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Pleasures of the Peaks
29/ 7/2005
THE lungs of Greater Manchester will soon be open to Asian
youngsters some of whom have never been outside the terraces
streets of their 'ghetto' areas.
Ruhel Ahmed (left in picture) and Hakeel Qureshi (right) are to
lead youth from Tameside's Asian communities up into the hills,
valleys, lakes and reservoirs of the stunningly beautiful Peak
District National Park.
The two youth workers joined a group of ethnic minority community
leaders from as far away as London on a two-day course aimed at
introducing them to the pleasures of the Peaks.
Both men said they were bowled-over by the experience.
"It was truly brilliant," said Ruhel.
"I never knew such beauty was on our doorstep - and only half an
hour away.
"I am a Tameside council youth worker and I am also involved with
the Ashton Allstars youth group, Some of these kids have never been
out of their town.
"But it will change now. We hope to take our first party out to the
Peaks before summer ends."
Park authorities believe simple ignorance of what activities are
available in the Peaks, and fears of not being welcomed there, lie
behind the reluctance of many Asians to get out into the National
Park.
Said Ruhel: "We had a great, friendly welcome. The rangers told us
about the history of the National Park and how it worked and then
we visited several noted sites. It was amazing the amount of
activities that are available.
"We're so used to city life with all the cars and noise and hustle
- the Peak District is so peaceful, you can forget about stress and
come back refreshed."
Another member of the party, credit manager Hasmukh Mistry brought
his wife, Hansa, and 15-year-old daughter, Seema.
He said: "My wife has never been to the Peak District before. She
found it beautiful, so peaceful, and my daughter really enjoyed the
activities.
"It's not that urban people don't want to come to the countryside,
it's that they are not aware of the facilities of offer - for
instance they may not know that there are prayer room available at
the Youth Hotel Association and other centres."
The scheme to get more ethnic minorities visiting the Peaks and
other nearby national Parks like the Lakes and the Yorkshire Dales
is being run on behalf of the Council for National Parks by the
Mosaic Partnership.
Project manager Stuart McLeod said he was pleased with the first
visit.
"I think is surpassed everyone's expectations. The Rangers were
fantastic and you could tell how much the participants appreciated
their held and friendliness throughout the visit..
"It was a great pleasure to hear people thinking through the
logistics of bringing their own community groups to the National
Park."
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