Alston Moor Community Plan 2019 - 2025

ALSTON MOOR COMMUNITY PLAN 2019 - 2025

Alston Moor Partnership

FOREWORD

ALSTON MOOR LOCATION

ALSTON MOOR COMMUNITY PLAN 2019 INTRODUCTION Int. 1 Alston Moor is a small community community are those living outside the civil range of groups that meet for various with big ideas. We are far from any major parish boundary, in Northumberland and purposes, where we asked what people settlements and our history is one of self- County Durham, who look to Alston as most liked and disliked about living here sufficiency by necessity. Over the their nearest centre. and what they thought might make things worse or better. This gave us our key centuries, the way in which that is Int. 3 There are significant challenges in the themes. We then worked to gain deeper manifested has, of course, changed, as has present (particularly after years of austerity information and thoughts on these issues the demographic of residents, but the and severe cuts to council funding) that are through meetings with particular interest factors which contribute to our resilience different in detail from those of the past, groups, open mornings in Alston Town Hall and community spirit are not so different but not entirely unrelated. Whether we and Nenthead Community Shop, from those of 300 years ago. Throughout are thinking about housing, transport, invitations to give views online, and this period, people have moved here and communication, jobs, tourism, healthcare, conversations in various contexts. moved away, whether for work or other education, social events, sustainable fuel reasons, and a tradition of welcoming and and energy supplies, or anything else, we including new people, of accepting need to base our plan on today’s realities difference, has been important to the and think how we want things to work in strength of the community as it faces the future – but these issues are not new changing times and contexts. to Alston Moor. The challenges have been Int. 2 The purpose of this Community Plan dealt with before, and will be again, in ways is to provide a collective vision for the appropriate to the current time. future of Alston Moor; a framework to ensure that Alston Moor can continue to Process be a great place to live and work in the future. We recognise the varying needs of Int. 4 The creation of this Plan has been people of different ages, backgrounds and made possible through the work and interests, and the intention of the Plan is to contribution of many people from all over enable a good future for everyone here Alston Moor. We (members of the Alston now and those joining us in the coming Moor Partnership who volunteered to years. Among the people included in our help) began with initial meetings with a

CORE ISSUES Int. 5 At the heart of our future is the standard, easy and cheap to heat (as is a sense of wellbeing among the need to maintain a community here – far as possible using renewable population, with a good if people leave because their lives are methods), with many including a environment (both physical and not ‘working’ for them, then nothing workshop or office space for self- social) and a sense of community else in the Plan is meaningful. The employment engagement; and this is a key issue, population has been considerably higher in • communication – broadband and and essential for the community to the past, and is currently regarded as being mobile signal available everywhere survive and grow. on the edge of viability for various services. across Alston Moor, so that Int. 6 If all these issues were We know that there are factors working business and personal connections addressed/solved, we would be able to against people staying in or moving into the can be easily made grow our community, and could be more area. What complicates this is that all the • environmental sustainability – our confident about the continuation of various factors depend on each other – it is future plans must work towards services such as schools, healthcare, and not possible to work on one issue, then the becoming carbon neutral and non- social care. Additionally, there would be a next, in some clear step-by-step manner. wasteful in our use of resources; larger pool of people to participate in and To add to that, climate change and the need without such changes, the help the many groups and activities to keep to work towards sustainability in relation community will be unable to going; to spend money in the shops and to fuel, materials and our natural maintain itself as both climate and pubs; and to offer accommodation and environment put further demands on resource availability change activities for visitors (who are needed future plans. We need to address all the • biodiversity and conservation values – contributors to the local economy). Of issues and keep referring to and fro among our landscape and natural course, it is also true that we need all those the various points. The key ones are as environment forms the things to be happening in order to attract follows: surroundings within which all else people to come and live and work here… • employment – a range of ways to earn takes place; our area is part of the so the interdependency of each aspect of a living, whether through job North Pennines Area of the Plan is only too clear!! opportunities with an employer on Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Alston Moor, within a distance the way our land is managed is of people are willing to travel or importance locally and nationally through self-employment • quality of life – although this is a • housing – affordable accommodation rather amorphous concept, we (whether to rent or buy), of a good nonetheless recognise when there

