Exmoor National Park looks to the future while celebrating 70th anniversary with 70 mile walk
This year is the 70th anniversary of Exmoor’s designation as a National Park. The National Park Authority is seeking to ‘do more for nature and more for people’ as it looks to the next 70 years and is inviting people to join a virtual fundraising walk.
In the lead up to the official birthday of the National Park on #ExmoorDay, the 19 October, the National Park Authority will be celebrating all that is great about Exmoor with a range of events and activities and looking to its future with a special 70th Anniversary Appeal for CareMoor for Exmoor.
Dan James, Enterprise and Communications Manager at Exmoor National Park said:
“Our National Parks were first created in response to the end of World War Two, ensuring some of the most outstanding landscapes were protected into the future as national assets. 70 years on, many of the challenges around the need to look after nature and offer everyone the opportunity to benefit from these spaces, are greater than they’ve ever been. But so too are the opportunities. We are asking supporters to raise £70 for CareMoor in any way they can, to help us fulfil some of these opportunities.”
Every penny raised will help to keep Exmoor special for future generations, by supporting vital work to conserving landscapes, habitats, footpaths and heritage. Further details can be found at www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/exmoor70.
As part of the appeal, the National Park Authority have teamed up with Big Team Challenge to invite people to complete the Exmoor 70for70 walk in aid of CareMoor for Exmoor.
Retail & Enterprise Officer, Clare Weeks said: “You can complete the 70 miles however you like, over days or weeks, solo or as a team, either virtually at home or in the gym, or in our stunning countryside on one of the many wonderful Exmoor walks available."
"It’s easy to sign up and follow your progress on our virtual route, you can even sync your phone or fitness device to the dedicated app to log your daily steps. You can also share the 70 miles between colleagues or school mates, so that no matter your fitness level or location, you can join us in walking 70 miles across Exmoor.”
The virtual 70 mile route visits ten Exmoor Milestones including Dulverton, Lynmouth, Dunster culminating at Dunkery Beacon, the highest point on Exmoor.
While the walk can be completed virtually at anytime in any place, the National Park have also put together some suggested Exmoor routes to enable those that want to explore Exmoor to complete their 70miles out and about within the National Park.
Julie Colman, Rural Enterprise Co-ordinator said: “Throughout the year we are indebted to all those that help us raise funds for CareMoor for Exmoor, including our CareMoor for Exmoor champion businesses. We’re incredibly grateful that we have had the support of 10 local businesses who have partnered with us as Platinum Sponsors to kick-start this anniversary appeal.”
Platinum sponsors include: Exmoor Tea, Cottage Beer Project, Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, Porlock Holidays, Exmoor Distillery, Lynmouth Holiday Retreat, Tors Park, Seven Fables, Woodcombe Lodges and the Fox and Goose Inn.
In addition to the 70for70 Walk and Appeal the National Park will officially open a new bridge across the River Barle at Great Bradley as part of the celebrations, as well as hosting the popular Dark Skies Festival in October, including an Exmoor Feast on #Exmoor Day with the Exmoor Game School and Roots Project.
You can follow Exmoor National Park on social media @ExmoorNP where daily posts are providing a digital countdown to the big day, providing further information and opportunities for people to join the celebrations Exmoor using the hashtag #Exmoor70.
WIth thanks to our CareMoor for Exmoor Platinum Sponsors for kickstarting our appeal:
