Hi John

This has been a year that none of us will forget in a hurry. All of us have made great sacrifices this year, and I know that many of you have had an exceptionally difficult time - with many of those challenges continuing over the festive season.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we’ve remained focussed on working for the countryside we all treasure, and I wanted to share with you some of the good news we’ve had over the year.

During the first lockdown, we all looked to the outdoors for fresh air and regeneration.

So, it came as no surprise when our research with the WI told us that nearly 60% of those surveyed said they’d become more aware of how essential these green places are for our mental health and wellbeing.

This is something to which I can certainly attest - time out walking and on my bike in green spaces proved an essential act of self-care during this topsy-turvy year, as it has for many of us.

This idea of the countryside being essential to our wellbeing is one we built upon with our ‘Regeneration’ campaign.

You may have seen our film celebrating the importance of nature to our wellbeing, while emphasising how we all need to take care of the countryside in return.

The latter half of the year has seen us lead a chorus of dissent about the government’s damaging proposals to deregulate the planning system.

We won’t accept the removal of local voices and, although there’s still more to do, we've already successfully persuaded ministers to rethink their so-called housing algorithm. This change is a promising move.

You’ve also helped us influence the government in many other ways.

From the government taking on board our recommendations on new housing design to seeing our impact on the new Agriculture Act, you’ve helped us achieve a real boost for our landscapes and nature.

As the year comes to a close, our thoughts are turning to a post-pandemic world and how we might help ourselves and our countryside to move on.

As well as helping more people discover the joys and benefits of the countryside for the first time, we’ll be striving to improve the lives of those who live there by pushing for better support and services for rural economies.

But that is all for next year. For now, let us pause and raise a glass – or mug of tea – to our shared love: the countryside, from its urban boltholes to the wide expanses of our most iconic landscapes.

Thank you so much for your support this year. It means the world to us.

May I wish you and yours the very best for the festive season and a better 2021 for you and our much-loved countryside.

Best wishes,

Crispin

Crispin Truman
Chief Executive
CPRE, the countryside charity