Hearts are being formed across the country in our most loved landscapes on Saturday 21st September at 2pm. For the first time ever people in all the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are forming hearts to show how much they love their landscapes.
The heart shape has been chosen as it represents not only the love for these areas but also that AONBs and National Parks were originally thought of as the ‘Natural Health Service’. The legislation that allowed the creation of these protected landscapes, the National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act was agreed in 1949, the same year as the National Health Service. The two acts were seen as complimentary; preventing illness through recreation and then curing
them if did get ill.
them if did get ill.
From Cornwall over to Kent and up to the North Pennines staff, volunteers, residents and visitors will be forming hearts, either using their own bodies at mass
gatherings or using objects in the landscape. All the hearts are being captured on film and video and shared with others.
gatherings or using objects in the landscape. All the hearts are being captured on film and video and shared with others.
There are 46 AONBs across the UK each will be participating. This national moment kicks off the Landscapes for Life week to celebrate our AONBs.
Howard Davies, Chief Executive of the National Association for AONBs said, “This national moment kicks off Landscapes for Life Week, so-called because
we’re committed to our iconic national landscapes forever. And those landscapes are so much more than a view – they are landscapes for living. They are a place for nature – which AONB partnerships are actively working to conserve and enhance. They are a place for rural productivity and at the heart of our great
British food industry. They are a place of tranquillity, rootedness and wellbeing, treasured by generations of people seeking peace, exercise and leisure; truly our Natural Health Service.”
British food industry. They are a place of tranquillity, rootedness and wellbeing, treasured by generations of people seeking peace, exercise and leisure; truly our Natural Health Service.”
Here in the Shropshire Hills, everyone is invited to bring a picnic and join us on 21st in the heart of our AONB – Carding Mill Valley, Church Stretton. Listen to songs inspired by this beautiful landscape and help us to create a heart in the Shropshire Hills. Composer, Mary Keith, will lead our pop-up choir, and photographer, Ben Osborne, will capture event on film. Picnic from 1pm, carding Mill Valley, top car park.
You are also welcome to be part of our Shropshire Hills pop-up choir. Join Mary as she leads a SINGING WORKSHOP in the morning (11am – 12.30pm) to prepare our pop-up choir for an informal afternoon performance. All voices are welcome. Just turn up at the National Trust tearooms, Carding Mill Valley, no need to book.
