Calendar Girl Angela Baker has become the first person to join a new group aimed at helping to preserve Yorkshire’s beautiful Three Peaks.

Angela, who posed as Miss February in the famous Rylstone WI nude caIendar, joined guests and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) staff at a special event to mark the formation of the Friends of the Three Peaks.

Her husband John, whose death from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma sparked the fund-raising calendar for Leukaemia Research, worked for the YDNPA as an Assistant National Park Officer and started the first project to conserve the path network around Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

The Friends of the Three Peaks group is the latest phase in a new, three-year project to try to protect and conserve the area, which receives about 250,000 visitors a year and, in 1986, was judged to have the most severely eroded footpath network in the UK.

Speaking at the launch at the Station Inn in Ribblehead, Angela said: “John realised that there were so many people walking the Three Peaks and, if someone didn’t start doing something about it, the path network would be worn away and it wouldn’t be there for future generations.

“I think that, if people want to walk the Three Peaks, they should realise that the work the National Park Authority is doing is so important and that becoming a Friend is a fantastic way of helping – and doesn’t cost a lot. I really hope it takes off.”

Carl Lis, the YDNPA’s chairman, said: “The Three Peaks project aims to secure, in the long-term, the maintenance, enhancement and sustainable use of the area.

“While seeking capital support through grant applications, the project has, as a major outcome, the aim of engaging with those that visit the Three Peaks, as well as those who live or work in the area.

“We would like to create a sustainable source of both practical and financial support that will help protect and enhance the area and the rights of way network into the future.

“The Friends of the Three Peaks has been created to provide a mechanism for individuals or organisations to commit to longer-term support for our work in the area through annual donations. These will help fund an extra ranger, whose main job is to be out on the fells keeping the busy paths in good order.

“Any donation given to the project will be ring-fenced for work in the Three Peaks area. We will develop opportunities for people to get practically involved or to take part in Ranger-led walks. Sponsorship of sections of path or specific pieces of work are another option being looked at.”

Guests at the launch, which was preceded by organised walks up each of the hills, included representatives from the Three Peaks Race Association and from some of the charities that use the Three Peaks trail for sponsored walks and have offered to make their own donations to the project.

The project has also developed a range merchandise to celebrate walking one, two or all of the peaks and is building business and community interest in the Three Peaks.

The Friends of Three Peaks has an annual membership fee of £10, although you can pay more if you wish. As a ‘Friend’ you will receive regular newsletters, be able to go on Friends walks and have the opportunity of becoming involved in looking after the Three Peaks paths. It provides a way for people to put something back into the area.

Anyone wanting to become a Friend should log on to the YDNPA website at http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/friends_of_the_three_peaks_membership_form.doc and complete the form before returning it to Friends of the Three Peaks c/o Josie Simpson, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Colvend, Hebden Road, Grassington, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 5LB along with a cheque made payable to ‘Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’ and marked on the reverse ‘Friends of the Three Peaks’.

Alternatively, you can visit a National Park Centre and give an Advisor the completed form and membership fee in cash or cheque.

If you have any questions about the Three Peaks Project or about the Friends of the Three Peaks, please contact Steve Hastie, the Three Peaks Project Manager, on 01729 825242 or on his mobile 07818 048767 or email him at rb@airarts.org.