BMC backs outdoor industry’s Britain on Foot campaign

Posted by Ed Douglas on 05/09/2012
A Briton on Foot

The Outdoor Industries Association (OIA) has announced what it describes as the most important campaign in the organisation’s history – Britain on Foot. The BMC is co-hosting the campaign’s launch at Westminster with members of the All Party Parliamentary Mountaineering Group on 24 October.

Britain on Foot is a call to action to get the British public fitter, healthier and happier in the great outdoors, whether that’s a walk in the park or a weekend spent bagging a Munro. But it extends beyond walking to all types of outdoor activity and adventure, including climbing, trail running and mountain biking – and family adventures like camping and adventure activities like high-ropes courses.

The campaign has the backing of the government, and two ministers will be at the launch, including John Penrose, minister for tourism. MPs John Mann and David Rutley, co-chairs of the APPMG will share the role of co-hosts with the BMC.

OIA’s chief executive Andrew Denton has been lobbying hard at Westminster and met recently with the Number 10 campaign team to discuss the potential of BoF and other national projects that promote the themes of adventure and the outdoors.

“This is a pivotal time for the UK outdoor industries,” Denton said. “We have made it onto the national political stage, we have gathered representatives from all parts of the sector under one banner, and now we have a campaign that everyone can wholeheartedly support. If we all want this to be a success, we can make it happen.”



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Anonymous User
05/09/2012
This is very good but i hope that running a long side this the very important issue of learning the Country Code and the awareness of NOT leaving your litter behind! This issue has become extremely serious now! My Wife and I witnessed several appalling examples of this last year and this year in North Wales and Derbyshire. Groups of people, families, having a picnic and then leaving 5 ltr bottles, bin bags full of rubbish, empty cartons from indian food, milk cartons, crisp wrappers etc..
This has become such a serious issue that should it continue i won't be surprised when farmers start blocking access to walkers and climbers, most likely due to those who don't actually participate in any of these activities, but rather just drive into a lay-by, walk 10meters, then leave a huge mess!

Good luck with this new venture but please address these issues equally.

thank you

Nick Oakes
Anonymous User
12/09/2012
Where is the article's photo taken from and what is it of? It's an amazing wide-angle photo that captures the best of what there is out there; perfect for the campaign.
Anonymous User
16/09/2012
^^^ Looks very much like Striding Edge from Helvellyn
Anonymous User
06/01/2013
Nick - I wouldn't argue with what you say about having people take responsibility for their actions but it's really nothing new. Littering has been a considerable problem for many decades and it's not restricted to some walkers; some farmers are amongst the worst culprits. That's not intended to knock the farming community nor the walking community - just some members of both!

As to the campaign then let's all support it, a fitter Britain (and a fitter Briton) has got to be a better one hasn't it? It would benefit us all to have a more informed access to the countryside too, better for walkers etc and better for farmers and other land managers if both sides understood each other a little better.
Anonymous User
06/01/2013
Do they still teach the Country Code in schools? I hope so.
Anonymous User
18/02/2013
Where is the BMC going - should part of its role in Mountaineering be the support commercialism? Remember people were going to the hills long before our fancy retail outlets and organised courses.
Anonymous User
21/02/2013
Could the BMC and the Westminster government perhaps knock some sense into the heads of those in the Scottish Parliament who keep approving more and more windfarms - often over the heads of local and outdoor-interest objectors? Or is Westminster perhaps influenced by the need for power for English premises that doesn't despoil their own outdoor "backyard"?

Dan Bailey's Preface to his recent book "Great Mountain Days in Scotland" should be required reading.

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