MEMBERS’ NEWS January 2017 Stuart Brooks moves Chair’s to new role at NTS The Trust’s chief executive Stuart Brooks is to leave the organisation at the end of welcome February 2017, following eight years in charge, to become head of natural heritage (policy) at the National Trust New Year is a time for new beginnings, for Scotland. adventure and learning – and 2017 is Peter Pearson, chair of the John Muir already shaping up to encompass all of Trust said: “On behalf of members, these things. trustees and staff, I’d like to thank Stuart I’m pleased to report that the Lake for his immense contribution. District National Park has started a “Over these eight years, he has raised consultation that could see the Trust lease The Trust has 30 years of experience public awareness of the Trust to new Glenridding Common, including the managing similar landscapes. We believe heights, while shaping a highly efficient summit of Helvellyn and Striding and that working alongside others to manage and modern organisation capable of Swirral Edges. this special location fits with our facing the future with confidence. This is a special wild place, with a rich accumulated skills, experience and “His leadership has positioned the cultural heritage that we intend to respect, aspirations, and our progressive approach Trust at the cutting edge of nature while making ecological improvements to land management. conservation and the protection of and raising the profile of the Trust The coming months will see us develop wild places.” in England. a vision and long term plan for The Trust has started the process to The Park Authority will hold a three Glenridding Common in conjunction with recruit a new chief executive. month consulation with local stakeholders the local communities and organisations. We will carry a full interview with to determine the details of a land We will keep you informed of progress Stuart Brooks about his time at the Trust management plan. as matters develop and trust you will in the Spring 2017 issue of the Journal. To support us through this period, the support this exciting development. Trust has brought on board respected You can read more about the property local Pete Barron whose depth of itself and the Trust’s newest member of knowledge of the Lake Distirict and the the land team, Pete Barron, on page 3. people who live there will be invaluable Finally may I wish you a Happy New as we move forward. Year. At the time of writing the first snow is We hope that in time, this arrangement on the hills and I hope you make the most could, with the support of the local people, of the walking, climbing and ski-ing grazing tenants and the wider community opportunities over the next few months. of interest in the Lake District, lead to a long term involvement on the site. Peter Pearson Help shape the future direction of the John Muir Trust It’s time for our annual call for nominations to our board of Finney – will be standing down having served two terms. We trustees. Any member is welcome to stand. The Trust is run by encourage people who live near wild areas to fill the five a board of 15 trustees, currently led by Peter Pearson. Three vacancies. Nominations must be received by Monday 6 March. of our trustees – Jim Gibson, David MacLehose and John See more at johnmuirtrust.org/trusteecall For all the latest news from the Trust, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter at johnmuirtrust.org/newsletter 02 MEMBERS’ NEWS Trust backs SNH deer review and calls for better regulation High deer densities impact negatively on wild land PHOTOGRAPH:FRAN LOCKHART PHOTOGRAPH:FRAN Following a two-year review into deer management in Scotland, there are optimistic signs that politicians might be ready to take action to reduce overgrazing pressures in the uplands Mike Daniels, head of land management for the John Muir Trust, Scottish Wildlife Trust and the RSPB, the Trust has welcomed the has given oral evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Environment, report and called for a tightening of regulation to bring Scotland Climate Change and Land Reform Committee in support of more into closer alignment with most other European countries. effective management of deer. Mike Daniels said: “This review offers a golden opportunity to The committee was considering a report from Scottish Natural reform deer management to get more from our land, for the sake Heritage (SNH) – Deer Management in Scotland – which of the land itself, for nature and for all the people of Scotland. expressed concern about the damage caused to Scotland’s natural “We are asking for SNH to be given new powers to approve culls to heritage by overgrazing and concluded “we are not confident ensure they are in the public interest. that present approaches to deer management will be effective “This would allow existing deer stalkers and managers to carry in