Brian gives his blessing to the South Downs

8 September 2004

The President of the Council for National Parks (CNP) (1) Brian Blessed will be the star attraction at a walk this Sunday 12th September to discuss the proposed South Downs National Park and  highlight some of the beautiful countryside proposed for inclusion.

The walk will take in some of the highest points on the Downs, demonstrate the work the Sussex Downs Conservation Board (2) are doing to conserve chalk downland, and give a taster of countryside which will be announced as open access land on September 19th.

Brian Blessed said: "More than half a century ago the South Downs was proposed as a National Park, but efforts became concentrated in the north and west of England where beloved upland landscapes such as the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales secured National Park status.  I believe that the South Downs is just as precious, and at last with the Broads and the New Forest we are finally seeing beautiful lowland landscapes gain this special protection.  I hope to see the Downs become the next member of the National Parks family (3) and am delighted to take part in the debate over its future (4)".

Brian continued: "This walk is a great opportunity to find out more about the work that is already being done to protect this countryside and to draw inspiration from this beautiful area, stretching 100 miles end to end from Beachy Head to the outskirts of Winchester, taking in almost every type of quintessentially English landscape in its wake."

  ********Photo opportunity********

There is an opportunity to take photos of Brian Blessed and the walking party on Sunday September 12th  from 1 to 1.30 pm.  The party will begin their walk at the National Trust car park at Harting Down, Sussex, just off the B2141 road (grid reference SU791181).  The walk will also end here. Please use the car park and not the B2141 for parking.

Notes to editors

The Council for National Parks is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales, and areas that merit National Park status, and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.  Brian Blessed has been President of CNP since 2000.  The walk is part of those organised by CNP for its members - the "Friends of the National Parks".  More information on CNP's work and how to become a Friend can be found at www.cnp.org.uk  

The Sussex Downs Conservation Board manages the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which forms part of the proposed new National Park along with other areas in Sussex and Hampshire.  The Board itself is not appearing at the Public Inquiry as it is neutral on the issue. The Board is in the unique position of being able to focus on the long term management issues in the Downs which will challenge a new National Park Authority if established.  It is carrying out an extensive programme of habitat restoration and promoting public access.  As part of this work it will help promote and manage the new "freedom to roam" in the Sussex Downs when the new access rights to certain areas of open country comes into being in the South East region on 19th September.  More information on the work of the Conservation Board can be found at www.vic.org.uk  

If the South Downs is granted National Park status it would become the 15th National Park in UK.  The others, and the dates when they were created are:  Peak District (1951), Lake District (1951), Snowdonia (1951), Dartmoor (1951), Pembrokeshire Coast (1952), North York Moors (1952), Yorkshire Dales(1954), Exmoor (1954), Northumberland (1956), Brecon Beacons (1957), The Broads(1989), Loch Lomond (2002), The Cairngorms (2003) and New Forest (2004).  The Broads was designated under its own tailor made legislation.

The South Downs is currently the subject of a long running Public Inquiry into its designation as a National Park.  A huge network of voluntary organisations, including CNP, parish and town councils and individuals and residents have come together to form the South Downs Campaign which is co-ordinating the support for the South Downs National Park at the Inquiry, which is due to finish in November.  The proposed National Park would not just include the tops of the chalk downland, but areas such as the low lying weald which gives the fabulous views of the downs, the famous beech woodland hangers of Hampshire, Sussex river valleys such as the Cuckmere and Adur, and historic towns such as Arundel.  A decision on the South Downs is expected in 2006.  Much more information and evidence for the proposed National Park can be found at www.southdownscampaign.org.uk 

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