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DISCOVER the North Wessex Downs – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
ON THE NORTH WESSEX DOWNS
ESSEX W DO TH W | WILTSHIRE | OXFORDSHIRE | HAMPSHIRE | BERKSHIRE WEST R N O WIN: a very special Sony camera S N
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R Y 2011 calendar: North Wessex Downs events E T A U O A F E O B U AL TS UR Local products directory: Eat UP! Drink UP! Buy UP! TANDING NAT EXPLORE Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:30 Page 2 1(:%85< Where the South East meets the South West
For where to go, what to do and where to stay visit our new website www.visitnewbury.org.uk
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CONTENTS 4-5 Sustainable Development Welcome Funding 6-8 Walking with white horses 9 Ancient windows AONB Director Henry Oliver invites 11 Busy beez! 12-13 Helping farmland birds everyone to enjoy the North Wessex Downs 14-15 Literary locations 16-17 The AONB Team WELCOME to the magazine that helps you 18-19 NCN4: Our quiet artery discover the North Wessex Downs Area of 20-21 WIN a Sony NEX camera! Outstanding Natural Beauty. 23 Basketmaker: Christine Brewster What is an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural 24-25 The AONB Calendar Beauty’? Simply some of Britain’s finest 26-27 Avebury views improved countryside officially recognised as being up 28-37 Local Products Directory there with the Cotswolds and the Lake 39 Stonecarver: Joss Nankoo District. 40-41 LEADER Funding 43 Dark skies The North Wessex Downs are a huge swathe 44-46 Alternative energy of stunning countryside right in the heart of Produced for the crowded southern England somewhere with North Wessex Downs AONB on behalf of the Council of Partners space to walk, cycle on or offroad, ride, fish, by canoe, sail on our canal, watch wildlife, ADVANCE PUBLICATIONS 0118 926 9120 explore prehistoric sites, stargaze, eat, drink [email protected] www.advance-publications.co.uk and be merry. screen; and tempt you with our Local Products Directory, the guide to all that’s good in the Let us take you on a tour of our wonderful North Wessex Downs. white horses; show you where you can cycle Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents and the publisher or sail your way across country far from noise And remember to enter our competition to cannot accept liability for any error or omissions. Reproduction of any part of this and bustle; introduce you to the people win an amazing Sony NEX camera. Most of all, publication without permission is forbidden. working to encourage farmland birds; lead we hope you’re inspired to go out and enjoy Published 2011 you to places immortalised on page and this beautiful landscape. Front cover: Beacon Hill, Hampshire UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 3 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:31 Page 4
Happy 5th birthday SDF ...and thanks a million!
THAT’S £1 million in support for local power, Henry II’s hunting lodge, a groups, heritage and wildlife bodies, North Wessex Downs projects over the last mobile observatory, chalk hill figures, businesses and local authorities. five years provided through the stimulus of stonecraft skills, community planning, Contact: Oliver Cripps 01488 680457. the AONB’s Sustainable Development countryside walks, a food festival and During the past year SDF granted Fund SDF. conservation work for bats, owls, Picture: Peter Woodman Picture: Peter Since the SDF grant scheme started in bumblebees and trout.” £57,753 to 17 projects. They 2005 almost £350,000 has been “Not only is that diversity stunning but generated £136,687 match distributed to 85 projects in the AONB. all these SDF projects help to advance the funding in cash and in kind. The projects have attracted match aims of our AONB Management Plan. funding of cash, materials, services and That’s a real winwin result for local DISCOVERING THE PAST . . . people’s time worth more than £725,000, communities today and the future of the ■ Kingsclere Heritage Association, with enabling SDF coordinator Oliver Cripps North Wessex Downs AONB.” the University of Southampton, has carried and colleagues to raise a toast on out historic landscape surveys on the achieving its first million pictured above: FRESH FUNDING NOW AVAILABLE Hampshire Downs, including a Bronze Age “We provide SDF grants up to £10,000, SDF is administered by the North Wessex round barrow, a RomanoBritish and the diversity of the projects proposed Downs AONB and funded by DEFRA settlement, and a 12th century hall built by applicants never ceases to amaze me. through Natural England. Applications for for Plantagenet kings. Excavation open This year alone we’ve been able to innovative, smallscale projects are days enabled school group and wider support schemes involving hydroelectric welcome from community and village public involvement main picture. Pupils field-walking for ancient artefacts. for ancient field-walking Pupils 4 | UP! On The North Wessex Downs Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:31 Page 5
■ White horses and hill figures ■ Walking around Hamstead Marshall is ■ Burbage Sports Club installed owl and were highlighted in a very more fun thanks to a range of local walking bat boxes on land near its village successful exhibition and guides containing clear route maps, and sportsground. Members got specialist study days staged by the information on land use, history, flora, wildlife advice and built the boxes Wiltshire Heritage Museum fauna, viewpoints and the Country Code. themselves using materials from local in Devizes see pages 68. ■ Dark skies are now being studied by builders. www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk young eyes thanks to SDFfunded building ■ The Goring and Streatley hydro ■ Thousands of Iron Age finds and equipping of a mobile observatory by electricity project has been able to uncovered at Wittenham The Richmond Fellowship article page 43. undertake work on feasibility, design and Clumps, when Channel 4’s Time www.richmondfellowship.org.uk flood risk modelling for renewable energy Team undertook a ‘dig’ assisted by generation at a weir on the River Thames ■ Ashampstead residents have produced a the Northmoor Trust, Oxford Archaeology see pages 4446. book for newcomers to the community to and local volunteers, have now been encourage them to discover, understand, ■ Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife detailed in an SDFfunded book. value and contribute to the parish. An SDF Trust H&IoWWT has developed a wildlife ■ The Friends of the Ridgeway have been grant also assisted production of the mapping toolkit to help local people able to develop their plans for a new path, communityled Ashampstead Parish Plan, a include biodiversity in their communityled The Great Stones Way, linking the ancient fiveyear initiative to protect and improve planning process. The toolkit highlights monuments of Avebury and Stonehenge. beauty and tranquillity. key habitats and local species. North www.ridgewayfriends.org.uk Wessex Downs AONB is seeking ■ Traditional stonecraft is being used to . . . PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE communities to pilot this toolkit. Contact Oliver Cripps on 01488 680457 help survey, maintain and restore Victorian ■ Redds in the bed? Action for the River or Elizabeth Allinson H&IoWWT on 01256 memorials in local churchyards. Kennet ARK staged a training course to 381186. ■ www.stoneartcrafts.co.uk article page 39 enable volunteers to recognise, survey and record wild brown trout pictured spawning ENJOYING THE PRESENT…. nests redds in the river bed of the upper ■ Hungerford Food Festival is now an Kennet. ARK has mapped the project results annual event thanks to SDF funding and to monitor the relationship between wild the support of local community groups brown trout and nonnative stocked fish. such as the Hungerford Environmental www.riverkennet.org Action Team. ■ The Bumblebee Conservation Trust ■ An interactive wildlife trail, set around produced a leaflet to inform farmers and the Organic Research Centre’s Elm Farm at land managers about managing habitats Hamstead Marshall, now has better signage for the endangered shrill carder bee and publicity to attract visitors. Contact article page 11. Roger Hitchings on 01488 658298 ext 512. www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 5 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:32 Page 6
Walking with white horses
THE North Wessex Downs AONB may be White Horse and it is the only one of our 49m long by 180ft 55m high white horse further away from the coast than almost AONB white horses facing eastwards like its can be seen from 22 miles 35km away. Cut anywhere else in England but visitors can ancient cousin at Uffington. in 1812 for Robert Pile from Manor Farm, still enjoy dramatic white horses. Other North Wessex Downs white horses who ended up paying twice when the first Carved into the chalk downland and can be seen at Hackpen Hill and Broad contractor absconded with the money. visible for miles, there are eight huge Town north of Avebury; at Oldbury Castle BROAD TOWN: Circa 1864, 79ft 24m long equine hill figures contained within the near Cherhill; near Alton Barnes and by 59ft 18m high. Accounts suggest it AONB each accessible via a beautiful Pewsey, both southwest of Marlborough, was cut by farmer William Simmonds. panoramic rural walk. which itself has a white horse tucked away Visible from 20 miles 32km away, best The most famous is the prehistoric behind Marlborough College on Grantham viewed from Broad Town village. Uffington White Horse near Wantage Hill at Preshute. CHERHILL: Secondlargest, secondoldest thought to be the oldest hill figure in white horse in Wiltshire. Cut in 1780, 128ft Britain and also the largest at 360ft White horse whereabouts! 39m long by 141ft 43m high, visible 110m from head to tail. ALTON BARNES: Sited high in the Pewsey from 30 miles 48km away. Lies beneath The youngest is the Devizes Millennium Downs National Nature Reserve this 161ft the Iron Age hill fort of Oldbury Castle.
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Cut to directions called out from below, horse, 62ft 19m long by 49ft 15m high. Uffington was probably carved around ensuring it looks good from afar. Can be glimpsed from the road between 1,000 BC in the Late Bronze Age. It is the DEVIZES: On Roundway Hill, 148ft 45m Manton and Marlborough. Designed by a oldest surviving hill figure in Britain. Aerial square, cut to celebrate the new local school pupil in 1804, well before photos show that this white horse is best millennium. A time capsule is buried under Marlborough College was built in 1843, but seen from above see inset. the head. Nearby, an earlier horse below now maintained by the College. Oliver’s Castle hill fort was cut in 1845 but PEWSEY: Overlooks the Vale of Pewsey. Cut White horse walkabouts! was overgrown by the end of the century. in 1937 to commemorate George VI’s The Uffington White Horse can be viewed HACKPEN: Below the Ridgeway on the coronation. At 95ft 29m long by 33ft at close quarters during a walk along the edge of the Marlborough Downs. Known 10m high it replaced but did not cover Ridgeway, west of Wantage near the as the Hackpen, Broad Hinton or an earlier overgrown version. BerkshireOxfordshire county boundary. Winterbourne Bassett Horse and was cut in UFFINGTON: On the Lambourn Downs The other North Wessex Downs white 1838, probably to mark Queen Victoria’s overlooking the Vale of the White Horse. horses are conveniently sited in the coronation. Measures 89ft 27m square. Looking artistically modern with its stylised Wiltshire hills. MARLBOROUGH: Our smallest white equine design, the White Horse at In 1999 Wiltshire gained a White Horse Main photo: The White Horse at Cherhill Inset: The Uffington White Horse 8 photos: Sue Melvin Page UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 7 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:32 Page 8
SWINDON
Broad Town White Horse Trail a 90mile 145km UK and international visitors that it was walk devised to take in all its extended until February this year. existing white horse hill www.visitwiltshire.co.uk figures. Hackpen White Horse www.whitehorsewalking.co.uk With the white horses www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk commanding hilltop sites, the White Horse Trail Walk Britain’s oldest high provides majestic views street . . . Cherhill White Horse from the Marlborough White Thousands of years old, the Ridgeway Downs, Roundway Hill, may once have tracked coasttocoast Tan Hill, the Wansdyke Horse following the chalk escarpment across and across the Vale of southeast England for Pewsey all ever Trail Marlborough White Horse 250 miles 400km from popular destinations for the Dorset coast to the walkers. Wash in Norfolk. The Trail passes through or near The central section of the market towns of this ancient hilltop route Devizes and Alton Barnes White Horse lies within the North Marlborough and a Devizes White Horse Wessex Downs 43 miles number of peaceful Pewsey White Horse 69km from Overton Hill and interesting villages. near Avebury to the River One walking section Thames at Streatley and passes close to was the literal ‘high street’ prehistoric Avebury, The White Horse Trail also includes the Westbury white of our forefathers. horse but this is not within the North Wessex Downs AONB. Silbury Hill and the The Ridgeway, with its West Kennet Long Barrow definitely worth a ideal walking holiday a welcoming B&B with high and dry advantages, short detour. good food and a comfortable bed. would have provided a safe and viable walking Valleys, woods, hills, open fields and route that avoided the prehistoric dangers in abundant wildlife add natural variety on the The wonder of white horses the valleys below. For centuries homeseeking White Horse Trail, as does the manmade Sue Melvin worked with Jenna Spellane, families, drovers, traders and soldiers would interest of the Kennet & Avon Canal with its Exhibition Officer of Wiltshire Archaeological have used this chalkridge downland route. famous flight of 29 locks at Caen Hill, Devizes. and Natural History Society in staging a White Today, walkers and cyclists and riders Located at Roundway village, northeast of Horses and Hill Figures Exhibition at the continue to enjoy the superb views and natural Devizes, White Horse Walking Holidays, run by Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes last year. beauty of the Ridgeway, now protected and keen ramblers Sue Melvin and her husband Opened in March 2010 and supported by a promoted as a National Trail or as many Martyn, offers mapped walks to all the white North Wessex Downs AONB grant, the would say, a national treasure. ■ horses and provides another essential for an exhibition proved such a huge hit with local, www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ridgeway 8 | UP! On The North Wessex Downs Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:32 Page 9
Windows into the past Restoration work reveals hidden secrets...... meanwhile Nestled at the foot of the WORK to combat damp at St. to identification and dating. Lambourn Downs is St Michael’s Andrew’s Church at Boxford near It also proves that St Andrew’s, by and All Angels’ church at Newbury has uncovered 1,000 year- the River Lambourn in Berkshire, is Letcombe Bassett – a 12th old secrets of Saxon building far older than previously suspected century Grade 2* listed Norman methods. and can claim the oldest working church with a later Victorian Removal of cement rendering wooden window in England. extension. Major restoration from church walls revealed a small Churchwarden Mike Appleton works are underway to restore timber window frame, complete with explained the significance of the the main fabric of the building a hinged wooden panel. discovery: “We’ve always suspected and a LEADER grant of £5,000 is Expert examination by the that the chancel end of the church focusing on the specialist Diocese of Oxford archaeologist was Saxon and the discovery of this restoration of the Medieval and Julian Munby confirmed that the window proves it. St Andrew’s is a Victorian windows, including window pre-dates the Norman small rural parish, the church is a reglazing of leaded lights and Conquest of 1066. Distinctive simple building, and to find rust prevention on the frames. ■ ancient mortar work around the something like this puts us on the SAXON window on the north wall was key map.” “Combined grants from the North Wessex Downs LEADER Programme and the AONB’s Sustainable Development Fund provided support for the urgent restoration work on the window and both teams were extremely helpful in getting all the necessary administration completed quickly. The old cement render has now all been removed and our pre- Domesday Book church can be seen in its original flint stonework glory.” MEDIEVAL VICTORIAN St Andrew’s, Boxford UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 9 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:33 Page 10
Bushcraft and Wilderness Living Training
Located next to Savernake Forest, Marlborough. Nature’s Craft run inspiring, weekend long, courses for adults, families or children’s parties in Bushcraft Skills including Greenwood Crafts, Wild Foods, Flint Knapping and Tracking.
