A well-known broadcast journalist has been announced as the new president of a Dorset charity.

Kate Adie, who has lived in Dorset for more than 12 years, has taken over the role of president of the Dorset branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).

The former BBC chief news and warzone correspondent first fell in love with the countryside while growing up in Sunderland.

Dorset Echo: Kate Adie at Dorset CPRE AGMKate Adie at Dorset CPRE AGM (Image: Dorset CPRE)

At the 86th Anniversary Annual General Meeting last week, she said: “We lead busy lives, we need to make our mark, stand up for our principals and be happy to have a chance to help it."

Peter Neal, Dorset CPRE Vice-President, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Kate has agreed to be our President and she will be a great ambassador for our charity.”

Also stepping up and taking on the role of chief executive is Roger Mortlock, who joined CPRE in May 2023, after 15 years in leadership roles for different environmental charities.

Dorset Echo: Roger Mortlock, CEO at National CPRERoger Mortlock, CEO at National CPRE (Image: Dorset CPRE)

He spoke at the AGM of the challenges facing the CPRE as it campaigns on many fronts to protect the countryside.

The Dorset branch of the CPRE was established in 1937 and the environmental charity are ‘fighting for a better future for the English countryside.’

In recent years, the charity has helped to stop the West Dorset, Slyer’s Lane and Blandford Hill windfarms, as well as the Rampisham and Sadborow solar farms, there have been campaigns throughout Dorset to control littering since Bill Bryson launched Stop The Drop.

The North Dorset Group helped save the beautiful Crown Meadows from a housing development in Blandford, and the Sherborne and District Group were behind the successful campaign to save Sherborne hotel and protect the high street by ‘preventing Tesco building an unwanted supermarket on the site.’

Dr Guy Dickinson, Vice-Chair of Dorset CPRE’s Trustees, said: “A huge contribution is made by our volunteers in examining and responding to planning applications, assisting with campaigns, attending and speaking at planning meetings, writing articles and responding to consultations.”