County Voice

Beloved National Landscapes to take part in national celebrations

The Clwydian Range & Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is one of 46 AONB’s in England and Wales, the ‘family’ of AONB’s includes the Cotswolds and the Chilterns.

Each year Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty across the UK organise special events during ‘Landscapes for Life week’ but this year was special – we were celebrating the 70th anniversary of the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.  The 1949 Act paved the way for the creation of AONBs was part of the post-World War Two democratic settlement efforts which saw the government rebuilding a sense of national identity and thanking citizens for their sacrifices during the war. The Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks that were designated as a result of the act were envisioned as partner organisations to the NHS which was created in 1948. Giving people access to the countryside for exercise, enjoyment and mental health benefits was considered a preventative measure; while the NHS was designed to help people if they became sick.

This year’s Landscapes for Life week was themed ‘The Natural Health Service’, and encouraged local people and visitors to come along to an event or enjoy a walk or cycle ride in their local AONB, and celebrate the pioneering post-war vision that protected these treasured areas for everyone to enjoy.

Chair of the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB, Councillor Tony Thomas, said that the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB was one of the most beautiful, cherished and outstanding landscapes in the UK and offered a wealth of opportunities for people to enjoy the countryside. The health benefits of getting out and about and being active in our beautiful countryside has been well proven. The AONB organised a series of free events during Landscape for Life Week.

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