CONTEXT and bridleways). It also is responsible for statutory authority. It can raise money waste management, although EDC is through the local precept in order to Int. 7 Alston Moor does not, of course, responsible for waste collection. EDC also undertake work that it wishes to do for the exist in a vacuum. It lies within the deals with planning applications. Both benefit of the community, but does not administrative boundaries of both Eden authorities also have a range of other have required responsibilities like the District Council (EDC) and Cumbria responsibilities. district and county council. County Council (CCC) and the policies of these public bodies are the context within AONB Alston Moor Greenprint which we form our activities and effort. Int. 9 The purpose of AONB designation Int. 11 A project through Cumbria Action Where relevant, public policy documents is the conservation and enhancement of for Sustainability, the Greenprint has run in and statements will be referenced using natural beauty, taking into taking into parallel with the development of the those initials. The area is also wholly within account the needs of agriculture and other Community Plan. It aims to stimulate and the nationally designated North Pennines land-based industries and the communities encourage sustainability, in all its aspects, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within its boundaries. The AONB throughout Alston Moor. (AONB) and North Pennines UNESCO Partnership co-ordinates efforts for looking Global Geopark. after the area's natural and cultural Neighbourhood Plan heritage, delivering a wide range of projects Int. 12 During the course of development Local authorities around biodiversity, geology, sustainable of the Community Plan, the Parish Council Int. 8 CCC and EDC, in common with tourism, education and conserving the has begun investigating whether to develop other County and District Councils, and historic environment. The key document in a Neighbourhood Plan to complement the Unitary Authorities, in England, have had relation to the AONB is the statutory EDC Local Plan. their central government funding reduced AONB Management Plan; the AONB considerably since 2010, meaning that they Partnership has also produced Planning And after all that…. are no longer in a position to undertake as Guidelines and a Building Design Guide, Int. 13 The rest is down to us, local much non-essential or non-statutory work which are part of Eden District Council's people, to achieve through voluntary as they once did. However, CCC retains suite of Supplementary Planning action or by applying for and gaining statutory (required) responsibility for Documents. grants to enable particular projects to education, children’s services, adult social be undertaken. That is what this care and the roads in our area (major roads Parish council Community Plan is all about. like the M6, A66 and A69 are the Int. 10 Alston Moor Parish Council is our responsibility of Highways England) as well most immediate and local form of as non-vehicular rights-of-way (footpaths

O U R P L A N A N D P O T E N T I A L A C T I O N S

• Within each main section, the SECTION PAGE particular areas of focus are outlined in sub-sections (a), (b) (c) etc. SECTION 1: Maintaining and growing a community 7 • Each sub-section provides a general (a) Uniting a community 7 outline of the area of focus (A), followed by a broad sense of what is (b) A community for young people 10 needed (B), and some specific (c) Being good neighbours 14 actions (C) that are appropriate and (d) Fair and inclusive of individuals and groups 17 relevant at the time of publication. (e) Services for everyone 19 • Section B indicates long-term aim(s). Section C notes actions identifiable in (f) Quality of life, learning and leisure for all 21 the short term. • These action points should not be SECTION 2: Working and contributing 24 seen as definitive. The context changes with remarkable rapidity, and (a) The economy and its challenges 24 new opportunities emerge while (b) Working: employment and self-employment 27 others disappear. (c) Developing our tourism economy 30

(d) Contributing through volunteering 35

SECTION 3: Environment, farming, food and fuel 37

(a) Our environment, its stewardship and future 37

(b) Food and its production 39

(d) Fuel and power for the future 43

SECTION PAGE

SECTION 4: Where we live – appropriate homes, spaces and services 45 (a) Our homes 45 (b) Maintaining our built environment 47 (c) Keeping our links 49

SECTION 5: Travel and communications 51 (a) Roads, travel and transport 51 (b) Public and social transport 53 (c) Broadband and mobile phones 55

CONCLUSION 57

Appendix 1: What is a Sustainable Community? 60 Appendix 2: The Alston Moor Community Plan process 61 Appendix 3: Acronyms – what the letters mean 63

SECTION 1: MAINTAINING AND GROWING A COMMUNITY

(a) Uniting a community

A. Area of focus A.1 When we undertook the first stage of A.3 Most often cited as a major factor in about each event; and the sense that people consultation for this Plan, it was notable the sense of community now are the from one place do not always that virtually every group said something events, annual and more frequent, that support events in a different place (Alston, indicating that the sense of community was bring people together. Nenthead, Garrigill). a key factor in what made Alston Moor a good place to live. How to maintain and A.4 It is also true that a threat to Alston B.2 Events and their maintenance rely on increase that sense of community and its Moor unites people, whether that be a plan attention to several issues: cohesion is therefore an extremely to close a school, to remove hospital beds • new members/volunteers needed, important part of the Plan, since a good etc or an event like flooding or major for many of the major events, quality of life is the essential core to the snowfall which results in people rallying including both planning group and purpose of the Plan. round to help their neighbours. However, ‘on the day’ volunteers (which are none of us want threats of any sort, so often hard for established A.2 Historically, community cohesion while a sense of community does indeed volunteer-based organisations to came as a natural consequence of many grow from such incidents, it is not one we find) people working in one particular industry would wish to rely on to maintain • new ideas needed for events – new (mining, farming, or often both) or for one community cohesion! We need to be pro- volunteers could contribute of a few large employers (e.g. London Lead active rather than reactive. • how different events relate to each Company, Vieille Montagne Company, other (e.g. Flower and Produce Show, and Rotherhope Fell Mine Company, the B. What is needed the Industrial Tent at the Agricultural foundry) and as members of the churches B.1 Among the issues seen as militating Show) and chapels on Alston Moor. These no against the maintenance of the community- • engaging young people more longer play a central rôle in the life of enhancing events are: a lack of volunteers effectively in events (and other contexts) everyone in the community, and other willing to take on the hard work of and ensuring they have a voice collective experiences have taken their organising and running them; the difficulty • finding appropriate funding sources place. of ensuring that everyone knows

• completing the paperwork for ‘showcase’ itself to visitors and be a way to potential funding, requiring time and market Alston Moor as well as creating an management exciting community project. • better marketing both for local people and for visitors/potential visitors, C. Potential actions and especially to engage those groups and What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? individuals currently less involved 1a1 More linking together of activities – an Current organisers, with possible help • specialist marketing for something organisation, loose or formally and co-ordination from AMP. that makes money (e.g. the Craft Fair) can constituted – which could ensure joint be paid for, but this is not viable for most marketing as appropriate, sharing of info events and dates. Also ensuring dates don’t • some events have difficulty raising clash – organisers to check enough money through ticket/entrance 1a2 Produce an Alston Moor calendar with Someone/a group would need to take on fees and need ongoing funding photographs of different aspects of the organising this, in the summer before the

• maintaining positive attitudes area (particularly with people doing New Year for which it was designed, so towards events so as to maintain things), and local events already marked available from early November. Collating enthusiasm and recruit new volunteers in for the year. the dates, commissioning/finding the

• ensuring awareness of the photographs, working with a printer, considerable benefit to the local economy alerting all potential local outlets and

• working with the DBS system when making arrangements with them. involving younger people 1a3 Further work on the newly-launched Enlarging the small group to help the

• using all possible means to ensure Alston Moor News e-mail, with research existing volunteers and undertake people know about events, the necessary concerning its reach and impact, and research and analysis preparatory work etc – recognising that possible supportive methods to reach different people will find out about events those not currently aware of it through different sources 1a4 A regular flow of publicity through press A group, probably the same as in (1)

releases and other means which above, to provide information as

B.3 A major town centre event, perhaps emphasise the economic benefits of appropriate to someone willing to write taking advantage of the facilities provided events and communicate press releases, post to by the forthcoming Front Street social media, notice and link with other development, during the main tourist potential sources of publicity season, would enable the community to

1a5 Collate extensive and frequently- Possible presentation from Tracey

updated information about funding Moran of the CCC Eden Local Team;

sources, and ensure people know how identify someone to offer ongoing help

to access this information and get help and support to complete applications 1a6 Simplify the plethora of Alston Moor Those responsible for these Facebook groups/pages groups/pages need to work together to decide on the best possible way to do this, and to ensure that each one ensures the appropriate sharing of each others’ posts 1a7 Marketing generally (not just for A group, to include at least a events) through the estate agents, so representative of those undertaking anyone buying a house got a pack of point 1, to collate relevant information, information about everything – obtain funding for printing at regular recycling, councillors, events, churches, intervals (twice yearly?), liaise with etc etc estate agents 1a8 Develop ways of identifying potential The parish council has raised money volunteers, and ways to link through the precept to develop such a organisations needing volunteer service, which hopefully will be support with those people progressed 1a9 Develop a new event, focussed AMPC, AMP, AMBA, local tourist specifically on the centre of Alston, businesses, interested individuals, youth during the prime tourist season, to group, possible the pantomime group? create a well-publicised focal point Needs creative thought about focus, involving many people. perhaps the history AND present-day of Alston Moor?

(b) A community for young people

A. Area of focus

A.1 Another comment which was What is currently available (accurate at • Table tennis and table football frequently made throughout the October 2018) includes the following sessions are offered by St consultation was the need to ensure good organisations and arrangements. Augustine’s church on early opportunities – educational, recreational, • The youth club provides weekly Tuesday evenings in term-time for community engagement, employment – for sessions which are open to young nine to 13 year olds, with a more young people of all ages (we have taken 19 people aged 11-19, on a Friday night general games and craft evening on years old as the upper limit in general). No each week in Alston. About 20 Thursdays, occasionally meeting community can be vibrant, dynamic and young people between 11 and 15 elsewhere to play pool or for sustainable without creative, thoughtful and years old generally attend currently. outdoor games. energetic children and young people, and The core funding for the two • Girlguiding UK offers meetings on a we all are responsible for ensuring that workers comes through Cumbria Monday evening in Alston for girls growing up on Alston Moor is a fulfilling County Council, and the youth club aged five to 14 years old (Rainbows experience, recognising that we all benefit has also been supported by the for five to seven year olds, from what young people have to offer. In parish council and through Brownies for seven to 10, Guides an era of easy online communication, young charitable donations from the 10-14). There are currently 18 girls people are only too aware of what is not Freemasons and local Co-operative attending. available on Alston Moor, and it is (community giving scheme). • The Alston Moor and Eden Dance important to ensure that we can make their • Strivers (South Tynedale Railway School provides lessons two lives not merely ‘OK’ but something that Inclusive Venture for the Education evenings a week (Tuesdays and can be seen as good, and even preferable to of Railway Staff) provides local Thursdays) for young people from what they would find elsewhere. young people from 11 to 18 with a three years old to 18. These cover youth development scheme which the whole range of dance – tap, A.2 There has been awareness of the issue includes a week’s work experience ballet, modern, contemporary and for some time, and in recent years a for Year 9 students. Groups meet street dance – and the young people number of initiatives have begun to make weekly on a Monday after school, involved usually keep attending and better provision for young people, although and often spend time during performing until they leave for everyone recognises that much more is weekends and school holidays at university or jobs elsewhere, often needed. the railway. participating during summer holidays even after they have left 10

Alston Moor. There are currently and self-generated activities. A number of those with salaries. While it is practical for 45 children and young people different rooms providing a quiet or study such a base to be in Alston, ways for young participating, including six in the 16- space, a games room, an art and creative people from Nenthead and Garrigill to 18 age group. activities space, a dance and drama studio, participate fully are needed, possibly • The local Anglican churches offer and an outdoor area (for outdoor games, through a greater number of volunteers occasional ‘Messy Church’ events outdoor learning and gardening), with willing to drive the community minibus (and for children and parents. additional space for an office for adult DBS-checked). volunteers and employed youth workers, B.4 It is also important that young people B. What is needed and storage space for groups and clubs can be more fully involved in the life of meeting regularly, would enable a far B.1 There are some obvious gaps and Alston Moor, and able to make their voices broader range of possibilities, including a heard. For this reason, a youth council is problems with the current provision. more effective youth service, able to meet Firstly, most providers are in urgent need something people have mentioned, and it individual needs. Some sort of a drop-in would need initiatives from supportive of volunteers willing to make a regular venue with appropriate adult volunteers commitment, in order to support existing adults as well as young people themselves available to provide help and support is to make this happen. Given the fact that volunteers or paid staff, and to take over particularly necessary for the older age from those wishing to retire. Secondly, almost all 16-18 year olds have to go off group, who probably need a room of their Alston Moor for the mandatory education there is relatively little provision for the own. seven to 10 year olds, and for those over or training they are engaged in, special 14. This older group is a concern to many, B.3 Such a base could establish advice and efforts need to be made to enable them to as without opportunities to develop their support on a wide range of issues, including take part in the life of the community. skills, creativity, leadership abilities, mental, physical and sexual health; drug and Currently there is no channel that enables problem-solving skills, etc, they are not in a alcohol concerns; education and careers; this, and a youth council would be valuable position to contribute their energy and transport difficulties; and to answer other for this reason as well as for inclusion of ideas to the future of Alston Moor. There needs as they are identified. Clearly, for ideas from all children and young people. is a lack of sports clubs (football, running, this base to work effectively, there must be Alston Moor cannot be a thriving rugby, et al) locally. funding, both for youth workers to staff community into the future unless young such a facility and offer activities, and for people are heard and considered in plans. B.2 One of the key aspirations is to equipment, travel, etc. Additionally, a good B.5 Concerns are often expressed about provide a base for children and young number of DBS-checked volunteers is people’s activities, both organised and not. the limited possibilities for young people essential, to assist with particular groups, who live on Alston Moor, both in terms of Designated spaces, for all ages of children clubs and activities, and to be available for and young people, could enable organised experiencing different environments and support and advice services as assistants to activities from what is available here, and in 11 terms of work experience and future jobs. C. Potential actions Finding a way to enable more trips to events, activities and situations that they What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? might not otherwise encounter would be 1b1 Establish a physical base for children and This could come through CCC or EDC, valuable for young people. Work young people particularly buildings currently owned, experience on Alston Moor (since travel or through another body or individual elsewhere can be difficult) also broadens being willing to dedicate part or all of a understandings, and the extension of work building to children and young people. experience opportunities with local Existing youth workers and councillors businesses would be extremely valuable. (CCC and EDC) might be the key The need for apprenticeships is recognised people. country-wide but is particularly necessary 1b2 Establish an effective long-term funding There may be routes through the on Alston Moor, to provide an opportunity stream for employed youth workers, Councils, but almost certainly will need for those who want to continue to live here property rental, activity costs etc. other support through grants – needs as adults and to enable those who might investigation. Volunteers willing to take wish to try living elsewhere but are not yet on grant search and applications ready to do so. Young people entering the needed!! building trade on Alston Moor could be at 1b3 Identifying volunteers to help with the Alston Moor Parish Council has raised the forefront of energy efficient and various activities, including possible precept to support a volunteer co- sustainable building in the future. Finding sports clubs ordinator – this would be a useful task businesses and services able to offer for the person. apprenticeships is of key importance. 1b4 Obtaining DBS certificates for identified Hopefully the relevant organisations volunteers (CCC, EDC, Girlguiding, churches etc etc) will be able to put this in motion and fund it

C. Potential actions contd

1b5 Establish a youth council Joint working through the youth club, SKS and others

1b6 Further the work experience Joint working between SKS, AMBA and opportunities for young people at SKS businesses across Alston Moor 1b7 Establish apprenticeships in social care To be discussed and implemented via the Alston Health Alliance 1b8 Investigate and encourage other Liaison between local businesses, possible apprenticeships Carlisle College, and other parties, particularly building companies offering training in energy efficiency and sustainability. 1b9 Ensure information about AMBA, SKS, others apprenticeships and vocational pathways is available through the school 1b10 Find ways to encourage young people in SKS, youth club, parish council public speaking, debating and developing young people’s confidence and capacity to make changes

(c) Being good neighbours mess they create, or failing to realise quite There is a suggestion that some of these how long it takes some organic material to long-term parked vehicles are in fact the A Area of focus break down, particularly if from non-native responsibility of a business selling cars but A.1 Having good neighbours is what plants. Fly-tipping is an additional problem, whatever the truth of that, entirely everyone hopes for. A sense of respect and occurring on road verges and various other stationary vehicles occupying prime parking care ensures a feeling of warmth and good vehicle-accessible places, and getting it areas for days or weeks at a time are clearly relationships with those who live in one’s dealt with can be difficult, not least when detrimental to the needs of local businesses local area. Every community has problems EDC and CCC both have certain whose customers cannot get parked, and when people are not considerate of each responsibilities and identifying whose we already know that at least some passing other, and there are three particular issues responsibility any particular incident falls to visitors, failing to find anywhere to park, frequently mentioned in the course of can be difficult. Other unpleasant material simply drive on through without stopping. consultation for this Plan, and one that has is also left lying around – dog faeces. This The Town Benchmarking Report noted received a few comments. seems to be a persistent issue, no matter that the town centre car parks – i.e. not how many reminders are put up. Walkers, including Fairhill or the South Tynedale A.2 It is notable that one of these was litter pickers, and children playing, all come Railway (STR) car parks – had only 2% of mentioned by virtually every child and across both faeces and plastic bags spaces free on the ‘busy day’ that was young person spoken to – namely litter. containing faeces.1 surveyed, and 13% on a quiet day. This This is an issue all over Alston Moor, compares with the national small towns’ despite the best efforts of several people A.3 There was almost no person or group averages of 31% on a busy day and 37% on on both a paid and a voluntary basis consulted who did not mention the a quiet day. The problem is evident. Fairhill (including some who regularly and problem of parking in Alston. The central and STR car parks are not often used, frequently clear litter from several areas). Alston car parking spaces are because the steepness of Front Street is As is well-known, although some of this understandably used by those who live in seen as a definite problem for many people, litter is certainly the responsibility of the middle of the town; but there are and finding ways to enable local Alston visitors, whether in cars, on motorbikes or vehicles which appear to be there for very Moor residents to come into town to shop, on bicycles, local people also can be less long periods without moving, taking up visit a café, etc, is critical to the survival of than careful, often not apparently realising space which is sorely needed for those town centre businesses. that others find this offensive, and assuming coming into Alston from elsewhere on that some magic happens to clear up the Alston Moor and, of course, those visiting.

1 While the specific legal requirements to bag dog limit or less, it is obvious common sense that dog will want to ensure that no child is exposed to faeces and dispose of the bag properly apply within fouling is a problem on any footpath or track, and toxocariasis, and no-one has to deal with muck on 200 metres of a road which has a 40 mile per hour responsible and ethical dog owners and walkers their shoes. 14

