Prince Edward met Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition students from Childwall Sports and Science Academy, Liverpool. Photo: Ian Daisley
A royal visitor to the Peak District heard about the importance of Stanage Edge to climbers.
Prince Edward also presented an award to the British Mountaineering Council’s Henry Folkard and others who have contributed to the Peak District.
The Earl of Wessex visited the Stanage and North Lees estate during which he also met a group of young people undertaking their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition.
Rebekah Newman, property manager for Stanage-North Lees, hosted the visit and introduced Prince Edward to the national park authority chair, Councillor Lesley Roberts and chief executive Sarah Fowler, as well as representatives of the BMC, mountain rescue, Stanage Forum, Local Access Forum, and the Peak District National Park Authority’s ranger, rights of way, ecology and historic buildings services.
Among the issues discussed were the importance of Stanage Edge to climbers and the local community, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the Peak District, and the Sheffield Moors Partnership which was represented by Nabil Abbas of Sheffield Wildlife Trust and Danny Udall of the Eastern Moors Partnership .
Edward 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 Northfield Hall and now let as holiday accommodation by the Vivat Trust.
Prince Edward handed outstanding contribution awards to Geoff Nickolds, Keith Singleton, Bill Gordon, Mike Harding and Henry Folkard. Photo: Ian Daisley
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.”
The prince heard how visitors to Stanage-North Lees are being encouraged to contribute £15 to help look after its internationally important landscape and in return receive a sticker to display in their car for 12 months free parking at Stanage car parks, and a discount at the campsite.
The Earl of Wessex also recognised the efforts of BMC volunteer and Stanage Forum secretary Henry Folkard; 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.
