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The 17th-century Lodge Park in the Cotswold country estate of Sherborne in Gloucestershire will play host to the first Cotswolds Living Landscape Festival on Sunday 18 September 2016 organised by the Cotswolds Conservation Board in partnership with National Trust.

The festival will mark the 50th anniversary of the designation of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and showcase the very best of the Cotswold landscape.
Visitors will be treated to a wide choice of stalls, from independent local food and craft producers to some of the Cotswold’s best craftsmen and women, providing 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 and those who enjoy the countryside and rural crafts. See the iconic Cotswold Lion sheep and watch a traditional horse logging demonstration. Local blacksmiths and hedgelayers will also be giving demonstrations throughout the day to inspire you to have a go yourself.
Finalists from the annual Cotswolds Dry-Stone Walling Competition will battle it out against each other showcasing the best of their skills at the traditional rural craft to claim the award of ‘Best Cotswolds Dry-Stone Wall 2016.’

In the Cotswold Marketplace, food and drink producers include: Ross & Ross Food, FWP Matthews, Cotswold Lion Brewery, Pie and Mighty Pies, The Little Pickle and The Tewkesbury Mustard Company. In the arts and crafts area: Lechlade Craft Barn, Alfie Purl, artist Alexandra Woods and ceramicist Pamela Shellard to name a few.

Local music acts and dancers will take to the stage celebrating the heritage and culture of the Cotswolds. Local new-age folk band FolkLaw will be headlining the festival with their exhilarating songs and music that guarantees to get your feet tapping, your face smiling and your festival-feet jumping! The group will be performing tracks inspired by the Cotswold landscape and from their forthcoming Smokey Joe album.

Hook Norton Brewery and the Cotswolds Distillery will be running the ‘ale and gin garden’ and for tea and cake while not drop into the pop-up Cotswold Lion Café.

The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens will be offering free guided 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.
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. A really relaxing way to explore this area of outstanding natural beauty.

Entrance to the festival is £4 for adults and £1 for children. 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.

There is free on-site parking available. Entrance to the festival site from the A40 between Northleach and Burford.

Organisers are still taking stall bookings. Exhibitors should come from the AONB or the wider Cotswolds counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Bath & North East Somerset, Worcestershire and Wiltshire, or be able to demonstrate a strong link with the Cotswolds AONB as organisers are keen to keep this festival local and relevant to the Cotswolds AONB landscape.

Cotswold Grassland Week (11 – 19 June) returns this weekend and the week is packed full of events, talks and discovery days from Leckhampton Hill to Chipping Norton. The week of events have been organised to highlight and enhance the wildflower grasslands of the Cotswolds.

Events will take place across the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and have been organised by the Save Our Magnificent Meadows team at the Cotswolds Conservation Board, providing the chance to hunt out rare plants and butterflies.

Events and guided walks include:

Guided Walk: Up, Down & Around two Nature Reserves
Saturday 11 June, 10am

Starting Point: Slip road for Swainswick, East of A46, 3.3 Miles from Cold Ashton roundabout at the A46/A420 junction

The Meadows and hedgerows will be in early flower and there are splendid views and history to interest all. Along the way you will see more of the work of the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens. It may be hot so bring plenty of drinks.

A Talk on the Folklore & Medicinal Properties of Plants

Saturday 11 June, 2pm – 3:30pm

Cotswolds Discovery Centre, Northleach
An hour’s talk, with time for questions, looking at a variety of plants and discussing their medicinal virtues and folklore.

Guided Walk: Glyme Valley

Wednesday 15 June, 10am – 1pm
Meet outside Chipping Norton Town Hall

Explore the wonderful species-rich limestone grasslands of Glyme Farm.

A Talk on Managing Grasslands for Wildlife

Thursday 16 June, 2pm – 4pm

Cotswolds Discovery Centre, Northleach
An illustrated free talk exploring our amazing wildflower grasslands and their ecology and management.

Guided Walk: Living on the Edge
Friday 17 June, 10am

Starting Point: Stanton Village Car Park

Limestone grassland and woods on the Cotswold scarp are tough places for plants but the perfect home for some specialised and spectacular plant species. As part of the Save Our Magnificent Meadows project we will be looking at the very important habitat.

Guided Walk: Coppicing and Wild Flowers

Saturday 18 June, 10am

Starting Point: Biddestone village pond

Colerne Park woodland is managed by the Woodland Trust and Coppice work has been undertaken each year by the Wardens. As well as coppicing the Hazel, deer fencing has to be erected to protect new growth from the deer and this has to be removed after a couple of years to prevent brambles taking over. Orchids and Bath asparagus, as well as many more wild flowers thrive in the meadows within the Park. Suitable for families.

Family Fun Event: Fun & Flowers on the Hill!

Saturday 18 June, 11am – 2pm

Leckhampton Hill (parking at Salterley Quarry car park), nearest postcode GL53 9QW

Free event! Storytelling, face painting, guided walks and bug hunts amongst the flowers.  Bring your own rug and picnic! A great day out for all the family!

Guided Walk: The Magnificent Meadows of Leckhampton Hill

Saturday 18 June, 11:30am

Starting Point: Brown Stones Quarry – on top of Hartley Hill

A walk along the Cotswold scarp with views over Cheltenham, down to the lime kilns and return via cowslip meadow. Bring a packed lunch or a picnic! This walk complements the Save Our Magnificent Meadows event on the hill at the same time and explores some of the nature.

Grassland Week has been organised as part of the national conservation project – Save our Magnificent Meadows. Save our Magnificent Meadows (SoMM) is a partnership project led by Plantlife, which comprises 11 organisations including the Cotswolds Conservation Board and is primarily funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.  The project is working with landowners and communities to protect, conserve and restore their local meadows.

The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty contains a nationally significant proportion (over 50%) of the UK’s total Jurassic unimproved limestone grassland. This type of grassland is home to a large number of rare and declining plants including many species of orchid and other flowers including Pasque Flower and Cotswold Pennycress.

Eleanor Reast the Magnificent Meadows Conservation Officer said: “Grassland Week is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to see and learn about many of the rare and declining plants and wildflowers. For children especially it will ignite a lifelong interest in wildlife too!”

Full details about all of the events taking place during the week can be found online at www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk

Sheep & Wool Day, the free family event is returning to the Cotswolds Discovery Centre
in Northleach this Bank Holiday Monday (2 May) from 10am to 4pm.

Following the success of last year’s event organisers have planned another action packed family day with all things woolly!

Meet the Cotswold Lion sheep in the grassy courtyard and see how their wool is spun and made into beautiful fabrics. Their wool known as the ‘Golden Fleece’ was an important export. It not only played a major role in the development of many Cotswold towns and villages, but also in the finances of the nation. Sadly times have changed, and they are now classified as a rare breed, but a great treat to see!

The Cotswold Lions will be joined by a herd Huacaya alpacas from the Cotswold Alpacas Farm at Cowley. There will be free wool themed demonstrations throughout the day by the Northleach Spinners and Weavers and Cotswold Handweaver Rebecca Connelly who will be loom weaving. You can also learn how string and rope is made in a flax making demonstration. The forge will be open to watch our blacksmith in action and learn about the essential role blacksmithing played in the Cotswolds.

Lechlade Craft Barn will have plenty of craft activities for children to do and make and local Cotswold artist Alexandra Woods will be drawing and painting the day’s activities including the Cotswold Lions!

Once you have had a good look about then why not take a trip out into the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by electric bike and explore the outstanding scenery and idyllic towns and villages. Cotswold Electric Bike Tours will be launching their brand new guided tours and you can have a short local tour!

There will be a BBQ feast, locally sourced and home-made lunches from the Cotswold Lion Cafe, a beer tent with local ales and things to buy in the Cotswold gift shop and other stalls including: Alfie Purl Yarns & Textiles and The Little Pickle.

