6th October 2004 -  "Not Ours (National Parks) but Ours to Look After" 

By Les Lockett

Les Lockett shown left, started by giving an overview of the National Parks as follows, twelve National Parks have been designated in England and Wales, since the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act. 

 

 

 

 


 

 

This includes the Broads, which was set up by a special Act of Parliament in 1988. The New Forest, National Park (shown left) but has only recently been properly designated.

2004 is the 55th Anniversary of the National Parks

In September 1999 the Government indicated that it would like the South Downs to be designated a National Park, this at present is undergoing public review and the outcome is still not known.

 


 

The map above was shown (although this is missing the two Scottish Parks!), indicating the locations and Les said that only about 10% of the UK land mass was under the control of National Parks, albeit in conjunction with about 45 other organisations, the largest being The National Trust. He stated the area covered by these Parks were not in comparison with those in much larger countries and mentioned the Yellow Stone in the USA which had the equivalent land mass of the combined counties of Surrey, Sussex and Kent, also ours already had a great deal of previous occupation, exploitation and constructions such as roads, rail and farms etc prior to the Acts of Parliament so could not be really compared.

Les told us that the National Parks have two purposes, which were updated in the 1995 Environment Act:

To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Parks; and

To promote opportunities for the public understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Parks.

 

At this stage Les via his 35 mm projection system took us thro a rapid sequence of all the sites, showing excellent photographs of many scenes typical of the National Parks, these were in rapid sequence but each was named and a short detail given on each, well done Les, at times the captivated membership, numbering about 55 were questioned on where the shot was taken and to our credit many were identified correctly.

 

This page cannot do justice or indeed have access to the 80 odd slides so only a few are shown; more info is available so read on.

 

Les gave a graphical illustration of the beauty of the location being eroded by the large numbers of visitors and the various events that produce large numbers and hence erosion of paths and facilities. Also the off road 4 wheel drivers who trashed the unmade bridle ways, as their right and Les hoped that new laws would eliminate these selfish drivers.

Also the conflict that existing workings such as mines, quarries, etc have to be balanced in the Parks, also future developments such as theme parks conflicting with peace and tranquility versus local economies etc.

This was a very interesting presentation with a wide variety of pictures coupled with a real insight and obvious love of the countryside, hence the vote of thanks by Committee Member Eric Hussey echoed the sentiment and thanks of the membership who responded with our traditional applauses

Further information

All of the National Park Authorities have their own web sites with detailed information about their area. Even more information...........................CLICK .

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Last modified: 25-Jul-2011

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