The Cotswolds Conservation Board is proud to be holding its first ever Living Landscape Festival, marking the 50^th anniversary of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

National Trust’s stunning 17th-century Lodge Park in the Cotswold country estate of Sherborne in Gloucestershire will play host to the Cotswolds Living Landscape Festival on Sunday 18 September from 10:30am to 4pm. Adults £4 and children £1.

The festival part funded by the Big Lottery Fund marks the 50th anniversary of the designation of the Cotswolds as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, one of England’s largest protected landscapes.

Visitors will be treated to a wide choice of stalls, from independent local food and craft producers to some of the Cotswold’s best crafts men and women, providing an array of options for the public to find the perfect take home item.

The Cotswolds Living Landscape Festival aims to be a great day out for families, those who enjoy the countryside, walking and rural crafts. See hedgelaying, stone and wood carving, dry-stone walling, flax making, spinning and weaving demonstrations throughout the day.

Wallers from the Cotswolds, Cumbria and Yorkshire will battle it out against each other in the annual Cotswolds Dry-Stone Walling Competition sponsored by Smiths of Bletchington, showcasing the best of their skills at the traditional rural craft to claim the award of ‘Best Cotswolds Dry-Stone Wall 2016’ and £500 cash prize.

In the very tasty Edible Cotswolds area, food and drink producers include: FWP Matthews, Craft Drinks Company, The Tewkesbury Mustard Company, Larder & Tuck Box, The Little Pickle and Jonathan Crump Cheese, representing produce from across the Cotswolds AONB.

Cotswold artists Rupert Aker, Alexandra Woods, Trudi Hayden, Ronny Loxton, photographers Craig Churchill, Jo Dixon, ceramicist Pamela Shellard and glass artist Beverly Todd will be exhibiting their works inspired by the Cotswolds landscape along our very own Arts & Crafts Way. Lechlade Craft Barn will be running crafty activities for kids including making your very own Cotswold Lion sheep.

Down on The Farm meet the Cotswold Lion sheep and alpacas and see a collection of vintage tractors that have worked the Cotswold landscape and then why not pop into The Ebrington Arms for a refreshing pint of Yubby Bitter. 

In the Wild Cotswolds zone meet teams from the Gloucestershire and Worcestershire Wildlife Trusts, and see displays by the Cirencester & District Beekeepers, Chipping Norton Amateur Astronomy Group and Gloucestershire Geology Trust.

Local music acts will take to the stage celebrating the heritage and culture of the Cotswolds. Performances by Oxfordshire’s Rufus Goodlove, Wiltshire’s Talis Kimberley and Gloucestershire’s Brimstone, FolkLaw, Edd Donavan, Ragged & Old Morris and Nathan Jones Allstars Big Band.

While you sit and enjoy the performances; Hook Norton Brewery, Cotswolds Distillery and the Woodchester Valley Vineyard will be ready to take your drinks order. Hook Norton Brewery will be selling their Cotswold Lion and the Cotswolds Distillery with their famous Cotswold gin, both products raising funds for the Cotswolds AONB in this 50^th anniversary year.

Northleach’s Cotswold Lion Café will be serving tea and homemade cake throughout the day, Seven Mile with be serving up homemade gourmet local beef burgers, Nolan Brook with their famous pulled Cotswold hogget wraps from their farm near Mickleton and a rare breed pig roast from Hill Top Farm with their reared Middle White pigs.

After eating you might want to try and walk it all off again, so why not join the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens on their free guided taster walks through the beautiful setting of Lodge Park and into the stunning Cotswold landscape. There are also three walking routes from Lodge Park for visitors to explore. You could also try out a TerrainHopper, an electrically powered off road scooter with its extreme off-road capabilities.

Cotswold Electric Bike Tours will be running short tours from the festival site for visitors to experience their state of the art electric bikes that will help power you through the beautiful Cotswold countryside and villages. Go Cotswolds will be running short excursions by mini-bus through the Cotswolds landscape exploring ‘the hidden Cotswolds’. Both relaxing ways to explore this area of outstanding natural beauty.

Launching at the festival is a new book titled ‘The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ written by Sian Ellis, photographed by Nick Turner and designed by Nick Darien-Jones. Marking the 50^th anniversary of the AONB the book celebrates the landscape of the Cotswolds, its architecture, customs and culture. Available to purchase for £14.99 from the Cotswolds AONB stall.

Entrance to the festival is £4 for adults and £1 for children available to purchase online prior to the event or on the gate on the day. Entry fee also applies to National Trust members. There is an additional fee to enter the Lodge Park building. Proceeds from the festival will help the Cotswolds Conservation Board conserve and enhance the Cotswolds AONB. Dogs are welcome as long as they are kept on a lead. A non-smoking festival site, however there will be a designated smoking area.

