Blue Remembered Hills
Community Landscapes
Click on the Down to Earth projects below to discover what's been going on in each community:
| Down to Earth in the Clun Forest - 2005 |
| Down to Earth Around the Wrekin - 2004 |
| Down to Earth in the Upper Onny - 2003 |
| Down to Earth on Brown Clee - 2003 |
Down to Earth in the Clun Forest - 2005
Bettws Local History Project (Sheila Davies)
Established in 2005, this group are researching the houses and people of the Bettws parish. They will be holding a Bettws History Day on Sunday April 30th 2006 to launch their project.
Linking children to their local landscape (Frances Brett, Newcastle Children’s Centre)
On July 7th 2005 a Rivers and Trees Day was held at Newcastle Children's Centre. Activities included playing with black poplar and alder products, storytelling based on the walks the children have been taking to the River Clun and charcoal drawing. In 2006 we will continue our work with the children’s centre by supporting regular visits to a local farm and developing other environmental activities for the children.
Land Life and livelihoods Project (Joy Greenall)
The Down to Earth consultation results show that the ‘farmed landscape’ is a valued feature of the Clun Forest and the future of farming in this area is under threat due to the current changes in farming policy. The group felt that there has to be a way to make farming more economically viable as well as achieving long term enhancement of the landscape. Consequently, the group has decided to develop this idea in to a project. Discussions are underway about how to achieve a successful dialogue with local farmers and how conservationists, farmers and the local community can work together.
Project aims:
· To explore methods of communication and fostering understanding
· To reach a shared farmer vision for the Clun Forest
· To sustain life, a unique environment, thriving healthy farms and caring communities for everyone’s futures
Clun Valley Concert (Anne Loughran, Castle Voices)
Castle Voices singing group would like to hold a themed concert in spring 2006 with different ages of children to celebrate the Clun Valley countryside. We are currently developing this idea and looking for funding sources.
Down to Earth Around the Wrekin - 2004
Parish Bench Walks Project (George Chancellor)
Little Wenlock Benchwalks wishes to build-upon the strong sense of ‘place’ in the area surrounding The Wrekin, providing residents and visitors with opportunities to appreciate and enjoy its unique countryside.
This will be achieved through strategically-located benches made by local craftsmen out of locally-grown wood and linked to local walks supported with interesting local environmental, historical and landscape information.
Little Wenlock Benchwalks seeks to:
· Provide older and less mobile residents and visitors with attractive places to rest along established walking routes, or specific walk destinations.
· Encourage walkers of all ages and abilities to linger longer at specific locations of landscape interest and better appreciate their value.
· Develop a wider understanding of ‘place’ through better interpretation of all facets of the local landscape.
Industrial and Transport History of the Rural Parishes around The Wrekin (Neil Clarke):
This group are identifying, researching and photographing the historic industrial & transport sites of the rural parishes around The Wrekin.
Leighton Heritage Group (Jane Wood):
BRH and AONB staff are working with the Leighton Heritage Group on an interpretation plan for the Kynnersley Arms site.
Down to Earth in the Upper Onny - 2003
Upper Onny Wildlife Group (Group Secretary: Allison Littlehales)
During 2004, the Group carried out a Breeding Bird Survey concentrating on Curlew, Lapwing and Skylark, whose apparent decline within the Upper Onny Area was a cause for concern. The survey covered 122 square kilometres, chiefly in the parishes of Ratlinghope, Wentnor, Norbury, Myndtown, More and Lydham. Much of the area lies within the Shropshire Hills AONB and ESA.
The survey confirmed that both Curlew and Lapwing have declined substantially in this area in recent times and very few breeding pairs of either species were found. It was concluded that unless action is taken to improve breeding success and increase the area of suitable habitat, the decline will be terminal and both species will become extinct in this area within the next decade. Skylark, whilst affected in some places by changes in agricultural practice, maintain a healthy population in heath and moorland areas.
