Local Access Forum

Forum Members

County Councillor Albert Atkinson - elected Member for Ribble Valley
Albert previously worked in pharmaceuticals, in addition to being fully committed to his work as a County Councillor Albert’s interests include caravanning, fell walking and sea fishing.

Arthur Baldwin
Secretary to 'Access Rossendale' independent local forum which represents a broad range of interests including walking, bridleways, and trail riders. Arthur has been their secretary since 1989 his personal background is considerable experience of walking, preparing and leading guided walks programmes and also producing heritage booklets on behalf of Groundwork Rossendale.

Bruce Dowles
Bruce is a former local government officer with over 25 years service. He is now Clerk to Bolton by Bowland, Gisburn Forest and Sawley Parish Council. Bruce is a member of Clitheroe the Future established for the Market Towns Initiative.

John Earnshaw
Appointed as an independent member. John has a wide range of interests and experience. Formerly Deputy Chief Education Officer for Lancashire, John now lives in the Ribble Valley caring for his own piece of land. He has a strong interest in heritage/ landscape and is a keen walker.

Michael Helm
Michael is a horse rider and Parish Councillor, representing the Lancashire Association of Parish and Town Councils on the Forest of Bowland AONB.

Sue Harrison
Sue is Deputy Regional Director for the Country Land and Business Association in the North West and represents the views of its members on the Forum. She is a member of the Lake District National Park Local Access Forum and is also a keen horse rider.

Ralph Henderson
Appointed as an independent member. Formerly a senior local government engineer, Ralph now lives in Silverdale and is actively involved in Arnside Silverdale AONB management organisations, Carnforth Market Town/North Lancs Rural Transport initiatives, and a parish councillor. He is a member of several conservation organisations and is a keen hill walker with a particular interest in access for the mobility impaired.

Jon Hickling
Jon is English Nature’s Conservation Officer for Lancashire with overall responsibility for English Nature’s statutory functions as regards the protection and enhancement of the County’s wildlife and natural features.

Sue Hogg
Representing the South Pennine Packhorse Trails Trust. The function of the Trust is to improve linear access to the countryside for horseriders and mountain bikes and also walkers by obtaining statutory definition for the historic network. Sue has been active in finding practical solutions to developing the network, successes include the opening of the Cliviger Packhorse Trails Circuit.

David Kelly
Representing the Ramblers' Association in Lancashire. David has been an active member of the Association for over 20 years and is currently Secretary for the Mid-Lancashire area. David has been involved locally for many years with the campaign to obtain 'Access to Open Countryside' and in particular has been active in promoting the status of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Jim Kirwan
Appointed as an independent member. Formerly a senior manager in the industrial sector Jim lives in Preston. Jim is extremely well travelled and will bring a wide experience to the Forum and wishes to improve accessibility for present and future generations.

County Councillor Tim Ormrod - elected Member for Pendle
Tim is Chairman of the Forest of Bowland AONB Advisory Committee, the Pendle Access Forum and also Enterprising Rural Communities - North East Lancashire. Tim is also a member of the Arnside and Silverdale AONB Committee, the National Association of AONB’s and the North West Rural Affairs Forum. Tim is a life long cyclist and walker and also a member of theYHA.

Richard Toon
Appointed as an independent member. Richard has considerable experience of chairing major committees and has always been particularly interested in issues relating to access to the countryside. An active climber, walker and mountain biker and also a member of a number of conservation bodies, Richard believes in achieving a balanced and conciliatory approach to managing access.

Keith Westley
Representing the Trail Riders' Fellowship and other motorised users. Keith lives in Ormskirk and sits on focus groups for cycling, road issues and transport. He is also a member of the existing West Lancashire Access Forum.

Denise Baker - Access Lancashire

Cosima Towneley - Parish Councillor

Michael Prescott - Cycle Touring Club

Richard Thomas - Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Councillor Trevor Maxfield - Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council