by Celia Balfour
Cece’s Way: A Story About Cycling in the New Forest by Celia Balfour is about her experience being a Ride Leader with the New Forest Off Road Club. It’s about the freedom and joy Celia feels cycling in the New Forest National Park.
Thank you to National Lottery players
Image by Emmie CollingeCeCe is a young woman whose joy and enthusiasm for life strikes you from the outset. As a young woman with additional needs CeCe understands how it can feel to find things difficult, and she brings that compassion and understanding to her role as a ride leader with the New Forest Off Road Club. CeCe has the New Forest in her blood thanks to both her parents and grandparents which makes it even more special when she leads rides on the traffic-free loop behind Brockenhurst. CeCe loves being part of the community which centres on New Forest Off Road Club and the cycling and Forest are helping to shape her identity as she moves into adulthood.
“I’ve been to Kendal Mountain Festival lots of times and seen all the films. I wanted to make my own film and show how I am a leader in the Forest.”
“They make me very happy. I can cycle there without cars around me so I can cycle on my own.”
Right now we have a once in a generation opportunity to change how National Parks operate. It’s essential that future generations are part of it.
Will you help us shape the future of National Parks?
Our National Parks New Perspectives project aims to give young people from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to influence and connect with decision makers to change the narratives on who National Parks are for and who has a say in their future.
As part of our New Perspectives project we have offered grants to young people to share their stories of National Parks
Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund we provided storytelling grants, Future Leader Courses and opportunities for young people to join us as Ambassadors
