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Chasing Darkness…

February 22, 2019 by Della Morris
Last edited on March 17, 2019

Join us for an evening with respected astronomer Will Gater to celebrate our dark skies!

Dark skies are recognisably important as part of our heritage, for wildlife, and for health and wellbeing. They are a notable and characteristic feature of the Cotswolds AONB and in 2016, CPRE published survey data showing that a good part of the Cotswolds AONB retains high quality dark skies – but also warns that dark skies are becoming increasingly rare. We need to protect the astronomical landscape as much as the landscape underfoot.

The Cotswolds Conservation Board is launching the Cotswolds Dark Skies Initiative on the evening of 16th March at Guiting Power Village Hall. Astronomy Journalist, author, and science presenter Will Gater will be talking about what dark skies mean to us, what they can reveal, and how we must work to protect their treasures. Weather permitting, the evening will conclude with an outdoor stargazing session.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL Tickets are £8.00 for adults, 16 and under free and are available from: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chasing-darkness-an-evening-with-will-gater-tickets-56785907177

Call for projects for Caring for the Cotswolds

January 17, 2019 by Alana Hopkins
Last edited on March 20, 2019

Caring for the Cotswolds, the visitor giving scheme for the Cotswolds AONB is again accepting applications for projects. The scheme distributes funds raised by local companies for environmental and heritage projects. Based around the concept of visitors acknowledging their appreciation for the Cotswolds by contributing something towards the conservation of the wonderful place they have come to see and enjoy. All grants will support at least one of the scheme’s primary objectives;

  • Conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the landscape
  • Manage and restore habitats for wildlife
  • Manage and improve footpaths and bridleways
  • Look after the area’s distinctive historical heritage
  • Provide countryside access information and/or improve the public’s understanding of the things that make the Cotswolds special.

Examples of projects funded to date can be seen here https://www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk/looking-after/caring-for-the-cotswolds/projects-supported/

Details of the scheme and downloadable guidance and application forms can be found here; www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk/caring/apply-for-funding

The deadline for applications is 5th April 2019.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome by the end of May 2019.

Potential applicants can discuss possible projects with Edward Bonn, Grants Officer E-mail Edward.Bonn@cotswolds-nl.org.uk tel: 01451 862032

Gloucestershire’s young people dig into rural life

December 19, 2018 by Alana Hopkins
Last edited on December 19, 2018

L_R: Team programme participants: Fergus, Martyna, Natasha, Jack, Sam, Morgan, and Luis, with Programme Leader, Archie Morton. 

Cotswolds Conservation Board is celebrating the conclusion of a pilot rural skills training scheme in partnership with Young Gloucestershire and The Princes Trust. The ‘Team’ programme, offered by the Prince’s Trust, and facilitated by Young Gloucestershire, aims to help young people from urban areas in Gloucestershire prepare for work or further education with a range of practice-based activities.

Team is a nationally recognised programme set up by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. More than 70% of young people who complete the course go on to get a job or return to education or training within three months of finishing the programme.

The 12 week programme is for young people aged 16-25 who are not in employment, education or training (NEET). Participants get involved in a local community project, complete a short work placement, participate in a team challenge (involving caring for others), and work on their CVs and work skills. The course encourages group working, confidence building, and motivation.

The Cotswolds Conservation Board has been involved in a trial of a new element of the course which offers young people opportunities to get some hands-on rural skills experience. From thatching, to woodland management and bushcraft, to map reading, stone carving, dry stone walling, and blacksmithing – participants have been able to try a range of rural skills, at the same time as experiencing what it’s like to work outside in a rural context.

Many of the young people taking part do not have regular access to the countryside surrounding the towns and cities where they live, so this element of the Team programme is a valuable opportunity for them to explore what options might be available to them.

Edward Bonn, Rural Skills Officer at Cotswolds Conservation Board said, “It’s been brilliant introducing these groups of young people to our rural skills programme. Lots of them have never experienced anything like it before, and have really got stuck in to the sessions we’ve run for them. In particular, the blacksmithing, stone carving, and bushcraft sessions were very popular.”

Archie Morton, Programme Leader at Young Gloucestershire said, “Including rural skills in the Team programme is new for Young Gloucestershire – but we feel it’s a valuable addition. This time round was a pilot – so our focus now will be on seeking funding to continue being able to allow young people to broaden their skill set and experience.”

If you or your organisation is interested in finding out more about how to contribute to funding this valuable programme, please contact Simon Smith (Cotswolds Conservation Board) at simon.smith@cotswolds-nl.org.uk or Archie Morton(Young Gloucestershire) at archie.morton@youngglos.org.uk

Call for Projects in the vicinity of pylon line ZF2 (Upper Coberley to Alderton)

December 3, 2018 by Alana Hopkins
Last edited on March 20, 2019

National Grid Landscape Enhancement Initiative (LEI)

*** UPDATE 2 February 2019 – WE ARE NOW CLOSED TO APPLICATIONS ***

The Cotswolds Conservation Board has issued a call for projects for the National Grid Landscape Enhancement Initiative.

