this is not right, see emphasis:
The Lake District National Park is to axe the free guided walks carried out by over 100 volunteer rangers because they attract only "middle-aged, middle-class white people".
The scenic walks, which introduce thousands of tourists to the fells each year, are being scrapped as part of a three-year plan to bring more ethnic minorities, inner-city children and the disabled to the area.
to be honest, are minorities and inner-city types really interested? i can vouch for this 'cos throughout my stay at the lakes, the only folk i encountered whilst walking up the fells were middle-class white.
seriously, it's not in the genetic makeup of the average minority to appreciate nature - let me emphasise the average bit, and i'm assuming asian. most are just more keen to make shedloads of dosh and some making a right nuisance of 'emselves.
and btw, how are the disabled going to make their way round the fells?
as enscribed by the letter b @ January 3, 2005 05:49 AMas us both know it, it's dumbarses who tend to get to sit on boards - via nepotism(sp?), recommendations, sleeping with someone... not folk like you and i :D
as blahed by the letter b @ January 5, 2005 06:53 AMIdiots. Really, is there a dumb test one must past to get on boards that decide these sort of things?
as blahed by Rachel Ann @ January 4, 2005 09:24 PMyes, and they have no concrete workable business plan(s) whatsoever as to how to cultivate interests in the minorities and disabled besides not working out on relevant resources for these groups. instead scrapping the sole revenue-generating sector as they mistakenly thought the funding would somehow be freed up for the identified target segments.
i would gladly take up a marketing role in promoting the lakelands and fells to the underprivileged on the national park's behalf if they have an opening :D yes, i simply love the lakes.
as blahed by the letter b @ January 3, 2005 09:53 AMWouldn't it make more sense to keep the programs and work out a way to bring the inner city children etc out, as in via school trips or camp trips? To have easier access via bus? To have specific walks designed for the blind or wheelchair bound? Isn't it more including rather than scrapping?
I do think inner city children would be interested if programs existed to expose them to nature (as well as classical music, art etc.) But I don't understand this scrap concept.
as blahed by Rachel Ann @ January 3, 2005 08:26 AM