Chris Bonington celebrates National Parks 50th anniversary with the visually impaired
14th February 2000
The mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington, President of the Council for National Parks1, is to visit the Northumberland National Park2 on Tuesday 22nd February. This is the last visit in a busy tour that has seen Sir Chris visit most of the UK's National Parks to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legislation that set them up3 and to mark the end of his Presidency.
Sir Chris will first meet the National Park Authority's staff at Hexham before travelling to Once Brewed Youth Hostel on Hadrian's Wall, which will be playing host to a group of blind and partially sighted people plus guide dogs. The group, which belongs to the Northumberland County Blind Association, will be joining Sir Chris for lunch and a short walk in the afternoon.
Dr Jane Young, an ecologist with special skills in helping people with visual impairments to learn about and appreciate the countryside, will be giving expert guidance on the local fauna and flora.
Sir Chris said, "I am delighted to join this group here in Northumberland. National Parks were set up with everybody in mind and we have to work together to ensure that they really are for everybody. It is vital that all of society, including young people, those with disabilities and ethnic groups, has the opportunity to experience and enjoy the National Parks and to share in the benefits that they can bring such as peace and quiet and clean, fresh air".
Sue Cassell, Countryside and Environment Manager at the YHA4 said, "an opportunity to experience nature is vital for everybody, particularly those with visual impairment. The YHA is delighted that this initiative has helped draw attention to the need to make it easier for visually impaired people to get out and enjoy the countryside".
Notes to editors
1. 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.
2. The Northumberland National Park is made up of wide expanses of wild, open moorland and dense forest. The Park is an historic landscape of unrivalled quality. It covers 405 square miles (1049 square km).
3. The 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.
4. The YHA is a registered charity founded in 1930. Its aim is to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them in their travels, and thus to promote their health, rest and education.
5. To reach Once Brewed Youth Hostel, travel on the B6318. The hostel is located seven miles east of Greenhead and is on the corner of the cross roads next to the National Park visitor centre.
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