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10 | UP! On The North Wessex Downs Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:35 Page 11 Meet one of the busiest workers in our AONB “BUZZ off, I’m busy! What? You want to • Sometimes we have to fly at up to types, including five priority speciez. know all about beez on the North Wessex 10mph (16kph) to get our day’z work done. • Last year, the AONB’s Sustainable Downs? I don’t have time to wax on about (We fly a lot slower when we’ve found a Development Fund helped produce a that. Got work to do. Here are some facts to food-stop!) leaflet that showz farmers how they can be going on with: • Beez don’t all eat the same food. help us endangered bumblebeez. • There are around 25,000 known bee Different beez have different tongue • Loss of habitat is really worrying us speciez; more than 250 in the UK. lengths so we end up pollinating a lot of bumblebeez. If you’d like to help, contact • Bees are either honeybeez (who get all different plants. our friendz at the Bumblebee Conservation the human help and media attention) or us • Trouble is, finding food is getting harder Trust – www.bumblebeeconservation.org bumblebeez (we just bumble on doing our and harder. Some of my friendz fly more • Sometimes I dream of people growing thing). than six miles (10km) for a meal. my favourite wild flowerz and plants – red • I’m a bumblebee, one of 24 UK speciez. • In the last 70 years, 97% of our favourite clover, bird’s-foot-trefoil, tufted vetch, Actually I’m from one of the UK’s two rarest habitat – flower-rich grasslands – has been yellow rattle… families. I’m a shrill carder bumblebee (we lost, which meanz our numbers have Hmmm, that’s making me have a very high pitched buzz, you see). My declined dramatically. hungry. Hope all this helps, Latin name is Bombus sylvarum. • Two UK bumblebee speciez have must fly now!”■ • They reckon all us beez together help become extinct, six more deliver €14.2 billion to the European (including the shrill carder) economy through our pollination work. are priority speciez for True, we do this while looking for our conservation action. favourite foods – nectar and pollen – but it’s • Fortunately, the still hard work! North Wessex • Someone’s been putting it around that Downs we have smelly feet (I think it’s the still has honeybeez). We don’t! It’s just an oily some really secretion we put on flowers to tell other good places for us beez where we’ve been (and it’s only to eat. It supports
Picture: © Bumblebee Conservation Trust Picture: Trust Conservation © Bumblebee slightly smelly). 19 bumblebee
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Farmers sow the seeds of farmland bird conservation
LAND managers and farmers in the Hampshire and Oxfordshire. Land options available to farmers within an North Wessex Downs AONB are helping managers and farmers across the whole Environmental Stewardship agreement. Y to stem the decline of farmland bird area now have access to the free advice The options known as the Farmland P species through their practical and guidance that the project offers. Bird Package provide the essential involvement with the North Wessex Sarah Blyth, RSPB project officer in ‘Big 3’ requirements for priority farmland Farmland Bird Project. Wiltshire, explained: “We’ve seen great birds: Operating within the Wiltshire part of success in the county with lots of • safe nesting habitat the AONB for the past 18 months, the farmers taking advantage of the • summer food insects project’s scope was widened last October project. Broadening it out means we • winter food seeds to include the AONB in Berkshire, can reach more people and should Entry and Higher Level Scheme lead to even more habitat to benefit options allow farmers to take on a Lapwing farmland birds.” package that suits their farming system. Farmland bird species, including Those who take part are guaranteed lapwing, grey partridge and turtle dove, agrienvironment payments for up to 10 have declined dramatically across the UK years. Picture: Thompson Peter over the past 40 years, in some cases by By putting in place environmental more than 80%. Changes in agricultural stewardship measures on their land policy and practice have led to a loss of farmers not only help provide food and nesting habitat and food sources on habitat for declining bird species, but farmland. also benefit wildlife such as brown hares, The project, supported by Government bumblebees and rare plants. Picture: Andy Hay funding through Natural England, Diane Nicolle, RSPB’s Farmland Bird promotes a range of environmental Project officer for parts of the AONB in Overwintered stubble. 12 | UP! On The North Wessex Downs Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:36 Page 13
Skylark plot Picture: Diane Nicolle Farmland birds at risk … Lapwing Grey partridge Corn bunting Turtle dove Yellow wagtail Tree sparrow Skylark Yellowhammer Linnet Yellowhammer Reed bunting Picture: Tom Marshall
Hampshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire, if farmers have missed an area while such as corn buntings, linnets and tree is based at the AONB’s office: “I have seeding. They have but deliberately. sparrows with food through the winter. been heartened by the positive Wintersown crops will have grown quite Wildflower and grass response from the local farming thick by the time skylarks arrive to breed. buffer strips. community to the Farmland Bird These plots act as landing strips for Wildflowers are an Package. Research, combined with skylarks to get into the dense crop, where important source of practical experience on farms, has they can safely feed and nest. nectar for insects which shown that by providing sufficient Overwintered stubble what’s left after are food for chicks. quantities of the Big 3 farmers can the crop has been harvested main Grass margins also boost numbers of our declining picture provides seeds as a winter food provide insects and are a farmland birds and therefore also help source for farmland birds including grey nesting habitat for some the wider populations in the partridges and corn buntings. farmland birds including surrounding countryside.” Uncropped cultivated margins enable grey partridge. Picture: Andy Hay Big 3 gains can be achieved in various rare wild plants to flower and attract More details: ways. Look out for Environmental insects food in the summer for chicks. diane.nicollerspb.org.uk Stewardship farming examples if you are Wild bird seed mixtures. Areas of arable 01488 680452 taking a country walk. land devoted to growing a mixture of sarah.blythrspb.org.uk Skylark plots pictured above can look as seedrich plants provide farmland birds 07818 807480. ■ Yellow Wagtail Yellow UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 13 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:37 Page 14
Literary locations
AONB landscapes provide settings for famous books and films
THIS is the view from White Hill near Kingsclere, stately home of composer Lord (Andrew) Lloyd- looking towards the landscape of Watership Down. Webber who owns the local estate. Yes, that Watership Down. It really exists – and it’s in The Earl of Carnarvon recently allowed his the North Wessex Downs. ancestral home, Highclere Castle, to be used as Many people think that Richard Adams’s timeless the location for the popular ITV series Downton book about the rabbit families on Watership Down Abbey. is a work of fiction. It is, except that Adams drew on Overlooking the Thames, the National Trust’s his memories of living near the real Watership Basildon Park near Pangbourne has provided the Down in northern Hampshire. authentic 18th century setting for the feature film of Adams’s classic 1972 book, with its memorable Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, starring Keira characters such as Fiver, Hazel, and Bigwig, became Knightley. Austen was born and raised in Steventon, a family-favourite film and television series. Its between Basingstoke and Andover. Bright Eyes theme tune sung by Art Garfunkel was a The River Thames itself, the eastern boundary of UK number one hit. our AONB, can also claim to be a literary location. Close by Watership Down is Sydmonton Court, the Author Kenneth Grahame, who lived in Pangbourne,
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set his Wind in the Willows children’s classic along Walk to Watership Down the banks of the Thames. And Jerome K Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat also immortalised ‘old Father Under Featured Walks at Hantsweb Thames.’ www.hants.gov.uk/walkingcountry Meanwhile, in the far west of the North Wessex you can find details of a 2 mile 3.2km Downs, the Avebury World Heritage Site has circular walk from The Royal Oak in featured in the television drama Children of the Ecchinswell that takes in Nuthanger Picture courtesy of ITV Stones (1976) and the 1998 comedy Still Crazy Farm, as mentioned in Watership Down. starring Billy Connolly and Bill Nighy. (Cango bus No.C24 from Newbury bus Perhaps not strictly literary, although much has station to Ecchinswell – 0845 602 4135). been written about his work, artist Stanley Spencer Longerdistance walkers can see painted some striking murals after his experiences in Watership Down by following The Actress Dame Smith, Maggie the First World War. These are viewable in the Wayfarers Walk towards Inkpen Beacon National Trust’s Sandham Memorial Chapel at from the car park at the top of White Burghclere, south of Newbury. ■ Hill, west of Kingsclere on the B3051. ■ star of Downton Abbey star of Downton UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 15 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:39 Page 16
Chippenham Museum & Heritage Centre Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre tells the story of our historic market town and the local area. Meeting the cha Our 2011 exhibition season will include: Local Village Stories The Chippenham Canal Conserving the Past We have a wide range of family holiday activity sessions and there will be a special programme of hands-on activities, walks and talks, to coincide with National Archaeology Festival in July Open: Monday to Saturday (10am-4pm). Bank holidays except Christmas ADMISSION FREE Disabled access, toilets, shop 10 Market Place, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 3HF Tel: 01249 705020 A Chippenham Town Email: [email protected] Council facility www.chippenham.gov.uk
THE SARSEN TRAIL & Sunday NEOLITHIC MARATHON 1st May 2011 Join this fun-filled running, walking & mountain biking event, between Avebury & Stonehenge. Races for all the family (even the dog!) Full or half marathon; 7, 11, 15 or 26 mile walk & 25 mile circular rough terrain bike route. ENTER NOW AT www.wiltshirewildlife.org
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OVERSEEING the past, present and future of industry. Countless wildlife species also described as “a living, breathing example of the North Wessex Downs AONB is a team of rely on the AONB for habitat and homes. the Big Society”. Howard Davies, CEO of the eight professionals each with the Many lives beyond the AONB boundaries National Association for AONBs, was also a objective of conserving and enhancing the are touched too by the farm produce grown guest speaker. natural beauty of the region. and reared within the North Wessex Downs. At the Forum, Sir Charles Nunneley was It’s a challenging task millions of visitors It’s a challenging task but not one congratulated and thanked for his sixyear come to enjoy the AONB every year without its rural rewards. “When your ‘office’ tenure as Chairman of the Council of Avebury World Heritage Site alone receives is an AONB you are never far from fresh air, Partners as he stepped down from the role. around 400,000. fantastic views, amazing wildlife, and The new chairman is Byron Carron, a district Then there are the 125,000 people who wonderful people and places of interest,” judge and former ViceChairman of live and work in the AONB Lambourn is a explains Henry Oliver, who heads the AONB Wiltshire County Council. cornerstone of the British horseracing team at its Hungerford office. *The AONB Management Plan can be viewed on Among those ‘wonderful people’ are our website and at local libraries, and copies are the supporters of AONB projects and available from the North Wessex Downs AONB AONB team members outside their Hungerford base at Denford Manor. objectives, not least the Council of Office, Denford Manor, Lower Denford, Partners which oversees Henry’s team Hungerford, RG17 0UN, Tel: 01488 685440. Front Row: in implementing the AONB Management Email: infonorthwessexdowns.org.uk Henry Oliver, Director; Liz Duquenoy, Office Plan*. Web: www.northwessexdowns.org.uk Manager; Katie Wilson, Communications Officer; These supporters come from a wide Diane Nicolle, North Wessex Farmland Birds Byron Carron left is welcomed by Cllr Andrew Advisor diane.nicollerspb.org.uk spectrum government organisations, Bennett, ViceChairman of the Council of Partners councils, farmers, businesses, Back Row: environmental and recreational groups Oliver Cripps, acting Assistant Director and and each year the AONB team stages a SDF manager; Andrew Lord, Planning Advisor; Forum to report on AONB activity, Caroline Kaneen, Information Officer; Corinna achievements and plans. Woodall, LEADER Programme Manager corinna.woodallwiltshire.gov.uk Last October, North Wessex Downs resident and local MP Richard Benyon, Other than Corinna and Diane, the email Minister for the Natural Environment and style for AONB team members is: Fisheries, addressed the Forum. His brief fullnamenorthwessexdowns.org.uk includes responsibility for AONBs, which he UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 17 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:39 Page 18