This £24 million grant scheme offers awards of up to £200,000 for projects to enhance landscapes containing or impacted by National Grid’s existing electricity transmission infrastructure.

Only the Board can apply to the National Grid for this funding and we are inviting partners to put forward projects.

The Board has selected pylon line ZF2 which runs between Coberley and Alderton for our first call for projects as it is judged to have the highest impact of any line within the Cotswolds AONB.

The deadline for submitting expressions of interest to the Board is the 1st February 2019 for projects commencing in December 2019.

Next steps / essential documents:

Anyone with a project idea is encouraged to talk to Simon Smith the Board’s Project Development Officer at simon.smith@cotswolds-nl.org.uk

The Government Review of National Parks and AONBs – your views are sought

October 25, 2018 by Della Morris
Last edited on October 25, 2018

The Government has asked for an independent review of England’s National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). You can find more about the work of the review and their Terms of Reference.  Already the review team, led by Julian Glover and a panel with a range of experiences and interests, has carried out visits and meetings in many parts of England.

The review and associated survey is wide ranging and explores more than just the idea of new National Parks or other types of designation. It is the first time that there has been a national review of Parks and AONBs since the original enabling legislation in 1949 and parallels with the growing local discussions over the merits of the Cotswolds being designated a National Park. The newly adopted Cotswolds AONB Management Plan 2018 -2023 contains the ambition: To promote the case for the Cotswolds being designated as England’s next National Park.

The Government will do more in the months ahead – but want everyone to have a chance to contribute, whether you live in a National Park or AONB, run a business in them, enjoy visiting, care about landscapes and biodiversity, or represent an organisation with views that might shape and improve their findings. The online survey asks 24 questions and suggests you limit your responses to 500 words per question some people and organisations will want to reply in detail on specific points. It is not necessary to reply to every question so please ignore those which you do not think relevant to you. You may find it easier to write your answers elsewhere before pasting them into the text boxes which follow.

We have summarised the questions below to provide an insight:

  • What does and doesn’t work about the current system of designated landscapes
  • What you think about the roles of National Parks and AONBs in regard to:
    • landscape, beauty, cultural heritage
    • nature conservation and biodiversity
    • working with farmers and farm payments
    • managing access and recreation
    • people who live in the designated landscapes
    • housing and transport
  • Your thoughts on how;
    • Parks and AONBs are governed
    • Parks and AONBs are funded
    • they work collectively
    • they involve people and encourage volunteering
  • The process of designating Parks and AONBs
  • Suggestions for new National Parks, AONBs and new types of designation for marine and urban areas
  • Whether there are lessons to be learnt from abroad
  • Whether the title AONB could be improved
  • How National Parks and AONBs work with National Trails, SSSIs, SACs etc

Submissions are invited from individuals and organisations by the 18th December 2018

The online survey is available for you to complete at

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/land-use/landscapes-review-call-for-evidence/consultation/intro/ 

 

Cotswolds Conservation Board to launch new scheme to save wildflower grasslands

October 18, 2018 by Alana Hopkins
Last edited on May 12, 2020

The Cotswolds Conservation Board has been awarded a grant of over £200,000 from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for a project which will conserve, restore and create wildflower-rich limestone grasslands across the Cotswolds. The project, Glorious Cotswolds Grasslands, aims to create the largest network of wildflower rich Jurassic limestone grassland in the country – around 100 hectares in total, over three years.

The project hopes to secure the long term management of these precious grasslands through farming and community engagement, alongside practical and educational activity.

The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) contains just over half the UK’s wildflower rich Jurassic limestone grassland. These grasslands are fragmented and vulnerable, and in urgent need of intervention to maintain, restore, and most importantly, to expand and connect them by creating new wildflower-rich grassland.

The central aims of the project are to:

  • Collect seed from existing wildflower rich grasslands, and sow them on sites to restore or create new grasslands
  • Provide advice and guidance on managing grasslands to maximise their benefit – for wildlife and people
  • Provide practical assistance such as managing scrub and invasive species
  • Work with communities and highway authorities to improve road verges to create a network of flower-rich corridors
  • Establish a sustainable service to deliver advice, equipment, and advocacy beyond the life of the project.

Mark Connelly, Land Management Officer at Cotswolds Conservation Board said, “We’re delighted that the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation has supported the Glorious Cotswolds Grasslands project. Their generous grant will allow us to implement this ambitious project, and will help us give Cotswolds grasslands, and the fantastic wealth of wildlife to be found in them, a better chance for the future.”

Simon Wightman, from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation said, “We are pleased to support the conservation, restoration and creation of wildflower rich grasslands across the Cotswolds. Trustees were especially impressed by the Conservation Board’s commitment to finding a sustainable approach to grassland management beyond the end of the grant period.

Trustees also applauded the project’s focus on education, and on exchanging learning with other organisations involved in grassland management. We are keen to hear how the project progresses.”

