A WALKING group is proving to boost the wellbeing of people in Betws and the surrounding areas while helping to maintain local beauty spots.

Betws Wanderers is headed by Andrew 'Ted' Williams and has been running since 2017 with walks taking place in Betws, Ammanford and the surrounding areas.

Organiser Ted, as he is known, said: "I take massive pride in the walking group and how far we have come since we began.

"People from all over join us on our weekly walks because it's a great opportunity to get out the house, particularly during these difficult times.

"Seeing the change in people's wellbeing is what I am most proud of."

Two different sessions per week for varying abilities makes the walks open to everyone.

Ted explains: "We have a beginners walking group every Wednesday at 1pm for one hour, which is ideal to get people back into walking again; we then have a more advances group which covers around five miles and is held on Monday nights at 6.30pm."

Walkers taking in the views during a rest break

Walkers taking in the views during a rest break

Dogs are allowed to join in the walks too

Dogs are allowed to join in the walks too

Each walk usually starts from Betws Rugby Club, but Ted said if people join the Betws Wanderers' Facebook Group they can keep up to date with the weekly walks, including starting points, times and maps, as well as information on their monthly 10-mile walk.

"We follow all Welsh Government Covid guidelines and always remain socially distanced and walk within our bubbles," said Ted, who also puts the walking routes on the Facebook group so that people who don't want to join in a group walk can go at a time that suits them.

"We totally understand not everyone will be ready to return just yet, and that's fine," said Ted. "We also have people in our Facebook group who just prefer to follow my walking routes as a family.

"My wife was stopped in the street once by a couple who said they often follow my online routes.

Ted is encouraging people to make use of the public footpaths across the county

Ted is encouraging people to make use of the public footpaths across the county

"It doesn't matter whether you join us on a group walk or go it alone, but I believe that it is so important that people continue to use the public footpaths and visit our local beauty spots or they will become overgrown and we risk losing them for good."

Betws Wanderers meet every Monday at 1pm and every Wednesday at 6.30pm at Betws Rugby Club. Once a month the team take on a 10 mile walk - this month is Carreg Cennen Castle on June 27. Keep up to date with the latest walk by joining the Facebook group here.

A sister group Tycroes Trekkers meet Thursdays at 6.30pm from Tycroes RFC.