Margaret Paren, a member of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and vice-chairman of the South Downs Campaign (SDC) has been awarded a CPRE Countryside Medal for her wonderful campaign work on the South Downs National Park (see photograph).

Christopher Napier, chairman of CPRE Hampshire, paid tribute to Margaret's voluntary campaigning, saying:

"Margaret's work has been invaluable and way beyond the call of duty. She initiated many of the ideas for evidence given to the public inquiry to counter determined opposition to the national park from some local authorities. She was instrumental in putting together much of the research leading to the evidence given on landscape, and led the SDC Boundary Working Group, in which capacity she walked almost every inch of the designated and objector's boundaries, I believe, and the proposed park is 140 miles long!

Margaret has given sound advice to parish councils and others seeking to include areas within the designated boundary and spent a massive amount of time and effort on the inquiry over its 14-month duration. All this is classic CPRE work to the highest standard for the long-term benefit of the countryside of Hampshire and Sussex."

Margaret Paren replied:

"I am both flattered and surprised to receive a countryside medal - so many colleagues do so much to help conserve our beautiful countryside.

Over 100 amenity groups and town and parish councils have now joined together to campaign for a South Downs National Park. No other National Park in history has had so much popular backing as this one. I'm glad to say that CPRE has played a major part in the campaign and has brought its expertise to bear, most recently in the evidence given to the public inquiry. We now await the inspector’s report, due around Christmas, and the decision by the Minister whether or not to confirm the National Park designation. We do so safe in the knowledge that no more could have been done to make the case for a national park for the South Downs."

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CPRE/H/058

The Campaign to Protect Rural England, Hampshire Branch (CPRE Hampshire) is a registered charity and a branch of the national CPRE charity.

CPRE Hampshire strives to promote the beauty, tranquility and diversity of the countryside of Hampshire by the sustainable use of land and other resources in town and country, and encouraging the biodiversity and well-being of rural communities.

The South Downs Campaign is the umbrella organisation for supporters of the National Park. It comprises over 100 separate amenity groups, as well as parish councils and individual supporters. Groups are national (such as national CPRE, and the Council for National Parks), regional (such as CPRE Hampshire and the South Downs Society) and local (including a number of Petersfield and Liss-based groups, such as the Petersfield Society and Liss Conservation Volunteers).

CPRE East Hampshire District Group member Margaret Paren acts as vice-chairman of the South Downs Campaign. She has chaired its boundary sub-group and now chairs its planning group.

For information on CPRE Hampshire campaign work for the South Downs National Park, please contact:

Margaret Paren, CPRE member, Liss Forest
Tel: 01730 894083

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CPRE/H/058

The Campaign to Protect Rural England, Hampshire Branch (CPRE Hampshire) is a registered charity and a branch of the national CPRE charity.

CPRE Hampshire strives to promote the beauty, tranquility and diversity of the countryside of Hampshire by the sustainable use of land and other resources in town and country, and encouraging the biodiversity and well-being of rural communities.

For membership information on CPRE, please contact:
Pam Mason, administrator, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01962 843655
Email:admin@cprehampshire.org.uk

For all media enquiries, please contact:
Keren Burney, media & communications officer, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01730 894123   Mobile: 07876 780065
Email: kburney000@aol.com