NORTH PENNINES NEWS

NORTH PENNINES
NEWS
Autumn and Winter 2005/06
INSIDE …
£100,000 for sustainable development – Page 3
Bird guide fledges – Page 4
North Pennines AONB Conservation Awards – Centre Pages
Northern Rocks Success – Page 10
Focus on Peatlands – Page 12
Historic Environment Helping Hand – Page 13
Are you a Rock Detective? – Page 14
Plants on High Festival – Back Page
A letter from the Chairman
Dear readers,
I hope you enjoy browsing through the Autumn and Winter
edition of North Pennines News, the magazine which updates
you on the activities of the North Pennines AONB Partnership
and other organisations in the area.
The Sustainable Development Fund (page 3) was launched
at the well-attended Annual Forum (page 6) in July. This
£100,000 fund is set to make a really positive impact on the
communities, business and natural beauty of the North
Pennines AONB. The winners of the first ever North Pennines-wide Conservation Awards were
also announced at the Forum (centre pages). The three winners richly deserved their awards
but it was an extremely difficult task to judge, as all 14 entries were fine examples of
imaginative work helping to conserve and enhance natural beauty.
2
It has been a very busy summer but I would particularly like to draw you attention to the
publication of the new ‘Birdwatching in the North Pennines’ guide which ‘fledged’ in August
(page 4). It includes 17 walks and sites to help local people and visitors alike enjoy the
area’s birds. A huge amount of work has gone into making this guide such an excellent
introduction to the internationally important bird life we are fortunate to have in the AONB.
The National Association for AONBs Annual Conference in July (page 7) went tremendously
well and was a fine opportunity to showcase the stunning landscapes of the North Pennines
and some of the work the AONB Partnership and others are engaged in to help keep the
AONB special.
Looking to the future three ‘Rock Detective’ clubs are about to start across the North
Pennines (page 14). These geology clubs are one of the first initiatives to be funded through
the ‘Rockworks’ project – see the next edition for more details.
Cllr Bob Pendlebury
Chairman, North Pennines AONB Partnership
We can provide the
information contained
in this publication in
large print, different
formats and other
languages on request.
Please call 01388
528801 for details.
North Pennines News is produced by the:
This publication has been supported by:
North Pennines AONB Partnership
Weardale Business Centre
The Old Co-op Building, 1 Martin Street
Stanhope, County Durham DL13 2UY
T: 01388 528801
E: [email protected]
W: www.northpennines.org.uk
North Pennines News is designed by Mosaic (Teesdale) Ltd – 01833 640893 and
edited by Shane Harris (North Pennines AONB Partnership Staff Unit).
Front cover image: Balderhead Reservoir © Countryside Agency/Barry Stacey
All unaccredited images © Countryside Agency/Charlie Hedley.
North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2005/06
www.northpennines.org.uk
GREEN LIGHT
A
FOR
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FU N D
new source of funding for
sustainable development projects
in the North Pennines AONB is
now available. The new fund was
announced at the AONB Partnership’s
Annual Form at Melmerby Village Hall.
The Sustainable Development Fund
(SDF) will make a total of £100,000 of
funding available to community
organisations, charities, sole
traders/businesses, Parish Councils and
other public bodies in the coming year.
Funding for the SDF has come from
Defra, via the Countryside Agency. The
SDF will complement the AONB
Partnership’s Small Grants Scheme,
which has supported 70 projects aimed at
caring for and celebrating the AONB,
since its launch in 2002.
Cllr Bob Pendlebury, Chairman of the
North Pennines AONB Partnership, said:
“The Sustainable Development Fund is
set to make a real impact on the
communities, business and natural beauty
of the North Pennines. This is an
excellent opportunity to advance
sustainable development in the AONB, to
the benefit of current and future
generations of local people and visitors”.
The AONB Partnership has invited
people to come forward with innovative
project ideas. Initiatives that are based
within or benefit the North Pennines
AONB, which aim to support
environmental, social and economic
prosperity could be eligible for funding of
between £3,000 and £30,000. Suitable
projects might include: appropriate
renewable/green energy schemes;
sustainable transport projects; innovative
products or initiatives connected to land
management; community youth schemes
with an environmental or heritage aspect;
nature, landscape or historic environment
conservation activities; sustainable
tourism projects, including infrastructure
or product development; and projects
which directly address actions in the
AONB Management Plan.
in a one page ‘Expression of Interest’
form. Pre-application advice will also be
offered by a member of the North
Pennines AONB Partnership Staff Unit,
based in Stanhope. Full applications will
be assessed by the SDF Panel, which is
drawn from the AONB Partnership. The
SDF Panel will meet quarterly and
includes representatives from the public,
private and voluntary/community sector.
Chris Woodley-Stewart, North Pennines
AONB Officer and Board Member of the
National Association for AONBs, added:
“This funding builds on our existing
Small Grant Scheme and provides greater
opportunities to target money and advice
to projects which will help to implement
the North Pennines AONB Management
Plan.”
Applicants will initially be asked to fill
A leaflet outlining both the Sustainable
Development Fund and the Small
Grants Scheme is available – ring
01388 528801.
For more information please contact the
AONB Staff Unit on 01388 528801
([email protected]) or
visit www.northpennines.org.uk further guidance and Expression of
Interest Forms are available on the
website.
www.northpennines.org.uk
North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2005/06
3
BIRD GUIDE FLEDGES
A new full colour book highlighting the fantastic birdwatching opportunities in
the North Pennines AONB is now available from the AONB Staff Unit, Tourist
Information Centres and other outlets in and around the North Pennines.
Tindale Tarn is a great place to bird watch at any time of year.
A rich variety of breeding birds can be seen during spring and
summer, including waders and black grouse. During the winter
months the tarn attracts a range of wildfowl including wigeon
and whooper swans. Heavily worked for zinc in the past, this
area is also rich in industrial archaeology, including the
remains of a quarry and smelter. The RSPB manages this site
as part of their Geltsdale nature reserve.
