Prestigious Award Lands On Bryson

Bryson - centre - holds the David Bellamy oil painting he described as 'really beautiful', flanked by OWPG president, Roly Smith (left) and artist David Bellamy, no, not that David Bellamy (right). The presentation took place at the Scott Polar Research Institute, part of the University of Cambridge, which has recently been refurbished.

Amusing US writer Bill Bryson has landed the Outdoor Writers’ and Photographers’ Guild’s Golden Eagle Award for his campaigning work to protect the British countryside.

The award – inevitably described as 'prestigious' – is made annually by the body to 'presented to someone who has rendered distinguished or meritorious service to the outdoors' with the Guild's members deciding on the winner by vote.

Bryson received the award, an oil painting by Guild member David Bellamy, from Guild president Roly Smith, and commented: “I really couldn’t be more thrilled or honoured to receive this award – it is really beautiful.”

Smith described Bryson as “the world’s No 1 Anglophile”, and paid tribute to his passion for walking and the British countryside, which was recognised by his election in 2007 as president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). 

"Among the many campaigns in which Bill has been involved” said Smith, “is his ‘Stop the Drop’ anti-litter and fly-tipping campaign, which is supported by the Keep Britain Tidy and the Local Government Association.”

Apparently during the successful CPRE campaign for the designation of the South Downs as Britain’s 15th and latest national park, Bryson said 'said he often wondered why we don’t make the whole of England a national park'. 

Where do we begin...

More about the OWPG at www.owpg.org.uk.