Minister meets world class swimmers at Lake Windermere
Natural Environment Minister Huw Irranca-Davies joined athletes hoping to make a splash yesterday, when he visited the Lake District to mark National Parks Week. He met swimmers from the Troutbeck swimming club as well as Olympic bronze medallist Cassie Patten and world champion tri-athlete Barry Jameson training for the Great North Swim which takes place on Lake Windermere later this year.
The Minister also met members of the Lake District Volunteers Service and saw community projects and businesses at Staveley before meeting the Lake District National Park Partnership and visiting Grizedale Forest Park.
Huw Irranca-Davies said: “Lake Windermere must be one of the most scenic training grounds in the UK and I wish the swimmers every success as they train long and hard to reach the Olympic Games in 2012. I really admire their dedication and spirit.
“This year is the 60th anniversary of the legislation that gave birth to National Parks, and today they are more important than ever. Nearly eight in ten of us in Britain live in urban areas so it really matters that we all have access to the countryside and to National Parks.
“Today I’ve witnessed how much energy and innovation is going into the local economy, environment and plans for the future of the Lake District. This is great to see as the Lake District and other National Parks are at the heart of our environmental, economic and social wellbeing.”
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Page last modified: 29 July 2009
Page published: 29 July 2009