Walk 2
WALK DIRECTIONS
• Follow the track through the car park a short
distance to a gate marked with a blue arrow and
go through this. Walk 700m straight ahead across
the rushy allotment maintaining a direction parallel
to the valley. The path may be indistinct in places.
• With Tindale Tarn clearly visible below, cross a
wall via a gate and continue for 1 km along the
track. Beyond the tarn the path passes to the right
of a fenced field. Go through a gate and continue
with the fence on your left.
4
The ‘Birdwatching in the North Pennines’ guide has been
produced by the AONB Staff Unit to highlight the area as a
destination for amateur birdwatchers and people with a general
interest in birds. “It describes the characteristic birds and
habitats of the AONB and is an excellent introduction to the
joys of birdwatching in this outstanding area for birds,” says
Rebecca Barrett, the principal author of the guidebook on
behalf of the AONB Staff Unit. The 106-page book includes a
series of 17 walks and sites where you can expect to see typical
North Pennines’ birds, together with essential information on
nearby facilities and fact files about birds, other wildlife and
historic features. The guide is richly illustrated throughout,
with 52 paintings by Mike Langman and a wealth of
photographs of the North Pennines.
The guide has been funded through the Sustainable Tourism
in Protected Landscapes (STiPA) project which is financed by
ONE NorthEast and the European Interreg IIIC programme.
Route 2: Tindale Tarn
To whet your appetite, here is one of the walks from the book
around Tindale Tarn, in the far north west of the AONB. This is
a 9km circular walk that starts at the small car park in the
village of Tindale (NY616594). The path is likely to be muddy
in places and in misty conditions navigation may be difficult.
(Maps: 1:50,000 – Landranger 86. 1:25,000 – Explorer OL43).
North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2005/06
• Walk beside a stone walled enclosure to a
wooden stile and track. Turn right and follow the
track for 700m. When you come to a T-junction,
turn left and continue on for 1 km to Howgill.
• At Howgill take the path leading off to the left sign
posted Woodland Bridge via Tarn. This follows the
Howgill Beck. Continue ahead and use the
footbridges to cross the beck. After 1.2 km, pass
Stagsike Cottages and continue ahead.
• Continue to follow the path towards the tarn.
Where it meets a main track continue straight
ahead to pass alongside the tarn on your left.
• Pass in front of Tarnhouse Farm and continue on
the track, passing through two more gates. The
path then crosses a field with the end of the tarn
visible below on the left.
• Go through a gate by some tin sheds and
continue across the field. The path then passes
beside a derelict quarry and zinc smelter.
Continue through another gate and pass a cottage
on the right. Keep straight ahead passing an
extensive area of spoil heaps on the left.
• Beyond the spoil heaps, ignore the stile and turn
sharp left to follow the disused railway line back
to Tindale.
www.northpennines.org.uk
Walk 2
To Hallbankgate
Tindale
1
2
Tindale
4 Tarn
Quarr y &
Smelter
5 Tarnhouse
farm
ll
gi
w
Ho
3
Be
ck
Stagsike
6
A689
P
Howgill
1 These rushy allotments are ideal habitat for black
grouse and breeding waders such as curlew and
snipe. Take care not to disturb them.
2 Family parties of grey partridges may be seen in
these pastures.
3 Small bushes and patches of scrub are good
places to look for birds such as stonechat and, in
wetter areas, reed bunting.
4 Tindale Tarn is an excellent place to watch
wildfowl such as teal, tufted duck, mallard and
little grebe. Listen out for the distinctive whistling
call of wigeon and the honk of whooper swans in
winter.
5 Tarnhouse Farm is thought to date from
the late 16th century and is an example of a
‘Bastle house’. These small thick-walled
farmhouses were built by farmers to protect
themselves and their possessions from hostile
raiders, often from the next dale.
Reed bunting © Mike Langman
BEST TIME TO VISIT
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
A telescope may be useful for viewing the tarn
Good months to see wintering birds
Good months to see breeding birds
• For more information about the guide please contact the
AONB Staff Unit on 01388 528801 or send an email to
[email protected]
• To get hold of your copy visit your local Tourist
Information Centre or local bookshop or send a cheque
(made payable to Durham County Council) for £4.50 to
North Pennines AONB Partnership, Weardale Business
Centre, The Old Co-op Building, 1 Martin Street,
Stanhope, County Durham DL13 2UY.
6 A zinc smelter was built at Tindale in the
mid 17th century and during its lifetime
produced approximately 40,000 tons of
zinc. The waste from the smelter occupies
the triangular piece of land north of the
site. Look out for northern marsh orchids
in this area in the spring.
Male wigeon can be seen on Tindale Tarn during the winter © Mike Langman
www.northpennines.org.uk
North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2005/06
5
SPREADING
T
6
THE
WORD
he AONB Partnership Staff Unit
organised five conservation
workshops during the summer of
2005. “Over a hundred people attended
workshops,” says Rebecca Barrett, Area
Co-ordinator North for the AONB
Partnership. “Landowners, farmers, land
agents, conservation professions,
archaeologists and local authority staff all
discussed issues and shared ideas on how
to best conserve and enhance the natural
beauty of the North Pennines.”
The season kicked off in June with a
workshop for 23 land agents on habitat
management for breeding waders and
black grouse. The day began with a trip to
Herdship Farm in Upper Teesdale and
continued with presentations by Anna
Moody (RSPB), Phil Warren (North
Pennines Black Grouse Recovery Project)
and Dave Collins (Rural Development
Service - RDS).
In July an event was run for farmers on
hay meadow management. The day was
held at Low Way Farm, Holwick and was
attended by 25 people. Freelance
ecologist, Jenny Dicker, gave a
presentation on hay meadow restoration
and this was followed by a demonstration
of machinery developed specifically to
harvest and spread hay meadow seed by
NE W FACES
M
AT
Ian Fletcher who lives and works in the
North York Moors National Park.
‘Habitat management for water voles’
was held in Allenheads and attended by
33 people. The day featured presentations
by Ruth Dalton (Cumbria Wildlife Trust),
Kevin O’Hara (Northumberland Wildlife
Trust) and Alistair Stevens (RDS). A field
trip to look for water vole signs and
discuss suitable habitat followed in the
afternoon.
