Farewell to guardian of our Peak moorland

Andy Valentine, centre with friends and well-wishers at his farewell bash

TRIBUTES have poured in for an unassuming man who has retired after guarding some of Britain's most valuable moors.

Andy Valentine is stepping back from the daily rigours of patrolling the vast acres of the Peak District National Park "outpost" at Dovestones.

But Scouthead-born Andy (64), will still be walking his treasured hills above Greenfield on a daily basis.

"The moors get in your blood," he confided, "They become part of your daily life and whatever the weather, I see beauty in them every day."

He has spent 26 years as a top flight national park ranger who's responsibilities covered the Oldham, Saddleworth and Huddersfield areas of the 550 square mile national park and is a longtime member of Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team.

Andy Farmer, outreach development manager for the Peak District National Park, said: "Andy is a dedicated National Park ranger through and through.

"He has worked at Dovestone for 26 years in a partnership with United Utilities and he has shown true commitment in caring for this incredibly beautiful area.

"He's been passionate about helping people enjoy its special qualities ­- the wildlife and tranquillity ­- and to help them understand it is a working landscape where people make their living from the land.

"He has worked really hard to combat pressures that come with the territory, such as littering and fighting moorland fires.

"It's been an absolute pleasure to work with him," he added.

Mick Nield, director of Oldham Mountain Rescue Team, said: "Andy's one of the nicest blokes you could meet.

In the many years I've know Andy as a Peak District ranger and as a mountain rescue colleague he's always been pleasure to work with.

"His knowledge of the outdoors and the area is something the ranger service will find difficult to replace."

Dave O'Hara is Dovestone site manager for the Royal Society of Protection of Birds, based in Uppermill.

He said: "Whether it was investigating incidents of fly-tipping, supporting a mountain rescue call-out, or leading a guided walk with a community group, Andy was the best example of a National Park Ranger.

"He knows the hills inside out, and we are going to miss his knowledge, perspective and dry wit."

And Jenny Waller, the parks north area team manager, added: "The National Park Authority Ranger Service will miss Andy. He was an integral part of the Ranger Service Team ­- despite being based at the northern most point of the National Park.

"Andy's experience and knowledge was invaluable in managing the Dovestone area and volunteers who worked there.

"One of his key skills was his ability to work in partnership and built up an excellent working relationship with other organisations whose role is to look after the National Park.

"He represented the National Park Authority on the South Pennine Fires Operation Group - a partnership of fire authorities, landowners and rangers working together to tackle moorland wildfire.

"It has been an honour to work with someone as professional, knowledgeable as Andy, who always managed to maintain a dry sense of humour, no matter what the circumstance."

And Andy added: "I'm humbled by everyone's good wishes. But I've built up a strong body of really good friends over the years and I'm very proud we will all keep together."