Caroline Quentin announced Campaign for National Parks’ new president

Caroline Quentin has been announced as Campaign for National Parks’ new President.

On appointment of her new role, Caroline said, “I’m thrilled and excited to be working with this important charity. I think National Parks are a truly valuable national asset and I want to encourage everyone to use them and enjoy them. They need to be protected for future generations.”

One of her first tasks in the role has been to help judge the organisations Park Protector Award. The Award rewards and celebrates exceptional projects that are making a lasting contribution to the protection, restoration or conservation of the National Parks in England and Wales. It is generously sponsored by the Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust.

The Exmoor Path Watchers group is one of six projects shortlisted for the Award. The project sees 27 volunteers walk every right of way in Exmoor National Park over the course of a year. The passionate and dedicated individuals want to make Exmoor’s rights of ways the best in the country and they make sure the paths are accessible, tidy and well-cared for. It has been shortlisted from 26 nominations and the winning project will be presented with a £2,000 grant in October.

Speaking of the Protector Award, Caroline Quentin continued, “Learning about all of the fantastic projects happening across the National Parks has been a wonderful way to start as President. These projects are the perfect demonstration of how much people care about National Parks and want to improve them for the future. ”

Whilst walking each of the routes in the National Park, the Path Watcher volunteers carry out small maintenance jobs such as trimming back trees and repainting signs. They have also had training using all terrain mobility ‘trampers’ to gain an understanding of what is needed for individuals with limited mobility. The result is paths on
Exmoor which are well cared for, easily navigable and can be enjoyed by all.

Ceri Rapsey, rights of way support officer at Exmoor National Park Authority said, “We are thrilled to be shortlisted for the Park Protector Award and receive recognition for Path Watchers volunteers, who are so passionate, dedicated and enthusiastic about making Exmoor’s rights of ways the best in the country.”

Jeremy Colls from the Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust commenting on the shortlisted projects said, “The impressive projects showcase a great variety of the work being done in National Parks. The overriding message is the remarkable level of volunteer commitment that is evident among the groups taking part. Many people really do care about maintaining and improving our rural environment, and convert their passion into action to achieve tangible results.”