In this film presenter Jessica Holm explores both the origins of national parks and how the Northumberland National Parks works with farmers, private landowners and the Ministry of Defence in a landscape which is now a conservation and recreation area. The film opens showing a rain soaked stone built house. The film closes in on a window and a woman in the room beyond. Inside the woman picks up post from a door mat. She sits at a table having breakfast, and picks up the pile of letters...

In this film presenter Jessica Holm explores both the origins of national parks and how the Northumberland National Parks works with farmers, private landowners and the Ministry of Defence in a landscape which is now a conservation and recreation area. The film opens showing a rain soaked stone built house. The film closes in on a window and a woman in the room beyond. Inside the woman picks up post from a door mat. She sits at a table having breakfast, and picks up the pile of letters nearby and starts going through them. Off camera we hear her voice lamenting the fact that they all seem to be bills demanding money. However, one is a post card from someone who is visiting Northumberland National Park. The film moves in towards the picture on the postcard, while off camera the woman’s thoughts turn to wishing that she could be at the place in the picture. The film continues at the exact location shown on the postcard. The woman, presenter Jessica Holm, walks towards the camera and begins to talk about the history of the National Parks concept, which she explains began in America. A still photo of mountains and forest in winter appears, depicting Yellowstone national park which was created in 1872. Established along with others like Yosemite, they were a response to protect these beautiful, wild places and encourage people to visit and appreciate them. Jessica goes on to explain European national parks such as Cevennes in France and Ordesa in Spain were established much later. The film shows a crowded city street, in Britain there was an increasing call for the protection some of our precious areas and a desire to promote access to natural landscapes. In 1949 an act of parliament paved the way for National Parks. A map shows the location of major cities in England and Wales. The Peak District was the first national park established in 1951. The map adds the other ten current national parks. The film shows more of the 400 square mile Northumberland national park near to where Jessica is speaking. The film goes on to show glimpses of the Cheviot hills and parts of Hadrian’s Wall. Another map shows the amount of National Park area owned privately, which is 54%, 23% ministry of defence and 19% by forestry interests with only 0.2% owned by the National Park. A farmer tends to his sheep as they feed from a trough out on the moorland. Title: Michael Jameson - Farmer Michael gives his thoughts on making a living in the national park. Two workers are shown putting a direction sign for a public footpath or bridleway. With a backdrop of a large forest behind him a representative from Forest Enterprise talks about the forestry industry in the national park. Title: Chris Probert Forest Enterprise - Kielder The film then follows a group of soldiers on combat training. The army have used parts of the national park area since 1911 and is represented by Colonel Charteris. Title: Col. Charteris Commandant Otterburn Training Area He talks of the long-standing use of the part of the National Park for training by the army and expands on the relatively new relationship with National Park authorities. The film also shows some of the heavy transport equipment the army uses during training. One of the vehicles fires a rocket in one of the areas where ammunition can be fired. There are strict regulations around danger areas. Jessica moves on to talk with a family who have come to visit the national park. Standing next to a small trailer parked in a car park which gives information for visitors, the family say they come to the park regularly for walks The film shows another couple walking their dog on part of Hadrian’s Wall. Jessica asks the visitors about future developments in the park. The response is they enjoy the parks comparative solitude and would be wary of any development which attracted too many visitors. A man walks alongside Hadrian’s wall carrying a large backpack. Off camera and then on screen the walker explains that he does not like too much intrusion by the national park. He frowns on the introduction of too many boardwalks or gravel paths as he says that they are not part of the natural landscape. But he does value the wardens involved with guided walks and other activities so that people from towns are able to come and value the areas they visit and the countryside in general. Views follow of what may be a school party on a walk alongside Hadrian’s wall. Jessica then talks to the national park officer. Title: Graham Taylor – National Park Officer. Graham responds to Jessica’s question about the national park and potentially conflicting national and local interests. The film shows part of a large forestry plantation and open moorland. A number of still images follow of the Northumberland countryside in earlier times and the same place in the present day, showing either changes in the landscape or remaining more or less as it was. Jessica sits by the fireside at home looking at her postcard. She sums up Northumberland national park as a national treasure which people can enjoy, but is also a place of work, business and home, with conservation being the major factor in the work of the National Park. Credits: Presenter Jessica Holm Script Tony Hopkins, David Doxford Sound Paul Gunn Camera Chris Sutcliffe Editor Colin Gardiner Producer Richard Johns Director Simon Lawson Title: Special Thanks to John and Claire Edwards, Gibbs Hill Farm, Michael Jameson, Steve Cairns, The Winger Family, Forest Enterprise, The Ministry of Defence, The National Trust, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central Library, Northumberland Library Service, United States National Parks Service End title: A Quay Production for Northumberland National Park. © 1992 Northumberland National Park, Eastburn, South Park, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 1BS