Wakefield conservationist's descendant flies from Australia as 1,000 people gather at Waterton's Wall
The great-great-great-grandson of pioneering conservationist Charles Waterton travelled from Australia to take part in the final event of a festival to celebrate his ancestor’s legacy.
Around 1,000 people gathered in Walton to bring WallFest 26 to a close, marking 200 years since the completion of his historic nature reserve wall.
The Waterton’s descendant, also named Charles Waterton, flew more than 9,000 miles from Perth, Western Australia, to attend the closing Party in the Park on Sunday, May 31, joining relatives from Switzerland and across the UK.
He said Waterton would have been “absolutely thrilled” to see the scale of public interest in his legacy.
He said: “Charles Waterton would have been absolutely thrilled to see all these people coming to celebrate the fruit of his labours and the landmark it forms in the history of preserving that most beautiful treasure, the English countryside.
"On behalf of the Waterton family and Friends of Waterton’s Wall, thank you to the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to renovate and preserve his wall.”
Walton’s parkland was filled with families, picnics and community groups as the festival drew to a close after a month of events celebrating one of the earliest recognised attempts at formal wildlife conservation.
WallFest 26 marked the bicentenary of Waterton’s three-mile wall surrounding Walton Hall, completed in 1826 and widely regarded as part of what is considered one of the world’s first nature reserves.
Waterton created the enclosed estate to protect wildlife from hunting and to encourage biodiversity, long before conservation became a formal movement.
The festival, organised by the Friends of Waterton’s Wall, brought together heritage organisations, charities and community groups across a programme themed around nature, creativity, heritage and wellbeing.
Earlier in the month, events included guided walks along historic routes, workshops, exhibitions and community activities at venues including Wakefield Exchange, Waterton Park Hotel and Spa, and The Nest, where volunteers have been working to preserve a surviving section of the original wall.
The closing event, organised with Working for Walton CIC, featured live music from Crofton Silver Bandits, Morris dancing, performances by Studio A Dance students and traditional races in warm early summer weather.
John Smith, chair of the Friends of Waterton’s Wall, said the aim had been to open the festival to the whole community.
He said: “This celebration is not just about the wall, but about recognising Charles Waterton’s pioneering vision and ensuring his legacy continues to inspire future generations.”
Mark Blount, chair of Working for Walton CIC, said the finale brought the month of celebrations to a fitting close.
He said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure working alongside the team.”
The festival also involved local charities and community organisations including Age UK Wakefield District, Wakefield District Sight Aid, Wakefield and District u3a and Second Chance Headway Centre.
WallFest 26 was launched earlier this year as a district-wide cultural programme highlighting Waterton’s conservation legacy and the historical significance of his Walton estate.
Historic England has previously listed sections of the wall and surrounding parkland, recognising its importance as a rare surviving example of early conservation design.