Hundreds join 70th anniversary celebrations
2019 is the 70th anniversary of the Act of Parliament that gave us the National Parks we know and love. Hundreds joined our march in the Peak District to celebrate this historic achievement!
March saw a special celebration take place in the Peak District. Campaign for National Parks led a coalition of five charities to celebrate the historic achievement of the National Parks, 70 years on from the 1949 Act of Parliament that established the Parks.
Nearly 200 people joined in the day’s celebrations. Photo: John Bradley
Campaign for National Parks led hundreds of individuals and organisations including the Youth Hostel Association, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Open Spaces Society and Ramblers on a special walk in the National Park including the updating of historic photos from the original campaign to protect these incredible swathes of countryside.
Campaign for National Parks led the day in the Peak District National Park. Photo: John Bradley
The day started at the fantastic Peak District National Park Visitor Centre in Castleton. From there, Friends of the Peak District led the walk up the beautiful old road of Mam Tor (mother hill).
Photo: John Bradley
Participants came from all walks of life. Everyone united by their enthusiasm for National Parks and the great outdoors!
Photo: John Bradley
The walkers were joined by a number of organisations including Friends of the Peak District, the Peak District Mosaic Group, Disabled Ramblers, British Canoeing and OutdoorLads to mark the historic anniversary for BBC’s Countryfile including presenter Matt Baker.
Photo: John Bradley
Have the group proceeded to the top of Hollins Cross, giving stunning views of the Edale and Hope valleys. While the other half proceeded to a fantastic cave experience at Peak Cavern.
Photo: Callum McGregor
The day was capped off with speeches from the Andrew McCoy of the National Park Authority, CPRE’S Crispin Truman, Yvonne Witter of the Peak District Mosaic Group and YHA’s James Blake.
All in all a fantastic day and a testament to the people power that gave us all National Parks in the first place. Now they face serious challenges and need their protections strengthened. We are leading that charge – join us today!
Watch BBC’s Countryfile 7 April to catch the action