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AONB Forum 2011

The North Wessex Downs AONB annual Forum will be held on Thursday 13th October at The Barn, Purley on Thames starting at 10am. This year's focus is on tourism with optional afternoon fieldtrips in the afternoon on Countryside Issues on the Urban Fringe with a walk in the Sulham Gap, or Planning Pressures on the Urban Fringe with a visit to Pincent's Lane, Pincent's Hill, Ikea site and Nunhide Lane. Alternatively there will be a Woodland Heritage Workshop in the afternoon.

The Forum is open to all and provides everyone who cares about this nationally protected landscape to hear about recent and future work. Contact Liz Duquenoy on 01488 685440 or lizduquenoy@northwessexdowns.org.uk by Thursday 6th October for more details and to secure your place.

Wilton Windmill celebrates 190 years

Wilton Windmill - an icon of the North Wessex Downs AONB - celebrated its 190th birthday by opening its doors to free guided tours and a fun-filled family day out in September. The day also saw the launch of the Wilton Windmill Spy Treasure Trail - which combines outdoor exploration with observation of interesting features and historical events within the North Wessex Downs. It's a perfect way to get the 'little ones' to enjoy the countryside.

Restored in the 1970s, Wilton Windmill is now the only authentic working windmill in the entire AONB and wider Wessex region. With grain coming from wheat grown in the fields surrounding the windmill, the flour is milled entirely by wind power and is on sale at local outlets and on site. That's local sustainable produce for you!

At The Royal County of Berkshire Show...

Billed as Berkshire's best weekend and a chance to celebrate local agriculture and explore all the countryside has to offer, the AONB team were out in force at this year's show held on 17th-18th September. Braving the elements, they talked to scores of people about things to do and see in the North Wessex Downs; highlighted the many grants available to projects that help achieve the aims of the AONB Management Plan; and even found time to promote local food by giving away six kinds of apples from St Crispin's Farm at Chapel Row.

Grants to Enhance the AONB

Our Sustainable Development Fund has been busily supporting these events to promote understanding in the following areas:

Restoration of a Lowland River - 20th September

Workshop hosted by Flora Locale and the Trustees of the Town and Manor of Hungerford at our AONB office which covered issues such as riverbank grazing impacts, recreational disturbance, abstraction and over-widening, diffuse pollution and impacts of artificial water bodies, as well as good practice methods for using and sourcing native flora for restoration projects.

The day included visits to two recently restored stretches of river and part of the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Solar Photovoltaic installations - 10th October

Seminar organised by CPRE Kennet District in collaboration with Wiltshire Council and North Wessex Downs AONB exploring what choice is available, what they look like, and what planning rules apply to them. The day is intended to provide a store of factual information about the types of equipment available, and the possibilities for integrating them sensitively into landscape and townscape. Our North Wessex Downs Planning Advisor, Andrew Lord, will present the national AONB perspective on Photovoltaics.

Local Food and Sustainable Horticulture - 30th October

Community group, Five a Day Market Garden, is to hold an open day promoting the benefits of accessing local food, sustainable horticulture and conservation and biodiversity.

See www.fiveaday.org.uk or contact Pam Goddard on pam@fiveaday.org.uk

Some dates for your diary

If you have an event in the North Wessex Downs that you would like us to mention, please email katiewilson@northwessexdowns.org.uk.

And Finally...

Help tackle climate change with new free home insulation scheme

The new Wiltshire Warm and Well scheme is open to all home owners and private tenants in Wiltshire and enables residents to improve the energy efficiency of their homes through installing loft and cavity wall insulation - saving money on bills and making homes warmer.

The North Wessex Downs AONB Team: