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Our Forests press statement re: Independent Panel on Forestry Progress Report
Today (8/12/11) the Government appointed Independent Panel on Forestry has published its interim ‘Progress Report’ on its deliberations since being appointed in March following the Government’s forced U-turn on its plans to dispose of England’s public woods and forests.
Jonathon Porritt of Our Forests said, “It’s good to see the Panel acknowledge openly what was obvious to anyone who looked at the figures – the Forestry Commission delivers very good value for money for all the public benefits it provides from the woods and forests of the public forest estate.
Defra’s own internal impacts study of the proposed disposal made that clear, but that fact didn’t suit the political agenda of the Government. This welcome acknowledgement by the Panel confirms it was politics not economics that drove the disposal proposal - there isn’t and never was a convincing financial case for disposing of our public woods and forests. Their benefits far outweigh their costs.
As an ‘interim report’, the Panel doesn’t put forward any concrete recommendations, but Our Forests is concerned at the apparent havering over the future role of the Forestry Commission. The majority of people who responded to the Panel and the hundreds of thousands more who forced the Government to halt its plans in the first place, see the Public Forest Estate and the Forestry Commission as indivisible. As far as most people are concerned, the Forestry Commission is part of ‘Big Society’ - accountable to local people, not the distant, detached ‘Quango’ ministers sought to caricature it as.
One immediate action that the Government must take in response to its own Panel's report is to state unequivocally that no disposal of any public woodland will proceed until a final forward plan for the Public Forest Estate has been set out and accepted by the public.
Our Forests is producing its own future Vision and long-term strategy for our public woods and forests, as well as looking beyond those. This will be published shortly and made available for people’s input.”
[ENDS]
For further information please contact:
Robin Maynard: robin.maynard@btinternet.com, 07932 040452, 01179 731779
Jonathon Porritt: 07770 970748
Notes to editors
Our Forests
The 'Independent Panel' first met on 31st March. The same day, a group of individuals, all of whom had been actively challenging the Government's disposal proposals, also met and agreed the urgent need to form a separate 'ginger group' to ensure the 'Independent Panel' focuses on key issues, considers crucial available evidence, and takes on-board grassroots views that are so signally missing from the Panel.
Along with the over half million people signing the 38 Degrees petition, we believe that there are unique values and benefits provided to society from having a national body of woodland and forest owned by and managed sustainably on behalf of the public.
Our Forests will also set-out a long-term vision for the future of England's public woods and forests – but one that is genuinely 'a people's vision' by engaging directly with 'Big Society' via our working partnership with 38 Degrees, as well as through the many local & grassroots groups with whom we are networked.
Individual members, in alphabetical order, are:
• Hen Anderson (Co-founder 'Save Our Woods', who also runs a smallholding and woodland on Exmoor)
• Richard Daniels (Chair of the grassroots campaigning group Hands off our Forest (HOOF) in the Forest of Dean)
• Dr Gabriel Hemery (chartered forester, co–founder and Chief Executive, the Sylva Foundation);
• Tony Juniper (independent environmental advisor, campaigner, writer and former Director of Friends of the Earth);
• Rod Leslie (former Chief Executive, Forest Enterprise);
• Robin Maynard (environmental campaign consultant);
• Jonathon Porritt (Founder Director Forum for the Future and former Chair of UK Sustainable Development Commission).
Jonathon Porritt of Our Forests said, “It’s good to see the Panel acknowledge openly what was obvious to anyone who looked at the figures – the Forestry Commission delivers very good value for money for all the public benefits it provides from the woods and forests of the public forest estate.
Defra’s own internal impacts study of the proposed disposal made that clear, but that fact didn’t suit the political agenda of the Government. This welcome acknowledgement by the Panel confirms it was politics not economics that drove the disposal proposal - there isn’t and never was a convincing financial case for disposing of our public woods and forests. Their benefits far outweigh their costs.
As an ‘interim report’, the Panel doesn’t put forward any concrete recommendations, but Our Forests is concerned at the apparent havering over the future role of the Forestry Commission. The majority of people who responded to the Panel and the hundreds of thousands more who forced the Government to halt its plans in the first place, see the Public Forest Estate and the Forestry Commission as indivisible. As far as most people are concerned, the Forestry Commission is part of ‘Big Society’ - accountable to local people, not the distant, detached ‘Quango’ ministers sought to caricature it as.
One immediate action that the Government must take in response to its own Panel's report is to state unequivocally that no disposal of any public woodland will proceed until a final forward plan for the Public Forest Estate has been set out and accepted by the public.
Our Forests is producing its own future Vision and long-term strategy for our public woods and forests, as well as looking beyond those. This will be published shortly and made available for people’s input.”
[ENDS]
For further information please contact:
Robin Maynard: robin.maynard@btinternet.com, 07932 040452, 01179 731779
Jonathon Porritt: 07770 970748
Notes to editors
Our Forests
The 'Independent Panel' first met on 31st March. The same day, a group of individuals, all of whom had been actively challenging the Government's disposal proposals, also met and agreed the urgent need to form a separate 'ginger group' to ensure the 'Independent Panel' focuses on key issues, considers crucial available evidence, and takes on-board grassroots views that are so signally missing from the Panel.
Along with the over half million people signing the 38 Degrees petition, we believe that there are unique values and benefits provided to society from having a national body of woodland and forest owned by and managed sustainably on behalf of the public.
Our Forests will also set-out a long-term vision for the future of England's public woods and forests – but one that is genuinely 'a people's vision' by engaging directly with 'Big Society' via our working partnership with 38 Degrees, as well as through the many local & grassroots groups with whom we are networked.
Individual members, in alphabetical order, are:
• Hen Anderson (Co-founder 'Save Our Woods', who also runs a smallholding and woodland on Exmoor)
• Richard Daniels (Chair of the grassroots campaigning group Hands off our Forest (HOOF) in the Forest of Dean)
• Dr Gabriel Hemery (chartered forester, co–founder and Chief Executive, the Sylva Foundation);
• Tony Juniper (independent environmental advisor, campaigner, writer and former Director of Friends of the Earth);
• Rod Leslie (former Chief Executive, Forest Enterprise);
• Robin Maynard (environmental campaign consultant);
• Jonathon Porritt (Founder Director Forum for the Future and former Chair of UK Sustainable Development Commission).
Call forthe public to write to Government panel on future of England’s public forests
Save Lakeland’s Forests and Friend’s of the Lake District are encouraging people to contact the Government’s Panel on Forestry, which was set up earlier this year after public protests about plans to sell off the forests.
The two campaign groups are also urging the Panel to visit the Lake District’s forests before they produce an interim report this autumn.
The Panel, which is chaired by the Bishop of Liverpool, has invited members of the public to send in the views on the future of the forests by 31st July 2011.
The Panel say they ‘would welcome your views and ideas on any aspect of forests and woods’.
Lord Clark of Windermere, who is a former Chairman of the Forestry Commission, says: “The Government’s plans to sell off our public forests provoked a huge outcry earlier this year. However, it would be wrong to believe these forests are now safe.
“If you care about our public forests, walk your dogs in these woods, ride a mountain bike on one of the trails, enjoy having the chance to see the Lake District ospreys, the recently reintroduced red kites or our remaining red squirrels it’s important to let this Panel know how important our public forests are to you.
“The panel need to be reminded that people in this country feel passionately about the public forests and want to maintain them for future generations to be able to enjoy.”
People can send their views by email to: forestrypanel@defra.gsi.gov.uk or write to:
Secretariat to the Independent Panel on Forestry
Defra
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
Save Lakeland’s Forests and Friend’s of the Lake District are also continuing to press the Panel to visit the Lake District. The Panel has announced plans to visit several forests in England over the summer but local campaigners believe it is essential that they also come to see the Lake District’s forests and meet people here before they come to any views.
Jack Ellerby from Friend’s of the Lake District says: “People in the Lake District showed how much the public forests here mean to them. Our forests are used by a very large number of local people and visitors. They must have an opportunity to make their views known to the Panel and it’s important that members of the Panel also get the chance to see different types of public forests.
“I would therefore urge the Panel to make time for a visit to the Lake District’s forests over the summer including talking to wildlife experts, walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders in this area.”
The Government abandoned their consultation on transferring all forests out of public hands in February after the plans were widely criticised. Over half a million people signed a national petition against any sell offs and there were protests in the Lake District and other parts of the country.
For more information on Save Lakeland’s Forests visit www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk. For more information on Friends of the Lake District visit www.fld.org.uk.
The two campaign groups are also urging the Panel to visit the Lake District’s forests before they produce an interim report this autumn.
The Panel, which is chaired by the Bishop of Liverpool, has invited members of the public to send in the views on the future of the forests by 31st July 2011.
The Panel say they ‘would welcome your views and ideas on any aspect of forests and woods’.
Lord Clark of Windermere, who is a former Chairman of the Forestry Commission, says: “The Government’s plans to sell off our public forests provoked a huge outcry earlier this year. However, it would be wrong to believe these forests are now safe.
“If you care about our public forests, walk your dogs in these woods, ride a mountain bike on one of the trails, enjoy having the chance to see the Lake District ospreys, the recently reintroduced red kites or our remaining red squirrels it’s important to let this Panel know how important our public forests are to you.
“The panel need to be reminded that people in this country feel passionately about the public forests and want to maintain them for future generations to be able to enjoy.”
People can send their views by email to: forestrypanel@defra.gsi.gov.uk or write to:
Secretariat to the Independent Panel on Forestry
Defra
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
Save Lakeland’s Forests and Friend’s of the Lake District are also continuing to press the Panel to visit the Lake District. The Panel has announced plans to visit several forests in England over the summer but local campaigners believe it is essential that they also come to see the Lake District’s forests and meet people here before they come to any views.
Jack Ellerby from Friend’s of the Lake District says: “People in the Lake District showed how much the public forests here mean to them. Our forests are used by a very large number of local people and visitors. They must have an opportunity to make their views known to the Panel and it’s important that members of the Panel also get the chance to see different types of public forests.
“I would therefore urge the Panel to make time for a visit to the Lake District’s forests over the summer including talking to wildlife experts, walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders in this area.”
The Government abandoned their consultation on transferring all forests out of public hands in February after the plans were widely criticised. Over half a million people signed a national petition against any sell offs and there were protests in the Lake District and other parts of the country.
For more information on Save Lakeland’s Forests visit www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk. For more information on Friends of the Lake District visit www.fld.org.uk.
Lake District campaigners express disappointment at Government appointments to new panel on the future of England’s public forests
Save Lakeland’s Forests has expressed disappointment at the Government’s appointments to a new panel that will look at the future of England’s public forests.
The Government abandoned a consultation on transferring all forests out of public hands last month after the plans were widely criticised. Over half a million people signed a national petition against any sell offs and there were protests in places like the Lake District.
The Government promised to set up an independent panel to look at the future of England’s forests. However, Lake District campaigners say the panel announced today (17th March) should include people who represent the grassroots campaigns against the sell offs, as well as mountain bikers and horse riders, who were most threatened by the plans.
Lord Clark of Windermere, a former Chairman of the Forestry Commission, said: “We welcome the appointment of the Bishop of Liverpool as the chair of the panel. However, we are concerned that the panel does not include one single representative of those who campaigned against the Government’s plans to dispose of our public forests.
“Ministers should include at least one person from the local campaigns and a representative of mountain bikers and horse riders. We therefore hope the Government will make changes to the membership of the panel before it starts work.
“The panel is also stuffed full of people who represent organisations that could benefit from the Government disposing of public forests. That means they have a potential conflict of interest.”
Campaigners are also angry that the terms of reference for the panel include looking at options for the ‘future ownership and management’ of the public forest estate in England.
“The public made their views on our public forests clear last month. 84% people said in a poll that they wanted these forests to remain in public hands. If the Government is serious about improving public access and wildlife protection, as the Prime Minister has said in Parliament; the panel should look at how we increase not cut our public forests.
“If this panel was to propose disposing of any of our public forests there would quite rightly be a public outcry.”
Save Lakelands Forests and Friends of the Lake District are planning to jointly write to the chair of the panel to ask them to visit the Lake District.
Lord Clark said: “We’re very pleased that the Bishop of Liverpool has said that ‘one of the panel’s very first tasks will be to meet with the grassroots campaigners who recently showed how much they valued their local woodlands’.
“We’d like to set up a visit for the panel to see to see some of our public woodlands and meet some of the people who use them, as well as others with an interest in the future of public forests, including wildlife experts, walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders.
“It’s vital this panel does get the opportunity to find out why so many people, including lots of the people they represent, were so passionate about keeping these forests in public hands for the benefit of future generations.”
Save Lakeland’s Forests and Friends of the Lake District are joining forest campaign groups across England to encourage as many people as possible to come out and enjoy two of Cumbria’s public woodlands ( 20th March), the eve of World Forestry Day.
It is the smaller woodlands that are now under the most immediate threat from the Government’s plans. Save Lakeland’s Forests and Friends of the Lake District want people to join them in two of these woods: at Chapel House near Windermere and High Stand near Armathwaite at midday on Sunday.
Chapel House Forest near Staveley-in-Cartmel, is close to Newby Bridge in south Cumbria. It has spectacular views from numerous paths, with a variety of wildlife - birch, bogs, bats and birds. Parking is available at the Staveley-in-Cartmel Car Park (Grid ref: SD 381851/postcode: LA12 8NG ) just off the A590.
High Stand is 1.5 miles north-west of Armathwaite village in north Cumbria. There are lots of lovely, gentle walks and the wood is rich in wildlife including Red Squirrels, Owls and butterflies. There is a car park on the southern boundary of the wood (Grid reference NY495483).
For more information on Save Lakeland’s Forests visit www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk.
The Government abandoned a consultation on transferring all forests out of public hands last month after the plans were widely criticised. Over half a million people signed a national petition against any sell offs and there were protests in places like the Lake District.
The Government promised to set up an independent panel to look at the future of England’s forests. However, Lake District campaigners say the panel announced today (17th March) should include people who represent the grassroots campaigns against the sell offs, as well as mountain bikers and horse riders, who were most threatened by the plans.
Lord Clark of Windermere, a former Chairman of the Forestry Commission, said: “We welcome the appointment of the Bishop of Liverpool as the chair of the panel. However, we are concerned that the panel does not include one single representative of those who campaigned against the Government’s plans to dispose of our public forests.
“Ministers should include at least one person from the local campaigns and a representative of mountain bikers and horse riders. We therefore hope the Government will make changes to the membership of the panel before it starts work.
“The panel is also stuffed full of people who represent organisations that could benefit from the Government disposing of public forests. That means they have a potential conflict of interest.”
Campaigners are also angry that the terms of reference for the panel include looking at options for the ‘future ownership and management’ of the public forest estate in England.
“The public made their views on our public forests clear last month. 84% people said in a poll that they wanted these forests to remain in public hands. If the Government is serious about improving public access and wildlife protection, as the Prime Minister has said in Parliament; the panel should look at how we increase not cut our public forests.
“If this panel was to propose disposing of any of our public forests there would quite rightly be a public outcry.”
Save Lakelands Forests and Friends of the Lake District are planning to jointly write to the chair of the panel to ask them to visit the Lake District.
Lord Clark said: “We’re very pleased that the Bishop of Liverpool has said that ‘one of the panel’s very first tasks will be to meet with the grassroots campaigners who recently showed how much they valued their local woodlands’.
“We’d like to set up a visit for the panel to see to see some of our public woodlands and meet some of the people who use them, as well as others with an interest in the future of public forests, including wildlife experts, walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders.
“It’s vital this panel does get the opportunity to find out why so many people, including lots of the people they represent, were so passionate about keeping these forests in public hands for the benefit of future generations.”
Save Lakeland’s Forests and Friends of the Lake District are joining forest campaign groups across England to encourage as many people as possible to come out and enjoy two of Cumbria’s public woodlands ( 20th March), the eve of World Forestry Day.
It is the smaller woodlands that are now under the most immediate threat from the Government’s plans. Save Lakeland’s Forests and Friends of the Lake District want people to join them in two of these woods: at Chapel House near Windermere and High Stand near Armathwaite at midday on Sunday.
Chapel House Forest near Staveley-in-Cartmel, is close to Newby Bridge in south Cumbria. It has spectacular views from numerous paths, with a variety of wildlife - birch, bogs, bats and birds. Parking is available at the Staveley-in-Cartmel Car Park (Grid ref: SD 381851/postcode: LA12 8NG ) just off the A590.
High Stand is 1.5 miles north-west of Armathwaite village in north Cumbria. There are lots of lovely, gentle walks and the wood is rich in wildlife including Red Squirrels, Owls and butterflies. There is a car park on the southern boundary of the wood (Grid reference NY495483).
For more information on Save Lakeland’s Forests visit www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk.
CELEBRATE CUMBRIA’S FORESTS ON THE EVE OF WORLD FORESTRY DAY
Save Lakeland’s Forests and Friends of the Lake District are joining forest campaign groups across England to encourage as many people as possible to come out and enjoy two of Cumbria’s public woodlands on Sunday 20th March, the eve of World Forestry Day.
Following protests from a network of forest campaign groups, strongly supported by the general public, the Government abandoned its consultation on selling off our forests last month.
However campaigners say we are not out of the woods yet. The Government still plan to sell off 15% of the public forests across England. It is believed this could mean as much as 30-40% of the 34 public-owned forests and woodlands across the Lake District are still under threat.
It is the smaller woodlands that are now most under threat from the Government’s plans. Save Lakeland’s Forests and Friends of the Lake District want people to join them in two of these woods: at Chapel House near Windermere and High Stand near Armathwaite at midday on Sunday.
Lord Clark of Windermere says: “We want cyclists, walkers, dog-walkers, riders, ramblers and picnickers to get out into OUR woods on Sunday and show their love for them. Chapel House and High Stand are among the woods that are most vulnerable if the Government goes ahead with its remaining sell off plans.
“Like many other areas of woodland across the county they are much loved green spaces where people enjoy a range of outdoor activities, as well as providing valuable habitats for a range of species.”
Chapel House Forest is near Staveley-in-Cartmel, which is close to Newby Bridge in south Cumbria. It has spectacular views from numerous paths, with a variety of wildlife - birch, bogs, bats and birds. Parking is available at the Staveley-in-Cartmel Car Park (Grid ref : SD 381851/postcode: LA12 8NG ) just off the A590.
High Stand is 1.5 miles north-west of Armathwaite village in north Cumbria. There are lots of lovely, gentle walks and the wood is rich in wildlife including Red Squirrels, Owls and butterflies. There is a car park on the southern boundary of the wood (Grid reference NY495483).
There will also be a hands-on volunteer opportunity by joining Friends of the Lake District tree planting with the Orton Community Woodland project near Tebay (Grid Reference NY 624087) on Sunday 20 March between 11am - 4pm.
For further information including maps visit www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk.
Events are being held by forest campaign groups across the country including the Forest of Dean, Delamere Forest and Sherwood Forest.
Ends
Forest Campaign Victory – Come and Celebrate at Whinlatter!
The Government has done a major U-turn – our public forests are saved!
Friends of the Lake District and Save Lakelands Forests are delighted that Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has announced today that the Government will abandon its public consultation to sell off the nation’s forests. The Government has also said it will remove the forestry clauses from the Public Bodies Bill, currently under discussion in the House of Lords. An independent Panel will now be formed to examine the future for forestry policy in England.
Jack Ellerby of Friends of the Lake District, and spokesperson for Save Lakeland’s Forests said: ‘The Government’s proposals made no sense at all. We are delighted the consultation has been chopped! This is a great victory for everyone who signed the petition, wrote to their MP, or demonstrated against the planned sale of our forests – thank you so much for all your support with our campaign to ‘Stop the Sell Off’. And it worked - the Government has listened.
’The Forestry Commission still face major budget and staff cuts and there is still a question mark over the disposal of 15% of the public forests, already agreed, so our work is not finished.
‘The expert Panel that will report to the Government on the future of forests in England needs to spend some time in Cumbria. Come to see the fantastic work the Forestry Commission has done and get an understanding of the challenges we still face, including expanding wildlife habitats and networks, creating more mixed woodlands in inaccessible expensive upland locations, making woodlands more resilient to tree diseases, protecting fragile soils and improving water quality and flood control management.’
The planned rally at Whinlatter Forest near Keswick on Saturday 19 February will still go ahead, where speakers include Chris Bonington, climber Leo Houlding, Lord Clark of Windermere, Jamie Read MP and Policy Officer Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District.
The rally will be held near to Whinlatter Visitor Centre, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5TW at 1pm on Saturday 19 February, with a choice of easy or challenging mountain bike rides from 11am.
Mountain bikers and osprey project volunteers to join rally at Whinlatter
Mountain bikers and volunteers from the Lake District Osprey Project will be among those taking part in a rally at Whinlatter this weekend to oppose plans to transfer forests out of public hands.
Mountain bikers are being encouraged to come along and do a Ride to Save Our Forests as part of the rally in England’s only mountain forest on Saturday 19th February, which is being organised by Save Lakeland’s Forests and Friends of the Lake District.
The organisers are suggesting that riders start off from about 11.00, when there will be someone on hand to direct people to the trails, and either do the 19 kilometre red grade Altura Trail or the 7.5 kilometre blue grade Quercus Trail from the Visitor Centre. The rally will then get underway next to the main car park at 1pm.
Mountain biking is one of the activities most threatened by the Government’s plans.
Alex Kemp, a mountain biker from Brampton who will be helping at the event on Saturday, says: "The trails in the Lakes are definitely among the best in the country. I ride at Whinlatter or Grizedale at least once a week and always meet people who have come from all over the country, and even the world to ride there. These trails contribute a lot to the area both socially and economically.
"If the forestry land got sold, it would be unlikely we would see trails of this calibre in England again. Private firms would have no reason to develop or even keep these trails open.
"And the worst thing about it for me is that if clauses 17 and 18 of the Public Bodies Bill go through, the people of England could lose these amazing places for ever due to the decision of one person."
Volunteers who help to protect the Lake District’s famous ospreys are also planning to turn out in force for Saturday’s rally. The volunteers help guard the osprey nest at Dodd Wood near Keswick and also provide information at a public viewing point and at Whinlatter Visitor Centre, where live pictures of the birds can be seen on a big screen.
Keith Fitton is one of the contingent of volunteers heading to Saturday’s rally. He was seen by millions of people challenging a government minister to justify the sale of public forests on the BBC’s Question Time when the programme was broadcast from Workington earlier this month.
Keith, who will speak at the rally, says: “It’s completely inspiring to be part of the Lake District Osprey Project, but seeing these iconic birds back in Cumbria hasn’t happened by accident. It’s the result of the hard work, dedication and commitment of the volunteers and staff of the project, working together with the Forestry Commission and other partners.
“The Forestry Commission’s role has been absolutely crucial to the success of the project. It must continue in order to provide the stewardship which is vital not just to ospreys but other endangered wildlife”.
The Lake District Osprey Project was responsible for the return of ospreys to the Lake District after a gap of more than 150 years.
Whinlatter is also one of a small number of red squirrel reserves in England, where special efforts are being made to help the remaining population of these popular native mammals.
Over half a million people have now signed a national online petition against the Government plans and about 1,500 people have joined the Save Lakeland’s Forests page on Facebook or are following SaveLDForests on Twitter.
Lord Clark of Windermere, a former chairman of the Forestry Commission, will also be speaking at the rally. He says: “The campaign against the Government’s plans has brought people together from across the political spectrum and from every walk of life. Ministers are clearly very nervous about the reaction to their plans but if we are going to persuade them to change course we need to keep the pressure up, so a big turnout at Whinlatter will be vital.”
Last week ministers announced they were delaying the announcement of woodland sales due to take place this year. However, they made it clear the delay would have no affect on their plans to transfer all our public forests out of public hands.
