Showing posts with label Northumberland National Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Northumberland National Park. Show all posts

Sunday, 17 April 2016

Skylarks, Golden Plovers, and Curlews: Summer is on its way, and our local birds are out reminding us of the immense natural beauty of Northumberland

We are very fortunate in our part of the world, to be surrounded by such a wealth of natural wildlife. Northumberland is home to the northernmost national park in England: Northumberland National Park, covering a quarter of the whole county; as well as the largest forest in England: Kielder Water and Forest Park.

As we approach summer, I personally, and I am sure many others lucky enough to live in these parts, are reminded of the abundance of natural wonders on offer, by the appearance of many of our local, and seasonal bird species.
Skylark [Courtesy of rspb.org.uk]
Skylarks, Golden Plovers, Curlews are all local treasures and now as we approach the summer months, this an ideal time to go and see them. Skylarks, as seen in the picture to the right, can often be heard in the hay meadows around Greenhaugh.

Curlew [Courtesy of rspb.org.uk]
Golden Plovers, just a little smaller than a lapwing, specifically come up to our moorlands for the summer, from their winter coastal, and farmland habitats.  Curlews, are synonymous with Northumberland, being the emblem of Northumberland National Park, and with the National Park providing a haven for the threatened species.

Seasoned bird spotter, or amateur nature enthusiast, it makes no matter. Northumberland is a great place to see these wonderful birds, and experience some truly breath-taking natural scenery, and wildlife.

Monday, 4 April 2016

Action plan for our National Parks - well worth a read. Northumberland features a lot

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-parks-8-point-plan-for-england-2016-to-2020
This 8-point plan sets out our priorities for improving National Parks in England over the period from 2016 until 2020.
It includes plans to connect more young people to the environment through National Parks, and to increase visitor numbers. The plan also includes plans to develop apprenticeships through National Park Authorities, and to protect and enhance the natural environment.

Wednesday, 22 July 2015

Pleased that we have another good chair of Northumberland National Park in Glen Sanderson

Veteran councillor, farmer and magistrate Glen Sanderson has been elected to chair the body.
He replaces fellow councillor and Bellingham farmer John Riddle, who stood down after 14 years at the helm.
Coun Sanderson said: “I am very honoured to have been elected to this position and to follow John Riddle who has chaired the national park authority fantastically well over a long time.
“Our national park has rightly won numerous accolades over recent times and that is down to staff and board members who really care for the national park and the visitors that we welcome to it.
“I hope to be able to play a part in building on that success, to welcome even more people to enjoy this wonderful place, and to see The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre become a hugely important and enjoyable attraction for young and old alike.”
I am a big supporter of the Park, and the projects they are engaged in and will be looking forward to working with Glen and the team, and am looking to meet with the Glen and the team this summer when the House rises.  If you have not come to England's most beautiful park come soon.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/new-head-northumberland-national-park-9531053

Friday, 10 April 2015

Sandstone Way opening - Northumberland's brilliant new cycle way: I will be cycling this with Ted this summer



The team who came along 2 weeks ago for the opening of the Sandstone Way have made the following video: http://www.sandstoneway.co.uk/listing/Sandstone-Way-Hexham-Launch-Ride

The Cycle Way is already transforming the local economies in Bellingham, Rothbury, Wooller and all places between Hexham and Berwick. In the summer I plan to cycle the route, time permitting with Ted, the original planner. Full credit to all the local groups who came together to make this happen, including the council, Northumberland national park, natural England and many others. A real team effort and further proof that Northumberland is the cycling capital of the UK. If I had to cite one group really supporting the Sandstone Way, amongst many, it would have to be the team at Cycle Pad: http://www.cyclepad.org.uk
The Journal report is here: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/sandstone-way-mountain-bike-trail-8896399

Wednesday, 4 February 2015

Congratulations to the team behind the Sill

Tribute must be paid to the hard work of all the team behind the Sill. I am delighted that they have secured the Heritage Lottery Money to enable the project to proceed. I know the site well and have had a good look at the plans.
More details can be found here: http://www.thesill.org.uk/

I believe this project will bring jobs, extra tourist revenue and help make the National Park and Hadrian's Wall an even more attractive venue to visit.

More details of the project and my views on it can be seen on the attached You Tube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyelVOpEXj0

Friday, 2 January 2015

Home Office business dominates next week as Counter Terrorism and Serious Crime Bills debated Monday - Wednesday

I will be in the Chamber a lot next week and am presently in parliament preparing for:
- Home Office Questions on Monday at 2.30
- The Serious Crime Bill which follows till 10pm Monday night
- Then the Counter Terrorism Bill which is all day Tuesday and Wednesday, when I will be in the Chamber seeing this bill through the last 2 days of committee.