Travel the quiet artery of our Picture: Sustrans Picture:
EVERY traveller knows that the M4 Marlborough passes through the and A4 road routes sweep through heart of Savernake Forest and the centre of the AONB linking Pewsey, finally leaving the AONB London with Bristol, but how many near Devizes. people know that the NCN4 does Waterborne users of the Kennet & too? Avon Canal, this year beginning its No, the NCN4 is not the latest third century since its creation, intercity train service. Neither is it provide great exercise and fun, but complement the leisurely pace of noisy, nor fast, nor even very busy. often practical ways to get to work, cyclists and walkers, creating a quiet NCN4 National Cycle Network school or the shops. and sedate style of travelling. This Route No 4 is simply one of the Actually running from Greenwich unhurried, timeless atmosphere most pleasant ways to get around the in London to Fishguard in Wales, belies the once bustling heritage of North Wessex Downs AONB, either as NCN4 follows the Kennet & Avon this coasttocoast industrial a cyclist or walker. Canal towpath out of Reading as it thoroughfare. NCN4 is part of the 12,600 miles of skirts the AONB boundary near The actual 57mile 92km man walking and cycling routes that make Theale. Through Newbury town made canal, linking the River Kennet up the National Cycle Network across centre it follows the eastwest at Newbury to the River Avon at the UK. This includes a mixture of direction of the canal and railway Bath, was opened in 1810. During quiet lanes, onroad routes and out through Hungerford, Great the 19th and 20th centuries the trafficfree paths that not only Bedwyn where a spur to canal fell into decline and eventual
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heartland
disuse, a victim of rail and road when the threat of German invasion was at competition. its peak. Churchill had put General Sir The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, Edmund Ironside, CommanderinChief formed in the 1960s, successfully restored Home Forces, in charge of organising the canal for navigation. It was formally re Britain's defence. opened by the Queen in 1990, with full Ironside’s plan was defence in depth a operational restoration completed in 2003. CountrysidePicture: Agency 2001 series of defence stoplines in the south to Today’s Kennet & Avon Canal brings Both the Kennet & Avon Canal and the delay German invasion forces after landing leisure and pleasure rather than Crofton Pumping Station largely owe their and give Britain time to rally its mobile commercial commodities. Its slower pace existence today to conservation trusts set reserves. enables visitors to fully enjoy the lowland up by enthusiasts and volunteers, as well as Barriers formed by concrete pillboxes, valley scenery, watch the locks in action, support and funding streams from local gun emplacements, antitank obstacles take time out for a boat trip or explore its organisations. and minefields were used along with man bankside places of interest not least its Contacts: made features such as rivers, canals and villages, pubs and restaurants. www.katrust.co.uk railway embankments. One stopoff not to be missed is the www.sustrans.org.uk The Kennet & Avon Canal’s ‘Ironside line’ Crofton Pumping Station pictured above www.waterscape.com of pillboxes was largely built by Local between Marlborough and Hungerford, www.croftonbeamengines.org Defence Volunteers, later known as the housing the oldest working beam engine in Home Guard. the world. Its distinctive chimney Fortified ‘pillboxes’... Today, many are merely historical relics, landmarks this literal high spot of any on an inland canal? but some have been converted for office Kennet & Avon Canal trip. At this point the CYCLISTS and walkers enjoying the Kennet and canal purposes see Tyle Mill below. ■ canal is 450ft 137mabove sea level. & Avon Canal route might be surprised to Crofton Pumping Station was opened in discover numerous fortified positions or 1809 to lift well water 40ft 12m upwards ‘pillboxes’ near the canal towpath. to replenish the canal water as it flows The reason is that the canal represented downhill towards Bath and London. a key line of defence for the Midlands The two massive beam engines can lift and North of England during the Second one ton of water 224 gallons/ 1,000 litres World War. with a single stroke of their 27ft 8m Defences of all types were speedily long beams. implemented during the summer of 1940, UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 19 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:40 Page 20
High, wide and handsome! Win the camera that took these pictures
High favourite AONB landscape. Or use the NEX But, best of all, we think AONB residents This is the view from the highest point in the vertically to prove you’re not telling tall tales! and visitors will just love its size. AONB and indeed the whole of southeast Just 117.2mm wide, 62.6mm high and England Walbury Hill, seven miles 10km Handsome 33.4mm deep, the NEX is the world’s smallest southwest of Newbury and at nearly one Some might call this view handsome, others compact interchangeable lens camera thousand feet 297m above sea level very might link the description to photographer which makes it small enough to slip in a definitely UP! on the North Wessex Downs. Cliff Carter who took it, but we are still handbag, coat pocket, rambler’s backpack or Oh, and it’s also a high quality picture! talking about the NEX3 the handsome family picnic basket. prize provided by Sony for our UP! Wide competition. HOW TO ENTER OUR COMPETITION This stunning landscape was taken in one Not only is the NEX3 great for capturing to win an Alpha NEX3 camera from Sony, panoramic sweep, using an amazing new panoramic landscapes with its extraordinary worth £450. digital camera from Sony an Alpha series DSLRlike picture quality. It has a host of Simply answer the question on the opposite NEX3. Sweep Panorama™ technology other features too. page and send us your answer marked UP! within NEX cameras allows 226° horizontal It has a 1080i HD video option, Magazine Competition 2011, with your pictures to be taken multiple images are interchangeable lens facility, a ‘never get name, address and a contact number, to: seamlessly merged together to create one lost’ user navigation interface, and a tiltable The North Wessex Downs AONB Office, perfect panoramic shot. So, you really can 3inch Xtra Fine LCD viewing screen with Denford Manor, Lower Denford, take home the full horizonwide view of your TruBlack technology. Hungerford, RG17 0UN
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Or by email: infonorthwessexdowns.org.uk Or by fax: 01488 680453 Tips for landscape photography Please indicate if you would not like us to Provided by Sony photographic advocate Cliff Carter keep you informed of AONB information and • Make sure you take a camera with foreground will often help activities via your address details. you when outdoors! Opportunities to composition, perhaps to give a sense The closing date for entries is 1 take terrific photos can occur at any of scale or relevance. Include receding August 2011. time. landscapes and good sky detail. The winning entry will be • Try different viewpoints, move • Try capturing the landscape in drawn at random from correct closer or further away. Make the abstract, finding interesting patterns valid entries received. Only one most of your camera zoom, drop or using impressionistic blurred entry per family please. the camera to ground level or images. climb to get a higher position. The winner will be personally • Small variations can dramatically And a tip for NEX owners using the presented with the NEX3 ™ improve an image. Sweep Panorama mode. Turn off prize camera and publicised the auto white balance and select the • through normal AONB publicity Good lighting will nearly always best balance for conditions, i.e. sunny, channels. ■ help to produce a memorable image cloudy, etc. This ensures the colour in but rain, fog or poor light can add the images making up the panorama THE SONY PRIZE QUESTION drama and atmosphere. keep the same colour balance and What is the depth of the Alpha NEX3 camera? • Something of interest in the should give a better result. ■ UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 21 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:41 Page 22
Reading Thatcham Newbury Hungerford Kintbury Devizes Bradford on Avon Bath · Bristol CPRE values landscapes and countryside character – join us today
Our countryside will vanish forever Family business with bases unless we fight for it! in Reading and Newbury. Mobile: 07713 687766 CPRE believes in protecting our countryside www. canalandtipiexperience.co.uk and revitalising our towns Canal boat hire and holidays email: [email protected] on the Kennet & Avon To contact CPRE call: Canal in a designated Berkshire: 0118 930 6756 area of outstanding natural www. cpreberkshire.org.uk beauty or on the River Wiltshire: 01380 722157 Thames. Bespoke Tipi hire at www. cprewiltshire.org.uk your location for parties, camping, events or wedding. or visit: www. cpre.org.uk Sonning Marlow Henley on Thames Windsor Legoland Abingdon Oxford Lechlade
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From software ...to basketware IT expert goes back to the future to discover a new career
DIGITALAGE IT expert Christine Brewster went craft and conservation by setting up my own ‘back-to-the-future’ to discover fresh digital basketmaking business was the natural dexterity and a second career in hand-made progression.” willow basketware. Christine’s second career path has led to a Although a successful contractor in the IT stable-loft workshop on the Englefield Estate in sector, working with blue-chip corporates in the North Wessex Downs AONB from which she the south-east, Christine had always enjoyed has successfully run her StripeyBasket business leisure time handicrafts such as quilting and for the past seven years. dressmaking. She even found time to be a For most of her work Christine uses willow, conservation volunteer with the Berkshire, some from Somerset and some grown in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Berkshire. She makes a wide-range of Trust. baskets, but also plant supports, willow Then, in 1993 she took part in a two-day sculptures and weaving repairs to rush, basket-making course. “I just got hooked on cane and wicker furniture. this centuries-old craft and started to go to lots “Fortunately, people buy my work of training courses, including some in Poland as fast as I can make it and I was and Ireland. I used to make baskets for friends, probably one of the few businesses developed my own stripey styles, and then to get busier during the recession, largely began to get commissions.” thanks to the support of local purchasers.” She gained City & Guilds qualifications, was “I still miss the regular income I got from my asked to give basket-weaving demonstrations contracted IT work, but have no regrets about and private lessons, and now regularly runs losing the commuting and office politics. basket-making courses for individuals and Instead I have gained my freedom, and now interested groups. work doing something I love in wonderful “Giving up IT and combining my passions for country surroundings.” ■ UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 23 p 01Lyu 10/012:1Pg 24 Page 23:41 01/03/2011 1 2011:Layout Up!
