Bob Pendlebury setting off for a walk in 1995
Design competition launched for the first Pendlebury Award!
Inspired by the North Pennines?
The search is on for a creative person to design and make the inaugural Pendlebury Award. The award, conceived as a memorial to Cllr Bob Pendlebury OBE ’s passion for and commitment to the North Pennines, will be presented for the first time in 2013 – an important anniversary year for the North Pennines.
Bob Pendlebury was the first Chair of the AONB Partnership (and the North Pennines Tourism Partnership before it). He remained the Partnership’s Chair until May 2008.
Design competition
The North Pennines AONB Partnership is inviting designers/makers/sculptors (from County Durham, Cumbria and Northumberland) to come up with ideas for what form the award could take. The AONB Partnership is urging people to enter the design competition by 12Noon on Monday 25 March.
Life long interest
Joy Thompson and Susan Hopwood, Bob Pendlebury’s daughters, said: “Dad had a passion and a life time interest in the North Pennines. He loved walking for many miles admiring its natural beauty. He was a keen photographer – taking photos of the varying landscapes in all seasons for him and others to enjoy. He did slideshows regularly at community centres and WI groups etc. When he was younger he cycled the length and breadth of the North East and Cumbria. We’re really pleased about the Award and it’s a fitting tribute to Dad’s love for the North Pennines and his concern about looking after the area.”
Special qualities
The special qualities of the North Pennines inspired Bob and it is hoped that the inspiration for the design of the award will come from the unique character of the landscape, wildlife, historic environment, or other special quality of this fabulous area.
Anniversary year
The launch of the Pendlebury Awards coincides with the 25th anniversary of the North Pennines officially becoming a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This is fitting as Bob was one of the leading advocates for the area achieving this distinction at the time. 2013 also marks the 10th anniversary of the area becoming a European Geopark.
The current Chairman of the North Pennines AONB Partnership, Cllr Eddie Tomlinson, knew Bob well. He said, “There could not have been a better first Chairman following the designation of the North Pennines AONB than Bob Pendlebury. As a former Chairman of Northumbria Tourist Board he understood the contribution the countryside makes to tourism and to people’s wellbeing.”
Cllr Tomlinson added: “Bob had a lifelong love of the countryside and he spent innumerable happy hours rambling in the North Pennines. I will remember Bob especially for his political judgement and humanity; he epitomised kindness and dedication. He helped me greatly when I was elected onto Durham County Council. His sense of humour is something that all who met him remember and this award is a fitting memorial.”
Unswerving champion
Chris Woodley-Stewart, Director of the North Pennines AONB Partnership, explained the idea behind the Award: “Bob was an unswerving champion for the North Pennines and we want to mark Bob’s enduring commitment to the area. The idea is for an annual award for individuals who have made significant contributions to looking after the North Pennines – its life and landscapes.”
Further information
For more information please contact Shane Harris or Simon Wilson at the AONB Partnership on 01388 528801 (shane@northpenninesaonb.org.uk or simon@northpenninesaonb.org.uk) and downlaod the ‘competition background and additional information’ pdf below.
Released: 11 February 2013