BROCKHOLE opened to the public 50 years ago. Having been involved for nearly 20 years in its early stages, it is interesting to observe how it has developed since that time.

I recall on that first day being interviewed by a young John Humphrys, whose first question was: "Do you hope to attract more visitors?" My reply was on the lines of: "Our prime purpose is to enhance the enjoyment of those who come through, raising their awareness of the many special qualities of the national park."

Not all the locals welcomed the new venture. There were some who, misguidedly, thought the money should have gone towards saving the children's convalescent home at Calgarth. Our local MP, Michael Jopling, branded Brockhole as "a white elephant"! Ironically his criticism ultimately rebounded beneficially in several ways.

Over time the centre, in common with society, has had to change. At the first meeting of the managing committee, composed of roughly two-thirds councillors and the rest persons appointed because of their special knowledge of the area, a distinguished member of the Fell and Rock Club asked what work the gardeners would be doing over the winter. I replied that, among other tasks, we hoped to build a number of picnic benches. A look of horror crossed her face as she exclaimed "Picnic benches! What's wrong with God's good earth?"

Today's Brockhole would be unimaginable to those early members. Much thought and hard work has transformed it into the attraction it has to be to appeal to the current generation of park visitors.

While waiting for a bus on a dark winter morning this year, I chanced to have a brief conversation with a visitor from the new South Downs National Park. He was on his way to join colleagues who had come to see what they could learn from our centre. Later in the winter on a pleasant day I enjoyed one of my occasional walks around the grounds. Passing through the car park I noticed a small group gathered round a vehicle but was unable to pay close attention as a drone buzzed and dived immediately overhead. At home in the evening I saw from the local news the group had been discussing a driverless car. A hint of things to come in the next 50 years?

John Nettleton

Windermere