Entertainment will be provided by the Wychwayz Border Morris Dancers performing at 12noon and 2pm.

For more information please click here or by viewing our Facebook page.

This spring/summer the Cotswolds Discovery Centre at the Old Prison in Northleach will be firing up with new events, talks and activities for the whole family to enjoy as well as the opening up of the Blacksmiths Forge.

New events highlights include an open air theatre production of the Wind and the Willows, a Cotswold sheep and wool day, an astronomical evening with talks and supper, a Cotswolds’ experience camping weekend and a medieval re-enactment.

Children’s Flax Making Workshop – 8 April & 5 August, 10:30am-4pm, Free

Stars & Supper – 16 April, 6pm-10pm, £20

Victorian Model Farm – 20 April, 2:30pm – 3:30pm, £5

Birds & Breakfast – 23 April & 4 June, 7am-9am, £10

Cotswold Sheep & Wool Day – 2 May, 10am-4pm, Free

Cotswold Canals past, present & future – 12 May, 2:30pm – 3:30pm, £5

Medieval Pardoner Re-enactment – 4 June, 10:30am-4pm, Free

The Folklore & Medicinal Properties of Plants – 11 June, 2pm-3:30pm, Free

Managing Grassland for Wildlife – 16 June, 2pm-4pm, Free

Escape! Family Camping Weekend – 16-17 July, Adult £20, Child £10

Birds of the Cotswolds – 21 July, 2:30pm-3:30pm, £5

Wind & the Willows Outdoor Theatre – 26 Aug, 2:30pm & 6;30pm, £8/£6 under 3s free

A full events programme can be found at www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/discoverycentre

The events programme isn’t the only new addition to the visitor attraction. Reopening after 16 years is the Blacksmiths Forge. The forge will be open to the public to view scheduled demonstrations by local blacksmiths and a new location for some of the Cotswolds Rural Skills Blacksmithing courses and workshops.

The forge sits alongside the Lloyd–Baker Rural Life Collection – a fascinating and nationally important array of farm wagons, carts and agricultural implements. Learn more about farming traditions and the landscape by visiting the exhibition of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), followed by a bite to eat in the café.

The Cotswold Lion Café is a unique place to eat or have a drink whilst enjoying the view out into the grassed courtyard with view of the Blacksmiths Forge. Focusing on local Cotswold produce and seasonal recipes, it is the ideal venue for a delicious freshly prepared lunch, a treat for the kids and a meeting place for a coffee and catch up with family and friends.

Martin Lane, Director of the Cotswolds Conservation Board said: “The new events programme and the blacksmiths forge brings another element to the visitor experience to the discovery centre.”

We hope that the forge will encourage visitors to learn more about with the craft of blacksmithing and share some of the magic from the fire. The centre is already a well-known destination for the Cotswolds rural skills programme of dry stone walling, thatching and wool weaving, and now Blacksmithing.”

For details on Blacksmithing and other Cotswolds Rural Skills courses visit www.cotswoldruralskills.org.uk

ENDS

Photo call

Photo opportunity for media – opening of the Blacksmiths Forge and new menu in the Cotswold Lion Café.

Thursday 17 March 2016, 2:30pm,
Cotswolds Discovery Centre at the Old Prison, Fosse Way, Northleach, Glos, GL54 3JH

Press contact:

Chris Brant, Communications Officer

Tel: 01451 862003  Email: chris.brant@cotswolds-nl.org.uk

Cotswolds Conservation Board, Fosse Way, Northleach, Gloucestershire GL54 3JH

Tel: 01451 862000 Website: www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk

Notes to editors:

·        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 second largest protected landscape in England after the Lake District National Park 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

·        Over 350 Cotswold Voluntary Wardens dedicate thousands of hours of practical conservation work every year across the AONB, as well as lead an annual programme of guided walks and undertake a range of promotional and educational work.

