Bellamy joins war on Snowdonia menace

The Rhododendron covers vast areas of Snowdonia

David Bellamy is on a visit to Snowdonia to take part in a one-day meeting to look at the spread of the plant Rhododendron ponticum in the area.

The meeting was arranged by the Beddgelert Rhododendron Ponticum Management Group at the local Community Hall to explore how local communities can tackle the impact of the plant on the local landscape.

Speakers at the meeting looked at reasons for the spread of the Rhododendron and at a number of practical solutions to the problems it can cause to biodiversity and tourism.

These are issues which are important to the local economy and the quality of life of local people.

Amongst the speakers was Snowdonia National Park Authority ecologist Dr Rod Gritten who talked of the possibilities of funding Rhododendron control.

He said that increasing concern amongst Beddgelert residents has led to the formation of the Group.