Colin Chick: new Ranger for the Pennine Way

A NEW ranger has been appointed to look after the 51-mile section of Pennine Way through the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Colin Chick will be responsible for the maintenance of the National Trail, which runs between Gargrave in the south of the National Park to Tan Hill on the north boundary and includes the Malham Cove path and the routes over Pen-y-ghent and Great Shunner Fell.

“It’s a big job and I’m really looking forward to working with all the communities, organisations, farmers and landowners along its length to make sure it is kept in prime condition,” he said.

Colin, who is 28 and lives at Rathmell, will be based at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s workshop at Stone Dykes Barn, Stainforth.

It’s a big job and I’m really looking forward to working with all the communities, organisations, farmers and landowners along its length to make sure it is kept in prime condition

Colin Chick - Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

“One of the most important parts of my role is to arrange events and recreational activities that will encourage individuals and groups of all kinds to get first hand experience of a National Trail by simply going out and enjoying it.”

Colin’s post is jointly funded by Natural England and the YDNPA and was created eight years ago after a pilot in the Dales. The trial then formed the basis for the practical management of many National Trails across England.

The post is managed through a steering group comprising representatives from Natural England and the National Park Authority.

Natural England’s Pennine Way National Trail officer Steven (correct) Westwood said: “The Pennine Way is an important asset to England and we would like to welcome Colin to the post.”