Ben Fogle with his dog Inca
Antarctic adventurer Ben Fogle will today help launch a scheme to open up England’s national parks to ethnic minorities.
Community champions from across the country will be trained in map reading, walk leading, fundraising, campaigning and dealing with the media to urge their fellow minority ethnic members to enjoy the best of the English countryside. The Mosaic campaign will be run by the Campaign for National Parks, of which Mr Fogle is president.
The television presenter will join minister Huw Irranca-Davies at the Dales Countryside Museum at Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales national park this morning to get the scheme underway.
Twenty cities across England have been chosen to participate in Mosaic, which also involves the Youth Hostels Association and nine national park authorities. Today’s launch follows a 3½-year pilot project involving four of the national parks.
Mr Fogle said: “Going to the countryside inspired me when I was a child, and led me to pursue the adventures I enjoy now as an adult. Mosaic is a fantastic project that works to make sure that everyone has that opportunity to experience and be amazed by the most spectacular landscapes in our country.”
Mosaic members in the North York Moors national park
Nurjahan Ali Arobi, a member of the Bradford community, is a Mosaic champion. She said: “Mosaic gives me the skills and confidence to promote the Yorkshire Dales and help my community to access the national park.
“Before we would not have been aware of what was available there in terms of facilities, let alone the sheer natural beauty and that it was a place for us all to enjoy.” She will join Mr Fogle at the Hawes launch.
Mr Irranca-Davies, natural environment minister, said: “Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and to get close to nature. Green spaces are good for our health and well-being.
“The work being done by the Campaign for National Parks and community groups through Mosaic is not only breaking down barriers, but is also forging lasting links so that more people from minority communities and under-represented groups are attracted to our national parks and can enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the world.
“Projects like Mosaic help create social cohesion within communities nationwide and the Government wholeheartedly supports the work they do.”
The Campaign for National Parks, a charity that campaigns to protect and promote national parks for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of all, says the 60th anniversary of the Act of Parliament that led to the setting up of the parks, is the ideal opportunity to ensure the national parks remain relevant to all people in contemporary 21st century Britain.
Amber
29 July 2009The National Parks and the greater countryside as a whole have always been open to all, regardless of religion, colour or background. I don't understand why or how this scheme will provide any more of an opportunity for 'ethnic minorities' when everybody has access to these spaces already.
With regards to making people aware of what is available, the onus has to be on the individual to do their own research - I research what is out there, I try what sounds interesting, and go back again if I liked it.
Rhodesy
29 July 2009Why should money be wasted on things like this? If people from ethnic minorities want to get outdoors, then they should go buy some boots and get outdoors. Why do we need Ben Fogle to encourage them to? A pathetic waste of money that could be spent better elsewhere; a donation to the many Mountain Rescue teams in Britain would be a much better idea. Absolutely absurd!
Pete and Ros
31 July 2009The notion that ethnic minorities require support to facilitate access to hillwalking is ludicrous and not least patronising. It is indicative of a middle class and narrow perspective on life. If anything the group who may potentially benefit from such an initiative are those socially and economically disadvantaged and disaffected young people living in many of our urban and indeed rural areas where opportunities are limited and social cohesion and an appreciation of our natural environment is diminished.
Yes this is absurd
Clairet
31 July 2009Dear Pete & Ros
Many I suggest you meet with the 110 Community Champions, plus the many hundreds of people they support in their use of the Parks, and repeat your statement.
Frankly you are being patronising by assuming that you know what they do and do not need by way of support.
You may well know many people from the diverse cultural communities of the UK who regulary access the natural environment, but the fact is they are in a minority of users. And THEY want to change this.
All people who pay tax in the UK contribute to the national Parks and have a right to enjoy what they have to offer.
Please come and meet the people before making such statements.
Allan
31 July 2009I think this is a great idea. I see far more diversity on the streets of Tunbridge Wells than I ever do in the Dales or the Lakes.
Many of us who have regularly visited the countryside over a number of years find it hard to remember how inaccessible the countryside initially was to us.
rhodesy
31 July 2009Yes but it isn't innaccessible any more, so why should money be wasted persuading folk top get off they're backsides. If they want to get into the outdoors, good for them. But why should taxpayers have to encourage them?
Antony
02 August 2009I have found it strange over the years how there are precious few black and asian faces on the fells. Personally I think it's a great idea: it will help people to learn what's available in this country, outside the urban environment where most of the UK population lives. So long as everyone learns to treat the countryside with respect and takes their litter home with them then the more the merrier.
rhodesy
03 August 2009I totally agree that its a case of the more the merrier, but why will thousands of pounds have been watsed just because some people wont make the decision to get outdoors for themselves.
petestuart
04 August 2009TYPICAL NEW LABOUR, BRING ON THE ELECTION
Kay
10 August 2009I am outraged at this total waste of money. £1 million from lotto. As said above, this could have gone to mountain rescue or conservation projects. There is absolutely nothing stopping ethnic minorities enjoying the countryside at the moment.
You learn what is available in the UK by talking to others, reading, internet etc.
Ridiculous!