Campaigners are also encouraging people to contact Members of the House of Lords and MPs. There is information about how to do that at www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk
Other speakers at the rally at Whinlatter Forest near Keswick on Saturday 19th February will include mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington and Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District.
Mountain bikers are being encouraged to come along and do a Ride to Save Our Forests as part of the rally in England’s only mountain forest on Saturday 19th February, which is being organised by Save Lakeland’s Forests and Friends of the Lake District.
The organisers are suggesting that riders start off from about 11.00, when there will be someone on hand to direct people to the trails, and either do the 19 kilometre red grade Altura Trail or the 7.5 kilometre blue grade Quercus Trail from the Visitor Centre. The rally will then get underway next to the main car park at 1pm.
Mountain biking is one of the activities most threatened by the Government’s plans.
Alex Kemp, a mountain biker from Brampton who will be helping at the event on Saturday, says: "The trails in the Lakes are definitely among the best in the country. I ride at Whinlatter or Grizedale at least once a week and always meet people who have come from all over the country, and even the world to ride there. These trails contribute a lot to the area both socially and economically.
"If the forestry land got sold, it would be unlikely we would see trails of this calibre in England again. Private firms would have no reason to develop or even keep these trails open.
"And the worst thing about it for me is that if clauses 17 and 18 of the Public Bodies Bill go through, the people of England could lose these amazing places for ever due to the decision of one person."
Volunteers who help to protect the Lake District’s famous ospreys are also planning to turn out in force for Saturday’s rally. The volunteers help guard the osprey nest at Dodd Wood near Keswick and also provide information at a public viewing point and at Whinlatter Visitor Centre, where live pictures of the birds can be seen on a big screen.
Keith Fitton is one of the contingent of volunteers heading to Saturday’s rally. He was seen by millions of people challenging a government minister to justify the sale of public forests on the BBC’s Question Time when the programme was broadcast from Workington earlier this month.
Keith, who will speak at the rally, says: “It’s completely inspiring to be part of the Lake District Osprey Project, but seeing these iconic birds back in Cumbria hasn’t happened by accident. It’s the result of the hard work, dedication and commitment of the volunteers and staff of the project, working together with the Forestry Commission and other partners.
“The Forestry Commission’s role has been absolutely crucial to the success of the project. It must continue in order to provide the stewardship which is vital not just to ospreys but other endangered wildlife”.
The Lake District Osprey Project was responsible for the return of ospreys to the Lake District after a gap of more than 150 years.
Whinlatter is also one of a small number of red squirrel reserves in England, where special efforts are being made to help the remaining population of these popular native mammals.
Over half a million people have now signed a national online petition against the Government plans and about 1,500 people have joined the Save Lakeland’s Forests page on Facebook or are following SaveLDForests on Twitter.
Lord Clark of Windermere, a former chairman of the Forestry Commission, will also be speaking at the rally. He says: “The campaign against the Government’s plans has brought people together from across the political spectrum and from every walk of life. Ministers are clearly very nervous about the reaction to their plans but if we are going to persuade them to change course we need to keep the pressure up, so a big turnout at Whinlatter will be vital.”
Last week ministers announced they were delaying the announcement of woodland sales due to take place this year. However, they made it clear the delay would have no affect on their plans to transfer all our public forests out of public hands.
Campaigners are also encouraging people to contact Members of the House of Lords and MPs. There is information about how to do that at www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk
Other speakers at the rally at Whinlatter Forest near Keswick on Saturday 19th February will include mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington and Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District.
Cumbrian campaigners celebrate as forest petition tops half million
Save Lakeland’s Forests and Friends of the Lake District are celebrating a national petition against the Government’s plans to transfer forests out of public hands passing the half million mark.
The petition was organised by 38 degrees after the Government first announced that it wanted to dispose of all of England’s public forests, including 39 forests and woodlands in the Lake District.
Save Lakeland’s Forests and Friends of the Lake District has been encouraging people in Cumbria to sign the petition to increase pressure on the Government to abandon the proposals.
Eric Robson, the Chairman of Cumbria Tourism, who spoke at the first Save Lakeland’s Forests rally, says: “This is a fantastic achievement. Most petitions like this never get beyond a few tens of thousands. The fact that half a million people have been motivated to sign this petition shows the strength of feeling all over the country – as well as in Cumbria - about keeping our public forests.
“It is a very powerful message to ministers that they should keep their hands off our forests.”
Nearly a thousand people have also signed up to the Save Lakeland’s Forests Facebook page and over 400 people are following @SaveLDForests on Twitter. About 1,500 people attended the group’s first rally at Grizedale in January and another rally is being held at Whinlatter on Saturday 19th February.
Lord Clark of Windermere, a former Chairman of the Forestry Commission, will speak at the next rally, together with mountaineer Chris Bonington, and Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District.
Lord Clark says: “It’s clear that the Government have become increasingly worried about the scale of the opposition to their plans to dispose of our public forests, mainly to private companies. However, there is no room for complacency and so we need to keep the pressure up.
“It’s particularly important to get the Public Bodies Bill changed because that would give ministers the power to sell off all our forests whenever they want - at the moment they can’t sell more than 15%. Key amendments will be debated in the House of Lords in the next few weeks and people need to make sure that peers understand how important this issue is to so many people.”
Save Lakeland’s Forests has details about how people can contact Members of the House of Lords on their website – www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk
The group is also urging people to write to the county’s two Conservative MPs asking them to oppose the Government’s plans. The Penrith and the Borders MP Rory Stewart and the Carlisle MP John Stevenson were the only Cumbrian MPs to vote in favour of transferring forests out of the public sector after a recent debate in the House of Commons.
Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District, says: “It is remarkable that so many people have signed this petition and it is a very clear warning to ministers that it would be a serious mistake to press ahead with their plans to get rid of our public forests.
“As much as 30-40% of the woodlands in the Lake District National Park are at threat. Free access for cycling and horse riding and the great
work of the Forestry Commission to improve wildlife habitats would probably come to an end.
“We hope that as many people as possible will come to Whinlatter on the 19th of February to show how much they value our public forests. If we don’t stand up now and show the Government what we think these vital green spaces they will be lost for good.”
The rally at Whinlatter Forest near Keswick will be held close to the visitor centre at 1pm on Saturday 19th February.
Call for people to write to Cumbria's Conservative MPs
Save Lakeland’s Forests is asking people living in the Eden Valley, Carlisle and the north of Cumbria to write to their MPs calling on them to oppose the Government’s plans to transfer public forests to the private sector.
The Penrith and the Borders MP Rory Stewart and the Carlisle MP John Stevenson were the only Cumbrian MPs to vote in favour of transferring forests out of the public sector after a debate in the House of Commons last Wednesday.
However, the key vote on the Public Bodies Reform Bill – which would give the Government the power to sell off all the forests – will take place sometime in the spring. The Government’s consultation on the public forests also runs until late April.
Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District and a spokesman for the Save Lakeland’s Forests campaign, says: “There is still time to save our public forests. A national opinion poll shows that 84% of people oppose the Government’s plans. It’s important for everyone in these two constituencies to make sure their MPs know how they feel about this appalling proposal.
“The Government wants to dispose of our woodlands and that means 30-40% of the woodlands in the Lake District National Park could pass into private ownership, with free access for cycling, horse riding, and picnic areas potentially closed off.
“Private owners of forests will have profit in mind - which could mean a return to large tracts of fast growing non-native spruce, and all the wildlife and habitat deterioration that could bring.”
Campaigners say Rory Stewart’s decision to vote in favour of transferring forests out of public ownership is particularly disappointing as he has one of the largest concentrations of public forests in his constituency of any MP. These forests include High Stand and Coombes Wood near Armathwaite.
Three Conservative MPs in England did rebel against the Government’s plans in last week’s vote, including two MPs with large areas of public forests in their constituencies.
Eddie Martin, the Conservative leader of Cumbria County Council, has also spoken out strongly against the Government’s proposals saying: “The forests are an integral and intrinsic part of the unique and beautiful Cumbrian landscape and should not and must not be put up to sale to the highest bidder.”
