Jane Davidson and Ramblers Cymru chair Denis McAteer

A former Government minister is the new president of the Ramblers in Wales.

Jane Davidson served as Labour’s Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing in the Welsh Assembly Government and was Assembly Member for Pontypridd until last month when she stepped down.

A former vice-president of Ramblers Cymru, Ms Davidson has undertaken most of the long-distance footpaths in Wales.

She said: “I am delighted to accept the presidency of Ramblers Cymru.

“I have always been a keen walker and the opportunity to be involved in seeing the all Wales Coastal Path come to fruition in the next year is a really exciting one.

“It will place Wales at the forefront for coastal walks in the world, and having just walked the Pembrokeshire coastal path in the last month, I hope that this clear agenda will lead to many more people of all ages seeing what Wales has to offer walkers, not just on our coast but in our mountains and by our lakes and rivers as well.”

Denis McAteer, chair of Ramblers Cymru welcomed the Ms Davidson’s appointment. “It is an honour to have on board someone with such a firm grasp of the importance of access and rights of way in Wales and wealth of environmental knowledge,” he said.

“Previously Jane made an invaluable contribution to walking as our vice-president and I know will continue to do so in her new role as president.

“There are some exciting milestones ahead.  We look forward to receiving Jane’s guidance and support en route as we continue to campaign for walkers in Wales.”

Ms Davidson is married, with three children, and lives in Gwaelod-y-Garth near Pontypridd.