2010/11 was the fourth year of delivery of the Neroche Landscape Partnership Scheme, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and local authorities and agencies including the AONB. The Scheme is led by the Forestry Commission and runs until September 2011, focusing on the northern ridge of the AONB. It has taken a multi-disciplinary approach to the whole landscape, seeking to sustain its ecology, reveal its heritage and make it work for people as a place for learning and recreation.
All hands on deck for volunteering
The enthusiasm for volunteering through the Neroche Conservation Volunteers group increased steadily through the year. The group increased its tasks to two days per month, and continued to attract a range of ages and backgrounds. Work included butterfly meadow management, path clearance, and even compost loo building! Meanwhile other regular volunteers continued to survey wildflowers in the forest, and monitor the Herepath.
Along the Wild Edge
At the end of the year, the Neroche Scheme published one of its major final outputs – a lavishly illustrated, 300 page book about the northern Blackdowns, which takes the reader on a tour through the human and natural history of the ridge. 40 local contributors came together to create Along the Wild Edge, which represents the most comprehensive celebration of the AONB landscape ever produced. Over 4000 copies have been distributed free to local residents in and around the Hills.
Enhancing access and interpretation
The Staple Fitzpaine Herepath continued to provide a popular facility both for local residents and visitors. Investment continued during the year to upgrade surfaces along the route. The all-ability trail at Staple Hill is now possibly the most visited recreational facility in the Hills, and was equipped with new interpretation, including an innovative sculptural representation of the geological profile of the Blackdowns scarp, entitled ‘A Slice of Neroche’.
Outdoor learning and skills
Forest Schools training through Neroche came to an end during the year, having trained nearly 50 teachers from 20 local schools as Forest School leaders and assistants, with support from the Taunton Learning Partnership. Meanwhile the popular Neroche events programme included family bushcraft days, green woodworking training and other activities.
Cattle in the Forest
The long-term management of open spaces in the Neroche Forest continued through grazing with Longhorn cattle. Monitoring during the year by Somerset Environmental Records Centre showed conclusively that this grazing management is helping to create highly diverse grassland, heath and mire vegetation amongst the trees.
Building local stakeholder involvement
Members of the Neroche Local Stakeholders Group set up a new organisation during the year – The Blackdown Hills Trust – as a registered charity to benefit the landscape, wildlife and heritage of the whole AONB. The Trust is working with the Forestry Commission and the AONB to develop new projects which will begin to bear fruit in 2011.
Building for the future
The Neroche Scheme is working towards the conclusion of its current Lottery funding, but plans are in place for continuing projects into 2012 and beyond. A renewed focus on the value of the forest as a space for learning and well-being is driving a new project to establish a permanent woodland activities centre in the forest, while funding through the Forestry Commission’s Woodland Carbon Task Force will offer new scope to explore the role of existing and new woodlands in supplying woodfuel into the local community.
Gavin Saunders
Neroche manager
