English Oak Tree gift for Liss Forest

To commemorate the historic announcement of the new South Downs National Park, an English Oak Tree - Quercus Robur - grown in Hampshire, has been presented by the Campaign to Protect Rural England on behalf of the South Downs Campaign, to the village of Liss Forest, which is included within the new National Park. The oak tree was accepted on behalf of Liss Forest by seven-year-old Emily Bowsher (pictured).

Many residents of the village have fought long and hard to keep the Western Weald (which includes Liss Forest) within the national park, including Margaret Paren who helped to lead the South Downs Campaign as its vice-chairman. Margaret, also a member of CPRE, said:

"The South Downs Campaign is made up of 160 organisations - some national and some smaller ones - which have worked hard to get the South Downs National Park. They include Liss Forest Residents Association, the CPRE, Ramblers, Liss Parish Council and many others. We wanted to give some recognition to those Parish and Town Councils who have supported the Campaign, which is why we have decided to give them an oak tree. CPRE Hampshire has led the way in Hampshire, and we are presenting the tree today on behalf of the South Downs Campaign.

"Many, many thanks to all those who have supported us for such a long time, writing letters, putting up banners and helping in other ways. The beautiful countryside around Liss Forest is full of diverse species and has a very special quality about it. We believe that the national park is the best way of conserving and enhancing this special countryside for the future. Oak trees live for hundreds of years and we see this as a fitting symbol of the promised longevity of the national park."

Tony Grant, chairman of Liss Forest Residents Association, paid tribute to both Margaret and Nigel Paren who had both put in a tremendous amount of work to keep the Western Weald within the national park.

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CPRE/H/160

Notes to editors

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.

Founded in 1990, the membership of the South Downs Campaign has grown to 160 organisations and includes most of the key national and regional conservation, environmental and amenity organisations concerned with the countryside. It includes over 90 local groups, societies and businesses and 29 parish and town councils. The SDC is generously supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

For information on CPRE, please contact:
Becky French or Pam Mason, 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
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