Above: Rory building bird boxes at this year’s Make a Difference weekend

A warm welcome to Rory Francis who is Snowdonia Society’s new Director. We are sure he will bring his own vision and influence to how Cymdeithas Eryri can best make a difference over the next decade.

In Rory’s words:

‘I’m absolutely delighted to have been offered the role of Director and to work with Cymdeithas Eryri’s brilliant staff team, its conscientious Trustees, the partners in our various projects and, of course, our dedicated members and volunteers. There’s lots to learn and to do but I’m looking forward to the challenge immensely.

Some of you may remember that I worked for the Society as Director for six years in the 1990s. I’m still proud of the work I did with the Society then. For most of the time since then I’ve been leading the public affairs and communications work for Coed Cadw Woodland Trust in Wales, working for woodland conservation in Wales.

Of course, Cymdeithas Eryri has changed a great deal since 2000. It is a significantly bigger, more active organisation now than it was then. I’ll be filling the big shoes of John Harold who’s done an incredible job with the Society over ten years. Even before I formally started in the job, I got the opportunity to take part in the amazing MAD weekend and I’ve also been out recently with one of the Society’s Caru Eryri teams picking up litter from the Llanberis path up Yr Wyddfa. The reaction we got from those coming down the mountain was amazing.

Eryri has been an important part of my life. I moved to the area in 1994 to work for the Society and I’ve stayed here ever since. Although I grew up in Birkenhead, I was always drawn to orth Wales and I learnt Welsh as a teenager and in my early 20s. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be able to work in roles that involve campaigning to protect and enhance the natural environment in Wales for over 30 years.

In my spare time, I love walking in the mountains, through the woods and along the rivers and streams of Eryri. I’m a keen photographer and I love riding around the area on my ebike. It was the landscape and wildlife and the Welsh language and culture that drew me to this area, and I am hugely looking forward to being able to spend my working time coordinating the Society’s efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment of Eryri.’

Rory with some of the Snowdonia Society team on his first day