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R Y E T A U O A E F B O L UP!Dates UT RA S U TANDING NAT
North Wessex Downs events More details www.northwessexdowns.org.uk
APRIL 10 Pewsey Downsaround walking challenge 17 White horse Challenge – 150 km cycling, Shrivenham 22 (Good Friday) Lambourn Trainers’ Stables Open Day Crofton beam engines (open until September) 22-25 Devizes-Westminster International Canoe Race, K&A Canal Bluebells and lambing-time. Look out for farm open days Maize, linseed planted; grass and arable crops fertilised. Lambing time
MAY 1 Sarsen Trail – walk, run, cycle, Avebury - Stonehenge 3 Hungerford Tutti Day (Hocktide, 2nd Tues after Easter) Look out for the may blossom of the hawthorn, bluebells and yellow oilseed rape fields. Listen for the distinctive purring song of the turtle dove. Sheep shearing begins.
JUNE 3-5 West Woodhay House Charity Garden Show 5 East Ilsley Sheep Fair, Pen Meadow 11-12 Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally, Rainscombe Park, Oare 12 Open Farm Sunday – www.farmsunday.org Picture: www.richardmaidment.com Picture: 16 Coarse fishing season begins (rivers and streams) Wilton Windmill Open Day 21 Summer solstice at Avebury (Longest day) 14 May Hay-making, silage cutting, mating of dairy and beef cows.
JULY 1-24 Hungerford & District Community Arts Festival (HADCAF) 7-10 Barbury International Horse Trials 9-10 Wiltshire County Show, Barbury Castle Estate 15-17 Marlborough International Jazz Festival Harvest-time. Combines crop the fields. Country show time
AUGUST 21 Devizes Carnival activities (until September 3) Arable crop harvesting at peak. Straw put by for winter livestock.
SEPTEMBER 3-4 Hungerford Food Festival 3-18 Pewsey Carnival activities 17-18 Royal County of Berkshire Show, Newbury (off J13, M4) Fruit tree harvesting reaches its peak. Maize harvested. Englefield Steam Up 17-18 Royal County of Berkshire Show, Newbury (off J13, M4) Fruit tree harvesting reaches its peak. Maize harvested. 25 Page 23:41 01/03/2011 1 2011:Layout Up! Englefield Steam-Up Autumn calving, sheep tupping starts. 15-16 October
OCTOBER 13 North Wessex Downs AONB Annual Forum UP!Market 8 & 15Marlborough Mop Fairs Monthly Farmers’ Markets and local 15 Newbury & District Agricultural Soc. Ploughing Match produce markets normally run from 22 Marlborough Apple Day (St Mary’s Church Hall) 10am-1pm 8.30-9am till lunchtime 1-1.30pm. Most markets are overseen by local authorities 22 Feast of Food (Cancer Research UK) Marlborough College and markets’ associations but some are Grape-picking, wine-making. Pheasant shooting season starts. independent. Aldworth Saturday Market* - NOVEMBER (Kathy Neville 01635 578090) Andover* - 3rd Sun, 10am-2pm 5 Bonfire Night! Calne* - 2nd Sat (01249 814000) Coveys of grey partridges roam arable farmland looking for seed to Devizes* - 1st Saturday eat. Winter vegetables and Christmas trees harvested. Dairy and Didcot* - 2nd Saturday beef cows housed for winter. Hamstead Marshall & Enborne* 2nd Sat 10am (Sue Watts 01488 658932) Hungerford* - 4th Sunday DECEMBER Inkpen* - 3rd Sunday, 10am start 9 Hungerford Victorian Extravaganza (David Thomas 01488 668305) 22 Winter solstice (Shortest day) Marlborough*- 2nd Sat, 9.30am - 1pm (Jo Ripley 01672 513950) Flocks of farmland birds feed on lifesaving seed-plots on Newbury* - 1st & 3rd Sun , 10am start Environmental Stewardship farmland. Fatstock shows at livestock Pewsey*- 2nd Thursday markets. Christmas turkeys and geese prepared. (Nick Venters 01672 810257) Purley-on-Thames* - 2nd Saturday Reading* - 1st and 3rd Saturday JANUARY 2012 Swindon*-(Old Town) last Friday 7-8 Icicle International Balloon Meet, Warren Farm, Savernake Swindon*- (Designer Outlet) every Sun, 10am-4pm (Gerb 01453 758060) Some flocks start lambing indoors. Shooting season draws to close. Wallingford*- 3rd Tues and 5th Sat, (Caroline Tyler 07860 129508) Wallingford*- (Regal Centre) Sat, FEBRUARY Caron Spence 01491 825034) 26 Pewsey Terminator off-road run Wanborough*- 3rd Saturday, Look out for snowdrops – charitable viewing at Welford Park, near (Sue Birley 01793 790438) Wantage*- last Saturday (Town Newbury. Orchard tree pruning, farmland preparation. Good time Council 01235 763459) for hedge-laying and farm maintenance. Wootton Bassett*– 4th Saturday * independents * www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk MARCH * www.wiltshirefarmersmarkets.org.uk * www.tvfm.org.uk ...P 15 Coarse fishing season ends (rivers and streams) There are also traditional general ULL ME OUT AND PIN UP!
UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 25 Lambing-time. Look out for farm open days. Lapwings start Market Days within the AONB nesting. Planting of spring cereal crops (barley, wheat, oats). Hungerford - Wednesday Marlborough - Wednesday & Saturday Details correct at time of publication but readers are advised to check personally nearer the event Pewsey - Tuesday
Calendar of events sponsored by GJ Pope, NFU Mutual Hungerford Agency Tel: 01488 684551 www.nfumutual.co.uk/Hungerford Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:41 Page 26 Can you spot the difference?
That’s right, no poles thanks to a mole!
FREQUENT travellers along the A4 entering barrow cemetery and beneath the Neolithic the Avebury World Heritage Site have a West Kennet Avenue, which originally ‘mole’ to thank for the removal of ugly linked Avebury Stone Circle to the electricity poles and cables that were Sanctuary. cluttering this ancient landscape. The partnership project also involved A giant directional drilling machine Wiltshire Council Archaeology Service, the known as a ‘mole’ was used to burrow more National Trust, North Wessex Downs AONB, than four metres deep to ensure English Heritage and local farmers. replacement cables could be laid Sarah Simmonds, Wiltshire Council’s underground and well away from Avebury World Heritage Site Officer, said: internationally significant archaeology. “Winning private sector funding has helped Scottish and Southern Electricity, who us work together to achieve really funded the project, employed impressive improvements at the gateway to archaeologists to monitor the work and the World Heritage Site. The prehistoric examine the moling entry and exit points monuments are now returned to for archaeological evidence. prominence in beautiful open downland New underground cables now lie out of and the landscape is closer to its ancient sight under the Overton Hill Bronze Age appearance.” ■
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New work on some very old work Ogbourne St George, Marlborough A COMPREHENSIVE new book, The Story of Wiltshire, SN8 1SL Silbury Hill, written by archaeologists Tel: 01672 841555 involved in the 2007 conservation project, Fax: 01672 841533 has been published by English Heritage. At 130ft 40m high and weighing in at a calculated half a million tons, Silbury Hill is the largest prehistoric artificial mound in Europe. PARKLANDS It was under construction between circa HOTEL 2,400 and 2,300 BC in the later Neolithic & Bentley’s Brasserie period along with the Avebury henge, stone ● A Family business built on a good reputation over the last 11 trading years for circles and avenues. quality & reliability. Silbury Hill is one of the key monuments that qualify the area ● Book a peaceful stay with us in a hotel which combines the modern, contemporary to appear on the UNESCO World Heritage List. ■ finishes in a building dating to the 18th century. ● Our restaurant caters for non residents too; visit our website for more details. www.englishheritageshop.org.uk www.parklandshoteluk.co.uk Tel: 0845 458 9910 ISBN: 9781848020467 [email protected]
Helicopter help.....
SILBURY Hill was the subject of a minor ‘air rescue’ last October. This was no emergency however, but planned backfilling of a shaft dug during an eighteenth century exploration. The shaft first collapsed in 2000 and conservation work designed to stabilise Silbury Hill was undertaken by English Heritage in 2007. A survey during 2010 indicated some settlement of the chalk slurry used to backfill the shaft. The helicopter lifted additional chalk and subsoil to the top of Silbury Hill. A Natural England-approved seed mix was sown to complete the work. ■
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Local products directory
Eat Up! Drink Up! Buy Up! Take home a taste of the country
BEER, WINE & CIDER throughout Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley and at noon to 6pm. Group vineyard tours by prior arrangement. Farmers’ Markets and farm shops. Wine sales also by appointment or mail order. A’BECKETT’S VINEYARD Contact: Paul or Lynn Langham ARKELL’S BREWERY BUTTS BREWERY a’Beckett’s Farmhouse, High St, Contact: James Arkell Contact: Chris Butt Littleton Panell, Devizes, SN10 4EN Arkell’s Brewery Ltd, Arkell’s Vintners, Kingsdown, Butts Brewery, Northfield Farm, Great Shefford, near T: 01380 816669 Swindon, SN2 7RU Hungerford, RG17 7BY E: [email protected] T: 01793 823026 T: 01488 648133 www.abecketts.co.uk E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Award-winning vegan-friendly www.arkells.com www.buttsbrewery.com English wine, cider and apple Bees Organic Ale – award-winning ale range, with Organic brewer. Cask beers: Jester, Traditional, Barbus juice. Open Thur, Fri and Sat 11am New World wine as speciality. Oldest Swindon business Barbus. Bottled conditioned: Blackguard, and Golden to 5.30pm all year and Bank (167 years), one of the few family breweries in UK. Brown, Coper, Le Butts (lager). Supplies freehouse Holidays. Vineyard and Orchard Victorian steam brewery. 9am to 5pm, Mon to Fri. pubs, local supermarkets, specialist off-licences. Tours available to organised Arkell’s owns 105 pubs. groups and also for schools. CIDERNIKS BRIGHTWELL VINEYARD Contact: Nick Edwards APPLEFORD BREWERY Contact: Mrs Carol Nielsen High Street, Kintbury, RG17 9TJ Iron Bridge House, St Peters Brightwell Vineyard, Rush Court, Shillingford Road, T: 07885 296789 Court, Appleford-on-Thames, Wallingford, OX10 8LJ E: [email protected] OX14 4YA T: 01491 836586 www.ciderniks.com T: 01235 848055 E: [email protected] Cider and 100 per cent pure apple juice pressed by E: [email protected] www.brightwines.co.uk hand, with no additives. Available in 20 litre, 10 litre or www.applefordbrewery.co.uk The largest Vineyard in Oxfordshire, producing award- 5 litre bag-in-box or 750ml and 500ml glass Traditional beer. Supplies to the winning English wines. Also hosts nature walk to the bottles. Available at some stores, pubs, local fairs, free trade and wholesalers Thames. Shop open for sales and tastings Fri to Sun, beer festivals. 28 | UP! On The North Wessex Downs Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:42 Page 29
