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Welcome to the March edition of The Hart

Find out what’s happening in Cranborne Chase AONB this month. We have our final stargazing evenings of the season coming up, news from the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, a report from this year’s Dark Skies Festival, how to apply for grants through the Prince’s Countryside Fund, and how you can get involved with Chase & Chalke projects as a volunteer.

Stargazing evening at Larmer Tree Gardens on Wednesday 23 March

Join astronomers and the team from Cranborne Chase AONB International Dark Sky Reserve for an evening of stargazing. The team will have binoculars and some telescopes to help you see the stars and planets but please feel free to bring your own.

Full details on our website and booking is essential but all welcome.

We have one final stargazing event of the season so stay tuned!

Poems and creative writing inspired by Cranborne Chase - apply for our Community Poet Residency

As part of the Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Words in the Landscape project we are seeking applications from poets and writers with experience of working with communities and schools to deliver workshops to newly inspire adults and children to write about their connection to Cranborne Chase landscapes, history and culture.

The successful applicant will organise workshops with community groups and schools and will help develop a creative writing competition.

There is a budget to cover all fees and expenses – more detailed information about the position is in our published brief for the residency. Applications must be received by 5pm on Monday, 21st March.

If this sounds like your thing, you can download the full brief here: Words in the Landscape Community Poet Brief.

New 6-mile Martin Down circular walk

What better way to dust off the cobwebs and feel the optimism that comes with Spring than a walk at Martin Down National Nature Reserve.

• 6 miles / approximately 2.5 hours.

• Fairly flat route with several stiles and gates. Mostly on paths, last section on a quiet country road.

This gentle, circular walk has wonderful, extensive views, ancient earthworks and pretty woodland. Walk in Roman footsteps along Ackling Dyke and, when the sun starts shining a bit more…it’s one of the best places for spotting classic chalk grassland species of butterflies and wildflowers.

Thank you to our Chase & Chalke Route Checkers for creating and checking this route. Interested in helping too? Visit our volunteer hub here.

The first year of Farming in Protected Landscapes and what’s up next…

We have had some fantastic applications for the first round of funding. As previously reported, Defra announced that applications can now be submitted at any time, so please chat to the team if you have an idea.

Pop-up shops, trailers for farm open days, lapwing plots, pond clearance and projects to benefit bats and other key species are just a few of the great ideas we’ve seen so far.

Judging by the chats we’ve had, we’re expecting the next round to have even more innovative ideas so please ensure that applications clarify how they will deliver on the outcomes as defined in the guidance.

The team look forward to working with more farmers and landowners and a big thank you to everyone who has been helping with this project.

Volunteers needed for ‘Hands-on Heritage Days’ in Cranborne on 9 & 10 April

This summer, Chase and Chalke will be running a series of events across the area and we need your help to create wonderful memories and exciting opportunities.

The first takes place at the fascinating Ancient Technology Centre in Cranborne on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April. Our ‘Hands-on Heritage Days’ will be bringing the story of Cranborne Chase to life through arts, crafts and re-enactment activities, including ancient weapons displays, storytelling, a piece of prehistoric art and more!

If you would like to get involved, register as a volunteer using the link below, and then select the event on the list of volunteering opportunities. It promises to be a wonderful weekend!

Dark Skies Festival 2022 - watch via You Tube

If you missed some of StarFest 2022 or you’re just missing your fix of all things star-related…then head to our You Tube Channel where the talks are being uploaded.

Once again we had a great turnout and thank you to everyone who helped us with this year’s festival, especially the speakers, astronomers and all of the families who joined us for stargazing and art activities.

If you feel inspired by our dark skies, you can join in with our Starry, Starry Nights project as a volunteer. To find out more read all about it on our Chase & Chalke pages or get in touch with Rachel Limb at rachellimb@cranbornechase.org.uk

The Prince’s Countryside Fund - Spring Grant Round

The Prince’s Countryside Fund is inviting applications for grants of up to £25,000 over two years, for projects that have a lasting impact in rural communities across the UK.

Applicants must be from properly constituted, not for profit organisations with an income of less than £500,000. The Prince’s Countryside Fund especially welcomes applications from groups and organisations in hamlets, villages and small market towns.

Beneficiaries must be from a rural area and applicants must be able to demonstrate demand for the project from the local community.

For more information about eligibility and how to apply, please visit the grants page of our website: www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/grants

They are open for applications until midday, 12th April. Should you wish to discuss an application before applying, there is a form available on the website where you can arrange a call with a member of the team.

Shaftesbury Book Festival - 11 to 13 March

Reading the Land is the theme of the Shaftesbury Book Festival this year as it explores the best of nature writing. There are a whole host of events happening and you can still book tickets.

Head to their website for more information at www.shaftesburybookfestival.com

Funding for the Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme comes from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thank you to National Lottery players for making our work possible.