BMC volunteer Henry Folkard joined other volunteers who have given many years outstanding service to the Peak District National Park at a royal reception with HRH the Prince of Wales on Friday 24 February.

The reception was the culminating event in the national park's 60th anniversary celebrations.  The event was essentially to acknowledge the important work of the national park ranger vounteers as well as other volunteers who make valuable contributions within the national park.

Henry said about his chat to the Prince: "We talked about BMC, its interest in both conservation and recreation, the size of its membership (which raised a royal eyebrow), the importance of climbing in the Peak and the strength of our ethic, work with young people and training of their leaders in the outdoors. And then I told him about my hellebores."

Henry has volunteered tirelessly for the BMC since 1999. helping with issues focusing on access to the countryside, nature conservation and environmental protection in the Peak.

The reception took place at Haddon Hall, near Bakewell.  Other volunteers invited to attend by the Park Authority included those involved in conservation work, food and farming initiatives, recording wildlife or archaeological sites or who support activities such as Duke of Edinburgh award schemes or access for black and minority ethnic communities.

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