Botanist praises holiday park's ecology (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Botanist praises holiday park's ecology

2:52pm Monday 8th February 2010

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FAMOUS botanist David Bellamy has praised a North Yorkshire caravan park for its efforts to encourage wildlife to thrive in its grounds.

The Riverside Caravan Park, in High Bentham, has received a special distinction from Mr Bellamy - one of only 20 in the UK - in his 2010 Conservation Awards.

The distinction recognises park owners, Thomas and Jane Marshall’s efforts to encourage the park’s indiginous flora and fauna.

“Thomas and Jane have created a fantastic wildlife wonderland at High Bentham - and I was just knocked out when I paid them a visit and saw for myself what they have done,” said Mr Bellamy. “The whole place is bursting with bio-diversity - and frankly, they’ve even thought of some conservation initiatives which I hadn’t.

“This couple deserve all the support they can get, and there are plenty of other tourism businesses in Cumbria, and the rest of the UK, which could take a leaf from their book.”

Mr Marshall said he was delighted by the recognition bestowed on his park by Mr Bellamy.

“This has been our family's home for many years, both as a farm and now as a holiday park as well,” he said. “We have always tried to treat the countryside with respect, and to do what we can to encourage wildlife and lessen our impact on the environment.

“To have this work recognised by the world's best-known botanist is amazing, and will encourage us to go on to even greater things.

“Increasingly, many of our guests at the park take a real interest in the natural world - and I have no doubt that "green tourism" will continue becoming an important part of Britain's holiday industry,” he said.

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