Local Member of Parliament, David Rutley, lead the Commons debate last week on participation in “outdoor pursuits”. With several MPs and Hugh Robertson (Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport) involved the debate was quite lively.

Covering several areas including, availability and use, the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, the debate looked at “the important role that participation in outdoor pursuits can play in supporting tourism, health, well-being and sports-related activity”.

It also mentioned other official bodies an what they are attempting to do more to encourage people to do something outdoors when they visit the UK, making people more aware of what areas can offer, rather then the more obvious historic/cultural aspects. One example being rock-climbing, and with this sport being a possible inclusion for the Olympics, there’s no better time to get involved and have a go, especially with major centres such as

The debate also revealed that our local MP is the co-chairman of an all-party group on mountaineering– well he won’t find many mountains in Macclesfield. Well 108 steps can be interesting after a couple of pints!! In addition he is involved with the group looking after mountain rescue, which stands him in good stead.

Whilst concentrating on the economic value outdoor pursuits in general can offer local areas, the debate did mention other projects such as the ‘Walkers are Welcome’ initiative which launched back in 2007 and the launch of ‘Britain On Foot’, a new website goes live at the beginning of March. The public launch of ‘Britain On Foot’ is in May aand there will be three major projects; a ‘Get Britain Walking’ week, a ‘Outdoor Adventures’ week and the ’50 Things To Do’ Week (run by the National Trust.

All of which combine to give walkers in particular, but includes all those involved in outdoor pursuits, information on activities taking place and how to get involved.

I’ll certainly be covering both in upcoming blogs, so watch this space.