Save Lakeland’s Forests is holding a rally at Whinlatter Forest later this month to give people a chance to show their opposition to the Government’s plans. A rally in Grizedale Forest on Sunday (30th January) was attended by around 1,500 people.
Radio 2 presenter Stuart Maconie, who lives near Penrith, in Rory Stewart’s constituency, has backed the Save Lakeland’s Forests campaign calling the Government’s plans “petty, shortsighted and unjust”.
He said “Some things are worth more than money. You cannot put a price on the joy and the riches that these beautiful, mysterious, verdant, secret, proud and historic places can bring.
“Freedoms hard won should not be relinquished without a fight. If they want that fight, they can have it”.
Eric Robson, the Chairman of Cumbria Tourism and the Wainwright Society, says: “Most of our public forests and woodlands have a mixed use – providing important leisure facilities for the public and habitat for a wide range of wildlife, as well as timber.
“It is therefore nonsense for the Government to call some of these woodlands ‘heritage’ forests and then say the vast majority are ‘commercial’ forests which they want to transfer to the private sector.
“Even the so-called ‘heritage’ forests would hardly be safe. It takes a lot of money to maintain these forests and the Government is saying that although there would be some financial support initially it would reduce over time.”
“Our public forests are already much smaller than in almost every other developed country. We should be talking about how we can increase the size of these forests not flogging them off – even on long leases – to private owners.”
Kershop and Spadeadam forests in Rory Stewart’s constituency are classic examples of the problem of trying to define forests as either ‘heritage’ or ‘commercial’. These are mainly conifer woods but there has been an important programme of bogs and mires restoration work there and both are home to red squirrels, which are under threat in England.
The rally at Whinlatter Forest near Keswick will be held close to the visitor centre on Saturday 19th February. Speakers will include mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington; Lord Clark of Windermere; and Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District. Cumbrian MPs are also being invited to speak.
The rally will focus on the importance of making changes to the Public Bodies Bill, which would give the Government the power to sell off all the public forests. At the moment they cannot sell more than 15%. The Bill is currently being debated in parliament and campaigners want MPs and peers to vote to remove clauses 17 and 18 from the Bill.
Well over 1,200 people have now joined the Save Lakeland’s Forests Facebook page or are following SaveLDForests on Twitter. Nationally more than 450,000 people have signed a national petition organised by 38 degrees against the Government’s plans, and that number is increasing significantly every day.
For more information visit www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk
The Penrith and the Borders MP Rory Stewart and the Carlisle MP John Stevenson were the only Cumbrian MPs to vote in favour of transferring forests out of the public sector after a debate in the House of Commons last Wednesday.
However, the key vote on the Public Bodies Reform Bill – which would give the Government the power to sell off all the forests – will take place sometime in the spring. The Government’s consultation on the public forests also runs until late April.
Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District and a spokesman for the Save Lakeland’s Forests campaign, says: “There is still time to save our public forests. A national opinion poll shows that 84% of people oppose the Government’s plans. It’s important for everyone in these two constituencies to make sure their MPs know how they feel about this appalling proposal.
“The Government wants to dispose of our woodlands and that means 30-40% of the woodlands in the Lake District National Park could pass into private ownership, with free access for cycling, horse riding, and picnic areas potentially closed off.
“Private owners of forests will have profit in mind - which could mean a return to large tracts of fast growing non-native spruce, and all the wildlife and habitat deterioration that could bring.”
Campaigners say Rory Stewart’s decision to vote in favour of transferring forests out of public ownership is particularly disappointing as he has one of the largest concentrations of public forests in his constituency of any MP. These forests include High Stand and Coombes Wood near Armathwaite.
Three Conservative MPs in England did rebel against the Government’s plans in last week’s vote, including two MPs with large areas of public forests in their constituencies.
Eddie Martin, the Conservative leader of Cumbria County Council, has also spoken out strongly against the Government’s proposals saying: “The forests are an integral and intrinsic part of the unique and beautiful Cumbrian landscape and should not and must not be put up to sale to the highest bidder.”
Save Lakeland’s Forests is holding a rally at Whinlatter Forest later this month to give people a chance to show their opposition to the Government’s plans. A rally in Grizedale Forest on Sunday (30th January) was attended by around 1,500 people.
Radio 2 presenter Stuart Maconie, who lives near Penrith, in Rory Stewart’s constituency, has backed the Save Lakeland’s Forests campaign calling the Government’s plans “petty, shortsighted and unjust”.
He said “Some things are worth more than money. You cannot put a price on the joy and the riches that these beautiful, mysterious, verdant, secret, proud and historic places can bring.
“Freedoms hard won should not be relinquished without a fight. If they want that fight, they can have it”.
Eric Robson, the Chairman of Cumbria Tourism and the Wainwright Society, says: “Most of our public forests and woodlands have a mixed use – providing important leisure facilities for the public and habitat for a wide range of wildlife, as well as timber.
“It is therefore nonsense for the Government to call some of these woodlands ‘heritage’ forests and then say the vast majority are ‘commercial’ forests which they want to transfer to the private sector.
“Even the so-called ‘heritage’ forests would hardly be safe. It takes a lot of money to maintain these forests and the Government is saying that although there would be some financial support initially it would reduce over time.”
“Our public forests are already much smaller than in almost every other developed country. We should be talking about how we can increase the size of these forests not flogging them off – even on long leases – to private owners.”
Kershop and Spadeadam forests in Rory Stewart’s constituency are classic examples of the problem of trying to define forests as either ‘heritage’ or ‘commercial’. These are mainly conifer woods but there has been an important programme of bogs and mires restoration work there and both are home to red squirrels, which are under threat in England.
The rally at Whinlatter Forest near Keswick will be held close to the visitor centre on Saturday 19th February. Speakers will include mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington; Lord Clark of Windermere; and Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District. Cumbrian MPs are also being invited to speak.
The rally will focus on the importance of making changes to the Public Bodies Bill, which would give the Government the power to sell off all the public forests. At the moment they cannot sell more than 15%. The Bill is currently being debated in parliament and campaigners want MPs and peers to vote to remove clauses 17 and 18 from the Bill.
Well over 1,200 people have now joined the Save Lakeland’s Forests Facebook page or are following SaveLDForests on Twitter. Nationally more than 450,000 people have signed a national petition organised by 38 degrees against the Government’s plans, and that number is increasing significantly every day.
For more information visit www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk
Second Lake District rally called to protest against plans to sell off public forests
Save Lakeland’s Forests is stepping up its campaign against Government plans to hand over most of our public forests to the private sector with a rally at Whinlatter Forest later this month.
A rally in Grizedale Forest last Sunday (30th January) was attended by around 1,500 people. Ever since plans for that rally were announced the campaign has been getting a lot of requests for a rally to be held in the north of the Lake District as well.
The rally at Whinlatter Forest near Keswick will be held close to the visitor centre on Saturday 19th February. Speakers will include mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington; Lord Clark of Windermere; and Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District.
Whinlatter is England’s only mountain forest and is popular with walkers, mountain bikers, horse riders and families.
Sir Chris Bonington says: “I urge all those who value these wonderful green spaces to join the campaign to keep our forests in public ownership and public management. By coming to Whinlatter on the 19th of February you can show the Government that their plans are completely unacceptable to people in Cumbria.
"It is vital that we keep up the pressure on the Government to abandon plans to transfer our public forests to private sector owners. If the sale of forests and woodlands across the Lake District and other parts of England go ahead it will be a disaster for public access and wildlife protection.”
The rally will focus on the importance of making changes to the Public Bodies Bill, which would give the Government the power to sell off all the public forests. At the moment they cannot sell more than 15%.
The Bill is currently being debated in parliament and campaigners want MPs and peers to vote to remove clauses 17 and 18 from the Bill.
Lord Clark says: “The fact that the Government already has legislation in parliament to sell all our public forests shows that their consultation is just a sham. We want the clauses that would give them the power to do this taken out of the Bill so we can have a proper debate about the future of our forests.
“The rally at Whinlatter will help to show MPs, peers and the Government how strongly we all feel. We also want people to write to their MPs and to members of the House of Lords.”
