meeting room facilities, has become a major attraction for the many groups who enjoy the forest. Designed to complement the surrounding environment, the building is of a solid log construction using timber from certified and managed forests. The energy to heat the building and the water comes from a geothermal heat pump which has 2km of pipes buried in the ground, coupled with solar panels. There is also a rain-water collection system which provides water for the toilets and the bike jet wash.
"IMBA-UK is delighted that a major forestry company has invested in UK mountain biking trails - and particularly pleased that the mountain-biking community is already showing its support by riding at Llandegla in large numbers," said Colin Palmer, IMBA - UK. "We congratulate UPM Tilhill on the development of this successful mountain biking centre and on the high level of commitment demonstrated through the use of the IMBA Trail Assessment service."
