Week in the life of a new Lake District National Park Authority Member

Members are passionate spokespeople who represent the communities of the Lake District National Park. Each member is appointed by local councils and the Secretary of State through a selection process, and their chief role is to give a public voice on issues facing the Lake District at Authority and Committee meetings.

Have you ever wondered what a week might look like in the life of a Lake District National Park Authority Member?

Mark Hatton, one of our newly appointed Members, lives in Ambleside and is particularly interested in the human and industrial history of the Lake District. As part of a deep-dive induction into his new role as a Member, Mark visited Northumberland National Park, demonstrating the valuable insights that can be gained from visiting other special places when reflecting on issues facing the Lake District. Read on for Mark’s account of his busy week between 24-30 November 2025.

Mark Hatton, Member

Monday – the week began with an early start to drive to Edinburgh from Ambleside for a 10am meeting with Edinburgh Bereavement Services (EBS). I am Chair of the Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard (FoGK), a historic burial ground in central Edinburgh. This was a biannual meeting with the Head of EBS to discuss how the kirkyard is bearing up under the millions of feet that pass through every year.

Monday evening was our Annual General Meeting, which had a great mix of in person and online members attending from all over the world.

Tuesday - up early again to drive down to Northumberland to attend a course for new National Park Members from all over England and Wales, which was hosted by Northumberland National Park Authority at The Sill. After lunch and introductions, we discussed the big issues facing each of our National Parks. Another member, Jackie Lancaster, and I were representing the LDNPA. That evening, I had to miss the dinner and stargazing as I was giving a talk in Alnwick about the history and symbolism of gravestones. It turned out to be a particularly icy drive to and from Alnwick crossing the middle of Northumberland.

Wednesday - the second day of the course saw us visiting several sites along the Roman Wall, looking at how Walltown Country Park has been made accessible to all, then up to the top of Winshields Crags to look at the Park’s recent land management initiatives. We then walked over to Sycamore Gap with a Northumberland National Park Guide who told us about the history of the area and the sadly lost tree. As the weather closed in, we returned to The Sill to learn about planning functions in National Parks.

The Members from other National Parks all expressed the challenge they face in helping their Park address the common issues of increased visitor pressure, raised expectations and restricted budgets. Everyone felt they were climbing a long and steep learning curve to become an effective Member.

Visiting the Roman Wall on the National Park’s UK New Members’ Induction course.

Thursday - the final day was spent discussing the Members’ role and how to be an effective Member. This proved to be the most valuable session which prompted much discussion. The more experienced Members attending the course were full of encouragement and reassurance that through teamwork, hard-work and commitment the role of a Member would be fulfilling and positive.

Friday - another day up in Edinburgh (unusual twice in one week), this time spent looking at various designs for new seats for visitors to Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Saturday - returned to Ambleside and spent a couple of hours getting my underground gear ready for Sunday’s adventure. This is usually used in exploring the many old mines in the Lake District, but tomorrow I was heading to unfamiliar underground territory...

LDNPA team arriving at County Pot

Sunday - Helen Hooper had organised a ‘Try Caving’ day for LDNPA staff and we met on a beautifully clear but very chilly morning on the eastern limits of Cumbria at Bull Pot Farm. Alongside other LDNPA staff, I stood in sub-zero temperatures getting kitted up in caving suits, wellies and climbing harnesses for a day underground. After two hours of stretching, twisting, climbing, crawling and sliding we found our way to the foot of a waterfall emerging from a narrow slot, which Helen told us we had to climb through to proceed.

Helen did a fantastic job getting us through the cave. The walk back over the moor to the cars felt particularly sweet, savouring the sky above our heads and soft earth beneath our feet.

Meeting LDNPA staff really drives home how committed everyone is to their role and highlights their passion for making the Lake District a wonderful place to visit, live and work.

Squeezing through the cave at Bull Pot Farm