The Clyde and Avon Valley Area of Great Landscape Value is a rich landscape shaped by nature and people. It consists of a unique mosaic of ancient woodlands, geological features, hedgerows, orchards, farmland, historic settlements and country estates.
On behalf of the Rural Development Trust, LUC is supporting the development of the Stage 2 application for support under the Landscape Partnership Scheme (LPS), a grant initiative of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The aim of the LPS is to enhance landscapes such as the Clyde and Avon Valley through engaging and informing local communities about their landscape and how it has been shaped over the centuries.
LUC will develop a Landscape Conservation Action Plan (LCAP) as well as a first year Action Plan detailing a range of projects for the first delivery year of the LCAP.
LUC is drawing together a series of projects and programmes to meet the aims of the HLF:
• Protecting the natural and built heritage by maintaining woodlands and nature reserves, hedge laying, managing orchards, creating new and/or reinstating existing hedgerows and viewpoints, selling orchard produce or timber and focusing on important local buildings and manmade features;
• Celebrating the rich cultural heritage and landscape which has inspired artists and poets by researching oral history, art, film, old songs, stories and memories, establishing an online cultural memory bank, developing cultural or historic trails, festivals and activities;
• Inspiring people to engage with their landscape and culture by improving existing paths and bridges, making links, circular, short distance or health walks, themed trails and educational material to guided walks;
• Exploring opportunities to harness the skills of people who live and work in the area, such as training in traditional rural crafts, woodland or orchard management, developing a volunteer task force or education projects within existing businesses.
This is a complex scheme to manage, involving numerous partners with wide-ranging project ideas. However it is an inspirational project to be involved in as it should achieve real, ambitious change for the Clyde and Avon Valleys.
For more information visit www.clydeandavonvalley.com