If you or your organisation is interested in finding out more about this valuable project, please contact Mark Connelly (Cotswolds Conservation Board) at mark.connelly@cotswolds-nl.org.uk

ENDS

Notes to editors:

  • Please contact Alana Hopkins at hopkins@cotswolds-nl.org.uk / 01451 862 003 for further information, or interview/photo opportunities.
  • The Cotswolds was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1966 in recognition of its rich, diverse and high quality landscape. www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk
  • The Cotswolds AONB is looked after by the Cotswolds Conservation Board – an independent organisation established in 2004 which has 37 members – 15 nominated by local authorities, 8 by parish councils and 14 appointed by the Secretary of State.
  • The Cotswolds is the third largest protected landscape in England after the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks and represents 10% of the total AONB area in the UK. It covers 2,038 square kilometres (790 square miles), stretching from Warwickshire and Worcestershire in the north, through Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, down to Bath and Wiltshire in the south.
  • Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), along with National Parks, are considered to be the most special landscapes in the country and belong to an international family of protected areas.  There are 38 AONBs in England and Wales, and a further eight in Northern Ireland.  For further details, visit: www.landscapesforlife.org.uk. For details of the 15 National Parks in England and Wales visit: www.nationalparks.gov.uk

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

  • Esmée Fairbairn Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for people and communities throughout the UK both now and in the future. We do this by funding the charitable work of organisations who are building an inclusive, creative and sustainable society. www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk
  • The Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-makers in the UK. In 2017 we made grants of £40.5 million towards a wide range of work within the arts, children and young people, the environment and social change. We also have a £45 million allocation to social investments for organisations with the aim of creating social impact.’’

 

Glorious Cotswolds Grasslands Job Vacancies

October 17, 2018 by Della Morris

Glorious Cotswolds Grasslands

Do you want to join the Cotswolds Conservation Board team to help restore internationally important wildflower rich grasslands in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty?

We are seeking two confident, dynamic and committed team players to deliver the Glorious Cotswolds Grasslands project, an ambitious project to create the largest connected network of wildflower rich Jurassic limestone grassland. The Glorious Cotswolds Grasslands is supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and private sponsors.

Project Officer, £27,264 – £29,066, Full time fixed term contract for 3 years

Assistant Project Officer, £21,899 – £23,692 Pro Rata, Fixed term contract for 3 years, part-time, 3 days per week

Closing date: 12.00 noon, Monday 12th November 2018.

For more information and application form visit our Vacancies page.

Niel Curwen – Cotswold Conservation Board’s first chairman

September 24, 2018 by Alana Hopkins

We’re sad to share the news that Niel Curwan, the much-respected first Chairman of The Cotswolds Conservation Board’s passed away last week. Niel loved the Cotswolds and was a passionate supporter of looking after the region and all its wonderful features: the stone walls, grasslands, commons, and villages. With thanks to Cotswold Life for finding this 2005 article about Niel in the archives.

Finance and Admin Job Vacancies

August 28, 2018 by Della Morris
Last edited on August 28, 2018

Two superb opportunities to be part of a team working to conserve and enhance the natural beauty and increase the understanding and enjoyment of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Finance and Office Administrator, up to £17,391

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic Finance and Office Administrator to join our hardworking and friendly team at the Conservation Board.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the effective administration of the Board. We are seeking a self-reliant person who also works well as part of a team. You will be the first port of call for visitors to the Board’s offices and act as receptionist. Daily administrative tasks will also include inputting financial information and supporting the rural skills programme.

The closing date for applications for this post is noon on Wednesday 12th September and interviews are scheduled for Tuesday 18th September.

Finance and Administration Officer, up to £31,986

We are seeking an experienced finance officer to provide and manage accountancy and financial services to the Board.  You will be a fully or partly qualified accountant with experience in payroll, grant funding and VAT accounting.

In addition, you will be the Board’s office manager, ensuring the smooth day to day running of the Conservation Board’s offices in Northleach.

The closing date for applications for this post is noon on Monday 17th September and interviews are scheduled for Tuesday 25th September.

Find out more

If you are interested in applying for these stimulating and rewarding roles please visit www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk/jobs for further details and an application form, we do not accept CVs.

2018 Charcoal Production

August 8, 2018 by Alana Hopkins
Last edited on August 8, 2018

Our rural skills officer, Ed Bonn, has started the annual charcoal burning process for 2018.

Producing charcoal is part of managing Ullen Wood, in Gloucestershire.

We coppice in autumn and winter, which produces wood that seasons for at least one year before being split into logs and loaded into the kiln, to burn over 24 hours. Once the kiln has cooled, the resulting charcoal is unloaded and bagged up. The charcoal will be used in the forge whilst teaching blacksmithing courses, and is also for sale in the Cotswolds Discovery Centre.

The Voluntary Wardens of the Cotswolds Conservation Board are extremely helpful in the process of producing charcoal, both filling and emptying the kiln. Recently, a group of young people from the Prince’s Trust joined in and helped to fill the kiln as part of a Rural Skills training programme.