More than 1,100 people have now joined the Save Lakeland’s Forests Facebook page or are following SaveLDForests on Twitter. Nationally more than 370,000 people have signed a national petition organised by 38 degrees against the Government’s plans, and that number is increasing significantly every day.
Jack Ellerby says: “If you love woodlands and enjoy walking or riding in local Forestry Commission woods, now is the time to stand up and join the campaign to keep these woods in public hands and under sustainable management.
“The coalition Government wants to sell off our woodlands and right now this means 30-40% of the woodlands in the Lake District National Park could pass into private ownership, with free access for cycling, horse riding, canoeists, and picnic areas potentially closed off - what effect will that have on local people's enjoyment and tourists and the revenue they bring to the area?
“Private owners of forests will have profit in mind - which could mean a return to large tracts of fast growing non-native spruce, and all the wildlife and habitat deterioration that could bring.”
In the Lake District nearly 40 public forests and woodlands such as Whinlatter, Grizedale, Dodd Wood and Ennerdale are under threat.
A rally in Grizedale Forest last Sunday (30th January) was attended by around 1,500 people. Ever since plans for that rally were announced the campaign has been getting a lot of requests for a rally to be held in the north of the Lake District as well.
The rally at Whinlatter Forest near Keswick will be held close to the visitor centre on Saturday 19th February. Speakers will include mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington; Lord Clark of Windermere; and Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District.
Whinlatter is England’s only mountain forest and is popular with walkers, mountain bikers, horse riders and families.
Sir Chris Bonington says: “I urge all those who value these wonderful green spaces to join the campaign to keep our forests in public ownership and public management. By coming to Whinlatter on the 19th of February you can show the Government that their plans are completely unacceptable to people in Cumbria.
"It is vital that we keep up the pressure on the Government to abandon plans to transfer our public forests to private sector owners. If the sale of forests and woodlands across the Lake District and other parts of England go ahead it will be a disaster for public access and wildlife protection.”
The rally will focus on the importance of making changes to the Public Bodies Bill, which would give the Government the power to sell off all the public forests. At the moment they cannot sell more than 15%.
The Bill is currently being debated in parliament and campaigners want MPs and peers to vote to remove clauses 17 and 18 from the Bill.
Lord Clark says: “The fact that the Government already has legislation in parliament to sell all our public forests shows that their consultation is just a sham. We want the clauses that would give them the power to do this taken out of the Bill so we can have a proper debate about the future of our forests.
“The rally at Whinlatter will help to show MPs, peers and the Government how strongly we all feel. We also want people to write to their MPs and to members of the House of Lords.”
More than 1,100 people have now joined the Save Lakeland’s Forests Facebook page or are following SaveLDForests on Twitter. Nationally more than 370,000 people have signed a national petition organised by 38 degrees against the Government’s plans, and that number is increasing significantly every day.
Jack Ellerby says: “If you love woodlands and enjoy walking or riding in local Forestry Commission woods, now is the time to stand up and join the campaign to keep these woods in public hands and under sustainable management.
“The coalition Government wants to sell off our woodlands and right now this means 30-40% of the woodlands in the Lake District National Park could pass into private ownership, with free access for cycling, horse riding, canoeists, and picnic areas potentially closed off - what effect will that have on local people's enjoyment and tourists and the revenue they bring to the area?
“Private owners of forests will have profit in mind - which could mean a return to large tracts of fast growing non-native spruce, and all the wildlife and habitat deterioration that could bring.”
In the Lake District nearly 40 public forests and woodlands such as Whinlatter, Grizedale, Dodd Wood and Ennerdale are under threat.
Save Lakeland’s Forests attacks Government plans to sell off
our forests
Save Lakeland’s Forests has criticised the Government’s plans to transfer public forests to new owners.
The group has accused Ministers of trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes and says the proposals would be a disaster for public access and environmental protection.
Lord Clark of Windermere, a former Chairman of the Forestry Commission, says: “The Government is trying to convince people that this is not privatisation. The fact is that their plans would mean selling off vast swathes of our public forests, in places like the Lake District, on long leases to the private sector.
“These proposals would lead to a serious reduction in access to our public forests and undermine the important environmental work that the Forestry Commission does on our behalf.”
Although the consultation has only just started, legislation currently being debated in Parliament will give the Government the power to sell off all the public forests at any point in the future. At present they cannot sell more than 15%.
Mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington says: “Our public forests are already much smaller than those in most other countries and we need to preserve what we have for the benefit of every one. I urge all those who value these wonderful green spaces to join the campaign to keep our forests in public ownership and public management.”
Save Lakeland’s Forests is organising a rally at Grizedale Forest on Sunday (30th January) to give people a chance to show the Government that they want to keep these forests in public ownership and management.
The rally will take place at 1pm next to the main car park in Grizedale Forest. Speakers will include Lord Clark, broadcaster Eric Robson and Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District. For more information visit www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk
Jack Ellerby says: “If you love woodlands and enjoy walking or riding in local Forestry Commission woods, now is the time to stand up and join the campaign to keep these woods in public hands and under public management.
“The Forestry Commission gives us free access to walk or run, orienteer, climb, cycle, horse ride, bird watch, picnic and simply chill out in their woodlands. There are no guarantees that any public access, except to walk will be kept after the woods are sold off.
“In the Lake District and Cumbria the Forestry Commission has restored hundreds of hectares of ancient and native woodlands, while many privately owned woodlands stand neglected and unmanaged.
The Government is suggesting that some ‘heritage’ woodlands could be taken over by other organisations or local communities while so called ‘commercial’ forests will be sold on long leases to the private sector.
The reality is that most of the public forests – such as places like Grizedale and Whinlatter - are a mixture of the two. Save Lakeland’s Forests fears these, and many other, forests will be under threat of being transferred to the private sector if the Government goes ahead with its plans.
Only 18% of England’s forests are owned by the public compared to an average of 30% in the European Union as a whole. The United States Forest Service also manages a massive 193 million acres of public forests.
Eric Robson says: “It is clear that there is a huge amount of support for keeping these forests in public ownership and management. The Forestry Commission does a lot of vital work to maintain and improve access to the public and enhance wildlife habitats, which would be threatened if these forests are handed over to other companies and organisations.
“If it ain’t broke it’s simply foolish to try fixing it. We want to keep all of our public forests – not just some of them. We do not support the Government selling these forests – whether that means selling them outright or selling them to the private sector on a long lease. The Government should keep its hands off our forests.”
Over 600 people have already joined the Save Lakeland’s Forests Facebook group or have started following @SaveLDForests on Twitter since the group was set up two weeks ago. Nationally well over 240,000 people have now signed a national petition organised by 38 degrees.
There are nearly 40 forests and woodlands across the Lake District such as Grizedale, Whinlatter and Ennerdale.
The group has accused Ministers of trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes and says the proposals would be a disaster for public access and environmental protection.
Lord Clark of Windermere, a former Chairman of the Forestry Commission, says: “The Government is trying to convince people that this is not privatisation. The fact is that their plans would mean selling off vast swathes of our public forests, in places like the Lake District, on long leases to the private sector.
“These proposals would lead to a serious reduction in access to our public forests and undermine the important environmental work that the Forestry Commission does on our behalf.”
Although the consultation has only just started, legislation currently being debated in Parliament will give the Government the power to sell off all the public forests at any point in the future. At present they cannot sell more than 15%.
Mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington says: “Our public forests are already much smaller than those in most other countries and we need to preserve what we have for the benefit of every one. I urge all those who value these wonderful green spaces to join the campaign to keep our forests in public ownership and public management.”
Save Lakeland’s Forests is organising a rally at Grizedale Forest on Sunday (30th January) to give people a chance to show the Government that they want to keep these forests in public ownership and management.
The rally will take place at 1pm next to the main car park in Grizedale Forest. Speakers will include Lord Clark, broadcaster Eric Robson and Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District. For more information visit www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk
Jack Ellerby says: “If you love woodlands and enjoy walking or riding in local Forestry Commission woods, now is the time to stand up and join the campaign to keep these woods in public hands and under public management.
