Prince applauds The Lakes becoming a world site
PRINCE Charles praised the Lake District as he unveiled a plaque declaring England’s largest national park a World Heritage Site.
He said: “Whenever I come here and, in the words of Psalm 121, ‘lift up mine eyes unto the hills’, I feel my spirits rise and I know the same is true of countless others.”
The beloved region in Cumbria joined the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon and Stonehenge when it was added to the list of areas with World Heritage Site status last year.
Charles told crowds at the unveiling yesterday, outside the Theatre On The Lake in Keswick: “I could not be more delighted to be here on this very special occasion in what I think is a particularly special part of the world.
“Official recognition by the Unesco World Heritage committee of the Lake District National Park as a World Heritage Site is a significant achievement, which I am told has taken 31 years.”
He congratulated those involved, including Lord Clark of Windermere, chairman of the Lake District National Park Partnership, who led the bid, and called for collective working in the countryside to create harmony between different interests. The Prince of Wales added: “We cannot take the survival of these very special communities for granted. Successful rural businesses are a prerequisite to delivering benefits for the public.”
Environment Secretary Michael Gove was at the event, along with Michael Ellis, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism.
The Duchess of Cambridge has become the first royal patron of the Victoria and Albert Museum in Knightsbridge, London. Kate, on maternity leave expecting her third child next month, has a history of art degree.