50th anniversary of National Parks

24 March 1999

This Easter and throughout the year, environmental organisations around the country are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the legislation that established the National Parks of England and Wales. It completed its passage through the House of Commons on April 1st 1949.

To mark the occasion Sir Chris Bonington, the President of the national charity, the Council for National Parks (CNP) has announced a 50th anniversary wish list for National Parks: -

- New National Parks in the New Forest and the South Downs
- A 10mph speed limit on Windermere in the Lake District National Park
- No extensions to china clay workings in the Dartmoor National Park

Sir Chris Bonington says: "The establishment of National Parks, after World War II, was part of the striving for a 'better world' that included the setting up of the National Health Service. The National Parks were seen as a gift of national heritage to the returning servicemen and women and to future generations. They offer crucial protection for some of our most beautiful landscapes".

"It was a Labour Government that introduced the National Parks Act into Parliament on 17 March 1949. Now today's Government has the chance to mark the anniversary by ensuring that areas that merit National Park status receive it, that quiet enjoyment really is what National Parks are for and that National Parks receive the protection they need ".

Sir Chris says: "National Parks are for everybody young or old, from all parts of the community.  They provide superb opportunities for quiet open-air recreation, enabling people who live in towns or rural areas to enjoy open countryside - walking, climbing, riding, cycling or in quiet contemplation. 1999 is a year of celebration of all these wonderful landscapes, which are perhaps even more popular and important today than they were in the 1940s".

As well as looking back, this anniversary year provides an ideal opportunity to look forward; CNP will be setting out its vision for National Parks over the next 50 years at a number of key events throughout 1999.

A series of Anniversary Walks for the public will be held in each of the Parks in 1999 and CNP President Sir Chris Bonington will be visiting the Parks from March to September.

Two major events in the calendar will be an Anniversary Conference to be held in Snowdonia on 25-27 June, at which a special anniversary booklet will be launched.  A Parliamentary reception will be held in November at which Environment Minister Michael Meacher MP is to speak. A full list of events is attached to this press release for information.

For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222