Exmoor Local Access Forum

Alison Kent worked as a Ranger for Exmoor National Park Authority for 15 years with specialist knowledge of Rights of Way and access issues.  Alison is also a member of Institute of Public Rights of Way and Access Management.  Alison joined the Local Access Forum in 2009.

Currently, Alison is British Horse Society Access Officer and Chair of West Somerset & Exmoor Bridleways Association. Has lived in Somerset for nearly 40 years on a 30 acre small holding, stocked with cattle, sheep and horses!

Alison likes walking with her dog as a companion on long distance paths and National Trails throughout the UK.   Alison is keen to see that everyone has an opportunity to experience and enjoy the special qualities that Exmoor has to offer.

Andrew was born and raised in Winsford on Exmoor and educated at the local schools before moving away to university and becoming a chartered civil engineer. After a year at Warwick Business School, he worked as a management consultant for a global management consultancy company. After establishing a consultancy and executive development company with his wife, he returned to Exmoor to raise his two daughters on a small Exmoor farm where he now lives. He enjoys horse riding, mountain biking, road cycling, off-road motor biking and walking, all of which have given him detailed knowledge of Exmoor's rights of way. He was the chair of governors for an Exmoor school, a member of the Devon and Somerset Pony Club committee and the South West Tetrathlon Committee and is currently a parish councillor for Wootton Courtenay.

In 2023, the parishes of Exmoor elected Andrew to be one of their representatives on the Exmoor National Park Authority, and he will continue to be a Member until 2027. As an accomplished cyclist, he has competed in mountain bike and road bike events on Exmoor and road cycling events on the mountain stages of the Tour de France. He is also a member of Minehead Cycling Club.

Chris grew up on an Exmoor farm and rode the moor extensively. He now lives in the same house in the Porlock Vale. He is a Past Chairman of the West Somerset & Exmoor Bridleways Association. He used to lead 3 day stay away rides across the moor. He is now a sheep farmer, a Commoner on Dunkery, a Trustee of the Exmoor Society, and leads walks across the high moor.

Gill moved to Exmoor from Exeter in 2001 and has been passionate about its landscape ever since.  Prior to retiring from law in 2016, she was a private client solicitor and a partner in a large Exeter legal practice.  She then lived in France for five years before returning to Exmoor and joining the Exmoor Society in 2021, where she works part time as the office manager.  Gill has been a passionate user of rights of way for over 40 years. These days, she restricts herself to walking and hiking with her rescue dog, and they spend a couple of hours every day on Exmoor’s network of byways, footpaths and bridleways. Public access to the UK’s extraordinarily beautiful landscapes has brought her great joy over the years, has kept her fit, and has helped her through some very stressful times in her life. She is very keen to play a part in helping to improve public access so others have the opportunity to derive the same enjoyment.

Graham represents users of rights of way with a specific interest in the conservation and enjoyment of the rich flora of Exmoor. His interest in plants includes promoting education and understanding by leading several guided botanical walks on Exmoor each year. Graham also volunteers, surveys rights of way with his wife and reports any broken furniture or issues discovered along the route.

Jon has been based in and around Exmoor for 10 years.  Now with a young family, he enjoys biking and running on Exmoor.  Following graduation from university Jon has developed businesses in the IT industry.  This has given him the opportunity to travel with his family for long periods to other parts of the world, reinforcing his interest in seeing the wilder spaces here in the UK are preserved for all.

Laura has lived at Tarr Steps on Exmoor for twenty years and she and her husband who was brought up on Exmoor have a farm and woodland that is traversed by the Two Moors Way and a bridleway. Living next to a prime tourist attraction gives her some insight into the issues that need to be addressed to improve the experience of visitors and maintain the beauty and ecology of the area.

Nick moved to Exmoor from Wiltshire in 2000 initial settling in Wootton Courtney and then a couple years later moving to Dulverton. Having had a varied career in the communication sector he moved into Mobile communication when it all started in the UK in 1984, sticking with it until retirement.

Working for large international companies necessitated travel around the world - building an experience of quite few “odd” places although he can safely say returning home has always been the highlight of his journeys.  It is safe to say he passionately believes in maintaining the National Parks balance between those in business, those working, those visiting the park and those living here and striving to enable this to work is his goal.

Luckily, he has been able to assist in this effort through his work on Dulverton town Council, both as Chair and as a member  for over 15 years; he is pleased to be elected as a Town and Parish member of ENPA. Nick feels that it is the “local” view tempered by worldly experience which gives consideration to overall Park purposes and to the needs of those that make up the National Park.

Peter grew up on 1500-acre farm in Oxfordshire and his first job was with an Agricultural Engineers in West Somerset. Peter has a love for the great outdoors from hill walking, cycling and mountain biking on Exmoor and the Quantocks. He has competed in the Exmoor Ironman 70.3 five times. Peter is also an instructor for the Dave Thorpe Honda Adventure Centre which runs motorcycle training and rides over Exmoor weekly, during the season.

Peter joined the Exmoor Land Access Forum to encourage and develop the use and enjoyment of our beautiful moor for everyone. Peter is also the Rights of Way officer for a local motorcycle group

Rupert moved from a farm in Northamptonshire, where his father established and managed a model farm since WW2 to work as a management trainee in the timber industry in London’s East End.  Moving to Dorset in the late 70’s to found his own business manufacturing commercial lighting, a business in which Rupert is heavily involved with to this present day.

A lifelong shooter, he purchased the Lillycombe Estate and Culbone Stables Inn near Porlock in early 2018. Rupert is passionate about the health and well-being of the English countryside and those that earn their living from it.

Simon has been a farm manager for the last 28 years working on many different types of farm in the UK. Simon has always worked in areas with public access and is keen to see access and farming working happily together. Simon is particularly interested in educating others about countryside issues and food production. Currently Simon manages the Lee Abbey Estate at Lynton. Previously, Simon was the Chair of the Essex LAF when it was set up in the early 2000s.

Tony is a retired IT professional, originally from the Wirral but has lived in North Devon for over 50 years. During this time, he raised his family here and cultivated a deep love for the outdoors, particularly Exmoor. Over the years, he has explored the moor extensively, often sharing his enthusiasm by leading walks for various local groups.

In retirement, Tony has dedicated much of his time to volunteering with organizations like Exmoor National Park, the National Trust and the South West Peatland Partnership. His work reflects his enthusiasm for Exmoor’s wildlife, cultural heritage and natural beauty—though he readily admits that he’s more of an enthusiast than an expert.

Tony is committed to ensuring that Exmoor remains accessible to all. He takes great pleasure in inspiring others, fostering a greater appreciation for the moor’s rich history and natural diversity.