Press release

A group of ethnic minority community leaders from Newcastle experienced two strikingly different seasons in the North Tyne valley last weekend (12-13 March).  The leaders were on a visit to Northumberland to learn about its spectacular National Park. They are part of the national Mosaic project, led by the Campaign for National Parks, that trains “community champions” from ethnic minority communities to help familiarise and welcome others in their communities to the English countryside via the National Parks. The project also aims to encourage people from ethnic minorities to become involved in the future of National Parks. 

True to its upland nature, the North Tyne provided both snowball-making weather and the brilliant blue skies and warm sunshine of spring in the space of two days. 

The Champions enjoyed walks around Kielder village and Bellingham, as well as a riverside trail across former railways and riverbanks along the Falstone circular. They received a talk about Northumberland National Park and its special qualities from National Park Authority rangers, and they also visited the award-winning Bellingham Heritage Centre that exhibits a fascinating display of the rural, Reiver and industrial history of the North Tyne Valley. On Sunday morning they helped the National Park by taking part in a session to review the Park Action Plans, to help ensure that the National Park is accessible to all audiences.  

Community Champion Rumin Ahad said: “The weather was cold, but the activities were good,” explaining that visiting the National Park “has helped familiarise me with it and given me the confidence to come back on my own.” 

Champion Roya Razaee added: “I needed this contact with the National Park to inspire me to do some work with the community so that they can have this fantastic experience too.” 

Fazeelat Iqbal, who has been a Champion for a while and taken many groups to Northumberland National Park over the last year, said: “the weekend was very relaxing – the change of weather and scenery made me feel refreshed.” 

Northumberland National Park Authority Visitor Development Manager Duncan Wise said “it is inspiring to see people new to the National Park be so enthusiastic about it, and committed to bringing more people here to share the experience.” 

The Champions stayed at Kielder YHA. Through the Mosaic project, they have learned about the YHA as an affordable and friendly option for staying overnight in the National Parks.  

Helen Jackson, CEO of the Campaign for National Parks, explains why the organisation is proud to be leading the Mosaic project: “The National Parks were created over sixty years ago for the benefit of the public. Only about one per cent of visitors to National Parks are from ethnic minority communities, although over ten per cent of the population is from an ethnic minority background. It is very important that a cross section of the British population develops a passion for National Parks and cares about their future protection.” 

This year is the Campaign for National Parks’ 75th anniversary celebration, which is being marked with the theme of “get into National Parks.”  CNP wants to generate a renewed interest in and enthusiasm for our National Parks so that more people know about them, experience them, understand them and help to look after them. 

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Nina Arwitz, Mosaic Programme Manager, Campaign for National Parks, 020 7924 4077 ext. 227, nina@cnp.org.uk

Frances Whitehead, Communications Officer, Northumberland National Park Authority, 01434 611542, frances.whitehead@nnpa.org.uk                                   

Notes to editors 

(1) Mosaic is led by the Campaign for National Parks, in partnership with the Youth Hostels Association and the ten National Park Authorities in England.  For more information visit www.mosaicnationalparks.org.

(2) The Campaign for National Parks is the national charity that campaigns to protect and promote National Parks of England and Wales, and celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2011.

(3) For more information about Northumberland National Park Authority, please visit: www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/.

Location: Northumberland National Park
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