sustaining and improving the natural heritage in a reasonable on as they are, but in a much more transparent and accountable timescale”. manner to deliver wider environmental, social and economic Along with other environmental organisations, including the benefits for all the people of Scotland.” Wild land protection update In October, the Trust publicised its disappointment at the Other campaigning activity Scottish Government’s decision to approve the Creag Rhiabhach • For the third year running • The Trust held a well- wind farm at Altnaharra Estate near Lairg in Sutherland. the Trust won strong attended fringe meeting at Five of the development’s 22 turbines will fall within the recognition for its the SNP conference in boundary of Wild Land Area 37 (Foinaven-Ben Hee). This campaigning work at The October, where a panel of contradicts previous Wild Land Area (WLA) decisions and could Great Outdoors Awards 2016, invited guests discussed set a damaging precedent attracting proposals for other large gaining the ‘highly ‘Protecting landscapes scale industrial developments in these Wild Land Areas. The commended’accolade in the – What are the costs and Trust is seeking re-assurance from the Scottish Government that Outdoor Campaigner of the benefits?’ We continue to it will protect WLAs. Year category. Trustee Chris meet with MSPs from all In November, Trust policy officer John Low gave evidence at Townsend also received two parties, their staff and civil the Public Local Inquiry into the proposed 25 turbine Crossburns commendations – in the servants. In November we wind farm that would be visible from Schiehallion, raising Outdoor Personality of the held a week-long exhibition concerns about wild land, landscape and socio-economic Year category, and for his in the Scottish Parliament at benefits. book Out There. Holyrood in Edinburgh. The Trust is evaluating proposals by SSE Electricity Networks for a transmission line between Fort Augustus and Skye. In the Lake District, we welcomed National Grid’s plans to underground new transmission in the National Park. However concerns remain about proposed pylons in south west Cumbria, close to the National Park boundary. The Trust had commented on this. We are speaking to the government about Stronelairg legal costs. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and more recently those members who have been keeping up the pressure on MSPs and SSE. 03 The descent from Helvellyn, with Red Tarn to the left and Striding Edge ahead About A jewel in the crown of Pete Barron The newest member of our land team, Pete has lived the English uplands and worked in the Lake District for most of his life. He has a passion for Pete Barron offers an overview of Glenridding Common and Helvellyn landscape, wildlife and rural life, and has worked If the Trust does get the opportunity to manage England at 950m, and being relatively as a ranger with the Lake the special landscape of Glenridding Common, accessible, attracts many walkers and climbers. District National Park we will strive to work with all interested parties The cold, eastern crags of Helvellyn get Authority for 23 years. to protect and enhance the ecosystem while significant amounts of snow and ice compared His work included upland respecting its cultural traditions. to most other Lakeland fells, which makes the management, fell path The Common covers a total of just over mountain a popular destination for winter maintenance, raptor 1000ha and includes Striding and Swirral Edges climbers. The mountain’s year-round popularity protection and supervising and Helvellyn summit. Within its boundaries, poses some management challenges, such as volunteers. His role there are also two quiet valleys – and, on the footpath erosion, damage to alpine flora, involved meeting and northern edge, an area of 200ha which is littering and inconsiderate wild camping. talking to people and managed jointly with the National Trust and In Lakeland, a range of organisations and groups – including parish contains Lakeland’s only ski tow. volunteers have historically been involved in councils and major The property is common land, a traditional repairing footpaths. Since 2007, that work has organisations. Away from English and especially Cumbrian way of land been coordinated by Fix the Fells, a coalition of work, Pete enjoys fell management under which ‘commoners’ have partners including the Lake District National running, cross country ski individual rights to the land. On Glenridding Park Authority, the National Trust, Natural racing, licensed bird Common there are two commoners with the England, Friends of the Lake District, Cumbria ringing, mountain rescue right to graze a particular number of sheep County Council and Nurture Lakeland. and looking after a (mostly Swaledale, a hardy upland species). Helvellyn continues to be a priority – Fix the search dog.