In September an event looking at aerial
photography as a tool for identifying
archaeological features and historic
landscapes was held in Upper Teesdale.
Twenty-four individuals heard from Dr
Rob Young, a Community Archaeologist,
and Lee White, Durham County Council’s
assistant archaeologist. In the afternoon
Tom Gledhill and Ros Nichol led a field
visit to Holwick Fell to translate the skills
learned in the morning to recognising
features on the ground.
A workshop on tree planting and
archaeology was held on the RSPB
Geltsdale reserve in early November. The
purpose of the workshop was to illustrate
an example of how to maintain and
enhance the historical environment when
planning new woods.
“Feedback from all the events has been
ANNUAL FORUM
aggie Keyte and Kath Toward
have been appointed to the
North Pennines AONB
Partnership at the 3rd Annual Forum held
at Melmerby Village Hall in July. The
AONB Partnership meets four times a
year, to consider important issues related
to the conservation and enhancement of
natural beauty in the North Pennines
AONB. It also supports and guides the
Kath Toward and Maggie Keyte are the new open
members of the AONB Partnership © NPAP/Shane Harris
North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2005/06
work of the AONB Staff Unit, which is
based in Stanhope.
Cllr Bob Pendlebury, Chairman of the
AONB Partnership, said: “I am delighted
to welcome the two new members to the
AONB Partnership. This is the body which
provides the overall umbrella support for
the North Pennines AONB and as such its
role is an important one in securing longterm support and commitment to conserving
and enhancing this special landscape”.
“The Annual Forum is designed to
communicate to the wider community
issues important to the conservation and
enhancement of the natural beauty of the
North Pennines, says Chris WoodleyStewart, AONB Officer. “It is also an
important mechanism to receive the
thoughts, guidance and advice from local
people,” added Chris.
Maggie Keyte is a local botanist whose
interests also range through landscape
The hay meadow management training day at Low
Way Farm (Holwick) was attended by 25 farmers,
landowners and conservation professionals
© NPAP/Shane Harris
very positive,” says Rebecca Barrett. “We
are now in the process of developing a
further series of conservation workshops
for 2006.”
For details contact: Rebecca Barrett
([email protected]) or
Katharine Birdsall
([email protected])
on 01388 528801
history, geology, farming issues, moorland
and meadows ecology as well as vernacular
architecture. She is very much involved with
a great many local organisations, including:
the Weardale Society, Allen Valleys Action
Group and Allendale Parish Council.
Kath Toward has worked in the
agricultural sector for 36 years. The
Toward’s farming business is centred on
land management issues producing high
quality bird habitat, managing rich areas
of wild flowers and looking after historic
sites whilst also maintaining a profitable
enterprise. For over 30 years Kath has
also worked with a wide range of
community groups looking to offer
additional services for local people.
For more information please contact
Chris Woodley-Stewart, North Pennines
AONB Officer, on 01388 528801
([email protected])
www.northpennines.org.uk
Y H A DU F T O N R E O P E N S
O
n the 12th of September Dufton Youth Hostel was
officially reopened by the Right Hon. Richard Caborn
MP - Minister for Sport - after a £260,000
redevelopment funded by the Cumbria Rural Development
Programme, the Rural Economic Development Zone, the
Countryside Agency and the North Pennines AONB
Partnership.
A dozen or so people had gathered the evening before at
YHA Langdon Beck for an excellent meal, prepared by Ewan
and Jane Boyd, and a discussion about YHA and tourism in the
North Pennines. Among the walking party was Richard Caborn
MP - Minister for Sport - and John Mann MP. Simon Wilson,
from the North Pennines AONB Staff Unit, led the group
across the fells from Langdon Beck to Dufton. Joined by
representatives from English Nature, Heritage Lottery Fund,
Countryside Agency and ONE NorthEast the group walked
along one of the most glorious stretches of the Pennine Way
National Trail on its 40th birthday.
“We had a perfect day’s walk in the late summer sunshine,
the North Pennines really showed itself off well to its visitors,”
observes Ian Baker, YHA Deputy Regional Manager for the
North West. “Good company and marvellous scenery crossing
the watershed – as ever High Cup Nick stole the show!”
YHA Dufton now has new showers and toilets, an improved
bedroom layout, new curtains, carpets and decoration
throughout, a new boiler room for the new gas central heating,
new staff and guest kitchens, and improved facilities for
cyclists. “It’s a fully modern and comfortable place to stay but
CONFERENCE
T
IS A
he National Association for
AONBs Annual Conference was
held at Durham University in July
2005. It was co-hosted by the four North
East and North Yorkshire AONBs: North
Pennines, Nidderdale, Howardian Hills
and the Northumberland Coast.
“This annual event is an excellent
www.northpennines.org.uk
(l to r) Richard Caborn MP (Minister for Sport), Mary Warburton (Appleby area
County Councillor), Chris Boulton (YHA National Chairman), Annette Hanson
(Dufton YHA Manager) Roger Clarke (YHA Chief Executive) in front of Dufton
YHA © YHA
yet it retains its homely character - a true asset to the North
Pennines and the Eden Valley,” added Annette Hanson, YHA
Dufton Manager.
More information from Ian Baker on 017683 71296 or
Annette Hanson on 0870 7705800.
TRIUMPH
opportunity for representatives from the
41 AONBs to get together to find out
about and debate issues affecting them at
the national level and also to explore the
host areas to share ideas about what is
happening locally,” said Chris WoodleyStewart, North Pennines AONB Officer
and National Association Board Member.
As well as putting a great deal of joint
effort into the conference, the four
AONBs each hosted two field trips. In the
North Pennines one field trip explored
Upper Teesdale, visiting Forest of
Teesdale School, High Force, Bowlees
and Moor House-Upper Teesdale National
Nature Reserve to find out about
geotourism work and the UNESCO
European and Global Geopark status for
the area. The second visit took in
Weardale, Teesdale and the Garrigill area,
looking at upland shooting and the AONB
Partnership’s major land management
projects in development and the
conservation work of an upland estate.
National Association Chairman Colin
Peacock said: “This was one of our most
successful conferences ever. The feedback
on the field trips has been incredibly
positive about the work that the AONB
teams and their many partners are doing”.
“The North Pennines AONB
Partnership would like to thank Raby
Estate, Garrigill Shooting Estate, English
Nature, RSPB, Durham Wildlife Trust and
Forest of Teesdale School for their help in
making the Conference such an excellent
event,” added Chris.
The 2006 Conference will celebrate 50
years of Areas of Outstanding Natural
Beauty and will be held in the Gower
AONB, which in 1956 became the first
area to be given the designation.
More information from Chris
Woodley-Stewart on 01388 528801
([email protected]).
North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2005/06
7
T H E N O R T H P E N N I N E S A O N B CO N S E R V A T I O N A W A R D S
The winners of the first ever North Pennines AONB Conservation Awards were announced at
the Annual Forum held at Melmerby Village Hall in July. The awards are split into two
categories: Natural Environment; and Building Design and Conservation. Winners received a
framed certificate and a cash prize of £500 to continue their excellent work.
Cllr Bob Pendlebury, Chairman of the
North Pennines AONB Partnership, said:
“There were 14 excellent entries to the
2004 Conservation Awards and it was an
extremely difficult job to identify the
three winners. There is a huge amount of
imaginative work going on in the North
Pennines AONB to conserve and enhance
the area’s natural beauty and the aim of
these awards is to highlight these
initiatives and to encourage others to
think creatively about what they can do to
keep this place special.”
Building Design and Conservation
8
Judges are shown around the renovated byre at Highside Farm, Lunedale © NPAP
smallholder and builder carried out the
renovation and the outstanding quality of
the finished byre is testament to his
attention to detail and extremely high
standard of traditional workmanship.”
Richard Proud receives his award from Cllr Bob
Pendlebury © NPAP
The winner of the Building Design and
Conservation category was Richard Proud
from Highside Farm, Lunedale, for his
sensitive renovation of a traditional byre
on the farm. The work was undertaken as
part of an Environmentally Sensitive Area
(ESA) grant and has brought a valuable
landscape feature into use again. The
main part of the building is the old byre –
which will again be used for housing
cattle. Two smaller rooms will be used as
a wood store and as a meat processing
and freezer storage area for a farm
diversification project.
Richard Proud, said: “We are very
pleased to win this award and the prize
money will be put towards the renovation
of other buildings next to the byre and
perhaps to re-cobbling part of the yard
nearby. Denis Dickson, a local
North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2005/06
• Other entries in this category included
the brand new village hall in Melmerby
and the restoration of the Jacob Walton
Memorial in Alston.
Natural Environment
In the Natural Environment category the
honours were shared between the Trees
for Cotherstone community group and the
new woodland at Bruthwaite on the
RSPB’s Geltsdale Reserve.
Kate Kerr accepts the award on behalf of Trees for
Cotherstone © NPAP
The recently restored Jacob Walton Memorial in
Alston was one of the entries in the Building Design
and Conservation category © NPAP
Trees for Cotherstone is a local
community group that was formed in
March 2004 to help address the loss of
field trees in the parish in Teesdale. Local
volunteers, on four separate sites, have
planted over 100 native trees. As part of
www.northpennines.org.uk
that we had for 2004. I would like to
encourage applications for the 2005
awards. There is definitely scope for
farmers and landowners to put forward
work that they have done as part of their
environmental land management in the
area”.
Conservation Award judges visit one of the Trees for Cotherstone planting sites © NPAP
the project walks, newsletters and ‘tree
evenings’ have been organised to raise the
profile of the groups work.
Ian Moorhouse, Chairman of the group,
said: “It’s fantastic! The prize money will
boost our funds and help to continue the
group’s important work.” He added: “we
are also striving to increase awareness in
the younger generation by supporting the
collection and planting of seed and the
care of saplings by children in
Cotherstone School.”
Bruthwaite Forest is designed to
encourage black grouse on the RSPB
reserve and one of the particular features
of this project was the way in which the
considerable archaeological interest of the
area was incorporated into the planting
plans.
Dave O’Hara, Reserve Manager at
Geltsdale, said: “The landscape of the
area has been much affected by humans –
from spoil heaps, coal adits and pits to
old tramways and other mining and
quarrying remains. The goal of the survey
was to ensure that the planting of the
wood pasture didn’t damage this imprint
of the past.”
In addition, the judges for both
categories looked at things like attention
to detail, workmanship and relation to the
AONB landscape. For the Building
Design and Conservation category little
things like the quality of the pointing and
the colour paint used on new woodwork
can make a big difference. In the Natural
Environment category the judges also
recognised that whilst some schemes
might take a number of years to fully
complete this did not preclude smaller,
finished elements being entered into the
awards.
9
• The other entries in the Natural
Environment category were Healeyfield
Parish Council’s Parish Wood, a
community woodland just outside
Castleside in County Durham and East
Cumbria Countryside Project’s work on
the South Tyne Trail.
Looking ahead
Chris Woodley-Stewart, North Pennines
AONB Officer, said: “There is a lot of
excellent conservation work going on in
the AONB and I was really impressed
with the number and the quality of entries
Work on the South Tyne Trail by the East Cumbria
Countryside Project was one of the entries in the
Natural Environment category © NPAP
The search continues
The search is now on for quality conservation projects for the 2005 North Pennines
AONB Conservation Awards. The awards recognise innovative work for the
conservation of the special features of the North Pennines AONB. Entry is open to
individuals, public bodies, businesses, charitable bodies and parish/community based
groups (including Parish Councils). Projects for the 2005 awards should have been
completed during 2005 and the closing date for entries is 31 March 2006. The
winners will be announced at the 2006 Annual Forum.
Steve Garnett collects RSPB’s framed certificate from
Cllr Bob Pendlebury © NPAP
www.northpennines.org.uk
For more information and entry forms for the 2005 Conservation Awards contact the
AONB Staff Unit on 01388 528801 or email [email protected]
North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2005/06
NORTHERN ROCKS SUCCESS
I
n late May and early June 2005 an
estimated 1,300 people flocked to the
North Pennines AONB Partnership’s
Northern Rocks Festival. Work is now
forging ahead to make the 2006 festival
every bit as successful.
In 2005 the two-week ‘Festival of
Geology and Landscape’ was packed full
of almost 60 events and activities across
the North Pennines AONB. The range of
events was considerable – from themed
walks, exhibitions, and activities for kids
to demonstrations, local heritage
workshops, and mine tours – there was
something for everyone.
10
Stanhope; Ninebanks;
Broadwood Quarry,
Frosterley; Talkin
Tarn; Rookhope and
Alston.
Chris added:
“Almost 30
organisations and
individuals came
Northern Rocks 2005 started with the Friends of Killhope Geology Weekend at St
together
under the
John’s Chapel © NPAP/Shane Harris
‘Northern Rocks’
The first event was the Friends of
banner to put on the 60 or so events in the
Killhope Geology Weekend at St John’s
2005 programme. We are delighted that
The key purpose of the festival is to
Chapel Town Hall. The Geology Weekend
so many people are keen to work together
celebrate and make accessible the unique
included displays of North Pennines’
to raise awareness of the North Pennines
geology and landscape found within the
minerals and an opportunity to see
AONB as an area of geological
North Pennines AONB/UNESCO
Weardale granite from deep within the
excellence”.
European and Global Geopark. It was
earth. Chris Woodley-Stewart, North
“Evaluation has suggested that 68% of
Pennines AONB
people who came on Northern Rocks
Officer, said:
events spent money during their visit to
“Northern Rocks
the AONB and 11% stayed in tourist
2005 highlighted the
accommodation,” observed Shane Harris,
unique, world-class,
Sustainable Tourism and Communications
geological and
Officer for the AONB Partnership.
landscape heritage
“Extrapolation indicates that total spend
found in the North
(on refreshments, accommodation etc.) by
Pennines AONB and
festival goers could lie between £7,245
UNESCO European
and £10,555.”
and Global Geopark”.
Efforts are now being concentrated on
The programme
putting together the programme of
BTCV volunteers build a viewing platform at Harehope Quarry as part of one of
included: themed
Northern Rocks 2006. Funding has been
the three Geology Holidays in the programme © NPAP/Shane Harris
walks; events suitable
secured, as part of the HLF funded
for children; mine tours; talks; geology
‘Rockworks’ project, to enable the
also timed to coincide with European
holidays; local heritage workshops;
Northern Rocks Festival to go ahead for
Geoparks Week – a pan-European festival
exhibitions and films; art and craft
the next four years.
celebrating the world-renowned geology
activities; puppet
found within the 23 European Geoparks.
shows and
workshops; and
quarry tours. Events
were spread
throughout the North
Pennines, including:
Upper Teesdale and
Weardale; Harehope
Quarry, Frosterley;
Killhope – the North
of England Lead
Mining Museum;
There were three mine tours in Northern Rocks 2005 co-ordinated by the North
Pennines Heritage Trust © NPAP/Shane Harris
Nenthead Mines;
Kids get to grips with minerals on the ‘Explore Slitt
Wood’ walk with Brian and Jane Young © NPAP/Shane
Harris
North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2005/06
For more information or to get on the mailing list for the Northern Rocks 2006
(20 May – 4 June) programme please contact Shane Harris at the North Pennines
AONB Partnership on 01388 528 801 ([email protected]).
www.northpennines.org.uk
ART
P
ON THE
ROCKS
the Cotherstone area recording all the
carvings in this part of the North
Pennines. Many of the volunteers are
from the village and have become
interested in rock art after finding new
carvings whilst out on walks. “The work
of all the volunteers is invaluable to the
project and is very much appreciated,”
added Tertia.
rehistoric rock carvings are one of
the mysteries of British
archaeology. Who made them?
How old are they? What do they mean?
The carvings are abstract and are based
on simple cup marks, often with one or
more concentric rings and interconnecting
grooves.
The Northumberland and Durham Rock
Art Project is building an archive of
prehistoric engravings throughout the
area. Most carvings are found on
sandstones, which have traditionally also
been used for building and for millstones.
Rock art is sometimes found in stone
How you can help
Almost all the carvings found in County
Durham are in Lower Teesdale – but is
this a real pattern? You can help the
project find out! When you go for a walk,
have a look at boulders, outcrops, stone
walls and buildings and see if you can
spot any prehistoric carvings. Look
carefully as they may be difficult to see.
If you see anything please contact Tertia
with: a description, location (ideally a
grid reference), access, and a photograph
if possible. Please also let her know about
areas where you have had a good look but
haven’t found anything.
Cotherstone volunteers brave the elements to record
rock art in the North Pennines © English Heritage
walls and buildings suggesting that in
some areas it has been removed by
quarrying.
“We know so little about them partly
because the record is so incomplete,
which makes it difficult to conduct
research,” says Tertia Barnett, Rock Art
Project Officer. “It’s certainly possible
that there’s rock art out there waiting to
be discovered.”
Cup and ring marks like these could be more
widespread in the North Pennines © English Heritage
BA D YEAR
T
FOR
Contact Tertia Barnett on 01670 533
076 ([email protected])
GROUSE MOORS
he North Pennines is experiencing
the worst grouse shooting season
since 1950. Very few estates
started shooting on August 12th, and
many have cancelled all shoots. Grouse
stocks have plummeted by 50–90% from
last year’s highs. Parasitic worms in the
gut of the grouse have reduced the
amount of chicks produced this spring
and led to the death of 1,000s of grouse
over the past months.
The rural economy, in terms of local
hotels, pubs, garages and casual labour
will suffer a loss in income as shooting
parties stay away. The Moorland
Association has calculated that £1.9
million was raised in revenue in the North
Pennines during the 2004 season.
Cold winters help to kill off the
parasite, which is thought to result in the
cyclical fluctuations of grouse numbers.
The pattern of the disease means that it is
most prevalent on moors where grouse
stocks have been high in the previous
www.northpennines.org.uk
Three enthusiastic teams, trained by
specialists from English Heritage and
Durham University, have been working in
© Moorland Association
year. Many estates in the North Pennines
had a record year in 2004 with a total of
310 shooting days. The weather before and
during the breeding season is thought to
have contributed to losses of red grouse
adults and chicks. High rainfall between
June 2004 and April 2005 provided ideal
conditions for the parasitic worms to thrive.
Lindsay Waddell, Head Keeper for
Raby Estate said “The loss of revenue to
many estates is severe, with standing
costs such as staff wages having to be met
with no income in return. The
management of the moors has to continue
to enable not only the grouse numbers to
recover, but also to ensure that other
species, such as black grouse, golden
plover and merlin continue to thrive.”
North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2005/06
11
FOCUS
W
ON
PEATLANDS
etland is often considered a
lowland habitat – we think of
reedbeds, floodplain pasture
and lakeside fens. “But some 27% of
England’s most extensive upland wetland,
blanket bog, is to be found in the North
Pennines AONB,” says Katharine Birdsall
from the AONB Partnership’s Staff Unit.
“It’s rare and it’s special… and it needs
our help!”
What’s so special?
12
Here, blanket bog is recognised with lots
of nature conservation designations –
much of the peatland habitat in the North
Pennines AONB is protected as a Special
Area of Conservation for its plant habitats
and Special Protection Area for its
breeding wading birds.
Peatlands in the North Pennines AONB
Why is it threatened?
The North Pennines AONB Staff Unit is
putting together a new project which will
celebrate and support existing initiatives
and create new schemes to help conserve
and enhance our special peaty landscape.
Key partners in this initiative are
landowners and managers, the
Environment Agency, English Nature,
Northumbrian Water, the Countryside
Agency, and Defra’s Rural Development
Service.
However, blanket bog is far more
special than just a nature conservation
resource in the North Pennines. Its
management requires an integrated
approach that recognises the contribution
this habitat has to the distinctive character
of the landscape, the role it plays in the
economy through grouse shooting and
tourism, the water quality and flood
protection function of the peat body, and
the record it contains of preserved
archaeology and vegetation change.
The survival of the special features and
roles of blanket bog depends on the peat
remaining waterlogged throughout. This
enables the preservation of the peat itself,
and the continued growth of the
protective plants on the surface.
What’s the AONB Partnership
doing?
A new project team, led by the AONB
Partnership, will soon be taking this
important work forwards. Events and
publications are in the pipeline to
introduce people to the wonders of
peatlands. “The aim is to encourage
greater understanding of the habitat and
its management,” says Katharine Birdsall.
Peatland discovery!
What to look for…
Next time you’re out and about in
areas of open moorland in the North
Pennines why not stop and have a
closer look?
Good quality blanket bog has some
or all of the following features…
• It’s wet underfoot (and if you
squeeze it!)
• You’ll find a mix of plant species
which include heather, cotton
grasses, bilberry, and cross leaved
heath and carnivorous plants such
as sundews
Activities that damage the plant layer,
• There should be a good quantity of
and therefore cause
big spongy Sphagnum mosses that
drying of the peat,
hold water and help stop the peat
such as drainage for
drying out
agricultural
• It will form a continuous blanket,
improvement,
with no ditches cut into it
overgrazing and
• A close inspection of the peat itself
insensitive burning
will reveal poorly decomposed
techniques can be a
plant remains – the result of a
threat to peatland.
build up of unrotted vegetation that
Many landowners
has been going on since the end of
recognise this and are
the last ice age!
actively working to
enhance the blanket
bog that they look
Common sundew © Laurie Campbell
after. Changes in
future climatic conditions in the uplands
For more information contact Katharine Birdsall on 01388 528801
may also have an impact (positive or
([email protected])
negative) on blanket bogs.
North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2005/06
www.northpennines.org.uk
HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT HELPING HAND
T
om Gledhill, a Weardale based
archaeologist, has joined the Rural
Development Service (North East)
as their Historic Environment Adviser.
Tom’s role is to provide expert advice on
all things relating to the historic
environment. He will be working closely
with English Heritage, county
archaeologists and historic buildings
officers at local authorities to identify
areas where organisations and individuals
can work together.
found for something like 15 settlements
and accompanying fields.
Tom has been an active archaeologist in
the North Pennines for many years.
Together with his partner Ros he carried
out an investigation into the mediaeval
charcoal making industry in Upper
Teesdale. “We found 376 charcoal making
pits on what is now moorland, but in
mediaeval times it would have been
woods. The charcoal makers may have
been farmers who brought their livestock
to the area to graze for part of the year
and carried out charcoal making while
they were here – an early form of farm
diversification perhaps?”
With the help of the Friends of
Killhope, Tom and Ros also secured
funding from the North Pennines AONB
Partnership and Durham County Council
for a survey in Weardale involving local
volunteers. Aerial photographs revealed
prehistoric settlements and evidence was
JOY
A
AS
It is sites such as these that Tom will be
working to help preserve for future
generations. “If there are changes that a
farmer or landowner wants to make –
such as planting a new woodland area or
creating a new pond, we can advise them
on how to achieve it without adversely
affecting the archaeology,” says Tom.
Tom concludes: “We need to strike a
balance between the beneficial
improvements people want to make with
looking after the historic environment.
Farmers and landowners are generally
very supportive – often their families
have farmed the land for generations and
they have a real interest in the area and its
history”.
For more information contact Tom on
0191 2293096
([email protected])
H A R R I E R S R A I S E F A N T A S T I C F I VE !
round-the-clock guard on the
North Pennines nest of a pair of
England’s rarest birds of prey has
resulted in a baby boom. The pair of hen
harriers has successfully nested on the
RSPB Geltsdale nature reserve in the NW
corner of the AONB, where they have
reared five chicks. It is hoped that this
success will lead to regular nesting by
harriers in the North Pennines.
A team of local volunteers and reserve
wardens have kept the guard on the
harrier’s nest since the birds started
nesting in May 2005. RSPB Geltsdale
reserve warden, Dave O’Hara, said: “The
breeding pair were first-time nesters so
for them to rear five chicks is an amazing
achievement. We
are especially
grateful to all the
local people who
volunteered to
watch over the nest
- their enthusiasm
and dedication has
been vital.”
One of the hen harrier chicks after being fitted with a tiny radio transmitter
© RSPB Images
www.northpennines.org.uk
in future. By plotting the unique signals
from the transmitters, the project team
will be able to accurately identify where
the birds are.
Mr O’Hara added: “Hen harriers are
spectacular birds and to watch a male
performing his ‘sky dance’ over the
moors in spring is an unforgettable
experience. It would be great to think that
increasing numbers might one day bring
similar positive economic benefits to parts
of the AONB as the ospreys have done in
the Lake District.”
The RSPB and
English Nature have
fitted three of the
harrier chicks with
radio transmitters so
that their
movements can be
closely monitored
As North Pennines News goes to print
one of the young harriers has moved to
the Tees Valley where it is being seen
regularly at Seaton Common and the
other two birds have been tracked to the
Hadrian’s Wall area.
For more information contact Dave
O’Hara, RSPB Geltsdale warden on
01697 746717 or call the RSPB North
of England office on 0191 2334300.
North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2005/06
13
BIODIVERSITY UNDERGROUND
T
grazed road verges and pastures are good
places to look. Fungi-rich grasslands are
often referred to as ‘waxcap grasslands’
after their predominant visible fungi.
Enormous fungal masses exist beneath
our woodlands and grasslands. Sometimes
they put in an appearance above ground
with fruiting bodies such as puffballs,
earthtongues and toadstools. Grasslands
which have a lot of fungal diversity are
often those which have been grazed, but
otherwise unmanaged for decades or
more. Old lawns and churchyards, sheep
“This autumn the Durham Biodiversity
Partnership needs your help to identify
grasslands which are important sites for
fungi,” added Andy. “Using easily
identifiable fungi there is a simple scoring
system which can give us an idea about
how valuable a site might be.” Records
from across the AONB are welcomed –
where they fall outside County Durham
they will be passed on to the relevant
organisations.
he Durham Biodiversity
Partnership is turning its attention
this autumn to an often overlooked
aspect of biodiversity – fungi-rich
grasslands. “People with an interest in
wildlife spend their time either looking up
at birds and flying insects or down at
plants and crawling animals, says Andy
Lees, Implementation Officer for the
Partnership. “How many of us realise that
some of the biggest organisms and the
greatest diversity of species are beneath
our feet – underground?”
14
ARE
T
YOU A
Waxcap fungi are a common
component of nutrient-poor grasslands,
and their fruiting bodies appear fairly late
on in the year from October to December.
Waxcaps have a slimy feel when wet and
are often brightly coloured yellows,
oranges, reds and even green.
A waxcap fruiting body - Hygrocybe persistans
© Keith Cunningham
For more information on waxcaps, a
survey form and scoring information
contact Andy Lees on 0191 5843112
([email protected])
R O C K D E T E C T I V E?
plus games and craft work - all with a
rock and fossil theme. Rock Detectives
can be aged 6-12 (under 8’s will need to
be accompanied by an adult).
he AONB
Partnership and
three local
organisations are
launching three new
children’s geology
clubs on the 12
November. The
emphasis is firmly on
fun, adventure and
discovery at the ‘Rock
Detectives’ clubs.
The new weekend
clubs will be running
at three venues across
the North Pennines
AONB:
• Harehope Quarry in Weardale, with
the Harehope Quarry Project
• Talkin Tarn in the Carlisle district of
Cumbria, with East Cumbria
Countryside Project, and
• Allendale Town in Tynedale district
of Northumberland, with local
community organisation Fawside.
Jill Essam from the Harehope Quarry
Project and one of the club leaders said,
North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2005/06
“Rock Detectives will be great fun and
we’re be busy making sure that it will
have a real ‘club’ feel”.
Apart from a £1 joining fee, the clubs
will be FREE. Rock Detectives will
receive an eye-catching T-shirt and a bag
for their ‘Rock Detectives kit’. Activities
planned for the first year include fossil
hunting, multi-media activities, visits to
Killhope, the North of England Lead
Mining Museum and Nenthead Mines,
Rock Detectives is part of the AONB
Partnership’s ‘Rockworks’ project, and is
supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund,
Countryside Agency and LEADER +.
AONB Officer Chris Woodley-Stewart
said, “Rock Detectives is also part of our
contribution to a transnational project
with nine partner European Geoparks,
with LEADER + and other funding. We’ll
be taking the lead on developing clubs of
this kind and sharing with colleagues
across Europe the experiences of
ourselves, the group leaders and the
participants to enable this work to spread
to other Geoparks”.
If you know a budding Rock
Detective and want to find out more
about the clubs and their
programmes of events, contact the
AONB Partnership (01388 528801,
[email protected]) and
we’ll point you in the right direction.
www.northpennines.org.uk
AREA CO-ORDINATOR CORNER
The Area Co-ordinators are the first points of contact for the geographical
area they cover. They seek to identify, develop and deliver projects linked to
the purpose of AONB designation – ‘to conserve and enhance the natural
beauty of the landscape’. Each of the Area Co-ordinators also has a
specialist area of responsibility: West – Historic Environment; East –
Access and Recreation; and North – Land Management.
developing a dry stone wall training
project aimed at increasing the number of
professional wallers operating within the
North Pennines.
WEST
• Katharine Birdsall
([email protected])
A key part of the Area Co-ordinator role
is to maintain close links with parishes,
communities, land managers and
businesses and offer support and advice
on a wide range of issues, including
encouraging applications for the AONB
Partnership’s Small Grants Scheme and
the Sustainable Development Fund (see
page 3).
