A new photographic portrait exhibition is now on display at Brecon Library in the exhibition space until the 28th August. Diamond People celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park’s designation and features 21 portraits that represent the great people who have made a difference in the Bannau Brycheiniog. Cllr David Meredith officially opened the exhibition joined by Brecon Town Major, Cllr Ieuan Williams and many of the ‘Diamond People’ themselves.
The National Park Authority commissioned local photographer Billie Charity to take the photos which are all set in the landscape of the Bannau Brycheiniog. Billie ventured to locations all over the park including caves, mountains and fields of sheep. Amongst those she photographed are Rob Davies MBE, a Gold Medallist British Paralympic table tennis player, photographed in the town of Talgarth where he grew up. Captured are just a few of some 200 National Park Authority Volunteers including the Upland Path Volunteers that maintain the network of popular footpaths in the park, heading to work on the Blorenge overlooking Abergavenny. Ashford Price of Dan-yr-Ogaf National Showcaves Centre for Wales is photographed in one of the dramatic caves at the tourist attraction. Conservation grazier Helen Roderick is pictured with one of the highland cattle her and her husband are farming on the Allt, high up in the Usk Valley. The distiller who turns Welsh water into whiskey is seen amongst the stills at Penderyn Distillery and National Trust Rangers who look after the central Beacons, including the well-known peak of Pen y Fan take a break on a stone wall with a breath taking view.
Billie commented; “Working on this project has introduced me to breath-taking parts of the Bannau Brycheiniog I never knew existed, and also to some of the truly brilliant people who live and work there.”
In his speech opening the exhibition Cllr David Meredith, National Park Authority Member said;
“Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this celebratory exhibition, especially for those who gave their time to be photographed. Special thanks goes to Billie Charity who’s work perfectly captures the character of everyone featured and to Carol Williams the National Park’s Tourism Growth Officer for her work in coordinating this 60th Anniversary project.”
Also in attendance was John Cook, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority Chief Executive who added;
“The Bannau Brycheiniog is very much a living National Park. The Diamond People exhibition demonstrates this by showing the broad range of ways in which people are connected to the park. Some protect its natural beauty others help visitors enjoy and understand it whilst others have thriving businesses, living and working here. Altogether everyone photographed has contributed to the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park in some way, making it the very special place it is today.”
Diamond People will tour around the park throughout the year and into 2018. After the library from the 1st September it will be at The Black Mountain Centre, Upper Brynamon. It can also be seen at the Party in the Park event on the 30th July at the National Park Visitor Centre, Libanus and Craig-y-nos Country Park. For full details visit http://www.beacons-npa.gov.uk/the-authority/60th-celebrations/ .
ENDS