2010-11 highlights
- Report into renewable energy potential in the Blackdown Hills supported small-scale installations
- Green energy conference attracted a large audience
- 900 children learnt about food and farming at Taste the Harvest
- Wide range of green enterprises supported including forestry, fish farming and local craftsmen
- Community Plan brought local people together to achieve common goals
- Better opportunities for recreation through new cycling, horseriding and walking routes
Green energy report and conference
A new study greatly increased our understanding of how the AONB's natural resources could be used to produce renewable energy without degrading the landscape. The AONB commissioned this report by Land Use Consultants in association with the Centre for Sustainable Energy which examined the suitability of a wide range of technologies, accompanied by a traffic light summary. It has proved to be invaluable in helping professionals and local people to develop suitable green energy schemes.
To launch the report, the AONB team organised an energy conference in September. The day also featured inspiring local case studies and calls to action from a panel of expert speakers.
The conference resulted in the formation of the low carbon working group which will meet regularly to assess the way forward for the AONB in reducing the consumption of carbon and other greenhouse gases.
Reports in full
Working our Woodlands
The AONB has taken an active role in helping to develop Working our Woodlands. This two year project aims to encourage the sustainable management of small woodlands and strengthen the local wood industry by working with woodland owners, contractors, wood-fuel users and others.
Working our Woodlands webpage
Backyard fish farming
The Blackdown Hills AONB is home to the UK's first organic carp farm, at Upper Hayne. Carp can be farmed far more sustainably than trout or salmon, and is becoming increasingly popular. A grant from the Sustainable Development Fund allowed owners Jimmie and Penny Hepburn to equip the farm to put on short courses in aquaculture, with the aim of increasing small scale, sustainable carp production in Britain.
Aquavision website
Taste the Harvest
Through SDF, the AONB supported Taste the Harvest, an open farm event for Somerset schoolchildren at Staple Farm. Nearly 900 children from 27 schools attended over two days in September. Around 100 volunteers helped children plant seeds, bake bread and search for wildlife. There were demonstrations of old and new machinery, horse ploughing, livestock, and traditional crafts, and a harvest service of thanksgiving. The programme was linked to National Curriculum Key Stage 2, and aimed to connect children to the land and the heritage of the Blackdown Hills. As a result of the event's success, eight local farmers have signed up to complete the CEVAS (Countryside and Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme) certification.
Taste the Harvest webpage
How not to kill off your customers
Good catering is often the key to a successful local community event, but many groups lack knowledge of food hygiene or miss the opportunity to provide local produce. A grant from SDF enabled the Hemyock village hall committee to run a one day course which covered food hygiene and the importance of sustainable sourcing. A wide range of groups attended on the day, and all passed the food hygiene test. Local producers also came along to promote the great variety of food available on the doorstep.
Village veg
A small grant from SDF was part of a larger project to establish allotments at Chardstock. Our funding was used for fencing to protect the site from livestock and wildlife. As a result of this work, the Chardstock Allotment Association can prepare the site properly, and give local people the opportunity to grow their own vegetables.
Artisans trail
A wealth of local artisans produce high quality work from ceramics to salami, often from farms and workshops tucked away in remote locations. A grant from SDF helped the Blackdown Hills Business Association to put together an open weekend to give the public the opportunity to visit artisans at work and promote the Blackdown Hills as great location for art, craft and produce.
Download the trail
Culmstock composting
Culmstock Primary School made a commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and educating children about waste and recycling. A grant from SDF purchased composting equipment and a wormery which enabled the school to compost food waste. The resulting high quality compost will be used for the school garden.
Making it Local development workers
SDF supported the employment of two development workers to help people apply to the Making it Local fund. Julie Fergusson and Kate Tobin assist local people and groups to put forward good quality applications, look into potential projects and promote the fund in the area. http://www.makingitlocal.org/
Quantock Hills - Blackdown Hills link
There was good progress on a feasibility study on a multi-user trail to link the Quantock Hills with the Blackdown Hills via Taunton. The project is a joint initiative between the two AONBs, Somerset County Council and Taunton Deane Borough Council. Initially the trail will be suitable for walkers and cyclists, with the possibility of use by horseriders in the future. It will join up with existing routes such as the Coleridge Way and Neroche Herepath and will maximise the economic benefits to the areas.
1SW
AONB staff were involved in the development of One South West, an initiative led by the Forestry Commission to promote the region's National Parks, AONBs, and FC woodlands as top destinations for off-road cycling. Contracts were awarded to develop an online route planner and to grade all existing bridleways - work which will come to fruition in 2011.
1SW website
On-road cycling
Four new on-road cycling routes were devised by the team and added to the AONB's website. Four more will be added in 2011.
Cycle routes
Horseriding Neroche link
Work was carried out by Devon and Somerset Rights of Way teams to create a link for horseriders between the circular routes in the south of the AONB with the Neroche Herepath in the north. This work was instigated by volunteer John Presgrave who has worked tirelessly to promote horseriding in the area, with the support of the AONB team.
Horse riding routes
Tour of Britain
Staff worked with Devon and Somerset County Councils to promote the Tour of Britain cycle race. Riders came through the Blackdown Hills on two consecutive days, as both south west legs of the race crossed the AONB.
Culm Valley Railway trail
The longstanding idea of creating a walking and cycling path along the route of the old Culm Valley Railway moved a step closer to reality, as the AONB team carried out extensive research into the project's potential, its benefits and costs. We organised a series of meetings with Devon Rights of Way and parish councils along the route, where strong support for the path was expressed. It is now hoped that parish councils will move the project forward over the coming year.
Willow deer
The AONB team co-ordinated fundraising efforts for repairs to the iconic willow deer sculpture on the A303 near Buckland St Mary, which was suffering from wear and tear. The structure can now be overhauled and will have many more years' life, thanks to generous support from South Somerset District Council, the Blackdown Hills Hedge Association, and an anonymous donation, as well as a small contribution from the AONB.
Community plan
The AONB team played a central role in the development of the Blackdown Hills Community Plan. The plan brings together the aspirations of all the parishes in the Blackdown Hills, identifies where there are common goals and makes it easier for parishes to work together for mutual benefit. We provided administrative support to the working group and with our assistance the group was able to employ a co-ordinator to produce the plan, which will be finalised during 2011.
Corfe speed limit
After campaigning for many years, Corfe villagers achieved their objective of reducing the speed limit on the B3170 through the centre of the village from 40mph to 30mph. Villagers raised the £6000 necessary for the scheme, which will be completed before the end of summer 2011. Corfe is a gateway village for the AONB and we hope to work with the parish to develop appropriate signs which could be adopted by other villages.
