Prince Edward recognises BMC efforts in the Peak District

Posted by Carey Davies on 07/05/2015
Henry Folkard receives his award from Prince Edward
View 1 of 2

The sterling efforts of BMC Peak District volunteers in sticking up for Stanage Edge were recognised by royalty this weekend.

During a ceremony on the North Lees estate, home to Stanage Edge, volunteer Henry Folkard received an award from Prince Edward recognising the 'British Mountaineering Council and Stanage Forum for an outstanding contribution in looking after the Peak District National Park.'

Henry has argued tirelessly for the interest of walkers and climbers in the Peak District on behalf of the BMC for more than 15 years. In recent times he has led the BMC's local engagement with the Peak District National Park through the Stand up for Stanage campaign

Fellow volunteer Adam Long has also been closely involved with the campaign, and was present at the ceremony to meet the visiting royal. 

Accompanied by HM Lord-Lieutenant William Tucker, Prince Edward also recognised the efforts of Bill Gordon, Stanage-North Lees warden; Mike Harding and Keith Singleton, Stanage-North Lees volunteer rangers; and Geoff Nickolds, retiring deputy-chair of the Peak District National Park Authority. 
 
Among many other things, the Prince heard about the 'Stick up for Stanage' scheme, where visitors are being encouraged to contribute £15 to improve access and help look after the estate's internationally important landscape. In return they receive a car sticker which grants them 12 months of free parking at Stanage car parks and a discount at the campsite. 
 
The scheme is the product of a partnership between the national park and the Stanage Forum, which was revitalised after the BMC's Stand up for Stanage campaign to help safeguard the future of the much-loved area.
 
We strongly encourage walkers and climbers to buy the sticker. All donations go directly towards the upkeep of Stanage North Lees and strengthen the voice of recreational users in determining how it is cared for in the future.
 
Rebekah Newman, property manager for Stanage-North Lees, hosted the visit and introduced Prince Edward to the authority chair, Cllr Lesley Roberts, and chief executive Sarah Fowler, as well as representatives of the BMC, Mountain Rescue, Stanage Forum, Local Access Forum, and various members of the national park authority. 
 
Among the issues discussed were the importance of Stanage Edge to climbers, walkers and the local community, the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme in the Peak District and the Sheffield Moors Partnership, who were represented by Nabil Abbas of Sheffield Wildlife Trust and Danny Udall of the Eastern Moors Partnership .
 
The Earl of Wessex also met Michael Longworth, tenant farmer on the estate, and a family staying at the historic North Lees Hall, the original inspiration for Charlotte Bronte’s Thornfield Hall and now let as holiday accommodation by the Vivat Trust.
 
National Park chief executive Sarah Fowler said: “It was a privilege to share Stanage-North Lees with Prince Edward, to show him its wild beauty but most importantly for him to see the diverse range of people – including schoolchildren, families, farmers, climbers, walkers, and volunteers – who benefit from and contribute to this magnificent national park landscape in so many different ways.”
 
Prince Edward was presented with gifts of local produce including local honey from the Estate, a ‘Stick up for Stanage’ sticker, and a hand-crafted millstone ornament made by Stephen Nicholson of Capital Stone Masonry, Sheffield.
 
People can obtain ‘Stick up for Stanage’ stickers from the BMC shop, the Stanage-North Lees campsite or the Outside shop in Hathersage (cash only). They are also available by phoning 01433 650 838 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or emailing this address.
 
More information about Stanage-North Lees is available on the national park website


« Back

Post a comment Print this article

This article has been read 1091 times

TAGS

Click on the tags to explore more

RELATED ARTICLES

BMC Opposes Proposals to Extend Upper Derwent Reservoirs
11
BMC Opposes Proposals to Extend Upper Derwent Reservoirs

The BMC strongly opposes proposals to extend the Ladybower network of reservoirs by flooding large areas of the Upper Derwent Valley.
Read more »

Peak District Grit: now ready to show you the way!
1
Peak District Grit: now ready to show you the way!

The latest BMC guidebook, Peak District Grit – is now on the shelves and waiting to lead you to the best the gritstone has to offer.
Read more »

Mend Our Mountains path repairs kick off on Kinder Scout with 40 tonne airlift
0
Mend Our Mountains path repairs kick off on Kinder Scout with 40 tonne airlift

A helicopter airlift has kicked off work to stop erosion on a heavily scarred path on Kinder Scout, thanks to more than £17,000 raised by the public through the BMC's Mend Our Mountains campaign.
Read more »

Post a Comment

Posting as Anonymous Community Standards
3000 characters remaining
Submit
Your comment has been posted below, click here to view it
Comments are currently on | Turn off comments
0

There are currently no comments, why not add your own?

RELATED ARTICLES

BMC Opposes Proposals to Extend Upper Derwent Reservoirs
11

The BMC strongly opposes proposals to extend the Ladybower network of reservoirs by flooding large areas of the Upper Derwent Valley.
Read more »

Peak District Grit: now ready to show you the way!
1

The latest BMC guidebook, Peak District Grit – is now on the shelves and waiting to lead you to the best the gritstone has to offer.
Read more »

Mend Our Mountains path repairs kick off on Kinder Scout with 40 tonne airlift
0

A helicopter airlift has kicked off work to stop erosion on a heavily scarred path on Kinder Scout, thanks to more than £17,000 raised by the public through the BMC's Mend Our Mountains campaign.
Read more »

BMC MEMBERSHIP
Join 82,000 BMC members and support British climbing, walking and mountaineering. Membership only £16.97.
Read more »
BMC SHOP
Great range of guidebooks, DVDs, books, calendars and maps.
All with discounts for members.
Read more »
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Get covered with BMC Insurance. Our five policies take you from the beach to Everest.
Read more »