Iain Thomas Profile and Articles

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1). Walking in the UK
Walking in the UK and Walking holidays in the UK are becoming increasingly popular as a result of the huge diversity of the UK’s landscape and the good road and rail network that make the national parks easily accessible. All levels and types of walking are available from the stark and challenging mountains of the Inverness Highlands to the gentle rolling countryside of the Downs.

2). New Domestic Tourism Figures
Changes to the way the data was collected mean that it cannot be compared with previous years, but does enable month on month comparisons beginning with May 2006 data. The data will therefore become far more relevant in driving future marketing and commercial activity by the national tourist boards and partners in the industry.

The key findings of the report follow:

More than 138 million overnight domestic stays were made by UK residents last year.

3). Dartmoor National Park Guided Walks a Huge Success
The walks have been a great success with both tourists and local people due to the careful planning of the walks. The start times and locations are set to make the walks as accessible as possible for all concerned but still manage to take in some of the must see sights on the moors.
If you’ve’ ever wondered what creatures are out and about on Dartmoor at night, why not go along for a two hour stroll at Newbridge on Monday 14 August at 8 pm.

4). London Hotel Market Booms
Whilst top end London hotels have had a fantastic year in London the same is not the case in the midmarket with the worse performance coming from the 3 star sector.
The best performance has come from the capital’s five-star hotels, which hardly missed a beat after the terror attacks in contrast with the harder hit three and four star sectors.
A surge in visitor numbers to the capital enabled five-star hotels to boost average room rate by 8.

5). Fire risk in Yorkshire Dales National Park rises
Areas of the Yorkshire Dales National Park are now being closed to walkers as the continued high temperatures and drought conditions turn areas of the park to tinder.
An urgent plea to walkers and tourists comes as the Met Office announced that its Fire Severity Index for the Yorkshire Dales is now on ‘High’ and is expected to rise to ‘Exceptional’ – its highest rating – on if the weather continues.

6). Paths to Downs Restored
A popular bridleway at Fulking – leading from Poynings Road to Clappers Lane – has been resurfaced free of charge by Sussex company, Westridge Construction. The bridleway, which gives users a safe alternative to a narrow and dangerous stretch of road, had been impassable due to problems of deep mud.
The consruction company were carrying out improvements at a nearby Cricket Club when the SDJC approached them.

7). Exmoor Local Access Forum seeking views of local communities.
The Exmoor Local Access Forum gives advice on how to make the countryside of the National Park more accessible and enjoyable for open-air recreation. The Forum was set up by the Exmoor National Park Authority in 2002.
The main focus of the Forum has been on the new right of access to open countryside (within the classifications on Exmoor of moor, heath and common land) largely through providing advice on implementation and the dissemination of information.

8). Walking in the Cotswolds
In 1966 an area covering 582 square miles (1507 sq kms) was designated in law as a special landscape which should be protected for future generations. In 1990, the boundaries were extended to create the Cotswolds AONB as we know it today-the largest in England and Wales covering 790 sq miles (2038 sq kms).
Over the past 40 years AONB status has meant that the Cotswolds has been conserved and enhanced.

9). The Mendip Hills
The Mendip Hills are full of history, and there is lots to see and do here. There are caves, museums and towns to explore, as well as an Abbey and a Cathedral. Lets have a look at some of the sights you can see.
Wookey Hole is a showcave and very popular with cave enthusiasts. It is low-key compared to Cheddar – the most famous cave, which lies in the North West corner of the Mendips.

10). Cycle, Ride or Walk in the Heart of the Chilterns
To celebrate the launch of the leaflet, local residents, members of the Thames Cycling Group, councillors and staff involved in the project held a Summer solstice bike ride. They cycled from Chinnor to Princes Risborough, following the Ridgeway, quiet country lanes and the Phoenix Trail.
The new leaflet contains a large map showing all the rural roads, lanes and bridleways in this part of the Chilterns.

11). Cheviot Hills – 40 years as an AONB
The upland scenery of the Cheviot massif is second to none with the Cheviot itself rising to 815m (2,674ft).
It is here that you can explore some of the best-preserved prehistoric hillforts in Britain. Yeavering Bell, Brough Law and Humbleton Hill are examples of place names, which evoke a time long gone.
The Cheviots also provide some of the best upland stretches for walking along The Pennine Way, Britain’s best known National Trail and St Cuthbert’s Way.

12). Olympics to Damage UK Tourism
The European Tour Operators Association is calling for careful planning and marketing around the Olympics to avoid a tourism downturn in London and the UK around the time of the Olympics. The ETOA has released a report countering previous claims that countries see tourism benefit from hosting the Olympics.

The European Tour Operators Association report, published a year after London won the Olympic bid, demonstrates that countries who host the Olympic Games suffer a drop in tourism growth in the years surrounding the event.

13). The Solway Coast
In Cumbria the marshes extend between Grune Point at Morecambe Bays mouth to near Gretna at the estuary’s head. Sheep have grazed in these marshes for centuries past. The grasses of the salt marsh created by the tides are growing yearly. Rockcliffe, one of the marshes, leads to Esk Boathouse.
You will find a Victorian monument to Edward I at Burgh Marsh, as this was where he died.

14). Fire risk rising in the Lake District
Continued extreme temperatures and drought have put the Lake District in serious danger of countryside fires. In the wake of record breaking temperatures a warning has gone out not to light fires in the countryside or abandon portable barbecues – walkers are being asked to take extra care and all tourists are asked be extra vigilant to allow a fast response to any fires.

15). Walkers reminded to Keep Dogs under Control in Snowdonia.
The new right of access was introduced in Wales on 31st May last year. Owing to a great deal of good will and the long tradition of walking in the uplands, the new legislation has been brought in fairly smoothly in Snowdonia. Cattle and sheep graze most of the country, which was mapped and made available for walking. Snowdonia National Park Authority is reminding walkers who are also dog owners to make sure that their dogs are under control at all times.

16). Ranger-guided walks in the Peak District cancelled
There have already been outbreaks of fire on Black Hill, Rainow and Bleaklow. Co-ordinated firefighting teams dealt with all of the fires. The Peak District National Park Authority closed access to open moorland and appealed for vigilance against starting fires.
Helicopters have helped douse deep-seated peat fires on remote moorlands – crossed by the Pennine Way – and firefighters were still damping down with high-pressure jets on the worst-affected area, 20 hectares of Bleaklow, near Glossop.

17). Cairngorms Celebrates National Parks Week
Organisations throughout the Cairngorms National Park joining forces this week to celebrate National Parks Week 2006. A series of events took place throughout the Park with something to suit all ages and abilities.

National Parks Week is being marked at National Parks the length and breadth of Great Britain and this year's theme is 'Stretch your legs, stretch your mind'.