Lakeland walkers 'wrong colour'

mkpdavies · 03-01-2005, 03:23 AM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...03/ixhome.html

Quote:

The Lake District National Park is to axe the free guided walks carried out by over 100 volunteer rangers because they attract only "middle-aged, middle-class white people".

The scenic walks, which introduce thousands of tourists to the fells each year, are being scrapped as part of a three-year plan to bring more ethnic minorities, inner-city children and the disabled to the area.

You couldn't make this up! These VOLUNTEERS are the latest victims of the PC brigade. Come on Britain, we have to put a stop to this, NOW!

The sooner we get UKIP in power the better!

C_steam · 03-01-2005, 09:37 PM

As a regular walker in the lakes, I'm a bit puzzled by the reference to the disabled. Does this mean Elevators on Esk Pike, Lifts on Lingmell, Stairs on Steeple, Ramps on Robinson, wheelchair access to all wainwrights??

Biscuitman · 04-01-2005, 08:48 AM

The full article has to be a contender for the EUbolleaux of the year award and its only the first week of January

Only 122 days to go by the way!

Biscuitman · 04-01-2005, 01:49 PM

Having read this again I just have to put the article up:-

Lakeland walkers 'wrong colour'
By John Crowley
(Filed: 03/01/2005)

The Lake District National Park is to axe the free guided walks carried out by over 100 volunteer rangers because they attract only "middle-aged, middle-class white people".

The scenic walks, which introduce thousands of tourists to the fells each year, are being scrapped as part of a three-year plan to bring more ethnic minorities, inner-city children and the disabled to the area.

The national park's authority said it would be able to meet Government targets to attract minority groups and attract more funding.

It said it had also taken the "hard" decision to reduce significantly the services provided by the park's 10 information centres.

Among activities facing the axe is a programme of 900 events run by 300 rangers. These include a magazine, informative talks, slide shows and children's farm visits.

The decision has "astounded" volunteers who give up their time to carry out the walks.

They say the authority is obsessed with hitting targets and that the move smacks of political correctness. They also say that thousands of novice walkers among the 12 million tourists who visit the park every year could now be put in danger on unfamiliar terrain.

In a letter informing volunteers of the authority's decision, Paul Tiplady, national park officer, said more regional and EU funding would be attracted by refocusing on the "urban young, people from ethnic communities and disabled people".

Mick Casey, a spokesman for the authority, said 30,000 people used the events programme and 4,500 took part in the walks each year.

"Our research shows that the majority who do the walks are white middle-class, middle-aged people.

"The Government is encouraging national parks to appeal to young people, to ethnic minorities and to people with disabilities.

"It is saying we ought to focus our activities on these kinds of groups."

Mr Casey said the authority had no plans to replace the rangers and the events system.

Derek Tunstall, the former chairman of the Lake District Voluntary Rangers, said it was impossible to force people to visit the park just to meet Government targets.

"How the heck is the authority planning to attract new people when it doesn't yet have a plan in place?" he added. "We accept the fact the authority wants to save money and wants to change things but there has been no consultation with us.

"We dispute the figures the authority says we attract. The only thing we know at the moment is that at least 30,000 people are not going to be looked after."

Mr Tunstall, 51, a maintenance engineer, said that last year the rangers cost the authority only £32,000 in travel expenses, safety equipment and courses.

He said: "We do this for the love of the fells. A lot of volunteers believe they have been treated shabbily."

Another ranger, Clive Langley, said: "This is an unbelievable way to manage a national park."

Mr Langley, 60, a retired chartered surveyor, also said there was a risk of more accidents if the rangers were not on the fells. "The people who return to us every year will feel slapped in the face. One woman told me she cried when she heard and says she won't be able to come now because she does not feel safe.

"While we may not fully reflect the ethnic and age profiles, we do normally have some ethnic minorities and young people from inner cities. We also run tours for disabled people."

Mr Tiplady said: "I have listened to our volunteers and I understand their concerns and frustrations. We hope many of our volunteers will want to take up this new challenge."

The decision is due to be ratified at a meeting tomorrow.

"Lots of volunteers are going to the meeting," Mr Tunstall said. "We are going to fight this all the way

C_steam · 04-01-2005, 07:28 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/4146637.stm

Precised below:

Quote:

A plan to axe 400 free guided walks in the Lake District has been postponed following a public outcry.

Now the authority is to hold a special meeting to discuss the plan after it was criticised in the media.

