THE children and grandchildren of the man who stayed in Malhamdale and whose work led to the creation of the UK's national parks were part of a special anniversary celebration in the Yorkshire Dales.

Around 50 people were at Malham Youth Hostel on Monday to mark the 75th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act and also the 70th anniversary of the setting up of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Hosted by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the Youth Hostel Association, it saw the unveiling of a Yorkshire Society blue plaque to John Dower. The Ilkley born civil servant and architect wrote the report which led to the creation of the national parks in the UK while living in Malhamdale in the 1940s.

His Parliamentary Paper set out the purposes of national parks and identified the areas in England and Wales which could be considered for national park status. The report, “National Parks in England and Wales”, was published in 1945 and led to the development and passing of the Act four years later in 1949.

John Dower died aged 47 just before the passing of the Act, which became part of the re-build of Britain following the trauma of the Second World War, providing a level of protection for the nation’s finest landscapes and an opening up of the countryside.

Children and grandchildren of John Dower were amongst those at the anniversary, which took place two days after the 70th anniversary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, which was set up in 1954.

Also present was Baroness Hayman, the minister responsible for access at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), as well as representatives of Natural England, the National Association for National Landscapes, Campaign for National Parks, Field Studies Council and the Open Spaces Society.

Robin Dower, the youngest of John and Pauline Dower’s three children, was a boy in shorts when a photograph was taken in 1948 at the entrance of YHA Malham; an event re-created at the special anniversary.

He said how his parents, fearing the outbreak of war, came to Kirkby Malham in 1939, and that his father, invalided out of the war, was appointed by Sir John Reith, minister of town and country planning, to draft a report on national parks. “As my father died in 1947 when I was eight I cannot really remember much about his work on the national parks report, except through the lens of my mother's work to fulfil his vision after her appointment in 1949 as a member, and later deputy chair, of the National Parks Commission.

"The friends and colleagues with whom my father had campaigned before the war for the creation of national parks and the establishment of wider access to the countryside remained a huge and loyal circle of friends for my mother, greatly encouraging her and offering her hospitality both in London where the commission's office was her base, and out in or near the national parks on her frequent field visits to determine boundaries or the impact of proposed quarrying, road development or forestry planting.

"She was meticulous in presenting evidence at public inquiries and was glad to be able to stay with friends within easy reach of a site.”

Defra Minister Baroness Sue Hayman told the gathering: “These landmark laws were instrumental in improving access to nature, enshrining the rights of people in post-war Britain to be able to experience the many benefits of spending time in green spaces.

"Today’s event on the 75th anniversary of national parks and national landscapes is an opportunity to celebrate these special places, the people that made it happen and look ahead to their future. This Government will make our protected landscapes greener and wilder, so they are enjoyed for years to come.”

David Butterworth, Chief Executive Officer of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “It is humbling to recognise and celebrate the life and work of one of your heroes, and, because of John Dower, to proudly claim that National Parks in England and Wales were made here in the Yorkshire Dales.

"John came up with a vision for national parks inspired by the environs of Malhamdale. He knew there was a popular desire for national parks in a post-war nation longing for access to the countryside, and his wife, Pauline – a great conservationist in her own right – worked tenaciously for decades after his death to see the vision become a reality.

"The story of the Dowers deserves this recognition, in this 75th anniversary year of the National Parks Act, and 70th anniversary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.”

James Blake, Chief Executive of YHA (England and Wales) said: “I am delighted that we were able to recognise such a significant anniversary in history at Malham youth hostel. It was not only designed by John Dower but it was the first purpose-built youth hostel in Yorkshire.

"Today we have five youth hostels in the Yorkshire Dales which are much loved by the thousands of schools and young people and their families that visit them each year.

"YHA was one of the organisations that commissioned the landmark Dower Report that led to the Access to the Countryside Act and subsequent establishment of the national parks. Half of our hostels are in national parks and their foundation has been critical in enabling us to help millions of young people access these beautiful spaces.

"Through innovative initiatives like Generation Green, giving thousands of young people opportunities to connect to nature, the unique relationship between YHA and national parks is thriving as much today as it was 75 years ago.”

Jayne Butler, Executive Director at National Parks England, said: “75 years ago Britain’s national parks were intended to play a huge role in ensuring access to nature and improved health and wellbeing. They are still serving this purpose today. We need to address the physical and mental health of people, grow our economy and shift our way of life to address the challenges of the decline in nature and the climate emergency. National Parks were part of the answer in 1949 and they are still part of the answer today to the crises in health, nature and climate.”

The event included an opportunity to see the work of young people, tomorrow’s conservationists, in action, through the Generation Green initiative.

There was also a walk led by Malham farmer Neil Heseltine, a former chair of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and National Parks England. He shared insights into his work to increase biodiversity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.