The Group believes that with appropriate actions by farmers and landowners, and by Community, Regional and National Organisations, the decline in the two main species could be reversed. A full report of the Survey includes an analysis of the reasons for the decline, makes proposals to increase suitable habitat and improve breeding success. A 'Programme of Action' for work with farmers and landowners is proposed along with recommendations to DEFRA and other organisations active in the area, to facilitate the work required.
Outline Plans for 2006.
a) Lapwing and Curlew. Recommendations for managing arable areas, to improve habitat and decrease predation are being made to agencies such as DEFRA who can work with farmers and landowners to implement such management schemes.
b) Nest-box Project. John Swift is making boxes to encourage Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts and Tree Sparrows to nest. He is willing to supply boxes and his expertise to members who have suitable habitat and would like to undertake a similar scheme on their own patch. The boxes need to be in place by March, visiting and inspecting them at least 5 times a year and recording the bird activity during the breeding season. If you are interested please contact John (01588 638 819) as soon as possible, so that he has time to make the boxes.
Barn Owls are suffering not only from loss of suitable habitat, but also from lack of nest sites, as many old barns are turned into desirable residences for humans. It was suggested that members might be interested in putting up Barn Owl boxes in suitable habitat, ie rough grass away from roads, and that farmers might also be interested in encouraging Barn Owls, which they regard as pest controllers. Leo Smith said the Shropshire Barn Owl Group would be happy to advise and give help. Any member interested in this project should get in touch with Leo (01588 638 577).
Linley Beeches Support Group (Judith Payne)
Their aim is to work together to:
· Provide for, and oversee, the care and maintenance of the Linley Beech Avenue - A specialist survey and Management Plan has been produced for the Beeches, funded by the BRH project. The group are now working with a local tree contractor to implement recommendations, including tree planting and maintenance
· Investigate its history - members are currently researching the history of the Beeches through Shropshire Archives
· Plan and carry out artistic, interpretive and educational activities and events concerning the Beech Avenue - In 2005 events included an Art Day and Fungi Hunt.
Next Linley Beeches meeting: 7.30pm Thursday 2nd March at Lydham Village Hall.
Upper Onny Book Group (David Preshous)
The area covered by this book stretches from Shelve, The Bog, Gatten, and Wildmoor in the north, to Lydham, the Lea, and Eaton in the south. Some thirty local people have been busy around all the villages and hamlets collecting information. This includes material on geology, natural history, folklore and literature, and village profiles encompassing archaeology and history, people and places of interest, walks and local amenities.
The book draws together, for the first time, useful and interesting information covering a very large, varied, and beautiful region of the county. Generous illustrations and maps are included and the outcome is attractive both to residents and visitors. The book was launched on July 13th 2005.
Norbury Walls Group (Richard Cox)
The stone walls in Norbury were identified by the local community as a valued part of the area’s landscape. The walls were in need of restoration and a firm project proposal was presented to the community in October 2003 and the Norbury Walls Group was formed.
The group have:
· Mapped and surveyed all the walls
· Secured £25,000 from Local Heritage Initiative and £100 from BRH in project funding
· Worked with DEFRA & local farmers to obtain additional grant aid thought the ESA scheme (£9528.00)
· Worked with local landowner to extract local ‘Norbury’ stone
· Started repairing walls
· Planned a series of activities with the local school and Shropshire Wildlife Trust, including a lichen survey
Down to Earth on Brown Clee - 2003
Brown Clee Toposcope Project (Jayne Madeley)
The aim of this project is to build a new Toposcope on the highest point of Brown Clee, using the local dhustone.
The toposcope will interpret the 360 degree view, which stretches beyond the Wrekin towards the Potteries, across to the Stiperstones and into Wales, and SE into Worcestershire, Herefordshire and the West Midlands.
It is hoped this will enhance local peoples and visitors experience of the hill, enabling then to identify the landscape features they can see.
A launch event will be held once the toposcope is in place (Spring 2006).
Man’s activities on Brown Clee Research Project (Rona Cobb)
This small group have researched and collated all documents, photographs, maps and articles relating to man’s activities on Brown Clee Hill. This information will be displayed and made available to the community in the new Ditton Priors Local History Museum, due to open in 2006.