LAMBOURN VALLEY CIDER COMPANY Uses Ramsbury home grown spring barley and water BREAD, CAKES , FLOUR & CEREALS Contact: Roy Bailey from estate. Ramsbury Bitter, Gold, Hells Highway, DOVES FARM FOODS The Malt House, Great Shefford, Hungerford, RG17 7ED Flintknapper, Kennet Valley, Deerhunter, Chalkstream, Contact: Clare Marriage T: 01488 648441 Sunsplash. Bottled: Gold, Flintknapper, 506. Mon-Fri, Salisbury Rd, Hungerford, RG17 0RF E: [email protected] 9am-4.30pm. Phone for appointment first. T: 01488 684880 www.lambournvalleycider.co.uk E: [email protected] A former cider-maker now only producing Old WADWORTH & CO. LTD. www.dovesfarm.co.uk Berkshire perry from special local pears. Large Contact: Jonathan Pollock Specialist flour miller and baker est. 1978. More proportion bottle-fermented in champagne bottles. Northgate Brewery, Devizes, SN10 1JW Draught and bottled perry available at specialist T: 01380 723361 than 20 flours (including organic and wheat/ outlets like Cobbs Farm Shop, Hungerford. E: [email protected] gluten free), breakfast cereals and pasta. Bakery www.wadworth.co.uk produces Fairtrade, organic and wheat/gluten free MOLES BREWERY Brewer, wholesaler and pub retailer. Family-business cookies, plus cereal bars and flapjacks. Contact: Roger Catte founded in 1875. Owns nearly 260 pubs. Deliveries by 5 Merlin Way, Bowerhill, Melksham, SN12 6TJ Shire Horses in Devizes. Stables open 1.30pm-3.30pm LACOCK BAKERY T: 01225 704734/708842 Mon-Thur. Master cooper making/repairing wooden Contact: Jean Sheard E: [email protected] beer casks. Visitor Centre. 8 Church Street, Lacock, Chippenham, SN15 2LB www.molesbrewery.com T: 01249 730457 Locally-malted Maris Otter malt, and ciders from local WEST BERKSHIRE BREWERY E: [email protected] apples. Products include Molecatcher, Tap Bitter, Contact: Mrs Helen Maggs Bread, cakes, baked on premises (no improvers or Landlord’s Choice, Molennium, Rucking Mole, Best The Old Bakery, Yattendon, nr Thatcham, RG18 0UE preservatives, low in salt). Speciality breads, Lacock Bitter, Elmo’s Fire and Black Rat cider. Open 9am-5pm T: 01635 202968 Lardies, Sidoli Ice Cream, Cottage Delight preserves weekdays, 9am-noon Sat. E: [email protected] and old-fashioned sweets. Sweetshop. Open all www.wbbrew.com week, 10am-5pm. Winter opening: start of Nov until RAMSBURY BREWERY Micro-brewery of Good Old Boy, Mr Chubb’s 28 Feb 10am-4.30pm. Baking: Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sats. Darren Golding Lunchtime Bitter and Dr Hexter’s Healer winner of the Priory Farm, Axford, Marlborough, SN8 2HA Gold Medal in the Premium beer category at the Great MAPLEDURHAM WATERMILL T: 01672 541407/07843 289527 British Beer Festival in 2009. Brewery tours by Contact: Lola Andrews E: [email protected] arrangement. Shop: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 10am- The Estate Office, Mapledurham, nr Reading, www.ramsburybrewery.com 1pm, or by appointment. RG4 7TR T: 0118 972 3350 E: [email protected] THE WEST BERKSHIRE BREWERY www.mapledurham.co.uk Beers of Exceptional character Award-winning cask ales Wholemeal flour from last working watermill on Trade and retail sales ❖ Brewery Shop Thames, available to visitors or by order from Estate Ramsbury Brewery, Priory Farm, Axford, Marlborough, SN8 2HA The Old Bakery, Yattendon, Stooks of corn Thatcham, Berks RG18 0UE Office. Open Easter to end Sept: Sat, Sun and Bank www.ramsburybrewery.com 01635 202968 www.wbbrew.com Picture: BlueSky images Est 1995 Holidays 2-5pm and Sun afternoons in October. UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 29 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:42 Page 30
THE OLD FARMHOUSE BAKERY FRUIT MEAT & FISH Contact: Rodney, Kate or Beccie Bitmead CROSS LANES FRUIT FARM BASTABLE BROTHERS, KINTBURY By The Meadow Farm, The Green, Steventon, Contact: Gillian Franklin 2 Church Street, Kintbury RG17 9TR OX13 6RP Cross Lanes Fruit Farm, Mapledurham, nr Reading, T: 01488 658537 T: 01235 831230 RG4 7UW www.bastablebrothers.co.uk E: [email protected] T: 0118 972 3167 Traditional family butchers and graziers. Locally www.theoldfarmhousebakery.co.uk E: [email protected] sourced and seasonal produce including beef and A Rick Stein Food Hero and artisan bakery www.crosslanesfruitfarm.co.uk lamb (raised on their own farm), handmade producing traditional and speciality breads. Open Wed, Thur, Fri 9am-5pm; Sat 8.30am-1pm. Family-run fruit farm growing 70 varieties of sausages, home-cured bacon and ham and Farmers’ Markets. traditional English apples, plums and pears. award-winning poultry. Local bronze turkeys Freshly-pressed apple juices and honey. Special also available, Christmas hampers, cheeses, WESSEX MILL Christmas boxes. Open Wed to Sun 10am-6pm, end chutneys, pates and other delicatessen items. Mill Street, Wantage, OX12 9AB August to mid-Jan. Outlets: Farmers’ Markets. T: 01235 768991 E: [email protected] UK mail order. BREMHILL FARMERS www.wessexmill.co.uk Contact: Jean Pocock Flour milled to produce top quality bread. HILDRED’S Monument Farm, Bremhill, Calne, SN11 Available to the public online, through farm Contact: George Hildred T: 01249 740202 shops, specialist food shops and independent Spring Leys, Wallingford Road, Goring on Thames, E: [email protected] food stores (see website for details). Reading, RG8 0HP Family-run farm with grass-fed Aberdeen Angus T: 01491 874471 cattle, outdoor sows and grass-fed Texel cross lambs. WILTON WINDMILL FLOUR Pick Your Own – asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries, Also sausages, bacon, homemade beef burgers, free Contact: Robert Randall raspberries, gooseberries, red and blackcurrants, range eggs, meat pies, sausage rolls and pasties. Wilton Windmill, Wilton, nr Marlborough, SN8 3SP gladioli – when in season. Best to visit Friday. T: 01672 811 698 E: [email protected] www.wiltonwindmill.co.uk ST CRISPINS FARM BROOKLEAS FISH FARM Stoneground wholemeal flour milled from Contact: Jane Bywater Contact: Tim Lobb wheat grown in fields surrounding the windmill. St Crispins Farm, Chapel Row, Bucklebury RG7 6PB Brookleas, East Hendred, nr Wantage, On sale from caravan shop on site during T: 01189 714653 OX12 8LN opening times in season E: [email protected] T: 01235 820500 (Easter to Sept) www.workwild.co.uk E: [email protected] and farmshops Newly restored apple and plum orchards working www.brookleas.co.uk and other local on organic principles, producing natural apple juice Trout farm. Small farm shop and smokery. outlets. from 15 varieties unsprayed fruit. Plums available Children’s fishing pond. Fly-fishing and live trout from local farm shops. Also duck eggs and honey. restocking available on request. Member of British Cases of apple juice delivered locally, order via Trout Association. Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm. Farm shop, telephone/email. also Farmers’ Markets. 30 | UP! On The North Wessex Downs Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:42 Page 31
CAMILLA AND ROLY’S LITTLE WITTENHAM LAMB T: 01672 810257/07866 452611 Award-winning organic meat prepared by skilled Contact: Camilla and Roly Puzey E: [email protected] butchers. National home delivery service. Hill Farm, Little Wittenham, Abingdon, OX14 4RD Pork sausages, bacon, gammon, pork or beef Available in Sainsbury’s and Tesco under the Helen T: 07776 393072 E: [email protected] freezer packs. Pig feed contains no GM Browning brand. www.camillaandroly.co.uk ingredients or antibiotics (growth promoters). To ensure tenderness lambs graze on grass, clover and Refrigerated home delivery service, 14-mile radius. GREENFIELD PORK PRODUCTS wildflower meadows and are fed locally grown peas, Contact: Martin and Dawn Martindale barley and hay. Everyone welcome. Learning resource DEWS MEADOW FARM Sunnycliff, Highbury Road, Anna Valley, for schools and other interest groups. Fun farm Contact: Jane and Andrew Bowler Andover, SP11 7LU activities for birthday parties. Oxford Rd, East Hanney, Wantage, OX12 0HP T: 01264 359422 T: 01235 868634 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] CASEY FIELDS FARM SHOP (VICARS GAME) www.dewsmeadowfarm.co.uk www.greenfield-pork.co.uk Contact: Alan or Owen Hayward Full range of our pork products, locally-sourced Free range pork, Wiltshire-cured bacon and Casey Fields Farm, off Dog Lane, Ashampstead, RG8 8SJ meats, fresh vegetables, dairy products, bread, gammons, and prize-winning sausages. T: 01635 579662 E: [email protected] jams and preserves. Farm Shop: Mon-Sat 8.30am-5pm Hampshire Life Best Butcher/Meat Producer 2005. www.vicarsgame.co.uk (Fri 6pm). Farmers’ Markets. New direct to your door Refrigerated delivery service. Hog roast service. Farm shop and butchery (beef, pork, lamb, wild boar, home delivery service. Available at Hampshire Farmers’ Markets and venison, poultry, game and exotics) at wholesale prices. local shops. Homemade sausages, burgers and bacon, smoked DOWNLAND PIGS LTD meats, free-range eggs, fresh vegetables and bread. Contact: David Wilkinson KILN MEADOWS FARM Mon-Sat 8am-5pm. Unit 4, Griffin Farm, Bowden Hill, Lacock, Wiltshire Contact: Gordon Hedges SN15 2PP Cox’s Lane, Midgham, Reading, RG7 5UR CHALLOW HILL MEATS T: 01249 730101 E: [email protected] T: 0118 971 2138 E: [email protected] Contact: Lucy Blackwell www.downlandproduce.co.uk Prime quality beef from pedigree Highland Challow Hill Farm, East Challow, Wantage, Own stock bred outdoors to produce high quality meat cattle. All beef hung on the bone for three weeks to OX12 9PD with a minimum of fat, free range on our own farm. maximise flavour and tenderness. Visit by T: 07899981551 E: [email protected] Own butchery. Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm . appointment. Available at Newbury Farmers’ www.challowhillmeats.co.uk Direct to the public at Farmers’ Markets and some retail Markets. Small family-run farm placing high value on outlets. Hog roast service. welfare of the animals and the environment. LAVERSTOKE PARK FARM Rear our own pedigree dexter cows and sell the EASTBROOK FARMS ORGANIC MEAT Overton, RG25 3DRT beef at Farmers’ Markets and in packs for your Contact: Carolyn Curtis T: 0800 334 5505 E: [email protected] freezer. Also rear our own lambs and pigs. Eastbrook Farm, Cues Lane, Bishopstone, Swindon, www.laverstokepark.co.uk SN6 8PL Organic beef, lamb, pork, chicken and buffalo meat. CHERRY ORCHARD MEATS T: 01793 790460 We believe in the promotion of biodiversity and Contact: Nick Venters E: [email protected] slower growing plants and animals. On-farm Russell Kilvington Cherry Orchard Cottage, East Sands, Burbage, SN8 3AN www.helenbrowningorganics.co.uk butcher’s shop. UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 31 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:43 Page 32
