The Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership has appointed a new chairman, Patrick Norris, to champion Northumberland’s protected coastal landscape.
He succeeds Cllr Jeff Watson, who has been chair for the last five years.
Patrick serves on the AONB Partnership as a Special Interest Member for recreation and access. He founded his guided walks business - Footsteps in Northumberland - in 2011 after leading walks since 2003. Prior to that, Patrick worked for the Royal Navy before becoming a Community Forest Field Officer in Swindon.
Patrick will lead the Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership, which oversees the management of the AONB. The Partnership is made up of people with a direct management role or interest in the AONB.
Patrick said: “I am very pleased to be taking on the role of chair of the AONB Partnership. The AONB is fundamentally important to both the environment and the economy of the coast. I am hoping that in this role I will be able to raise the profile of the AONB and increase the strength of the designation through the implementation of the management plan.
“I am taking up this role at a really exciting time for the network of English Protected Landscapes as the Government begins to respond to the proposals in the Landscape Review.”
Charles Baker Cresswell from Bamburgh was re-elected as Vice-Chair of the Partnership, a role he has continuously filled since the Partnership was established in 2003.
AONB Manager, Iain Robson, said: “I would like to welcome Patrick to this role. I look forward to working with him to ensure that the Northumberland Coast AONB is not only conserved and enhanced for future generations, but the importance of the designation is understood and supported by local people and visitors alike.”