On Tuesday, instead of rubber-stamping the decision to drop the walks, the authority decided to hold a special meeting, within a month, to discuss the proposal.

Mick Casey, spokesman for the authority, said, "Everybody felt there was such a lot on the agenda and it has created a lot of interest, lots of coverage in the media, that they needed a special meeting just on that issue."

Biscuitman · 04-01-2005, 07:32 PM

Another triumph for the Biscuitman!

121 days to go

04-01-2005, 08:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
Biscuitman Uber Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 3,486	The full article has to be a contender for the EUbolleaux of the year award and its only the first week of January Only 122 days to go by the way! __________________ IF THE EU WAS THE ANSWER, IT MUST HAVE BEEN A STUPID QUESTION!

04-01-2005, 01:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
Biscuitman Uber Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 3,486	Having read this again I just have to put the article up:- Lakeland walkers 'wrong colour' By John Crowley (Filed: 03/01/2005) The Lake District National Park is to axe the free guided walks carried out by over 100 volunteer rangers because they attract only "middle-aged, middle-class white people". The scenic walks, which introduce thousands of tourists to the fells each year, are being scrapped as part of a three-year plan to bring more ethnic minorities, inner-city children and the disabled to the area. The national park's authority said it would be able to meet Government targets to attract minority groups and attract more funding. It said it had also taken the "hard" decision to reduce significantly the services provided by the park's 10 information centres. Among activities facing the axe is a programme of 900 events run by 300 rangers. These include a magazine, informative talks, slide shows and children's farm visits. The decision has "astounded" volunteers who give up their time to carry out the walks. They say the authority is obsessed with hitting targets and that the move smacks of political correctness. They also say that thousands of novice walkers among the 12 million tourists who visit the park every year could now be put in danger on unfamiliar terrain. In a letter informing volunteers of the authority's decision, Paul Tiplady, national park officer, said more regional and EU funding would be attracted by refocusing on the "urban young, people from ethnic communities and disabled people". Mick Casey, a spokesman for the authority, said 30,000 people used the events programme and 4,500 took part in the walks each year. "Our research shows that the majority who do the walks are white middle-class, middle-aged people. "The Government is encouraging national parks to appeal to young people, to ethnic minorities and to people with disabilities. "It is saying we ought to focus our activities on these kinds of groups." Mr Casey said the authority had no plans to replace the rangers and the events system. Derek Tunstall, the former chairman of the Lake District Voluntary Rangers, said it was impossible to force people to visit the park just to meet Government targets. "How the heck is the authority planning to attract new people when it doesn't yet have a plan in place?" he added. "We accept the fact the authority wants to save money and wants to change things but there has been no consultation with us. "We dispute the figures the authority says we attract. The only thing we know at the moment is that at least 30,000 people are not going to be looked after." Mr Tunstall, 51, a maintenance engineer, said that last year the rangers cost the authority only £32,000 in travel expenses, safety equipment and courses. He said: "We do this for the love of the fells. A lot of volunteers believe they have been treated shabbily." Another ranger, Clive Langley, said: "This is an unbelievable way to manage a national park." Mr Langley, 60, a retired chartered surveyor, also said there was a risk of more accidents if the rangers were not on the fells. "The people who return to us every year will feel slapped in the face. One woman told me she cried when she heard and says she won't be able to come now because she does not feel safe. "While we may not fully reflect the ethnic and age profiles, we do normally have some ethnic minorities and young people from inner cities. We also run tours for disabled people." Mr Tiplady said: "I have listened to our volunteers and I understand their concerns and frustrations. We hope many of our volunteers will want to take up this new challenge." The decision is due to be ratified at a meeting tomorrow. "Lots of volunteers are going to the meeting," Mr Tunstall said. "We are going to fight this all the way __________________ IF THE EU WAS THE ANSWER, IT MUST HAVE BEEN A STUPID QUESTION!

04-01-2005, 07:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
Biscuitman Uber Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 3,486	Another triumph for the Biscuitman! 121 days to go __________________ IF THE EU WAS THE ANSWER, IT MUST HAVE BEEN A STUPID QUESTION!

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03-01-2005, 09:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
C_steam Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Paddling up 5hit creek..... Posts: 7,797	As a regular walker in the lakes, I'm a bit puzzled by the reference to the disabled. Does this mean Elevators on Esk Pike, Lifts on Lingmell, Stairs on Steeple, Ramps on Robinson, wheelchair access to all wainwrights??