With over 80 years of success, Her Majesty The Queen as the organisation’s patron, and 60,000 members in cities, towns and villages throughout the UK, the Campaign to Protect Rural England is proud to call themselves “the champions of England’s countryside”. And here at EcoSwitch, we think this is something to be celebrated!
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) is campaigning year in, year out to ensure that the beautiful British countryside is kept to its lovely and legendary status of being some of the most lustrious soils in the world. The art that has been inspired by it, the changes its seen and supported throughout our history, and the future of what’s yet to come is already there and all around us lucky Brits. But have we taken our hill, hillocks and hideaways for granted?
CPRE is a vital asset to the UK’s decision makers, who are lobbying to uphold these long stretches of land. Working alongside national, regional and local councils, organisations, businesses and individuals who share their core values and who are willing to challenge those who put the countryside at threat.
Their campaigns led some of the ways to create National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Green Belts up and down the country:
“Since 1926, the Campaign to Protect Rural England has fought to protect the beauty, life and uniqueness of our countryside,” says CPRE’s website “The countryside, its wildlife and natural resources as well as its sheer beauty and tranquility, are under threat from sprawl, new road and airport infrastructure, from noise, air and light pollution. Farming, too, is under pressure to become ever more intensive and productive to meet globalised competition, yet we expect farmers to be among the leading custodians of the countryside. And climate change is coming.”
The ominous register of these statements reveal a note of caution that needs to be heard by the country at large. It is true to say that the CPRE is a tremendously successful organisation, but is it strong enough to compete with an ever modernising Britain?
Of course, we hope it is. But the CPRE is a registered charity, which means that it relies on independent support throughout the year. You can help the CPRE by registering donations and helping its Trustees retain the values it works increasingly hard not to compromise on:
“CPRE wants a beautiful, tranquil and diverse countryside that everyone can value and enjoy; a working countryside that contributes to national well being by enriching our quality of life, as well as providing us with crucial natural resources, including food.
We wish to see the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. The countryside, including its villages and towns is ever changing, but we strive to ensure that change and development respect the character of England’s natural and built landscapes, enhancing the environment for the enjoyment and benefit of all.”
It really is a worthy cause. One that supports an innate beauty and benefit that is all to easily taken for granted. To find out how you can help support the CPRE, click here to visit its website, and do that little bit more than simply wishing it the Best of British.
