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CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY

The Curlew Country Project 2017

Once the Herald of spring for many, the haunting call of curlew is much harder to hear these days.  With the local curlew population having declined by 30% in the last ten years, the Curlew Country Project needs your help to save these beautiful birds.

Last year, the Stiperstones & Corndon Landscape Partnership gained national recognition for its ground-breaking work to save local curlew. This year the Curlew Country Project continues to monitor and protect nests, working closely with local farmers. The Community Wildlife Groups are surveying and recording adult population numbers, and training is available to better understand curlew behavior. 

You can help by reporting local sightings of curlew using the online recording form at http://www.stiperstonesandcorndon.co.uk/birdform/, supporting awareness raising activities and DONATING to our Curlew Country Appeal, details at http://www.stiperstonesandcorndon.co.uk/curlewcountry/. 

Putting a value on what upland farming provides to society

Over 80 people, including many farmers, attended the recent ‘Shropshire Hills Uplands Forum’ to discuss future policy and funding for upland land management.  Speakers from Cumbria and Devon as well as Shropshire set the scene on the issues and opportunities arising from Brexit for farming and the environment. 

Discussions followed on how public funding should in future support the wide range of public benefits the uplands provide – including food production, water and carbon regulation, recreation, biodiversity, landscape, etc. 

A report is being written up of the event, and will be shared with policy makers.  If you would like to receive a copy of this please contact us.  The AONB Partnership intends to develop a position statement drawing on the discussions at the Forum, and is considering how best to take forward further discussions on this, possibly through local groups in our main upland areas of Long Mynd-Stiperstones, the Clun catchment and the Clee Hills.

Follow the link for more information http://www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk/2017/02/28/good-discussions-at-shropshire-hills-uplands-forum/

Treemendous tree planting effort

This winter, 3,000 trees have been planted alongside the River Clun and Kemp through our River Clun Recovery Project.  Once established, these trees will help to stabilise the riverbank and provide an excellent buffer between field and river, reducing soil and nutrient losses from the land.    A further 1,000 trees are being planted by volunteers near Mainstone.  Members of the Severn Tree Trust and the Shropshire Wild Team are helping to plant a new woodland with linking hedgerows.  As well as providing a windbreak for livestock, the trees will improve the rate that rainfall infiltrates the soil, and therefore slow the rate at which water flows into the river system. This is a proven technique for “slowing the flow”, as demonstrated by the Pontbren Project. For more information about the River Clun Recovery Project see http://www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk/aonb-partnership/rivers/

Public Appeal to restore oak woodland on the Stiperstones

Natural England have started a public campaign to raise £12,000 to purchase and restore the Bergum Wood conifer plantation to traditional broadleaf oak woodland. This 1.28 hectare wood will add to the beautiful wild habitats of the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve.  Removal of the conifers will allow the oak woodland to regenerate naturally, providing habitat for pied flycatchers, redstarts, tree pipits, bats and dormice.  To support this appeal you can make a donation online at www.easydonate.org/NENG001 or by texting NENG001 to 70970 to give £5 or NENG001 to 70191 to give £10.

EDUCATION & AWARENESS

John Muir Award... in the spirit of fun and adventure

The children and teachers from Shrewsbury St George’s Junior School are the latest to achieve their John Muir Award in the Shropshire Hills. Their environmental activities were based on the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve and included investigation of habitats, heathlands, hedgerows, farming, wildlife, land management and the mining history.  The teachers had high praise for the challenges set and commented “The writing produced was brilliant and it was great to see the enjoyment the children got when looking at the views and learning about the nature- especially the less able children who produced some fantastic writing about the scenes and nature they saw and experienced.”

Getting creative with clay

Impressions of the Past is a community arts project around Pontesbury. Local people, schools and community groups have been discovering and celebrating their Iron Age heritage. Led by ceramicist Ruth Gibson and poet Jean Atkin, the project offers free workshops in clay and poetry about the Iron Age landscape, and focuses on local landmarks such as the impressive hillforts of Lower Camp at Pontesford Hill, Earl’s Hill and Callow Hill.  Take a look the work that has been produced so far https://www.facebook.com/Impressions-of-the-Past-1259930910758409/?fref=ts

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Gearing up for new visitor season Once again, we’re holding the GREAT Shropshire Hills and Ludlow Leaflet Swapshop on Wednesday 29th March, 10.30am – 1pm, Stokesay Court SY7 9BD. Aimed at tourism businesses, it's the chance to swap and collect promotional print in time for the new visitor season.  As well as swapping print, there will be opportunities for networking and meeting local suppliers, businesses and services.  Tourism marketing advice will be available, as well as exhibitions to promote local attractions. Held at the majestic Stokesay Court, you’ll also enjoy a pre-season visit, tea and cake!  Free entry for tourism businesses and services, Shropshire Hills Tourism members and attractions staff, volunteers and managers, Shropshire Hills Sustainable Business Network members.  To register click here. OUT NOW Great Days Out in the Shropshire Hills, 2017 available from Visitor Information Centres, and other local outlets including our office in Craven Arms.

“Brilliant day out and great company – drivers and passengers.”

The Shropshire Hills Shuttle Buses will be back on the road over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, starting Saturday 15th April 2017. Departing from Church Stretton, two 16-seater minibuses travel a figure of eight route over the Long Mynd and around the Stiperstones.  Stops include Bridges, the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve, Snailbeach Mine and Pontesbury.  The hourly timetable makes planning your journey easy.  There are plenty of great walks, which link with the buses, and an excellent choice of country pubs for lunches and refreshments.  The Shuttle Buses also stop at attractions such as Carding Mill Valley, The Bog Visitor Centre and Snailbeach Lead Mine.  Valid concessionary bus passes are accepted and day rover or single tickets can be purchased from the driver as you board the bus.  Look out for the 2017 timetable leaflet locally, avaiable from Visitor Information Centres, libraries and other local outlets or see www.shropshirehillsshuttles.co.uk.

This spring and summer three artists will open your eyes to new ways of seeing and understanding our fragile Shropshire Hills landscape.

Land artist Tony Plant, composer and choir leader Mary Keith, and theatre makers, Stan's Café will help you to explore the history, stories and future of this beautiful rugged upland area. 

The launch event is on Saturday 8th April, at Carding Mill Valley. Drop in between 11am and 3pm.  Be prepared to be entertained, educated and amazed! 

http://www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk/enjoying-the-shropshire-hills/events/?cid=all&mc_id=772 

Getting ready to guide visitors into the hills

Volunteer walks leaders across the Shropshire Hills are rec’ing routes ready to introduce people to this beautiful area.  The Festivals attract visitors from near and afar.  A choice of guided walks each day aloow people of all walking abilities the chance to join in and explore the area.  Booking in advance is required, click on the links below for details of each Walking Festival. Ironbridge Gorge Walking Festival, 29th April – 7th May Bishop’s Castle Walking Festival, 7th – 15th May Church Stretton Walking Festival, 18th – 25th June

The Shropshire Hills AONB is one of 46 AONBs in the UK. The AONB Partnership is hosted by Shropshire Council and funded also by Defra, Telford & Wrekin Council and project funders.

Why not join Friends of the Shropshire Hills to get involved.

We work to help conserve and enhance the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, If you’re a business who interested in working more sustainably, find out about our business network.

 Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership, Unit 9 Drovers House, 
The Auction Yard, CRAVEN ARMS, SY7 9BZ
01743 254740
www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk
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