PARSONAGE FARM chicken, beef, lamb, mutton and pork. Online shop and Producers of wild flower seed and plants. Consultancy Upton, Andover, SP11 0JPT family butchers in Bristol and London. service available. Mail order brochure available or T: 01264 736208 E: [email protected] order from the website. www.parsonage-farm.co.uk THREE TREES FARM Third generation, family-run chemical-free farm, Contact: Clare McMurray ENGLEFIELD GARDEN CENTRE providing quality, naturally reared beef, lamb and Three Trees Farm Office, Draycott Foliat, Swindon, Contact: Miss Janet Smith pork. Meat is hung and butchered to order on farm and Wiltshire SN4 0HX The Street, Englefield, nr Theale, Reading, RG7 5ES delivered. Open Sat morning for sales and order T: 01793 741436 E: [email protected] T: 0118 930 4898 collections. Regular Farm Events, Open Days. www.threetreesfarm.co.uk www.englefieldgardencentre.co.uk Local suppliers of beef, pork, lamb and poultry. Charity-run garden centre, part of Affinity Trust, ROYAL BERKSHIRE PORK Family-run farm offering frozen meat packs available supporting people with learning disabilities. Contact: Russell Kilvington to your door. Also fresh meat packs for delivery on the Vegetable plants, quality bedding and herbaceous PO Box 6109, Newbury, RG14 9DA third weekend of each month. plants. Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun May-June 12-4pm. T: 01488 638155 E: [email protected] www.royalberkshirepork.co.uk VOWLEY FARM MEADOWMAKER Accredited RSPCA Freedom Food pig breeder and Contact: Lorraine & Mark Stanton Contact: Sue Everett retailer of branded pork products – sausages, bacon, Bincknoll Lane, Wootton Bassett, SN4 8QR 1 Chapel Cottage, Botmoor Way, Chaddleworth, gammons. Other producers supply the brand. T: 01793 852115 E: [email protected] www.vowleyfarm.co.uk RG12 7EU SANDRIDGE FARMHOUSE BACON Small, family-run working farm following T: 07779 204015 E: [email protected] Sandridge Farm, Bromham, nr Chippenham, bio-dynamic practices. Open on Thur 3-7pm to www.meadowmaker.me.uk SN15 2JL purchase home grown meats, sausages and bacon. Wild-harvested seed, by contract, for re-creating T: 01380 850304 Local delivery service and Farmers’ Markets. native grassland (lowland meadow/calcareous E: [email protected] grassland); consultancy for Farm Environment Plans and Environmental Stewardship. www.sandridgefarmhousebacon.co.uk PLANTS & SEEDS Speciality hams, Wiltshire naturally-smoked and FLOWER FARMS WANBOROUGH HERB NURSERY dry-cured bacon and sausages. Home-reared Aberdeen Contact: Bob Anderson Contact: Robert and Mary Biggs Angus and Hereford beef. Farmers’ Markets, farm shops, Carvers Hill Farm, Shalbourne, Marlborough, SN8 3PS Wanborough Herb Nursery, Callas Hill, Upper independent butchers, delicatessens and caterers. T: 01672 870782 E: [email protected] Wanborough, Swindon, SN4 0DQ www.charlesflower-wildflowers.co.uk SHEEPDROVE ORGANIC FARM T: 01793 790327 E: [email protected] Contact: Sales Team FLOWER FARMS Warren Farm, Lambourn, RG17 7UU www.wanboroughherbnursery.moonfruit.com Wild flower seed and T: 01488 674747 E: [email protected] grass seed sales Nursery set up in old chalk quarry to grow herbs, www.sheepdrove.com Consultancy service herbaceous, unusual and hard to find plants. Uses Award-winning organic farm with Eco Conference Email: [email protected] peat-free composts and no chemicals. Open spring, 01672 870782 Centre. Free local home delivery. Organic free-range summer and autumn (during growing season). 32 | UP! On The North Wessex Downs Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:43 Page 33
PRESERVES THATCHERS S JONES THATCHER 2 Drove Farm Cottages, Manningford Abbots, Pewsey, CHURCH LANE FOOD COMPANY BARDSLEY & BROWN THATCHERS SN9 6HT Contact: Jean Semlyen 1 Marlston Cottages, Marlston, Thatcham, T: 07876 213095 E: [email protected] 15 Church Lane, Wallingford, OX10 0DX RG18 9UN Member of the Master Thatchers Association of T: 01491 833320 T: 01635 201546 E: [email protected] Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. Environmentally-aware producer of home-made www.traditionalthatch.co.uk traditional fruit and vegetable preserves, jams, jellies, Berkshire-based small partnership of two Master marmalades, chutneys. Most ingredients grown locally Thatchers. Established in 1989 by Barney UNUSUAL CRAFTS without chemicals. Visit by appointment. Wallingford Bardsley and Dave Brown, the company MARSDEN CONFECTIONERY Local Producers’ Market. thatch roofs to the highest standards, Contact: Alex Marsden-Smedley with a wide range of roof styles/properties. Tower Hill House, Chaddleworth, Newbury, RG20 7ET ROSEMARY’S PRESERVES T: 01488 638288 Contact: John and Rosemary Tuck JASON MORLEY E: [email protected] Highgate Farm, Wootton Bassett, SN4 8DT 55 Newbury Road, Kingsclere, Newbury, RG20 5SP www.marsdensconfectionery.co.uk T: 01793 850999 E: [email protected] T: 01635 298174 E: [email protected] Small home-based business hand making fudge Wide range of home-made jams, chutneys, www.master-thatchers.co.uk and chocolates. Gold Great Taste Awards in 2006, 2010. marmalades, jellies, apple juice and elderflower Thatching for 27 years with a team of four Master Vanilla Fudge made without additives and artificial cordial. Contract service to press, pasteurise and bottle Thatchers and one apprentice. Winners of several flavourings in a range of five flavours. Custom orders. juices from surplus fruit. Visit by appointment. awards. Willing to take on anything thatched. Free quotations, advice. Vast knowledge of all reeds as well STICKS & STONES SUSIE’S PRESERVES LTD as being a fire retardant specialist. Contact: Garp or Liis Flack Contact: Susie Kensett 2 Thatched Barn, Nursery Farm, Woodborough Garden Unit A, Cold Ash Farm, Long Lane, Hermitage, Centre, Woodborough, Nr Pewsey SN9 5PF Newbury, RG18 9LT RJ BOULTON MASTER THATCHERS LTD T: 01672 852268 E: [email protected] T: 07909 995353 E: [email protected] Contact: Bob Boulton www.uksticksandstones.com www.susiespreserves.co.uk The Maples, Wantage Road, Eddington, Hungerford, Bespoke handmade kitchenware, individually- Range of over 30 preserves – chutneys, jams, jellies, RG17 0PJ designed chopping blocks, cheeseboards and salad marmalades and pickles. Available from village and T: 01488 683000 E: [email protected] bowls made from blocks of locally sourced timber and farm shops, butchers, delicatessens and garden centres www.rjboulton-thatcher.co.uk rock. See website for more details. in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, London, selected craft and Members of The Berks, Bucks and Oxon Master country shows. Thatchers Association, The Wiltshire Master Thatchers Association, The National Council of Susie’s Preserves Master Thatchers, The National Society of Chutneys, jams, jellies, marvellous Master Thatchers. marmalades, perfect pickles Call SUSIE on 0790 9995 353 Wild flowers www.susiespreserves.co.uk UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 33 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:43 Page 34
STRIPEY BASKET silk on historic machinery for interiors, stage and stay comfortable and enjoyable. Farm shop on site Contact: Christine Brewster screen productions. Visitors welcome. Self-service selling home-produced country fare, fresh eggs for The Old Stables Loft, Englefield, Reading, tearoom. Shop sells unique silk gifts, accessories. breakfast, delicious English honey and more. Berkshire RG7 5EL Tue to Sun 10.30am to 5pm (except Christmas). T: 07786 062 860 E: [email protected] Last admission 4.15pm. COBBS FARM SHOP & KITCHEN www.stripeybasket.co.uk Contact: Charlotte Howard Basket-making with willow and recycled materials. VARIED STORES & FARM SHOPS Bath Road, Hungerford, RG17 0SPT Garden plant supports and willow sculptures. Chair T: 01488 686770 E: [email protected] seating with cane and rush. Classes, talks and BEECHWOOD FARM FREE RANGE EGGS www.cobbsfarmshop.co.uk demonstrations. Opening times by appointment. Contact: Nathan Rice Soft fruit and vegetables in season and throughout Beechwood Farm, Hampstead Norreys, Thatcham, the year. On site butcher, fishmonger, florist, deli, SUMMERDOWN FARMS Newbury, RG18 0TL farm shop, licensed café with garden. Summer time Contact: Judith Williams T: 01635 201163 E: [email protected] Pick Your Own. Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm. PO Box 6636, Basingstoke, RG24 4AQ High quality producer of free range eggs. T: 01256 780252 E: [email protected] Suppliers to high quality butchers, farm shops, EVERLEIGH FARM SHOP www.summerdownmint.com village shops, local markets, the catering trade and Contact: David Hammerson Pure English mint revived for the 21st century. Order food wholesalers. T: 01264 850344 online or see our website for retailers. E: [email protected] BRADFIELD PICK YOUR OWN FARM www.everleighfarmshop.co.uk WHITCHURCH SILK MILL Merryfield Farm, Mariners Lane, Southend, Bradfield, Farmers and traditional butchers offering beef, Contact: Stephen Bryer RG7 6HU pork, lamb, veal, poultry, shot game, venison, Whitchurch Silk Mill, 28 Winchester Street, T: 07767 788261 sausages, burgers, bacon, salami, delicatessen, fish, Whitchurch, RG28 7AL E: [email protected] cheese and groceries, three bird roast, free range goose T: 01256 892065 E: [email protected] www.bradfieldpickyourown.com and turkey, venison (roast, steaks and sirloin), wild www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk Family-owned and run farm providing fresh local boar, quail. 200-year-old water mill on River Test weaving food. Traditional methods of farming such as using pigs to clear the ground and chickens for bug control. FIELDERS FARM SHOP Supply local restaurants and farm shops. Contact: Jo Fielder Wickcroft Farm, Pangbourne Road, Theale, RG7 5EA BROOK FARM HOLIDAY COTTAGES AND T: 0118 930 4064 E: [email protected] FREE RANGE EGGS www.fieldersfarmshop.co.uk Milton Road, Drayton, Abingdon, OX14 4EZ Wide variety of local and British produce – beef, T: 01235 820262 lamb, pork, game, speciality sausages, British cheese, E: [email protected] free range pates, pies, fresh bread and cakes. www.brookfarmcottages.com Seasonal fruit and veg, local wines, beers and Fully equipped to make your self liquors. Tues to Sat, 9am till 6pm. Sun 10am till 4pm. catering holiday or short term Closed Mon. Jo Fielder 34 | UP! On The North Wessex Downs Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:43 Page 35
GARLANDS ORGANIC rockery stones, dung and firewood. Supplying and/or T: 01488 668326 Contact: Innes and Hannah Ballantyne moving semi-mature trees, conservation advice. E: [email protected] 6 Reading Road, Pangbourne, RG8 7LY Educational visits. www.theswaninn-organics.co.uk T: 0118 984 4770 E: [email protected] Hotel and shop which serves meals cooked using www.garlandsorganic.co.uk Q GARDENS FARM SHOP mainly organic ingredients. All meat organic, hung and More than 1,500 organic and natural products – fresh Contact: Katie Napper butchered on premises. A la carte restaurant Wed-Sat, produce, local bread, meat, fresh fish, chilled and Milton Hill, Steventon, Abingdon, OX13 6AB Sun lunch. Shop Wed-Fri 11am-2.30pm, weekend frozen food, organic grocery brands, bodycare, T: 01235 820988 E: [email protected] 11am-3pm. RSPCA Good Business Award 2007. household products and supplements. 