Free on-site parking available. Entrance to the festival site from the A40 between Northleach and Burford only.

To book tickets online and for more information please visit www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk/festival  or on social media: www.facebook.com/cotswoldslivinglandscapefestival or www.twitter.com/cotswoldsfest

Part-time 22 hours per week, £26,464 – £28,214 pro rata

We are currently seeking to appoint a Trails and Access Officer to join our hardworking and friendly team at the Cotswolds Conservation Board.

For further details, go to www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk/jobs

Cotswolds Conservation Board’s Annual Forum and Management Plan Review Workshop.

Outline of Natural Capital thinking to inform the Management Plan
AONBs have a statutory duty to produce a Management Plan under the CRoW Act 2000. The Review of the Cotswolds AONB Management Plan to cover the period 2018- 2023 has begun. Management Plans ought to be the single articulation of the public agenda for the protected landscape, integrating national and local policies.   The Management Plan review process coincides with the Government’s approval to support the Natural Capital Committee’s emerging 25 year plan for a healthy natural economy. The review process of the Cotswolds AONB Management Plan therefore is a test bed for the introduction of the concept of Natural Capital and the 25 year plan into the future management of nationally protected landscapes.

Wednesday 7th September 2016, 2:30pm
The New Beaconsfield Hall
Station Road, Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire, OX7 6BQ.

Programme:
2.30 pm Registration and Refreshments
3.00 pm Chair’s Welcome and Opening Remarks
3.05 pm Presentations

Getachew Engida, MBA FCA FRSA – Deputy Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
A global perspective from UNESCO.  The key issues to consider and address at the start of the Cotswolds AONB Management Plan Review. 

Professor Dieter Helm CBE – Chair of the Natural Capital Committee
Natural Capital, the 25 Year Plan & Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Putting the environment at the heart of the Government’s post “Brexit” decision making process.

Merrick Denton-Thompson OBE – President of the Landscape Institute
A landscape perspective of the 25 Year Plan, the role of AONBs and their Management Plans. How do you put a “value” on the intrinsic qualities of landscapes.

4.00 pm Questions
4.10 pm Break for Refreshments
4.20 pm Management Plan Review Facilitated Workshop – John Myers from Optimy.
6.20 pm Chair’s Summary and Closing Remarks
6.30 pm Close

Getachew ENGIDA, MBA FCA FRSA
Mr Engida has spent the last 20 years leading and managing international organizations advancing the cause of poverty eradication, peace building and, sustainable development. He has extensively worked on rural and agricultural developments, water and climate challenges, education, sciences, technology and innovation, intercultural dialogue and cultural diversity, communication and information with emphasis on freedom of expression and the free flow information on and offline as well as good governance. Mr. Engida joined UNESCO as Deputy Assistant Director-General for Administration and Comptroller in June 2004. He has served as Deputy Director-General since July 2010, and from January 2014, has taken on the added responsibility of managing the Communication and Information Programme of UNESCO. He also serves in a number of not-for-profit international boards.

Professor Dieter Helm CBE
Professor Dieter Helm is an economist specialising in utilities, infrastructure, regulation and the environment, and concentrating on the energy, water, communications and transport sectors primarily in Britain and Europe. He is a Professor at the University of Oxford, Fellow of New College, Oxford, and a Professorial Research Fellow of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment. In December 2015, Dieter was reappointed as Independent Chair of the Natural Capital Committee. Dieter’s recent books include The Carbon crunch: Revised and Updated – and Natural Capital: Valuing the Planet . Yale University Press published both books in 2015. Nature in the Balance, edited with Cameron Hepburn, was published in early 2014 by Oxford University Press.

Merrick Denton-Thompson OBE FLI
Merrick is the President of the Landscape Institute (President for 2016-2018), Chair of the Policy Committee, and both a Trustee and Fellow of the Landscape Institute. He is a founding Trustee of Learning Through Landscapes (LTL); as a Landscape Architect Merrick developed a unique vision for the potential of school grounds to give children a positive experience of the natural world and benefit from experiential learning. Before retiring Merrick was Assistant Director of Hampshire’s Environment Department, he is a Trustee and Chairs Marwell Zoo’s Conservation and Education Committee, and was a founding Board member of Natural England.

If you would like to attend the Annual Forum please email info@cotswolds-nl.org.uk or call 01451 862000.

In this, the 50th anniversary year of the Cotswolds becoming an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) we recognise the brilliant work undertaken by volunteers.
Here in the AONB we aim to provide a wide range of opportunities for volunteers to explore and experience the beautiful Cotswolds throughout the year.

In 2015/16 the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens clocked up a total of 45,739 hours in their work to conserve, enhance and increase understanding and enjoyment of the Cotswolds AONB.
   
300 wardens, who form the voluntary arm of the Cotswolds Conservation Board, regularly carry out a wide range of activities which, in 2015/16 was estimated to be worth over £300,000.

Much of the voluntary wardens’ time was spent on undertaking a variety of practical conservation and enhancement work, whilst organising and leading guided walks, monitoring historic sites and working with school groups.

Voluntary wardens’ conservation activities during 2015/16 included:

•    Over 82,000 sq m of woodland cleared & 19,680 sq m was coppiced at 338 woodland sites
•    Over 750 trees and hedge shrubs planted
•    63 grassland sites improved in area of 258,558 sq m
•    Over 400 meters of streams and ditches cleared
•    130 waymarks and finger posts installed or repaired
•    4,000 miles of paths patrolled by the Parish Wardens
•    400 metres of dry stone walls repaired or rebuilt
•    26,500 meters of bridleway cleared
•    Monitoring of 11 Historic England sites
•    345 children engaged in school projects
•    Over 330 guided walks led

Martin Lane, Director of the Cotswolds Conservation Board said: “We currently engage with around 300 voluntary wardens who contribute in the region of 2,000 volunteer days! They come from all walks of life. From retired folk who want to give something back, to those looking to widen their experience and develop their skills in conservation work.

All of the voluntary wardens help make many significant and tangible contributions to the activities of the Conservation Board, together delivering great results for the Cotswolds AONB.”

Martin Lovegrove, Head Volunteer Warden said: “Voluntary wardens make a real difference, we have a number of volunteer roles, each offering something different to get involved in, from clearing footpaths and building fences, to delivery guided walks and monitoring Historic England sites.

It has been a very productive year and I would really like to thank all our wardens who have once again shown huge enthusiasm, professionalism and a wide range of skills and expertise. Our voluntary wardens are invaluable to the Cotswolds AONB and are a great bunch of people to work with.”

If you would like to find out how you could become a Cotswold Voluntary Warden and help play your part in looking after the AONB, then visit: www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk/grants-and-projects/volunteering or by following the Cotswolds AONB on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CotswoldsAONB

Training over 430 people in rural skills, engaging over 300 young people participating in countryside learning and supporting over £450,000 worth of local community projects are just some of the highlights included in the recently published Annual Review 2015/16 by the Cotswolds Conservation Board.

The Conservation Board, which looks after the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which is marking its 50th anniversary of being designated as a protected landscape.

The Annual Review summarises the work undertaken by the Board’s staff, members, voluntary wardens and partner organisations during the last financial year.  Despite economically challenging times, the support and partnership working across the area has continued to bring a wide range of benefits to the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and its local communities.

Highlights include:

• Marking the 50th anniversary of the Cotswolds AONB with news of the first roadshow events and the start of the anniversary walk by Liz Eyre
  
• Significant value for money achieved by the Board and the related investment in the Cotswolds AONB landscape
• Demonstration of a strategic, AONB-wide view on key areas of work eg. sustainable tourism and access
  
• The reach across the Board’s social media platforms
• And, a reminder of the Board’s vision, aims and values

Statistics from the Annual Review can also be viewed in the Board’s info-graphic video as shown at the Cotswolds AONB 50th Anniversary Reception at Westminster.

Click here to open the full Annual Review or click here to view the info-graphic to see how the Board has made a difference in 2015/16.
 

The Cotswolds Conservation Board was delighted to hold a reception at the Palace of Westminster, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Hosted by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, who sent apologies from Lord Plumb, as he was unable to be present due to illness.  The reception featured a range of speakers including Rory Stewart, Minister for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Designated in 1966, the Cotswolds AONB extends from Bath to Stratford upon Avon and from Gloucester to Witney, covering the best part of 800 sq miles or 2040 sq kilometres. It is the largest of the AONBs and currently the second largest protected landscape in England, after the Lake District.

Speaking at the reception, Rory Stewart MP spoke about the purpose and importance of designating the Cotswolds as an AONB in the swinging 1960 to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area. He went on to say: “The Cotswolds AONB is a memorable landscape and one that will long continue”.

Attending the reception were; Alex Chalk MP for Cheltenham, Chris Skidmore MP for Kingswood, Harriett Baidwin MP for West Worcestershire, Ben Howlett MP for Bath, and Nigel Huddleston MP for Mid Worcestershire. Representatives from the House of Lords also attended along with local authority leaders and directors of local businesses. 

 Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP for The Cotswolds, who hosted the Westminster reception said: “I was delighted to host the event to help mark the 50th Anniversary of the Cotswolds being designated an AONB. It is a landscape in which we all have a stake; a local and national jewel.

I encourage all to help us ensure that it is a landscape conserved and enhanced for the next 50+ years and I invite everyone to help mark and celebrate the 50th Anniversary within your own organisation in the months ahead”.

The Cotswolds Conservation Board’s Chairman Liz Eyre went somewhat further and invited those attending to pledge their support for nine opportunities going forward:

• Recognise the quality of the AONB landscape and secure the Cotswolds as a dark sky reserve.
• Make the Cotswolds the best landscape for the visitor to explore by public transport.
• Make the Cotswolds the walking and exploring capital of England.
• Build the Visitor Giving scheme and grow the level of support and range of activity that it can invest in.
• Make the very best use of the Cotswolds as a Natural Health Service.
• Develop the rural skills programme and support young people to advance their skills by offering a range of traineeships and apprenticeships, to help keep the Cotswolds special.
• Develop the Cotswolds Choice brand to support local producers and businesses that in turn support high quality landscape management.
• Help farmers and landowners retain and create wildflower rich grasslands and at the same time use their flood management potential.
• Develop our understanding of the full range of benefits that the Cotswolds AONB provides to society and business.

Liz Eyre said: “I ask for your support in advancing these programmes and ideas as we embark on the next 50 years. I similarly invite you to join the Conservation Board in helping to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this wonderful landscape in the months ahead.”

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP invited all attending the reception to join Liz Eyre on the 50th Anniversary fundraising walk, walking the Cotswold Way in 10 stages over the course of the year.

At the reception Hook Norton Brewery launched their Cotswold Lion beer, brewed to celebrate the 50th Anniversary. The Cotswolds Distillery presented tastings of their gin, which has a 50th Anniversary collar/box design. Both companies are making a financial donation to the Cotswolds AONB.

Celebration events continue to take place across the Cotswolds throughout the year including: pop-up roadshows, creative workshops, an art exhibition and the Cotswolds Living Landscape Festival at National Trust’s Lodge Park on Sunday 18 September.

For further details visit www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk/50

The most detailed ever satellite maps of England’s light pollution and dark skies, released by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), have shown that parts of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are ranked 13^th in terms of the darkest skies in England. 

The maps were produced using satellite images captured at 1.30 am throughout September 2015. This research comes at a time of increasing awareness of the harmful effects light pollution can have on the health of people and wildlife. That these skies were monitored at 1.30am illustrates just how long into the night England’s lighting spills outside of the Cotswolds AONB.

The Cotswolds Conservation Board has been considering whether parts of the Cotswolds AONB could be awarded Dark Sky status by the International Dark-Sky Association.  The Rollright Stones near Chipping Norton already has Dark Sky Discovery Status. 

Martin Lane, Director of the Cotswolds Conservation Board said: “Dark skies of the Cotswolds AONB have been fully recognised and included in the Tranquillity and Dark Skies Position Statement and revised Landscape Strategy and Guidelines for the Cotswolds, which include guidelines to conserve areas of dark skies and landscape and adopt measures to minimise existing light pollution.

The Board is exploring a bid to the International Dark Sky Association for parts of the Cotswolds to be recognised as a Dark Sky Reserve.

Keeping the lights out in the AONB is important to us. We were pleased to host a stargazing event at the Cotswolds Discovery Centre in Northleach in April in partnership with the Chipping Norton Amateur Astronomy Group. This event enabled the public to look through a wide range of powerful telescopes to observe the moon, planets and stars from the heart of the Cotswolds AONB. Looking up at night and seeing a star lit sky without disturbance from the lighting of neighbouring towns or cities really is a sight to enjoy.”

Richard Lloyd, Gloucestershire CPRE Vice Chairman said: “We would warmly support work towards achieving dark sky status for the Cotswolds AONB.  Being able to enjoy and appreciate the magic of the night sky is one of the special qualities of the Cotswolds”.

CPRE is calling on local authorities to use these maps to identify areas with severe light pollution and target action to reduce it, as well as identifying existing dark skies that need protecting. 

The new maps were produced by Land Use Consultants from data gathered by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in America. The NOAA satellite captured visible and infrared imagery to determine the levels of light spilling up into British skies. CPRE is sending lesson plans to primary schools in order to promote the enjoyment of dark skies.

The interactive maps can be viewed by visiting http://nightblight.cpre.org.uk