I also have a meeting on National Parks on Wednesday, with various assorted experts including Lord Heseltine.
And a business breakfast with Northumbria University on Tuesday morning at 8.30 to discuss regionalisation ands the North East after the Adonis Report.
I also have a couple of other meetings and events on but am trying to be on the 8pm train Wednesday night as I have a very busy Thursday, Friday and weekend in Tynedale next week.

Sunday, 10 August 2014

Forestry has a future in the North

Egger in Hexham on Monday saw the brightest and best minds from forestry coming together to meet, listen and discuss the future of forestry; it is clear from the many experts present that there is great scope to expand the forestry and woodland in the north. There are realistic plans to increase the conifer capacity by
- planting in and around housing developments, enterprise and business parks
- mid hill forestry where the moorland meets the arable and low lying land or where land abuts forestry commission land
- possible new larger forests on sites to be identified and agreed by local councils and interested bodies.
No one is contemplating another Kielder Forest but a smaller forest on a scale of Slaley or Wark is not unrealistic or unattainable in my view. This may need a change in viewpoint by several people or public bodies and possible change in direction but that is what discussion and debate is about. The simple point is this - what are we prepared to do to ensure there is a forestry and timber business in the North well beyond 2030?
Fuller details here: http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/News.aspx?pid=23&id=2641
The event is also front page of todays Courant and reported at length in the Journal.

Wednesday, 26 February 2014

Hadrian's Wall - have you visited yet? It is not too late to book that break to God's Own Country!

Richard Bunce, 32, from Ilkley in Yorkshire, beat thousands to win a commendation from the Garden Photographers’ Association. His picture of foxgloves at the Wall earned a place in the GPA’s gigantic coffee table book and shows just how stunning the county can be.
Mr Bunce said: “I love the rugged and wild atmosphere of the Northumberland landscape. It’s very easy for your imagination to run wild as you roam through such an ancient and well-preserved environment. You feel a bit closer to everything – a bit closer to nature, closer to history. There’s the sense of all those people that have walked the paths and roads before. It’s amazing to think that you would have found foxgloves around this same area during the Roman occupation of the wall.

The London-born rambler, who calls himself ‘the walking photographer’, was travelling with his wife Caroline in the summer of 2013 when he spotted the flowers “regimented, all lined up.”

The question you have to ask is this: Why have you not visited Hadrians Wall yet?

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Congratulations to local Tynedale businesses up for North East Tourism Awards

The awards ceremony is next month but I am delighted to see nominations for
- Best B and B: the Carraw Bed and Breakfast on the Military Road. I have met the owner and he runs a great B and B in a glorious location high on the Military, right next to Hadrians Wall.
- Best Holiday / Caravan park: Leaplish Waterside at Kielder
- Taste of England AND the Pub of the Year: the Feathers Pub [again!]
- Visitor Information Provider of the year: Northumberland National Park
More details here: http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/organisers-north-east-tourism-awards-6171243

If you have not been you need to go to each and every one. They are all winners in my view.

Tuesday, 24 September 2013

Understanding the Sill Project in Northumberland National Park

I have been convinced this is a great plan. The architecture of a grass roof that you can walk up and on to is truly breathtaking. Well done to all the volunteers who are helping, as outlined on BBC radio recently
Full details of the Sill are here: http://www.thesill.org.uk/news/hexham-mp-backs-vision-for-northumberlands-10.5-million-landscape-discovery-centre
If you want to know what an MP looks like after a downpour then watch the video on the link! I am proud to say that I was the only one there recording that day who braved the torrential rain [aside from a very soggy cameraman / reporter!]

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Visit, understand and admire your national park! Then accept that Northumberland National Park is the best!

Environment Minister Richard Benyon, MP, was in Northumberland yesterday visiting the Northumberland National Park and helping to launch a nationwide campaign which aims to increase understanding of the work of the national parks and the benefits they offer for rural living and working, conservation, leisure and environmental services for the whole population. Sadly I could not be with him as I was in Westminster yesterday but I will be in the park in the wonderful community of Tarset, west of Bellingham, on Saturday night June 22 when I am helping to judge a food competition, and going to the brilliant pub in Greenhaugh.
See more details of the campaign and Richards visit here:
http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2013/06/11/northumberland-national-park-in-focus-as-campaign-launched-61634-33455495/

UPDATE: I forgot to add that Anne Marie Trevelyan and I went to the House of Commons National Park Reception last week - and that the details for anyone to have their say on National Parks campaign / their views is
www.cnp.org.uk/manifesto