“The Forestry Commission gives us free access to walk or run, orienteer, climb, cycle, horse ride, bird watch, picnic and simply chill out in their woodlands. There are no guarantees that any public access, except to walk will be kept after the woods are sold off.
“In the Lake District and Cumbria the Forestry Commission has restored hundreds of hectares of ancient and native woodlands, while many privately owned woodlands stand neglected and unmanaged.
The Government is suggesting that some ‘heritage’ woodlands could be taken over by other organisations or local communities while so called ‘commercial’ forests will be sold on long leases to the private sector.
The reality is that most of the public forests – such as places like Grizedale and Whinlatter - are a mixture of the two. Save Lakeland’s Forests fears these, and many other, forests will be under threat of being transferred to the private sector if the Government goes ahead with its plans.
Only 18% of England’s forests are owned by the public compared to an average of 30% in the European Union as a whole. The United States Forest Service also manages a massive 193 million acres of public forests.
Eric Robson says: “It is clear that there is a huge amount of support for keeping these forests in public ownership and management. The Forestry Commission does a lot of vital work to maintain and improve access to the public and enhance wildlife habitats, which would be threatened if these forests are handed over to other companies and organisations.
“If it ain’t broke it’s simply foolish to try fixing it. We want to keep all of our public forests – not just some of them. We do not support the Government selling these forests – whether that means selling them outright or selling them to the private sector on a long lease. The Government should keep its hands off our forests.”
Over 600 people have already joined the Save Lakeland’s Forests Facebook group or have started following @SaveLDForests on Twitter since the group was set up two weeks ago. Nationally well over 240,000 people have now signed a national petition organised by 38 degrees.
There are nearly 40 forests and woodlands across the Lake District such as Grizedale, Whinlatter and Ennerdale.
Rally called to Save Lakeland’s Forests
21st January 2011
Organisers of a campaign to stop the Government selling off the Lake District’s publicly owned forests have announced plans for a rally in Grizedale Forest at 1pm on Sunday 30th January.
The Government is about to launch a consultation on selling off England’s public forests, including more than 30 forests and woodlands across the Lake District such as Grizedale, Whinlatter and Ennerdale. Legislation is also going through Parliament that would give ministers the power to sell off all the forests currently managed by the Forestry Commission.
The rally will hear speeches from Lord Clark of Windermere, a former Chairman of the Forestry Commission and the chair of the All Party Group on Forestry in Parliament; Eric Robson who is the Chairman of Cumbria Tourism and the Wainwright Society; Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District; and the chair of Save Lakeland’s Forests Paul Townsend.
Lord Clark says: “This is a great opportunity to send a signal to the Government, MPs and members of the House of Lords about the strength of opposition to selling off the public forests. This is not just about the Government’s consultation. The more urgent need is to do everything possible to change the Public Bodies Reform Bill to stop ministers being able to sell off these forests; and the first chance to do that will be in the House of Lords in the next few weeks.
“I urge as many people as possible to come to Grizedale Forest on Sunday 30th of January - walkers, mountain bikers, families, and people walking their dogs - just as millions of people do in our public forests every year. If we don’t stand up now and show how much these wonderful green spaces mean to us we risk losing them forever.”
The rally will take place on the meadow next to the main car park at Grizedale near Hawkshead.
Eric Robson says: “Selling off the public forests in the Lake District would be a disaster for tourism in this beautiful corner of the country and for biodiversity. Whatever ministers try to tell us, they cannot guarantee the same level of public access to these forests if they are sold off or the same high standards of environmental protection. Trying to suggest otherwise is simply misleading.”
After the speeches people will be encouraged to write comments about what the public forests mean to them on cards in the shape of a tree, which will be taken to Parliament by Lord Clark.
The campaign to Save Lakeland’s Forests was launched this month by Paul Townsend, a former parish councillor, who lives at Satterthwaite near Grizedale, and has already received national media attention. The campaign has even been contacted by French TV.
Thousands of people have visited the campaign website – www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk – and hundreds of people are also following the group’s updates on Facebook and Twitter. Nationally, over 160,000 people have signed a petition organised by 38 degrees against the Government plans.
Paul Townsend “We’ve been delighted by the amount of support we’ve been getting. There have been many messages of support and offers to help the campaign. It shows just how much the Lake District’s forests and woodlands mean to people – not just those who live here but many people across the whole country.
“It’s important for people to come along and show their support on Sunday. It’ll be a great day out and a chance for us all to play our part in putting a stop to the Government’s plans to sell off our forests.
“We’d also encourage everyone to sign the national petition organised by 38 degrees. There’s a link to the petition on our website as well as details about how to contact your local MP and the Environment Secretary.”
New campaign launched to Save the Lake District’s Forests
13th January 2011
A new campaign is being launched to Save the Lake District’s Forests from the threat of being sold off by the Government.
Ministers want to sell off all the public forests in England which includes some of the Lake District’s green gems such as Grizedale, Whinlatter and Ennerdale.
Lord Clark of Windermere, a former Chairman of the Forestry Commission and who now chairs the All Party Group on Forestry in the Houses of Parliament, is backing the campaign.
Lord Clark says: “I do not believe any Government has the right to sell off our public forests. We hold these magnificent green spaces in trust for our children. Once they’ve gone we will not get them back.
“Government claims that the environmental and public benefits would be maintained if forests are sold off simply do not stand up to scrutiny. All over the country people are raising their voices against these dreadful plans, so I welcome the launch of this new campaign to defend the Lake District’s forests”.
The campaign is being launched by Paul Townsend, a former parish councilor, who lives at Satterthwaite near Grizedale: “If the Government goes ahead with these plans we won’t have the same kind of access to these forests that we enjoy today. New owners would not have to allow entry to mountain bikers or horse riders and they would be able to put up fences and close car parks to make it more difficult for walkers to gain access.
“The Forestry Commission also does a lot of work to maintain and improve habitats for a wide range of different species – including ospreys, red squirrels and red kites. A new owner would not have an obligation to continue this valuable work.”
The organisers of the campaign are highlighting what has happened at an area of woodland near Coniston, as evidence of the dangers of selling off public forests.
Rigg Wood was sold by the Forestry Commission last year. Although the new owners are obliged to continue to allow walkers on the land they have been able to close the car park, remove picnic benches and put up fences, making it much more difficult for people to access the woodland in future.
A new campaign is being launched to Save the Lake District’s Forests from the threat of being sold off by the Government.
Ministers want to sell off all the public forests in England which includes some of the Lake District’s green gems such as Grizedale, Whinlatter and Ennerdale.
Lord Clark of Windermere, a former Chairman of the Forestry Commission and who now chairs the All Party Group on Forestry in the Houses of Parliament, is backing the campaign.
Lord Clark says: “I do not believe any Government has the right to sell off our public forests. We hold these magnificent green spaces in trust for our children. Once they’ve gone we will not get them back.
“Government claims that the environmental and public benefits would be maintained if forests are sold off simply do not stand up to scrutiny. All over the country people are raising their voices against these dreadful plans, so I welcome the launch of this new campaign to defend the Lake District’s forests”.
The campaign is being launched by Paul Townsend, a former parish councilor, who lives at Satterthwaite near Grizedale: “If the Government goes ahead with these plans we won’t have the same kind of access to these forests that we enjoy today. New owners would not have to allow entry to mountain bikers or horse riders and they would be able to put up fences and close car parks to make it more difficult for walkers to gain access.
“The Forestry Commission also does a lot of work to maintain and improve habitats for a wide range of different species – including ospreys, red squirrels and red kites. A new owner would not have an obligation to continue this valuable work.”
The organisers of the campaign are highlighting what has happened at an area of woodland near Coniston, as evidence of the dangers of selling off public forests.
Rigg Wood was sold by the Forestry Commission last year. Although the new owners are obliged to continue to allow walkers on the land they have been able to close the car park, remove picnic benches and put up fences, making it much more difficult for people to access the woodland in future.
