Welsh Journals

Editorial IN THIS ISSUE we publish an important paper by the local scientific officer of the Nature Conservancy. This deserves the closest study by Gower lovers because it concerns the activities of an important government department which does wholly admirable work in preservation and especially in awakening the public conscience to dangers threatening the remaining natural amenities of this crowded little island. Crowded not only by people, houses and cars but with the giant new creations of this so-called scientific age," which is so fast over-running itself that a crash would seem not improbable. Recently National Parks, and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty seem to have been specially favoured by those who design these enormous new sites, so many of which seem to be out of date even before completion. The active minority which concerns itself with preservation, in any form, now needs to be more watchful than ever. The Nature Conservancy has recently published this notice concerning Gower. It is quoted in full (a) It is proposed to establish a Natural Nature Reserve to include the whole of the coastline from Thurba, adjoining Mewslade Bay, to Port Eynon Point. This area comprises remarkable cliff scenery on which a number of rare plants are established and it is confined to a narrow area between the existing cultivated land and high water mark. (b) It is intended to establish a National Nature Reserve over an area extending from Nicholaston Pill in the east to Oxwich village in the west. The area includes Oxwich marsh and the fish-ponds within the grounds of Penrice Castle. This proposed Reserve forms part of a larger area previously notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. (c) It is proposed to establish a Forest Nature Reserve at Crawley Cliff. (d) Llethrid Swallet has been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The site lies immediately to the south of Llethrid farm and is accessible by a public footpath from Llethrid bridge to Parkmill. Llethrid Swallet is a cave possessing features which are unique in Britain and it is exceptionally well decorated with rare mud formations. The surface woodlands offer a variety of interesting habitats used for teaching purposes. This is a piece of splendid news and all those who have co-operated towards this end are to be thanked for having the public interest so much at heart.