NORTH (JOB SHARE)
• Rebecca Barrett
([email protected])
and
• Sarah Tooze
([email protected])
Having completed the AONB Unit’s new
book 'Birdwatching in the North
Pennines' (see page 4), Rebecca is
currently working with colleagues to
develop a joint project to conserve upland
hay meadows in the North Pennines
AONB and the Yorkshire Dales National
Park. She is also making plans for the
AONB's wild plant festival for 2006 (see
back page). Sarah Tooze has been
working with Allendale Caravan Park to
produce a series of self guided walks
leaflets for the Allendale area. She is also
Katharine has had a busy summer getting
to know more people in the Cumbria part
of the AONB, especially at events such as
the Appleby Show. There has been a lot
of opportunity for discussion on potential
project applications for the AONB Small
Grant Scheme (smaller projects) and the
new Sustainable Development Fund
(larger projects). Several initiatives have
been successful in obtaining Small Grant
Scheme funding in Alston Moor Parish,
including the recording of historic
buildings and interpretation of plant
species at Haggs Bank (Nentsberry), the
presentation of archive material collected
on the old Alston-Haltwhistle railway
line, and new stone benches in Alston
Town. Katharine has also had a great deal
of success in building a major peatlands
project for the AONB – see page 12.
T
he Roof of England Walks
Festival, which celebrated its
10th anniversary this year was
held at the Warcop Training Area. The
area, comprising a large part of the
fells on the south western edge of the
AONB, is used by the Ministry of
Defence for live artillery firing.
The ranges were closed for the
weekend of the 9th and 10th of July
which allowed a selection of Roof of
England Walks to go ahead on land
usually inaccessible to the public.
“The free walks were led by a number
of experienced leaders who gave their
time and expertise to interpret this
fascinating corner of the AONB over
a gloriously sunny weekend,” said
Simon Wilson from the AONB
Partnership’s Staff Unit. People on the
walks were given the opportunity to
find out about the area’s ancient
woods, mining history, upland
wildlife and management, geological
heritage as well as the ‘ins and outs’
of the firing ranges. “Many thanks go
to the staff at Warcop for hosting this
year’s festival and to all the leaders
whose enthusiasm and knowledge
made the walks such a success,”
concluded Simon.
EAST
• Simon Wilson
([email protected])
Simon has continued to assist in
managing open access within the AONB.
He was also very involved in organising
the 2005 Roof of England Walks Festival
(see right). Simon has been busy
managing applications for the AONB
Partnership’s Small Grants Scheme and
the Sustainable Development Fund.
Cycling has been at the top of the agenda,
with work being undertaken to develop a
new cycle route within the AONB. The
issue of ‘off-roading’ is ever prevalent
and Simon has been working with
colleagues in the Countryside Agency,
English Nature and Defra to develop a
project relating to sustainable use of the
AONB by motorised vehicles.
Contact the Area Co-ordinators at the AONB Staff Unit on 01388 528801
www.northpennines.org.uk
ROOF O F
ENGLAND WALKS
Roof of England walkers head up to High Cup
Nick © NPAP/Shane Harris
For more information about when
public access can be gained to the
Warcop Training Area, telephone
01768 341661.
North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2005/06
15
P L A N T S O N H I G H…
TH E NORTH PENNINES WILD PLANT FESTIVAL 2 0 0 6
T
he North Pennines AONB is home
to a range of special, attractive and
unusual plants. Species range from
the common and colourful spring-time
buttercup to the rare and charismatic
spring gentian. To celebrate the wealth
and importance of North Pennines plants,
the AONB Partnership is set to coordinate a special festival during 2006 to
help people find out about and enjoy the
characteristic plants and habitats found in
the North Pennines in a range of exciting
ways.
Plants on High will include a series of
events and activities during 2006,
principally between May and August.
NEWS
16
IN
BRIEF
Yad Moss Open Day
In July 2005 the AONB Partnership
organised a guided walk at Yad Moss,
near Garrigill, to highlight how sensitive
grouse moor management maintains and
enhances the natural beauty of the area.
The walk was led by Alan Kitching, the
joint tenant for the shooting rights of this
part of Garrigill Moor, and his Keeper
Matt Jeffries. Alan and Matt pointed out
the conservation work underway in
partnership with English Nature including
a new pond with evidence of water vole
inhabitation. The highlight of the day was
the close up view of a family of merlin
perching on nearby grouse butts and in
playful flight.
more. Specific events will also be run for
families including those with young
children. The festival will be designed to
attract a broad range of people: locals and
visitors, families, the young as well as the
old. A brochure of events will be
produced early in 2006.
Mountain pansy at Sinderhope © NPAP/Rebecca
Barrett
Events will range from those aimed at
botany enthusiasts to people with a
general interest and a desire to find out
Teesdale Time Trail
and developed with partners including
English Nature, British Geological
Survey, Raby Estate, Forest of Teesdale
School, Durham Wildlife Trust and
Durham County Council.
Geodiversity Boost
© NPAP/Shane Harris
The AONB Partnership’s Teesdale Time
Trail project is now almost complete. The
last interpretation panels are going in and
the trail leaflets and the new geological
interpretation at Bowlees will be ready
during October.
© NPAP/Sarah Tooze
North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2005/06
Contact Rebecca Barrett on 01388
528801
([email protected])
for more information and to get your
name on the brochure mailing list.
The project aims to interpret the
geological heritage of Teesdale and help
people understand the difficult concept of
the vastness of geological time. The work
has been supported by the Heritage
Lottery Fund and the Countryside Agency
Elizabeth Pickett will be joining the
AONB Staff Unit as the Geodiversity
Officer in early December. Elizabeth will
be in charge of making the ‘Rockworks’
project happen and joins the team after 10
years with the British Geological Survey
in Edinburgh. She has a proven track
record in geological conservation and
interpretation and has contributed in the
past to work by the East Cumbria
Countryside Project and Durham County
Council. The next edition of North
Pennines News will include an in depth
article on the Rockworks initiative.
Sign up now!
Would you like to automatically receive a
copy of North Pennines News as soon as
it is published? If the answer is yes please
call Paul Everson at the AONB Staff Unit
on 01388 528801
([email protected]) or drop
a line to North Pennines AONB
Partnership, Weardale Business Centre,
The Old Co-op Building, 1 Martin Street,
Stanhope, County Durham DL13 2UY
and ask to be added to the mailing list.
www.northpennines.org.uk