Rigg Wood with its Forestry Commission car park before it was sold
Rigg Wood after it was sold last year with a new fence that has been put up
What the papers say
The Guardian has reported that the Government appointed panel on forestry has criticised the plans to sell off our forests earlier this year, saying ministers 'greatly undervalued' these forests.
Sunday Telegraph report on the rally at Whinlatter Forest. 'Campaigners celebrating the Government's U-turn over the forests sell-off have vowed to continue their fight against a separate scheme to offload thousands of acres of state-owned woodland'.
The Guardian: Forests sell-off abandoned as Cameron orders U-turn.
Jonathan Porritt: 'If any NGO lets the Govt off the hook they will stand accused of outright betrayal'.
America's Time magazine: Brits to David Cameron: Save Our Forests.
It is the policy, not the trees, that is crashing down – Geoffrey Lean in a Telegraph Blog.
Robin Page criticises Government plans to transfer forests out of public hands in the Mail on Sunday saying they've gone all Squirrel Nutkins.
A good BBC news piece from Delamere Forest in Cheshire today on the concerns about the Government's forest sell off plans. It also includes some pics of our rally in Grizedale Forest last month.
Lord Clark of Windemere explains on Border TV News that our forests are still very much under threat despite the Government announcement about a delay in announcing the first tranche of sales.
The Financial Times: Ministers are hugely overestimating the financial windfall that could be achieved by selling England’s public-owned commercial forests, the timber industry has warned.
News & Star article on the Save Lakeland's Forests rally planned at Whinlatter on 19th February
Geoffrey Lean in the Sunday Telegraph: The Government keep changing their story on why they want to dispose of our public forests.
Telegraph: Government minister and Forest of Dean MP confronted by angry protestors in his constituency. Includes quotes from several Conservative MPs opposing the plans.
Interesting piece by Geoffrey Lean in the Daily Telegraph, including a photo from our rally in Grizedale Forest last week.
Boris Johnson's father writes on the the ConservativeHome website that the Government must be hell-bent on self-destruction if it goes ahead with its plans to transfer forests out of public hands
Article in The Guardian says coalition MPs are coming under pressure to vote against the Government's forest plans.
Horse magazine: Speak up now or lose your right to ride in forests.
Cumberland News article on plans for our rally at Whinlatter on 19th February against the Government's plans to sell off our forests
The excellent BBC Question Time discussion on the Government's forest plans (from Workington in Cumbria). Watch it here. Starts at 21.45.
BBC Newsround report on young campaigners trying to stop forest sell offs at the Save Lakeland's Forests rally at Grizedale on Sunday 30th January.
News & Star: Council leaders in Cumbria unite to oppose Government plans to sell public forests.
The Guardian: Lake District sticks together over forest sell-off.
Daily Telegraph: The cost of selling off Britain's forests and woodlands will outweigh any benefits, a Whitehall study has found.
BBC News - Forest sell-off plan becomes political battleground.
Grough magazine on plans for the Save Lakeland's Forests rally in Whinlatter on 19 February where Sir Chris Bonington will be one of the speakers.
Nice piece on Border news on our rally in Grizedale Forest.
The Observer: Melvyn Bragg: sale of Lake District forests is 'vandalism'.
Nice piece in the Independent on Sunday on why we feel so passionately about our forests
Telegraph: There are our forests - how can they be for sale?
The Times: 'Lake District heroes rally against forests sell-off in Cumbria'. Tomorrow there is a rally at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District. “We are going to make a lot of noise,” Sir Chris Bonington said.
Geoffrey Lean writes in The Daily Telegraph that the 'Forestry Commission sell-off might actually double the Government's bill'. He also questions Government claims that access will be protected, saying 'Ministers are reduced to saying that they will "seek" to ensure these public benefits remain: there seem to be no provisions for enforcing their wishes'.
Article in
The Daily Telegraph's Peter Oborne 'The Coalition shouldn’t throw our woodland on the quango bonfire'.
An excellent piece on Newsnight about the Government's plans to sell off our forests. Not just because most of the filming was done at Grizedale.
A good piece on the One Show about the threat to our forests - most of the filming was at Grizedale. DErmot Oleary saw it and described the Government's plans as 'crazy' at the end.
Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood tells The Sun why she is fighting for our forests
Westmorland Gazette story on the Save Lakeland's Forests rally planned for this Sunday at Grizedale Forest
The Sunday Telegraph opposes the Government's forest sell off plans saying 'there are some things that are too precious to be thrown on the mercy of the open market'.
A useful Q&A in the Sunday Telegraph on the threat to our public forests
The Guardian - Huge majority oppose England forest sell-off, poll finds
The Wainwright Society says Govt plans to sell off the forests would mean a return to the 'bad old days'. See this article in Grough.
An excellent opinion piece on why we must #SaveOurForests in the News & Star
The Guardian's Environment Editor John Vidal says opposition is mounting to Govt plan to sell our forests. He mentions our campaign and includes quotes from Lord Clark and Paul Townsend.
A report in the Evening Mail on opposition in Cumbria to the Government's plans to sell off our forests.
The Observer says the Government must rule out the privatisation of our public forests.
Sunday Times article shows that we have lost access to woods that have been sold off, giving the lie to Government claims that access would be maintained.
A great piece on Tyne Tees Border news about the campaign to stop the forestry sell off including interviews with Chris Bonington, Lord Clark and Eric Robson ITV Tyne Tees Border.
Article on our campaign to stop the Government selling off Lake District forests on wildlifeextra.com
Article in the North West Evening Mail about the launch of our campaign.
Lord Clark of Windermere, who chairs the All Party Foretsry Group in the Houses of Parliament was interviewed on Radio Cumbria this morning about why selling off the public forests would be bad for Cumbria. You can listen to the interview here (it starts about 2.17.00 in).
Chair of the campaign to Save Lakeland's Forests, Paul Townsend, interviewed by Paul Braithwaite on Radio Cumbria (starts at about 16.30 in)
The Guardian says privatising our woodlands could cost millions in lost tax revenues.
Front page story in the Westmorland Gazette about the launch of our campaign to stop the Lake District's forests from being sold off.
According to the paper Jack Ellerby, policy officer for the Friends of the Lake District, said the Forestry Commission had done a ‘fantastic’ job of restoring hundreds of hectares of woodland and questioned whether the same standards would be taken by all new private owners.
A spokesman for Cumbria Tourism said: “We urge the Government not to sell off the area's family silver. No visitor or local resident wants to find padlocked gates, 'keep out' signs and car parks closed, which can be an unfortunate side-effect of a sell off, even in those places where access is retained as part of the sale."
Report in the News & Star on concerns raised by Ennerdale & Kinniside Parish Council about the plans. They call on local people to “Please take note and consider that any future private owner can change the management of our forest – without having to consult the local community – in the way that the Forestry Commission has long been doing with us.”
Commnetator Johann Hari criticises the Government's plans to sell off our public forests saying "This is a fight about what we value as a country'. You can read his article in The Independent.
There was a rally against the Government's sell off plans in the Forest of Dean recently. You can see a report about it on BBC News.
Environment Correspondent John Vidal says the Government plans to sell off not just some but all of our forests. See his article in The Guardian.
Paul Townsend says: “What has happened at Rigg Wood should serve as a warning to people across the whole country as to what will happen if we allow our forests to be sold off. The new landowner was perfectly within his rights to do what he has done, but it means that access in future will be severely limited.
“Rigg Wood car park was used by mountain bikers, walkers and even people who go canoeing on Coniston Water. This could be the future for our public forests.
“We hope people will write to the Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman and their local MPs to make it clear that these are our forests and woodlands and they are not for sale.”
More details, including email addresses for the Environment Secretary and local MPs, can be found on a new campaign website – www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk – which also includes more information about the Government’s plans.
Ends
“Rigg Wood car park was used by mountain bikers, walkers and even people who go canoeing on Coniston Water. This could be the future for our public forests.
“We hope people will write to the Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman and their local MPs to make it clear that these are our forests and woodlands and they are not for sale.”
More details, including email addresses for the Environment Secretary and local MPs, can be found on a new campaign website – www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk – which also includes more information about the Government’s plans.
Ends