9.30-5pm Mon, www.qgardensfarmshop.co.uk 9.30-5.30pm Tue-Fri and 9.00-5pm Sat. Farm shop and butchery – beef and lamb, locally THE KITCHEN GARDEN produced pork, poultry and game. Seasonal fruit Contact: Ashley Pearson HANNEY COMMUNITY SHOP & POST OFFICE and veg. PYO. Tea room and children’s play area. Littlestoke Manor, Wallingford, OX10 6AX Contact: Mrs AP Vickars T: 07983 457150 Brookside, East Hanney, Wantage, OX12 0JL RUSHALL FARM E: [email protected] T: 01235 867408 Rushall Farm, Scratchface Lane, Bradfield, RG7 6DL www.thekitchengarden.org Wide range of local meat, free-range eggs, honey, T: 0118 974 4547 E: [email protected] Small organic market garden providing a variety of fruit and vegetables. Also groceries, household www.rushallfarm.org.uk organic vegetables, herbs and fruit. Courses in growing goods, stationery, greetings cards and small toys. Post 350-hectare farm, producing organic lamb, and vegetables, practical days to help everyone start Office and village store established more than 20 years. beef. Educational environmental visits through growing their own. Established cutting garden. the John Simonds Trust and Open Days, including HARROWAY ORGANIC GARDENS lambing, bluebell walks and family events. THE OLD FARM SHOP Contact: Mandy Wright and Steve Forster Contact: Mrs Caroline Tyler Kingsclere Road, Whitchurch, RG28 7QB STAINSWICK FARM Milton Hill, Harwell, Abingdon, OX14 4DP T: 01256 895346 E: [email protected] Contact: Helen Sanderson T: 01235 831247 E: [email protected] Market garden producing wide range of organically- Stainswick Farm, Shrivenham, Oxon, SN6 8LD Award-winning sausages and free range eggs grown fruit and vegetables. Local vegetable box T: 07920 224 587 or 01793 782271 produced on the farm. Pesticide-free fruit and veg. deliveries (Andover, Newbury, Whitchurch & Overton). E: [email protected] Veggie box scheme delivered free to your door. Farm shop. Thur-Sat 9am-6pm. www.stainswickfarm.co.uk Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil grown, pressed and bottled THE SMALLHOLDING AT TUFTON LITTLE HIDDEN FARM on the Oxfordshire/Wiltshire border. Other outlets: Contact: Jane Huxford Contact: Bill and Sue Acworth Farmers’ Markets, events, local shops (full list on 2 Church Cottages, Tufton, Whitchurch, RG28 7RF Little Hidden Farm, Wantage Road, Hungerford, website). Currently have stockists across Oxfordshire, T: 01256 893518 E: [email protected] RG17 0PN Wiltshire, Berkshire and Gloucestershire. www.tuftonsmallholding.co.uk T: 01488 683253 E: [email protected] A wide selection of plants from our nursery; traditional www.littlehiddenfarm.co.uk SWAN INN & ORGANIC SHOP & RESTAURANT homemade preserves; free range eggs; luxury Mixed organic farm with Riding School. Birthday party Contact: Mrs Mary Harris blankets, throws, hand-knitted items, knitting yarn, and corporate rides. Beef & lamb, pea & bean sticks, The Swan Inn, Lower Green, Inkpen, RG17 9DX fleeces and sheepskins, all from our own sheep. UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 35 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:44 Page 36
V & P COLLINS FARM SHOP VEGETABLES Growers and distributors of organic vegetables. Contact: Tracey and Phil Collins Established 1976. Supplying in-season organic BROMHAM GROWERS 81-83 Devizes Road, Bromham, Chippenham, SN15 2DZ vegetables and fruit delivered to your neighbourhood Contact: Ross Paget E: [email protected] weekly, via neighbourhood scheme. Bromham Growers Ltd, Barley Close Farm, Bromham, Own vegetables sold at various Farmers’ Markets and Chippenham, SN15 2JA own farm shop – all local produce including smoked WOOD & TREES T: 01380 859891 meat and fish, bacon, sausages, eggs, cream and all E: [email protected] GEORGE MEDLIN WOODWORKS vegetables and fruit. www.bromhamgrowers.co.uk Contact: George Medlin Wholesale operation producing freshly prepared The Medlin Workshop, Little Hidden Farm, Wantage Rd, WOODBOROUGH NURSERY & GARDEN CENTRE chopped and whole vegetables grown mainly on farms Hungerford, RG17 0PN Contact: Alison Parker in Bromham. Six days a week. T: 07881 570301/01672 811886 Nursery Farm, Woodborough, nr Pewsey, SN9 5PF E: [email protected] T: 01672 851249 E: [email protected] www.georgemedlin.co.uk MAPLELEAF WATERCRESS www.woodboroughgardencentre.co.uk Bespoke furniture using local AONB, British and Contact: Alison Brown PYO fruit, vegetables and daffodils at nursery April- European woods. Commissioned work. Specialises in Parrotts, Greywell Road, Mapledurwell, Basingstoke, Oct. Garden centre with farm and gift shop. Mon to Sat individually designed furniture. Medlin-designed RG25 2LS 9am-5pm; Sun 11am-5pm. traditional specimen pieces available. T: 01256 464221 E: [email protected] YATTENDON ESTATE LTD Suppliers of traditional bunched watercress LOGGYWOOD The Estate Office, Yattendon, RG18 OUY available from the gate at Parrots, and from Farmers’ Contact: Steve Beale T: 01635 203900 E: [email protected] Markets at Alton, Farnham, Guildford, Newbury, Andover www.yattendon.co.uk Petersfield, Purley, Reading, Selsey, Winchester and T: 01264 365417 E: [email protected] The largest selection of fresh Christmas trees in the area, Windsor. Suppliers of seasoned beech hardwood logs. seasonal decorations, associated fare. The Foresters’ Yard. Kiln-dried kindling produced on site. Wood December 9am-6pm or by appointment. TOLHURST ORGANIC PRODUCE briquettes. Tipped bulk loads 5 miles around Andover. West Lodge, Hardwick, Whitchurch-on-Thames, Retail and wholesale enquiries welcome. Pangbourne, RG8 7RA T: 0118 984 3428 MARNIE MOYLE & GREEN OAK FURNITURE E: [email protected] Contact: Marnie Moyle www.tolhurstorganic.co.uk 1 Catmore Road, West Ilsley, RG20 7AT T: 01635 281786 E: [email protected] www.greenoakfurniture.co.uk Simple, sturdy outdoor designs using locally harvested unseasoned green oak. Each piece is additionally carved with words or designs, and the site-origin of the wood used is carved on the 36 | UP! On The North Wessex Downs Log splitting for fuel Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:44 Page 37
underside of the bespoke work. All furniture made T: 01488 685007 E: [email protected] to commission. www.wessexwoodlandbiofuels.com Woodchip fuel produced by Wessex Biofuels Ltd is a SEASONED TIMBER COMPANY low cost, low carbon source of heating energy Contact: Oli Rowlands produced from managed and sustainable woodlands Hungerford, RG17 0JX within the North Wessex Downs AONB. T: 07917 875781 E: [email protected] WEST MILL FORESTRY www.seasonedtimbercompany.co.uk West Mill Farm, Watchfield, Nr Faringdon, Buy fresh, delicious Producers of seasoned fuelwoods – hardwood logs, Oxon, SN6 8TH local produce all year. softwood kindling and woodchip. Woodland timber T: 07855 465515 E: [email protected] processed into fuelwood or planking. Services include Visit our www.westmillforestry.co.uk farmers’ markets in woodland clearance, timber removal and roadside Small, friendly company offering a wide range of stacking of felled timber. woodland services (woodland management, estate Oxfordshire and management, woodland development, forestry, West Berkshire: THOMAS OWEN planting and maintenance). More than 15 years of (Woodland management & arboriculture ) Didcot – 2nd Saturday of month industry experience. Professional high quality advice The Wood Yard, Stoke Hill, Stoke, Hampshire, SP11 OLT Hungerford – 4th Sunday of month and guidance available. T: 01264 738738 M: 07973 183610 Newbury – 1st & 3rd Sunday of month E: [email protected] Purley-on-Thames – 2nd Saturday Established since 1992. Professional arborists/foresters WESSEX WOODLAND MANAGEMENT of month specialising in tree work including specialist climbing Contact: David Hunt Reading – 1st and 3rd Saturday of services, from small tree planting to big tree removal. Foxley Wood, Hungerford Park, Kintbury Road, month Hungerford, RG17 0UT Suppliers of locally made charcoal, habitat boxes, Visit our website for details mulch, smoking wood, sawn timber and woodland T: 01488 685007 E: [email protected] products. www.wessexwoodland.com of all our markets and All aspects of forestry from new woodland planning producers. WESSEX BIOFUELS LTD through to commercial, harvesting, sporting and Contact: David Hunt conservation woodland management. Full contracting www.tvfm.org.uk Foxley Wood, Hungerford Park, Kintbury Road, services, manages 50,000ha of woodlands across the email: [email protected] Hungerford, RG17 0UT south of England, mainly for private clients. ■ Tel: 01235 227266
For low cost wood chip fuel For all aspects of woodland management Tel : 01488 685007 Tel : 01488 685007 www.wessexbiofuels.com www.wessexwoodland.com All markets are FARMA certified
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Welcome to The Bear The Bear Hotel is one of England’s oldest coaching inns and has been the focus of hospitality since 1464 in the quintessentially English market town of Hungerford, in the Royal County of Berkshire. We are situated in the Heart of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Thirty-nine individually designed bedrooms and award-winning restaurant. Visit our website: www.thebearhotelhungerford.co.uk Tel : 01488 682512
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TheFrom man soft- who loves wareto read stones ITExpert expert lettergoes back carver to the Joss future lends a steady hand...
YOU may have read the work of Joss Nankoo. He’s demonstrations hosted by Joss. not anDIGITALAGE author. Joss isIT a expert skilled Christine craftsman Brewster and also went “I used to teach at Thames Valley University, so an avid‘back-to-the-future’ reader like many of to us discover but of fresh stones. digital that part came easily, but the important thing for “Theredexterity are so and many a second different career types in of hand-made stone me is it helps to retain traditional stonework Portland,willow Purbeck, basketware. York, sandstones, granite and crafts. I always try to use local materials and slate to nameAlthough but a few….successful and contractor you have to in knowthe IT sensitive methods in my work,” says Joss who has them sector,all very, working very well with if you blue-chip are going corporates to work in thea degree in building surveying, and is a member them.south-east, You have to Christine be able hadto look always at a enjoyedpiece of of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors stone,leisuretime read it, see handicraftsits individual such character as quilting and and and the British Register of Accredited Memorial then visualisedressmaking. how it She will even end up,found before time ever to be you a Masons. set a hammerconservation and chisel volunteer on it.” with the Berkshire, Joss got into stone letter cutting by accident. ThatchambasedBuckinghamshire Joss and is an Oxfordshire expert stone Wildlife letter While working for stonemasons in Canada in the carver,Trust. but his talents extend far beyond the 1990s, the need came for a letter cutter with a carving ofThen, house in 1993 nameplates she took and part gravestones. in a steady hand and a head for heights. Joss That’stwo-day why he’s basket-making been assisting churchcourse. “Igroups just and volunteered. Soon he was 300ft up a church parishgot councils hooked within on this the centuries-old AONB recently, craft passing steeple working on restoring Latin stone on hisand knowledge started to and go advice to lots aboutof training the inscriptions. condition,courses, restoration including and some repair in Polandof local and “I found I had a natural ability for it. My stonework.Ireland. I used to make baskets for friends, creativity, attention to detail and personal pride developedThe free conditionmy own stripey surveys, styles, funded and bythen the developed the work into a passion. When I got beganAONB’s to Sustainable get commissions.” Development Fund, back to England, I directed my energy and haveShe generated gained City significant & Guilds qualifications,interest enthusiasm in this direction and began focusing wasabout asked the ‘hiddento give basket-weaving heritage’ of my work on letter cutting and stone restoration, demonstrationschurchyard headstones and private and lessons, eventually evolving into my own business Stone andprompted now regularly workshops runs and basket- Art Memorials.”
