News & Events
Issue 19- November 2007
400 take part in first ever ‘South Devon Walking Festival'
The first South Devon Walking Festival has been hailed a great success.
The event took place from 13th-28th October 2007 and involved 30 walks taking place across the South Hams. 393 people took part in the walks with families, seasoned walkers, locals and tourists all getting involved.
The event was timed to take in the school half term week and appealed to a number of people on holiday in the area. The programme included coastal strolls, green lane hikes, and farmland rambles. There was even a great hill toddle to introduce toddlers and their parents to the wonders of walking and wildlife in the woods. The lengths of walks was from one and a half miles to 8 miles. Organiser Liz Davey said 'This was a great event to stage and we are delighted so many people wanted to get involved, we hope to secure further sponsorship to expand the festival next year.'
Further information from Liz Davey 01803 861183
AONB supports new green link at Sharpham
A new safe walking path opens this autumn in the village of Ashprington.
The Sharpham green link provides a traffic free route for pedestrians between the village and the Sharpham estate. The new path runs inside the hedge along the edge of two fields, opening up wonderful views across the River Dart and the rolling countryside beyond.
The official opening will take place on Tuesday 4th December at 2.30pm at Ashprington with local resident and campaigner Major Holdsworth cutting the ribbon before funders and supporters stroll along the new route experiencing the spectacular landscape for themselves.
The new path will benefit both locals and visitors to the area, as it is a popular local walk as well as being part of the longer Dart Valley Trail, which winds its way along the river valley between Totnes and Dartmouth.
The new path has been built by South Hams District Council’s Landscape & Recreation team, with the support of local landowners, including the Sharpham Trust, and funding from Devon County Council and South Devon AONB Unit’s Sustainable Development Fund (SDF).
Further information from Keith Rennells 01803 861456
Interested in using woodfuel to heat your premises?
Last chance to get a free advice visit.The Co-ordinated Woodfuel Initiative, a project supported by South Devon AONBs Sustainable Development Fund, continues to bring the benefits of wood-heating systems to the South West.
Large homes, businesses or public buildings like schools and community centres could be heated by wood-fired boilers. Modern ‘automated’ woodfuel systems are a low carbon, efficient, and can be a cost-effective alternative.
Larger premises may be able to take advantage of one of a limited number of remaining site visits, where an expert will assess the suitability of the premises for a wood-fired boiler. The service is managed by the Centre for Sustainable Energy with financial support from Woodland Renaissance, Defra’s Sustainable Development Fund and the Forestry Commission.
Further information from 08450 740674
Partnership Committee news
The AONB Partnership Committee met on 14th September at Ashprington Village Hall.
A presentation was given to the Partnership Committee members by Ros Love, manager of the South West Coast Path Team who highlighted key issues for the South West Coast Path in the South Devon AONB, and referred to the new South West Coast Path Framework for Action 2007 – 2012. It was noted that although the South Devon AONB is comparatively well served with coastal access, the Government's new framework for improving public access to the coast could be an important piece of legislation and the proposals could fill important gaps, particularly underpinning a right of public access to beaches and helping to make the coast path easier to manage in the face of a more dynamic coastal environment.
The Coordinator of the newly established Devon Maritime Forum, Jim Masters, gave a presentation to the Partnership Committee about a range of maritime and coastal issues; and a presentation was given on behalf of the South Devon and Dorset Coastal Authorities Group by Graeme Smith, about the Shoreline Management Plan.
The minutes of the meeting can be accessed on the AONB website www.southdevonaonb.org.uk. The next meeting will be held on Friday 7th December, members of the public are welcome to attend for the main agenda. The papers will be on the website 1 week before the meeting.
Further information from Robin Toogood 01803 861384
Slapton Coastal Adaptation Programme
Alan Denbigh the Business Development and Community Officer for the Slapton Line Partnership has been making good progress since commencing in August. Further work has been undertaken on liaison with the community to see what their understanding of the plans to manage the realignment of the road is. The response has been generally supportive but it is clear that communication needs to be more effective in the future. Alan is also starting to look at some ideas to work with businesses in the area, particularly in environmental tourism. He has established contact with Plymouth University beach monitoring system which gives daily updates on the condition of beach levels
More information from Alan Denbigh 01803 861246
Sustainable Development Fund 2008-9 – do you have a project?
South Devon’s Sustainable Development Fund is now open for expressions of interest for projects to be delivered in 2008/09.
Over the last 3 years the fund has been used to help community groups, organisations and businesses to deliver a wide range of projects benefiting the AONB's environment, communities, and economy. Although we’ve not yet had funding for 2008/09 confirmed we want to be in a position to hit the ground running when the position is clarified.
For details of the fund, and previous projects supported please follow the Sustainable Development Fund link on our website. We’re asking those with suitable project ideas to complete and submit a simple Expression of Interest (EOI) form, downloadable from our website. We anticipate being open for expression of interest until at least the end of February 2008, but you’ll need to keep a close eye on the website for the announcement of deadlines.
Once we have confirmation of funding we will open for full applications giving priority to those suitable projects that completed the EOI phase.
Further details of the criteria guidance and application forms from www.southdevonaonb.org.uk
Further information from Liz Davey on 01803 861183
Walk this way for better health in Dartmouth
A new Walk & Talk scheme gets underway in Dartmouth on Thursday 29th November.
The official launch will take place at Blackpool Sands Stoke Fleming at 2.30pm. Led by a band of enthusiastic local volunteers, a programme of health walks will be rolled out for the Dartmouth area, featuring short walks on Tuesdays and longer walks on Thursdays. Times and locations will vary, but there should be something to suit all interests and abilities, from short level walks along the embankment, to coast and countryside rambles further afield.
The health benefits of walking are well known. Regular walking can assist with weight control and maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is a fun, sociable activity that can help reduce anxiety and depression.
A free walks programme covering the period November 2007 to January 2008 is available on request.
Further information from Keith Rennells 01803 861456
Wednesday is walking day in Kingsbridge
The new Kingsbridge Walk & Talk scheme was offically launched in October.
Building on the successful health walk scheme, a band of keen local trained volunteers are now leading walks for all abilities in and around the town on Wednesdays each week.
Walks on offer range from gentle strolls for beginners (Level 1) to slightly harder walks for improvers (Level 2) to coast and countryside rambles for those feeling a bit fitter (Level 3). Walks either start at the Rest Centre, next to Kingsbridge Town Hall, or at a coast and countryside location further afield.
The health benefits of walking are well known. Regular walking can assist with weight control and maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is a fun, sociable activity that can help reduce anxiety and depression.
Walks are free of charge, and all our welcome to join in. A free programme for the period November 2007 to March 2008 is available on request.
Further information from Keith Rennells 01803 861456