This year, the Cotswolds Conservation Board will celebrate with events, roadshows, tours, workshops and a festival to mark the occasion.

Events start from Saturday 19 March in Bath with the first of six AONB roadshows touring the Cotswolds. Saturday’s roadshow takes place outside Bath Abbey – the start of the Cotswold Way National Trail and the start line of the Golden Anniversary Walk by Liz Eyre the Chairman of the Cotswolds Conservation Board. The Mayor of Bath, Councillor William Sandry will join Liz for some of the first stretch of the walk. Liz will be walking the length of the 102 mile trail to Chipping Camden during the course of the year. Along the way she will be joined by local authority leaders, MPs, walkers and community groups.

Liz Eyre said: “I’m delighted to be taking on the challenge to walk the Cotswold Way to mark the 50^th anniversary of the Cotswolds AONB. The trail covers over 100 miles through the AONB with long distance views from the Cotswold escarpment, and journeys through picturesque villages. I’m looking forward to be joined on the walk by other walkers – whether they are out for a short half hour stroll or a day’s hike – and meeting a huge number of interesting people along the way.”

Roadshows:

Bath – 19 March, Bradford-on-Avon – 23 March, Broadway – 5 April and Painswick Rococo Gardens – 19 April.

Other events taking place this year include;

Creative Weekend Courses – 3 day course in painting and drawing, photography or weaving with each day in a different stunning location

·        Golden Guided Tours – minibus tours of the AONB by Go Cotswolds

·        The Cotswolds Touring Memory Café

·        The Cotswolds Living Landscape Festival at Lodge Park

·        Cotswolds Inspired Art Exhibition

As part of the golden anniversary celebrations two renowned Cotswolds businesses will be joining in with their own special contributions. 

Hook Norton Brewery will be reprising the ‘Cotswold Lion’ ale which they originally brewed for the 40th anniversary in 2006 while the Cotswold Distillery will be badging a limited edition of their classic juniper-led gin, produced at Stourton especially for the anniversary year.  A contribution from the sale of both products throughout the year will be given to the Cotswolds Conservation Board to further its important conservation work within the AONB.

A new book featuring stunning pictures that tell the living story of the Cotswold landscapes will be a highlight of this year’s celebrations. The book will be available to purchase from late spring.

“So many valuable people – farmers, tourism providers, master craftsmen, volunteers – are involved in keeping the Cotswolds thriving as a place to live, work, relax and visit,” says Martin Lane, Director of the Cotswolds Conservation Board. “The 50th anniversary gives us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their efforts and reflect on what makes the landscape so special. All are welcome to help mark the occasion in whatever way they wish and join the variety of celebrations.”

For more information about all the events taking place please visit www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk/50

ENDS

Photo call

Photo opportunity with Liz Eyre and walkers on the 50^th Anniversary Walk

Saturday 19 March 2016
10:15am – Outside Bath Abbey
12:15pm – Cotswold Way – Prospect Stile, near Bath Racecourse & Conference Centre  (please ring for further details)

Press contact:

Chris Brant, Communications Officer

Tel: 01451 862003  Email: chris.brant@cotswolds-nl.org.uk

Cotswolds Conservation Board, Fosse Way, Northleach, Gloucestershire GL54 3JH

Tel: 01451 862000 Website: www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk

Notes to editors:

·        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 second largest protected landscape in England after the Lake District National Park 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

Stratford-upon-Avon-based tour company Go Cotswolds is teaming up with the Cotswolds Conservation Board to help the region celebrate the 50th anniversary of becoming a designated Area of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB).

The Cotswolds, the largest of the family of 38 AONBs in England and Wales, is 50 this year, having been designated an AONB in 1966. In 2016 the Cotswolds Conservation Board is putting on a number of special events to mark the occasion, including a series of “Golden Guided Tours” with Go Cotswolds.

