Bradgate Park in Newtown Linford is one of our region's most popular destinations for a day out when the sun is shining, or even when its not.
Edward took advantage of the sunny weather to meet with Bradgate Park Trust's Director, Peter Tyldesley, to see the park and hear about the Trust's priorities for the future, and the daily challenges of balancing its use as a place for tourists and locals to walk in and enjoy, as an important natural habitat for wildlife and plants to be managed, and as an historic site with not only the ruins of Bradgate House to preserve and maintain, but some of the nation's most important fossils. He combined the visit with a meeting to discuss the National Forest's plans for the future with its Chief Executive, John Everitt.
Edward said: "Bradgate Park is well known to everyone in our area as one of the best and most popular places to spend a day out. It plays a vital role, not just as a destination for a day out, but for its contribution to biodiversity and wildlife. I know how hard the team at the Park work to balance the competing demands on this special place, and am grateful to them both for all they do every day to maintain this wonderful place, but also for taking the time to set out to me how they achieve that, and their plans for the future.
It was also fantastic to be able to combine the visit with a discussion with John Everitt from the National Forest. I am a strong supporter of increased tree planting in all our communities - the benefits of trees and woodlands for our environment and climate are well known. The National Forest in the East Midlands is a great example of what can be achieved, with over 8.5 million trees now planted, and a previously industrial, scarred, landscape turned in to a flourishing forest for everyone to enjoy."