BHS achieve European funding for Eden Valley Loops
Date: 14 April 2010 Release: Immediate
BHS achieve European funding for Eden Valley Loops
The British Horse Society has secured £18,500 funding to produce The Eden Valley Loops, 135km of routes designed for horse riders, off-road cyclists and walkers based in Cumbria, due to be launched in June.
The grant is part-funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The Eden Valley Loops also provide a key link to the Pennine Bridleway, and are a welcome addition to The British Horse Society’s National Bridleroute Network. The BHS aims to extend the network further north, linking the Loops to other major routes.
A group of ten volunteers including BHS staff and representatives, Bridleway Officers, horse Bed and Breakfast proprietors, and local riders and landowners, have worked hard to bring these routes to fruition.
BHS Senior Executive (Access), Heather Clatworthy said: “This grant award is such good news, not only for locals, but equestrians throughout the UK wishing to visit the area.
“Equestrians are in desperate need of more safe off-road routes, and are very grateful when projects like this are able to take place. These routes are easily accessible and will be enjoyed by locals and equestrian tourists from all parts of the UK.
“With equestrian tourism on the rise, we expect many people to visit and explore these beautiful routes, and make use of local amenities along their way. Each route has a designated point of contact who, along with the leaflet, will be able to help them plan their holiday and make the most of their visit to Cumbria”.
Cumbria Fells & Dales RDPE Local Action Group Development Officer, Alison Love said: “We were very pleased to see a project come forward that encourages discovery of the Eden Valley area for both visitors and the local community.”
Cumbria County Council Rights of Way Officer, David Gibson said: “The Eden Loops will show case what Cumbria has to offer equestrians with some great day rides through magnificent countryside. The potential link to the Pennine Bridleway will create a valuable connection to the National Trail for riders using the route and give them the opportunity to continue their journey and experience the glories of Cumbria.”
The Society is grateful to the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas for part funding the project and also Cumbria County Council, The Lake District National Park, and landowners for being so supportive of the project.
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The BHS is also holding fundraising events to part-match funds awarded. These include the ‘Ride & Stride’ for horse riders, cyclists and walkers around sections of the new routes on 25 April, and a raffle at the BHS National Spring Coaching Convention at Blackdyke Farm Riding Centre, Carlisle, on 11 May.
For further information, please contact: Heather Clatworthy, The British Horse Society, 01926 707184 or access@bhs.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The National Bridleroute Network encompasses over 14,500km of linear and circular routes throughout Britain and can be viewed at www.ride-uk.org.uk and now with interactive mapping at www.emagin.org
2. Horse riders have access to just 22 percent of the UK rights of Way network, and carriage drivers just 5 percent. The British Horse Society works to defend, extend and promote and safer, more easily accessible off-road network for all.
3. BHS Access Week is 21-31 May visit http://www.bhs.org.uk/Riding/Riding_Off_Road/Fight_for_your_Bridleways/Campaign/Access_week.aspx for further information