Bill Bryson to head rural English agency

By Jeremy Lovell

LONDON (Reuters) - British-based American writer and humorist Bill Bryson, who has made an art form out of poking gentle fun at his hosts, is to be head of the quintessentially English Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Bryson, born in Iowa but resident of Britain off and on for some 25 years, takes over the five-year post in July from voice of Middle England and former newspaper editor Max Hastings.

Author of books such as "Notes from a Small Island" and "A Short History of Nearly Everything", Bryson is taking over the helm of the organisation at a challenging time as the government plans to rip up planning red tape that limits rural development.

"The CPRE is a long-standing champion of the English countryside," he said in an interview on Wednesday. "It may be small but it can be ferocious."

"We want to see some vision of the future of the countryside -- which everyone knows I love -- that doesn't simply see it as a development opportunity," he added.

He said far from being an impediment to fulfilling his new task, being a foreigner could be an asset.

"I grew up in an industrial farming state. If you suggested to people they should go out for a walk they would think you were mad," he said. "Here, the countryside is so beautiful but you are in danger of taking it for granted."

"It is well known that although I poke some fun at the British and their foibles, I genuinely admire them," he added.