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LEADER helps revitalise AONB comm
TWO years into its five-year timeframe the the key themes: halls to start-up forestry businesses, renewable North Wessex Downs LEADER Programme is • Farming, food and forestry bio-fuels to recreational areas, meat-boxes to already providing jobs, much-needed facilities, • Business transformation and community horse oats, a cattery to a brewery, and even and hopes of a more vibrant and sustainable development historic church window restoration. future for communities throughout the AONB. LEADER grants may provide some of the • LEADER has targeted £2 million to be Challenges and opportunities of climate resources, but it takes driven people to invest awarded as local grants between 2009 and change in new businesses and to create active change 2013, and although £800,000 has already • Enjoying the North Wessex Downs and improvement to their communities. Many been spent or committed, the programme So far, LEADER has helped nearly 30 projects of the LEADER projects are inter-generational, remains open to projects that show with grants ranging from £5,000 to £50,000. taking established family businesses in a new benefits for the AONB and deliver one of Projects vary widely from refurbishing village direction or providing a fresh focus for community life. Richard and Pamela Betts and their four children are aiming to enhance their 21st century commercial future at Manor Farm in Hampstead Norreys, as well as create a new hub for their village. The Betts family gained a LEADER grant enabling them to construct a new building on their farm to house a community shop. The enterprising shop committee also obtained a LEADER grant for the fit-out. Above the shop, a skin health clinic has been established. These projects complement the conversion of former stables into five self-catering holiday cottages and all these buildings are heated by a new wood-fuel boiler. Richard Betts explains: “LEADER financial Foreground, Richard and William discuss support has provided the springboard for us progress on the stables conversions. Pamela views the new community shop, with Mary to create a new community shop – a village Dennis right who will manage it . stores, if you like – which will not only provide Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:45 Page 41
Want to apply for a mmunities and businesses LEADER cash grant? LEADER is European money provided to help the rural economy and sustainability at a service for the village but we hope will also a local level through the Rural Development give Hampstead Norreys a fresh social focal Programme for England (RDPE). point. It’s something that involves the whole “We have roughly £400,000 available village – it’s the village’s shop, built and each year to distribute, so we are keen to managed by local people, selling local hear about innovative and sustainable projects that fall within at least one of the produce for everyone to enjoy.” four LEADER Programme themes,” says The Betts are not the only local family LEADER Programme Manager Corinna being assisted by LEADER aiming to sustain Woodall. future business activities within the AONB. For further information contact: Gary and Sarah McMurray, together with [email protected] or call their daughter, son and daughter-in-law, have 01488 680456 or view formed the Three Trees Farm partnership near www.northwessexleader.org.uk Frank Haighton (checked shirt) at the installation of Chiseldon and received a grant for a his LEADER-funded forestry equipment processing facility to sell meat boxes. Philip and Julia Walters and their son Other projects supported by LEADER: Farm and rural business support Edward are upgrading their traditional turkey Conservation of heritage Camilla and Roly Puzey, Little Wittenham – business with improved processing St Andrew’s Church, Boxford; St Michael’s and equipment for Farmers’ Markets and on-farm equipment and new online sales IT. All Angels’ Church, Letcombe Bassett – events Frank Haighton at Netherton got a grant for restoration and refurbishment (see page 9). Cosypaws Cattery, East Garston – construction a forestry tractor and firewood processor. His Community facilities/activities of cattery pens son Jack, currently studying forest Bradfield Southend Community Shop – EJM Tree Services, Shaw – new forestry trailer management, hopes to join his father’s establishment of Post Office Porchester Farms, Highclere – equipment for forestry business on completion of his college Milton Lilbourne Village Hall – environmentally horse oats processing studies. friendly heating system RN Edwards, Egbury – GPS system for accurate Mike and Gill Rowlands have recently Morrell Room, Streatley – refurbishment nutrient management started the Seasoned Timber Company of Northmoor Trust , Little Wittenham – children’s Thomas Owen, Stoke – acquisition of forestry Hungerford. Mike and his son Ollie carry out food festival equipment the woodland management and produce Springline Community Theatre, East Hendred – Wessex Biofuels, Hungerford – forestry seasoned hardwood logs, kindling and lighting improvements equipment for business start-up planked timber. Gill is in charge of marketing Streatley Recreation Ground – all-weather West Berkshire Brewery, Yattendon – reedbed and keeps the accounts. surface for ball games creation for effluent management. ■ UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 41 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:45 Page 42
Thermomix Lambourn Trainers’ the intelligent blender that Association weighs, cooks and steams Stable tours of Racehorse Stables
Includes gallops, racing stables, LAMBOURN TRAINERS’ equine swimming pool, OPEN DAY 22nd APRIL 2011 Hall of Fame and a tour of new staff housing. Open: 7.30am-12.30pm daily. Direct to your door Visits by appointment only but not Sundays or Bank Holidays Call our hotline: For a FREE cookery class, call Windsor House, Lambourn, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 8NR 01235 868634 Suzanne at Tasty Morsels T: 01488 71347 place your order now! Email: [email protected] www.dewsmeadowfarm.co.uk 0800 980 4896 www.lambourntraining.org 0YGPSE3PBEr&BTU)BOOFZr8BOUBHFr09)1 www.tastymorsels.co.uk
Walking for Health in West Berkshire Would you like to improve your fitness, meet new BASTABLE Saturday, 16 April, 2011 friends and enjoy some beautiful countryside? BROTHERS 10am-4pm - Entry: £4 Beautiful walks taking place almost every day. Marlborough College, of KINTBURY Marlborough SBN8 1PA T: 01635 874381 E: [email protected] 65 stands with great products for your TRADITIONAL BUTCHERS home, your garden, for children, for you... AND GRAZIERS something for everyone in the family! For details: www.westberks.gov.uk/wfh Private butchery undertaken for farmers and smallholders. www.marlboroughcancerresearch.org.gov.uk Tel: 07887 924530 THATCHER’S YARD, 2 CHURCH STREET KINTBURY, BERKSHIRE RG17 9TR All proceeds to Cancer Research UK 01488 658537 (Reg. No.:19089464 www.bastablebrothers.co.uk
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Things look better in the dark!
“IT’S only when you get out of the towns that people have to travel so far from that surround the North Wessex Downs their homes to see the sky at its best. that you realise how little we normally They should be able to view it all from see in the night skies,” says Daniel their doorsteps.” O’Donoghue of The Richmond Fellowship. Dark skies in the AONB are actually He has been leading an AONB-funded legally protected by light pollution dark skies project involving a mobile legislation, but even so the observatory and students from St John’s encroachment of urbanisation and School and Community College in careless use of lighting is reducing our Marlborough. (Pictured. The red glow is dark sky areas. Protection of dark night Marlborough lighting up the sky.) skies is a policy objective of the North “Equipped with star maps, red lights, Wessex Downs Management Plan. binoculars and telescopes, we are “Light is arguably the most easily encouraging young people to explore solved pollutant – just turn it off or point the night sky, beginning with their near- it downwards.” sky neighbour the moon, then on to the Careful use of lighting can also lower planets and beyond. The idea is that they energy bills and helps reduce “Too many people leave house lights return home understanding how the greenhouse gas emissions, he adds. on, or have badly directed security darkest sky lets you see the furthest." “When you see towns on the AONB lighting that spills outwards and “The North Wessex Downs AONB is not margin shooting light into the night upwards. Businesses, sports only beautiful during the day. Its night skies, you quickly realize that it’s quite floodlighting, and even streetlights skies are among the best in the UK.” simply our biggest visible waste of add to unnecessary skyward glare. The continuing project is investigating resources.” ■ Light should only shine where it is the impacts of light pollution on night skies. “The Downs are great places for Details: 01672 516393 needed and wanted.”
viewing the night skies, but it’s a pity www.richmondfellowship.org.uk Daniel O’Donoghue Picture Holly O’Donoghue UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 43 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:45 Page 44
Living off the land – 21st centu
The North Wessex Downs has been an AONB for 39 years. In the future, could it be an Area of Outstanding National Energy?
CAN YOU SEE THE FUTURE? OUR modern world relies too heavily on enhance the natural beauty of the area. dwindling carbonbased fuels such as “Although we must resist harmful Can you see the energy fields? coal, gas and oil that contribute to global energyrelated projects in the AONB, at Use a little imagination: The sun beats down, warming. By 2015, the UK’s level of the same time we must encourage local, a stream flows . . . generating electricity. The imported gas supplies is expected to sustainable, welldesigned and tractor prepares a field which will later provide straw for use in a biomass boiler. Short double to 80%. In 2004 we were a net concealed schemes,” says Andrew Lord, rotation coppicing in nearby woods supplies exporter of gas. Planning Advisor for the AONB. “It’s a biomass power on the farm, where a We need to find alternative ecofriendly fine balance, but the local environment groundsource heat pump lies underground, fuel sources for our energy needs. of the North Wessex Downs AONB, unseen but actively producing energy for Within the North Wessex Downs AONB coupled with sensitive use of new hot water needs. The restored Wilton Windmill we have these natural energy sources, technologies, may offer us local solutions 1821 still grinds windpowered flour. but we also have a duty to conserve and to our 21st century demands for energy.”
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The technology for using alternative Is it too farfetched to imagine that renewable sources of energy already exists. alternative energy might one day supply a Hydropower, anaerobic digesters, solar whole community? Apparently not. A panels, ground and air source heatpumps, feasibility study has already been put biofuels and wind turbines may once have forward for Brightwalton to implement a sounded like science fiction but they are all woodfired district energy scheme that will now practical methods of providing our supply the local school, church, village hall, own local energy. and social and private housing in the Keith Richards, CEO of Thames Valley village. “People like to buy locally produced Energy, believes it’s time to move these food; why not enjoy local heating as well as technologies into greater everyday use. local eating?” suggests Keith Richards. “They have already proved they work, and Not that the AONB is behind the times. with wider application and support they There are increasing numbers of farms and will improve in quality and performance. We Biomass power from straw bales homes in the AONB using solar power for can’t afford not to, because our fossil fuels hot water and electricity. Biomass burners are finite.” reduced by up to 90%. His ‘green’ also provide heat and hot water at the Keith is not advocating a blanket move to investment should pay off by 2016, when he Northmoor Trust at Little Wittenham and alternative energy use. “In some cases it will will move into profit by supplying excess heat for the Living Rain Forest, Hampstead not be economically viable, or perhaps not electricity to the National Grid case study Norreys. There has been a fairly well in the best interests of the AONB landscape, details at www.tvenergy.org. concealed wind turbine at Faccombe for but I would urge adoption of alternative Governmentsupported guaranteed many years. energies wherever appropriate.” renewable energy tariffs are making such The North Wessex Downs AONB has Keith Richards is already doing his bit. microgeneration an attractive financial historically been a good source of wood When his own home burnt down, he took proposition for many people. “There are fuel and there is a strong reemergence of the opportunity to replace it by building a many microgeneration systems including this market for domestic log burners and zerocarbon sustainable family home within ground and air source heat pumps, solar new log, woodchip or woodpellet boilers. the North Wessex Downs AONB. Electricity and smallscale hydro, and wood fuel heat Sheepdrove Organic Farm near and heating for the traditionally styled and energy systems that can often be easily Lambourn champions sustainability and cottage are provided by solar photovoltaic accommodated into the AONB and will not selfsufficiency by using solar heating to and thermal panels and a multifuel burner. harm the landscape,” says AONB Planning reduce fuel needs for its farm offices and One year on, Keith says energy bills have Advisor Andrew Lord. conference centre; heat exchangers within UP! On The North Wessex Downs | 45 Up! 2011:Layout 1 01/03/2011 23:47 Page 46
its kitchen; and an array of solar cells at pictured for more than 500 homes. the farmhouse. “Generating its own energy Other smaller hydroelectric projects “In years to gives independence and stability for a rural are currently being considered on the business,” says Jason Ball of Sheepdrove, River Kennet. come they “but we have to respect the limitations of a European LEADER funding has assisted very special landscape character, rich in groundsource heating at Milton Lilbourne won’t be cultural and natural heritage.” village hall and businesses like Wessex The North Wessex Downs AONB has Biofuels, Thomas Owen, the Seasoned alternative already published guidance on the Timber Company and Frank Haighton sensitivity of local landscapes to wind Forestry as they expand to supply a energy sources, turbines, while a position statement on growing wood fuel market. they’ll be the renewable energy schemes is being These examples show how, with careful produced. thought, renewable energy can work in the ordinary ones.” As well as guidance, the North Wessex North Wessex Downs AONB without Downs AONB has provided positive harming the natural beauty of the Jason Ball, support through its SDF grants. For landscape. Sheepdrove example, the Goring and Streatley Next time that everrising fuel bill drops Organic Farm Sustainability Group plans to harness through your door, why not ‘think global, the Thames to produce clean, green act local’ and consider taking control of hydroelectric power from its local weirs your own energy production?
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Environmental Property Management & Maintenance for Berks, Hants, Wilts & Oxon • Woodland Management & Contracting &RXUVHV&RXUVHV • Hedgerow/Tree Planting & Maintenance • Woodland & Countryside Stewardship Grants • Landscape Design & Construction DDQG7UDLQLQJQG7UDLQLQQJ • Grounds & Paddock Maintenance • All types of Gates and Fencing Orwell House, 50 High Street, Hungerford, Berks RG17 0NE IIRU&DUHHUVRU&DUHHUV Tel: 01488 686004 Email: [email protected] www.broadmead-estates.co.uk RRQWKH/DQGQWKH/DQQG
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ESSEX W DO TH W R N O height above sea level in metres S N above 250
A 0 - 50 R Y E T ● Railway with station A U O A North Wessex Downs AONB Boundary F E O B U AL County/Unitary Authority Boundary TS UR TANDING NAT
Avebury World Heritage Site
The North Wessex Downs AONB is one of 46 AONBs in the UK each with the objective of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of their region. It covers 668 square miles 1,730 sq km and is the third largest in England.
AONB Office, Denford Manor, Lower Denford, Hungerford, RG17 0UN www.northwessexdowns.org.uk 01488 685440 infonorthwessexdowns.org.uk