Merrell and UK National Parks announce plans to inspire new generation of outdoor fans

Merrell, the outdoor footwear and apparel specialist, and UK National Parks have launched an updated UK National Parks Visitor Passport to inspire a new generation of outdoor fans to ‘Get Outside’ and discover the spectacular British countryside – plus are offering lucky outdoor enthusiasts the chance to win top of the range Merrell gear.

The partnership was initially launched in Spring 2011 and will now see Merrell extend its work with the UK National Park Family, including the New Forest National Park, by distributing ‘Visitor Passports’ to a whole new audience of Merrell customers throughout the UK via in-store point of purchase materials and by promoting the passports through the Merrell UK website and social media platforms.

Outdoor fans will also have the chance to be kitted out in premium Merrell product after obtaining a UK National Parks’ Visitor Passport.

Emily Carr, Marketing Executive at Merrell said: ‘Merrell encourages everyone to Get Outside and make the most of the wonderful British landscape, so we’re delighted to be supporting a scheme that does this within the UK National Parks.

‘All 15 National Parks offer a diverse range of dramatic and stunning scenery and we’re delighted to help enhance the adventures of outdoor enthusiasts whilst tracking their progress using the Visitor Passports.’

The UK National Parks’ Visitor Passport allows guests to collect attendance stamps from each of the 15 National Parks – including the New Forest Centre in Lyndhurst - as a lasting memory of the unique adventure and discovery experience. The UK National Parks are spread across England, Scotland and Wales, and offer a truly diverse combination of mountains, meadows, moorlands, woods and wetlands.

Carl Lis - Chairman of the UK Association of National Park Authorities (UK ANPA) said:
‘We are delighted to be working with Merrell who share the same aspiration as the UK National Parks - to encourage more people to get out and enjoy the countryside. With the current difficult financial situation, more people than ever are staying at home to enjoy what the UK has to offer and whether you want to relax and enjoy the tranquillity, join in a family event or get into some adrenalin-filled activities then there’s something for everyone in your nearest National Park.’

New look for National Park Rangers on the go

Rangers working for the New Forest National Park will be easier to spot thanks to a new lease vehicle with distinctive images of the New Forest landscape.

The Volkswagen Caddy with BlueMotion technology is more fuel efficient and produces less CO2 than most vans. The van has start-stop technology which cuts emissions and saves fuel by automatically switching off the engine when stationary, such as at traffic lights.

Gillie Hayball, who leads the team of four New Forest National Park Authority rangers, said: ‘One of our key tasks is to be a visible presence in the National Park and surrounding areas, acting as a first point of contact with residents and visitors.

‘Leasing this vehicle means we can transport display and educational materials when we attend events, campaign days and go out into communities. It also means people can recognise us more easily.

‘A business case showed that by leasing the van rather than rangers using their own transport and claiming back the mileage, there will also be cost savings for the Authority. Of course we’ll be out walking and cycling in the Forest or using public transport when possible instead of going by car or van.’

The Authority has also been leasing a hybrid pool car – which runs on electric and petrol – from Wessex Fleet Solutions since 2010.

Company Director Tim McNally said: ‘Green Car Lease is a division of Wessex Fleet Solutions. Not only are the pool car and van reducing the Authority’s emissions but the leasing arrangements are also carbon neutral.

‘We calculate the amount of carbon emitted by every lease vehicle we supply and pay for sustainable energy projects to offset those emissions.’

Lyndhurst community unearths churchyard secrets from the past

People of all ages from Lyndhurst helped to unearth the past at an archaeological excavation of their parish churchyard dubbed ‘the community big dig’.

The New Forest National Park Authority working with Wessex Archaeology helped them excavate three areas outside the west end of St Michael and All Angels Church, Lyndhurst. They were also joined by students and staff from Southampton University.

Now people can see photos and an explanation of the project on display panels in the church, revealing the truth about the hill the church is built on and evidence of medieval Lyndhurst residents.

The Parish, in partnership with Hampshire County Council, was improving vehicle access and building a new footpath, which gave the chance for an archaeological exploration during the preparatory works in the churchyard this summer. The work had to meet the requirements of the archaeological planning condition and standards for working on consecrated land.

St Michael and All Angels Church was built between 1858 and 1869 and overlies the site of a Georgian church of 1741, which itself replaced a medieval chapel - the precise location of which remains unknown.

Several headstones lay within the excavation areas at the west end of the church, none of which appear to have been in their original locations, and these headstones were recorded and moved to another position within the churchyard.

Excavations also revealed four burial vaults, three of which were damaged and apparently in-filled earlier, but the fourth was that of Admiral Sir Charles Burrard, (1793 - 1870) which was intact and has now been preserved beneath the new access. Sir Charles was the second and last Baronet of Lymington, and at one point served on HMS Victory. He was also an accomplished marine and landscape painter.

New Forest National Park Authority Archaeologist Frank Green said: ‘We didn’t expect to find the remains of the early church as it is most likely below the present building. However there were over 350 shards of pottery found – jars and rims of jugs - and nearly a quarter were medieval. We also found stone roofing slates which were frequently used on medieval sites and usually implied social status. While the archaeological evidence from the excavation was relatively small, it is a very significant range of material for Lyndhurst and reflects the history of the Queen’s House site as a Royal Hunting Lodge as early as the 11th and 12th century.

‘This has been a really useful piece of work demonstrating that community archaeological projects can add significantly to our local knowledge and at the same time assisting community organisations to be actively involved in discovering their heritage.’

Sue Farr, Project Manager for Wessex Archaeology, said: ‘From the human bone identified, our osteoarchaeologist was able to determine there was a minimum of 20 people represented, and these are likely to have derived from 18th and 19th century graves within this area of the churchyard.

‘The overlying soil also contained metal coffin fittings such as grips and handles, plus other finds including ceramic and stone roof-tiles, brick, vessel glass and pottery, some of which was medieval.

‘The excavations also revealed that the church is built upon a natural rather than man-made hill, with some evidence of sand quarrying on the site.’

The church’s vicar, the Reverend Dr James Bruce said: ‘The people of St Michael's are hugely grateful for the hard work of the organisers Paul Trend and Ann Rogers, and all the volunteers, and for the helpfulness of the professional archaeologists involved in this project.

‘It opens the way to making the church building more accessible, and will relieve some congestion from the High Street in the future, as well as revealing more information about our heritage as a site where Jesus Christ has been worshipped since medieval times.’

People are invited to find out more about the project at a talk by archaeologist Phil Andrews in the church on Friday 10 February at 7pm.