The first of these unique tours takes place on Tuesday 5th April and will highlight the special relationship between the Cotswolds and the Arts and Crafts movement.

The tours, which will be provided by Go Cotswolds in a 16-seater minibus, will be led by Cotswolds Voluntary Wardens who have an intimate knowledge of the area, the Arts & Crafts movement and its significance in the Cotswolds.

The full day tour costs £40pp and includes a pick up/drop off from Stratford-upon-Avon or Broadway, tea/coffee and talk at Stanton Guildhouse, guided short walks in both Stanton and Broadway, and a Cotswolds Voluntary Warden led talk about Chipping Campden and CR Ashbee’s contribution to the Arts and Crafts movement. There will be ample free time in both Broadway and Chipping Campden for visitors to explore these towns with maps provided by Go Cotswolds.

Half of the ticket price will go directly to the Cotswolds AONB Visitor Giving Scheme – a fund to help conserve the Cotswolds for future generations.

Go Cotswolds, a recent finalist in the Tourism Initiative category of the Pride of Stratford Awards, usually provides tours of the Cotswolds from Stratford-upon-Avon on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Founder, driver and guide Tom Benjamin was delighted to have the opportunity to be a part of such a significant occasion.

He said: “We’re excited to be teaming up with the Cotswolds AONB to help celebrate the 50th anniversary – we love the Cotswolds, and we especially love showing new visitors its unique beauty and quirks. By joining forces with the Cotswolds Conservation Board and the knowledgeable Wardens we’re able to offer unique insights into the Arts and Crafts movement – an important part of the history and culture of the Cotswolds. In addition, we’re delighted to be able to make a significant contribution to the Cotswolds Visitor Giving Scheme as it’s something that is vital for the preservation of the Cotswolds for future generations.”

Martin Lane, Director of the Cotswolds Conservation Board said: "This is an exciting new way to see and explore the Cotswolds AONB and join in with the 50th anniversary celebrations. We are delighted to be working with Go Cotswolds and keen for other organisations and groups to join the celebrations by running their own events throughout the year."

For more information and to book tickets for the tour please visit www.gocotswolds.co.uk or call Tom on 07786 920166.

ENDS

Press contact:

Chris Brant, Communications Officer

Tel: 01451 862003  Email: chris.brant@cotswolds-nl.org.uk

Cotswolds Conservation Board, Fosse Way, Northleach, Gloucestershire GL54 3JH

Tel: 01451 862000 Website: www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk

Notes to editors:

·        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 second largest protected landscape in England after the Lake District National Park 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

·        Over 350 Cotswold Voluntary Wardens dedicate thousands of hours of practical conservation work every year across the AONB, as well as lead an annual programme of guided walks and undertake a range of promotional and educational work.

Go Cotswolds

·        Go Cotswolds is an award-winning tour company that provides guided minibus day trips of the Cotswolds from Stratford-upon-Avon.

·        Scheduled tours run on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and cost £35 per adult and £25 per child 15 and under.

·        Former KES pupil Tom Benjamin founded the company in July 2014. Since then, Go Cotswolds has taken over 900 customers from 53 nations on tours of the Cotswolds.

·        For more information or to make a booking, please contact Tom Benjamin on 07786 920166 or email tom@gocotswolds.co.uk

·        The Go Cotswolds website is www.gocotswolds.co.uk

Ditch the classroom for the great outdoors!
3 day courses in Art and Photography with each day at a different stunning location!

Enjoy the Cotswolds through observing and capturing the outstanding natural beauty in the Cotswolds AONB’s special 50th anniversary courses.

Lunch/refreshments and entry to locations included in the course fee.

Click here to find out more and to book!

Ditch the classroom for the great outdoors!
3 day courses in Art and Photography with each day at a different stunning location!

Enjoy the Cotswolds through observing and capturing the outstanding natural beauty in the Cotswolds AONB’s special 50th anniversary courses.

Lunch/refreshments and entry to locations included in the course fee.

Click here to find out more and to book!