National Park volunteers … they’re winners

NATIONAL PARKS UK has announced the names of the winners of its 2015 Volunteer Awards, reflecting the very best of the hundreds who work to protect and improve Britain’s breathing spaces. 

The annual awards are a way of saying thank you for the thousands of volunteer hours put into the UK’s 15 National Parks. The awards are presented in four categories: Individual, Young Person (under 25 years), Group, and Project. Winners of the individual categories receive their choice of kit from outdoor specialist and National Parks UK brand partner Merrell, while winners in the group and project categories get a £1,000 bursary toward future volunteering efforts.

Including highly commended nominees, the awards acknowledge efforts from volunteers spanning the British landscape, with the Brecon Beacons, Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, Peak District, Pembrokeshire Coast, and Yorkshire Dales all represented.

Frances Bland, a volunteer in Yorkshire Dales National Park, was named as the winner in the Individual category. A strong advocate of volunteering, she walked more than 170 miles of Yorkshire Dales footpath as part of her work.

All three nominees in the Young Person category impressed the judges, with New Forest’s Karl Epps being named winner. A wheelchair user, Mr Epps has worked with the New Forest National Park to ensure inclusiveness at national park events.
In the Group category, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Youth Rangers were named as winners.

The winning Project in 2015 was the Fit for Work scheme taking place within the boundaries of Peak District National Park. Targeted at individuals from outside the traditional national parks audience, the project helps participants earn qualifications in countryside management. 

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/46943749@N06/14954433549">Nidderdale Portrait</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/21081514@N08/5386749097">The Green Bridge of Wales - Pembrokeshire</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), Beech woodland in Bignell Wood, Wittensford, New Forest by Jim Champion. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

The New Forest: Coming up in 2016

FINE FARE is the theme in Milford-On-Sea, which is holding its Food Week from March 28 to April 3, featuring celebrity shows, dining offers, themed dining evenings, cooking demonstrations, educational talks, and wine tastings. 

There will be plenty of cookery demonstrations and gastro-experiences at the #NewForest and #Hampshire County Show (July 26-28) at Brockenhurst. 

The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu opens the hands-on Driving Change, an interactive display featuring a crash test dummy. The display explores motoring innovations, technologies, safety, and alternative power.

www.thenewforest.co.uk

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/96434059@N00/1857692094">Finger Food</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)

West Country escapes

WEST COUNTRY COTTAGES’ 2016 brochure features approximately 130 self-catering holiday homes in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, and Hampshire’s New Forest. Sleeping two to 11 guests, they range from romantic retreats to converted barns and large family houses. More than 50 welcome pets. 

Highlights include two holiday homes, Quakers and Chaffinch, converted from ancient barns on a former Quaker farm and meeting place near the unspoilt village of Membury in East Devon. Quakers is attached to the Grade II listed farmhouse, which has its origins in the 14th century. Chaffinch is a ground floor retreat for two. Dogs welcome at both.

Tucked away in a hamlet just over a mile from Chagford in the heart of Devon’s Dartmoor, thatched and detached Thorn Cottage – which sleeps six – has woodland and moorland walks all around.  Dogs are welcome here, too.

The agency has several holiday homes welcoming more than one dog. Among them is Bramble Barn, converted from a three-bay cart shed at Longcross, a mile from the Dorset town of Shaftsbury. Sleeping four plus two dogs, the cottage has been built from local Shaftesbury green stone and Gillingham brick, and has views over the ancient woodland of Duncliffe Hill and Blackmore Vale.

For a free copy of #WestCountry Cottages 2016 brochure, go to www.westcountrycottages.co.uk.  

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Homeland holidays set to boom

A SURVEY of 2,000 UK adults for VoucherCodes.co.uk has found that 83 percent of respondents planned a holiday at home this summer, a rise of 17 percent on 2014, with Cornwall, London, the Lake District, and the Yorkshire Dales leading the list of favoured destinations. 

The lure of British shores, country pubs, and cosmopolitan cities means the UK is now the number one holiday destination for Brits, beating the nearest contender, Europe, by 16 percent.

Despite spending less than they would abroad, British holidaymakers are set to spend more than £56 billion on summer breaks, with an average of £1,352 on accommodation, travel, visiting attractions, food, and holiday extras.

Other favourites in the top ten destinations list were Bournemouth, the Isle of Wight, Edinburgh, the New Forest, Brighton, and Cardiff rounded up

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Picture Credit: A591 road, Lake District - June 2009 Edit 1 by Diliff - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Families in the forest

SELF-CATERING holiday agency New Forest Living has added to its portfolio a property it says is right for large groups or “multi-generation” family gatherings ... It’s Rightmans Place in Linwood, Hampshire. 

Set in 20 acres of private land in the New Forest National Park, it sleeps 11, and there are beds for toddlers. It’s also dog-friendly.

New Forest ponies graze right up to the front gate, and in the area you might see deer, woodpeckers, buzzards, and hawks.

Prices start from £2,065; www.newforestliving.co.uk

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Hols for horses

MANY holiday companies cater for dog lovers wanting to take their pets with them, but few offer facilities for horses coming, too. 

New Forest Cottages does. 

This year, it is offering three self-catering properties where guests can bring their own horses or ponies and enjoy the forest's riding opportunities.

All three properties are in the New Forest National Park boundary, two near Fordingbridge while the third is two miles from the village of Brockenhurst.  They come with fields, paddocks or stables attached.

www.newforestcottages.co.uk 

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