Tributes paid to National Parks campaigner and former CNP Vice-President Lord Judd

  • Contributor information: CNP

We were very saddened to hear of the death of our former Vice-President Lord Judd, aged 86, on 17 April 2021. A lifelong campaigner for access to National Parks and the wider countryside and committed public servant, Lord Judd left a lasting impression on those who had the privilege of knowing him and his passing is a great loss to us all.

Lord Judd (pictured right at our parliamentary reception in 2016) was a keen supporter of Campaign for National Parks (CNP) and remained active throughout his life, having been in touch with us earlier this month and spoken passionately at our last Council meeting conducted online in November where he said: “The role of National Parks in lifting spirits and keeping people positive is unlimited. We have got to fight very hard indeed to make it clear that National Parks have a vital role to play in recovery, spiritually and physically.”

A former government Minister and MP, Frank Judd became Lord Judd in 1991 (read more about his life on the BBC website). He was a member of the APPG on National Parks and also served as President of Friends of the Lake District, where he lived with his wife Chris. In his role in the House of Lords, he spoke out against threats to National Parks such as fracking and nuclear waste and submitted written questions around a wide range of issues impacting National Parks, from boundary changes to access.

The National Parks community – along with campaigners and politicians from other areas where he also made a significatn impact – have been paying tribute to Lord Judd.

CNP Chief Executive Anita Konrad said: “Lord Judd has been a friend and supporter of Campaign for National Parks for many years – one of the best champions we could have wished for. He was passionate about ensuring that everybody, regardless of their background, should be able to enjoy our National Parks. He was always immensely generous in sharing his political insights and lending his support to giving National Parks a voice with Government. Only recently, he signed off an email with his customary ‘You know I will be an ally’, which was never just a phrase for him, but a genuine offer of practical help and encouragement.

CNP Chair Janette Ward added: “Frank Judd is a huge loss to us and we will greatly miss his wisdom, his support, his advocacy and his campaigning passion for National Parks. Our thoughts are with his wife Chris.”

Former CNP trustee and longtime campaigner for National Parks, Kate Ashbrook wrote: “So sad to learn of death of Frank Judd, a trenchant campaigner for national parks and wild country, championed access and paths, fabulous advocate for us all in House of Lords.”

Friends of the Lake District wrote: Friends of the Lake District is saddened to hear of the death of Lord Judd. Frank Judd was a tireless campaigner on behalf of the Lake District’s landscapes and a wholehearted supporter of our work who will be sorely missed.  We send our deepest condolences to Frank’s wife Chris.