Exmoor Local Access Forum

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Membership

Chair:   George Curry (Independent Member of the Forum)

Vice Chair: Graham Lavender (Independent Member of the Forum)

Authority Representatives: Nick Thwaites and  Mike Kelly

The Exmoor Local Access Forum is an independent statutory advisory body set up by Exmoor National Park Authority in 2002 under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.  It held its first meeting in February 2003.  The Forum's purpose is to advise the National Park Authority, Natural England, the two local highway authorities covering the area and other statutory bodies about improvement of public access to land for open-air recreation and enjoyment.  In providing advice, the Forum must have regard to the needs of land management and conservation of the natural beauty of the landscape.   The Forum meets twice a year and its membership includes two representatives of the Authority.

ELAF statement on flea and tick treatment

The Exmoor Local Access forum (ELAF) is very aware of the damage that dogs recently treated with tick and flea treatments can do to aquatic life when entering a river. We have discussed the problem many times. The nature of Exmoor, however, is such that monitoring and preventing dogs from entering rivers is an impossible task and the ELAF is satisfied that the Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) staff are doing all that they can with the limited resources at their disposal. The ELAF and ENPA will continue to promote a campaign to educate dog owners as to the risks to Exmoor’s ecology. We are encouraged that awareness of the issue is growing nationally and, in particular, by the recent 'Call for Evidence' launched by the Government on April 16th 2026 seeking data on the environmental impacts of fipronil or imidacloprid. The ELAF has responded to this 'Call for Evidence' recommending that legislation is enacted requiring education by a SQP (Suitably Qualified Person) at the point of sale or, alternatively, banning these products altogether. The Call for Evidence, although primarily aimed at professionals in the field, can also be responded to by individuals and is open until 11th June 2026.

Forum MemberInterests
Alison Kent

Alison Kent worked as a Ranger for Exmoor National Park Authority for 15 years with specialist knowledge of Rights of Way and access issues.  Alison is also a member of Institute of Public Rights of Way and Access Management.  Alison joined the Local Access Forum in 2009.

Currently, Alison is British Horse Society Access Officer and Chair of West Somerset & Exmoor Bridleways Association. Has lived in Somerset for nearly 40 years on a 30 acre small holding, stocked with cattle, sheep and horses!

Alison likes walking with her dog as a companion on long distance paths and National Trails throughout the UK.   Alison is keen to see that everyone has an opportunity to experience and enjoy the special qualities that Exmoor has to offer.

Chris Binnie

Chris grew up on an Exmoor farm and rode the moor extensively. He now lives in the same house in the Porlock Vale. He is a Past Chairman of the West Somerset & Exmoor Bridleways Association. He used to lead 3 day stay away rides across the moor. He is now a sheep farmer, a Commoner on Dunkery, a Trustee of the Exmoor Society, and leads walks across the high moor.

George Curry (Chair)George has lived and worked in North Devon for 50 years. He and his wife, Sara, would spend every weekend walking and wildlife watching on Exmoor and so, on retiring from his role as CEO of a training and employment charity, they moved to Barbrook. His work with long-term unemployed, many with mental health problems, made him aware of the therapeutic benefits of walking in the countryside. George therefore has a special interest in access to Exmoor for disadvantaged individuals.  He has a deep interest in climate change and sits as an advisor on the Barnstaple Town Council Climate Emergency Working Group. George is currently involved in setting up a similar group in Lynton.
Graham Lavender (Vice-Chair)

Graham represents users of rights of way with a specific interest in the conservation and enjoyment of the rich flora of Exmoor. His interest in plants includes promoting education and understanding by leading several guided botanical walks on Exmoor each year. Graham also volunteers, surveys rights of way with his wife and reports any broken furniture or issues discovered along the route.

Jon Richardson

Jon has been based in and around Exmoor for 10 years.  Now with a young family, he enjoys biking and running on Exmoor.  Following graduation from university Jon has developed businesses in the IT industry.  This has given him the opportunity to travel with his family for long periods to other parts of the world, reinforcing his interest in seeing the wilder spaces here in the UK are preserved for all.

Laura Carew

Laura has lived at Tarr Steps on Exmoor for twenty years and she and her husband who was brought up on Exmoor have a farm and woodland that is traversed by the Two Moors Way and a bridleway. Living next to a prime tourist attraction gives her some insight into the issues that need to be addressed to improve the experience of visitors and maintain the beauty and ecology of the area.

Mark LutyensMark has know Exmoor since he was a boy but has only managed to live here, on the Barle Valley near Tarr Steps, since Lock-down.  He is a landscape architect with projects across the UK and Ireland.  He has a personal and professional interest in the preservation and enhancement of all aspects of the natural world and has always been keen to promote a greater enjoyment, understanding and access to it. He has a particular interest in what makes places special, the spirit of place.  He rides horses and motorbikes and walks enthusiastically.  He is also a keen gardener and is currently garden correspondent for the Exmoor Review.
Mike Dicks
Mike retired 2018 after a 43 year career in Banking, Moved to Exmoor permanently 4/2020, owned Brimblecombe Farm, West Anstey, since 2007. Active in all Country pursuits, two daughters (28) teacher (30) Vet and two Labradors. Loves skiing, travel, music and cultural activities.
Current roles include Non Executive Director Visit Exmoor from 1/10/24, volunteering; Calvert Trust Exmoor (activities, marketing, fund raising ); Human Kind ( Activity Lead ) Barnstaple and Urban Synergy (youth mentoring)  London. Mike is also a member D&C Police scrutiny panel.
Mike KellyPrior to setting up a private planning and development consultancy in 2018 I was Chief Planning Officer at North Devon Council.  Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Exeter and planning advisor to the North Devon Coast AONB Partnership.  Tennis, moorland and coastal walking, cycling and playing guitar with a traditional music group take up what little time there may be left outside the above activities.
Nick Thwaites

Nick moved to Exmoor from Wiltshire in 2000 initial settling in Wootton Courtney and then a couple years later moving to Dulverton. Having had a varied career in the communication sector he moved into Mobile communication when it all started in the UK in 1984, sticking with it until retirement.

Working for large international companies necessitated travel around the world - building an experience of quite few “odd” places although he can safely say returning home has always been the highlight of his journeys.  It is safe to say he passionately believes in maintaining the National Parks balance between those in business, those working, those visiting the park and those living here and striving to enable this to work is his goal.

Luckily, he has been able to assist in this effort through his work on Dulverton town Council, both as Chair and as a member  for over 15 years; he is pleased to be elected as a Town and Parish member of ENPA. Nick feels that it is the “local” view tempered by worldly experience which gives consideration to overall Park purposes and to the needs of those that make up the National Park

Rupert Martin

Rupert moved from a farm in Northamptonshire, where his father established and managed a model farm since WW2 to work as a management trainee in the timber industry in London’s East End.  Moving to Dorset in the late 70’s to found his own business manufacturing commercial lighting, a business in which Rupert is heavily involved with to this present day.

A lifelong shooter, he purchased the Lillycombe Estate and Culbone Stables Inn near Porlock in early 2018. Rupert is passionate about the health and well-being of the English countryside and those that earn their living from it.

Simon Gibson

Simon has been a farm manager for the last 28 years working on many different types of farm in the UK. Simon has always worked in areas with public access and is keen to see access and farming working happily together. Simon is particularly interested in educating others about countryside issues and food production. Currently Simon manages the Lee Abbey Estate at Lynton. Previously, Simon was the Chair of the Essex LAF when it was set up in the early 2000s.

Tony Lowe

Tony is a retired IT professional, originally from the Wirral but has lived in North Devon for over 50 years. During this time, he raised his family here and cultivated a deep love for the outdoors, particularly Exmoor. Over the years, he has explored the moor extensively, often sharing his enthusiasm by leading walks for various local groups.

In retirement, Tony has dedicated much of his time to volunteering with organizations like Exmoor National Park, the National Trust and the South West Peatland Partnership. His work reflects his enthusiasm for Exmoor’s wildlife, cultural heritage and natural beauty—though he readily admits that he’s more of an enthusiast than an expert.

Tony is committed to ensuring that Exmoor remains accessible to all. He takes great pleasure in inspiring others, fostering a greater appreciation for the moor’s rich history and natural diversity.

Papers for Exmoor Local Access Forum