A.4 Speeding by cars in various parts of very environment they have come to see possible, but there may need to be ways to Alston Moor is an issue also mentioned. becomes a thing of the past. encourage residents whose cars are rarely Occasional speed traps have not noticeably moved to park elsewhere in order to free improved the problem. Speeding up the B.2 EDC has a form that can be completed up space in the town centre. Hopefully the often-busy Front Street in Alston is to report dog fouling, but the name and Front Street development will also help worrying for pedestrians and other drivers; address of the dog owner is required, address some of the speeding issues for Nenthead has experienced similar which is often entirely unknown, and Alston. problems along the main road; some people are unwilling to ‘snitch’ on their Garrigill residents feel there should be a neighbours. There is also a form to alert speed limit within the village. the council about a well-used route or area that is problematic, which they will clean. It B. What is needed is clear that this doesn’t solve the problem. B.1 If we, the local people, never dropped litter, we would be able to do a much More needs to be understood about why better job of ensuring that visitors also people do not clean up after their dogs, and behave properly, since litter seems to call why they leave bags full of faeces rather to litter, so some form of local education than taking them to be properly disposed or persuasion might be appropriate. As of in a waste bin or in their own blue well as small litter, there is also a problem rubbish bag at home. with illegal fly-tipping. Some of this no doubt occurs because of the costs of B.3 The current development by CCC of disposing of the material properly, and plans for Front Street will undoubtedly there needs to be thought given, both change the situation regarding parking in about enforcing the penalties for fly-tipping the centre of Alston but we do not more comprehensively and about finding currently have any information about what ways to make appropriate removal by EDC, form these changes will take and whether or personally to Flusco or other relevant more car parking will be available. It may sites, both easier and more affordable. be that, whatever the outcome of those Ways to communicate with visitors by all plans, there needs to be some formal or modes of travel need to be devised, so that informal control of parking. Clearly no the carelessness visitors show towards the regular scrutiny by a parking warden is

C. Potential actions

What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? 1c1 Plan and deliver information leaflets, EDC, Alston Moor Parish Council and meetings and activities to inform people possible involvement of school children about the problems of litter and the costs of managing it – some of which is paid for out of their council tax 1c2 Campaign against fly-tipping, not least by EDC and CCC, encouraged by the encouraging much more prompt and parish council and others effective action by EDC and CCC and a willingness by the two authorities to work out between them whose responsibility and incident is (rather than requiring the complainant to start again). 1c3 Education and information concerning Parish council, schools, with support the unpleasantness and dangers of dog from local (EDC) dog warden faeces need to be communicated in ways that are encouraging rather than punitive 1c4 Survey of actual parking situation in Volunteers organised through parish Alston town centre, leading to targeted council or otherwise, to note requests to those whose cars are parked registration numbers of cars three times longterm to use other spaces a day over a week. Identification of other places where vehicles that do not move might be parked, and efforts to identify the owners and communicate with them

(d) Fair and inclusive of individuals and groups

A Area of focus indeed much of the UK) and more and ourselves, and much more, can be very A.1 Too often, in all communities, buildings more people will need the thought and helpful or very unhelpful. We have to and other spaces, communication, et al, are attention of those who are younger and know how to be responsive to those who arranged for a presumed ‘norm’. We tend more able to provide support. are dealing with difficulties imposed by the to ‘forget’ about the minority groups ways ‘normal’ society does things. whose needs thus do not get catered for – B What is needed those with mobility difficulties, wheelchair B.1 Those who provide any facilities which B.3 Some members of our community are users, pregnant women, those pushing a the public accesses – shops, village halls, unable to participate easily no matter what baby buggy, people with impaired hearing churches, etc – would ideally provide all provisions are made. They need as much or profoundly deaf, those with visual that is needed for each of the disadvantaged support as anyone else, and an inclusive impairments and blind, people with learning groups. It is of course often financially community will provide company, practical disabilities, those on the autism spectrum, prohibitive to make a place entirely help and advice to all who are less able or people with dementia in one of its many accessible to everyone, but it is worth unable to go out, who are isolated because forms – and doubtless others omitted from becoming aware of what might ameliorate of the death of a partner or others close to this list. the difficulties experienced, and install them, etc.

whatever is affordable. A simple handrail A.2 Additionally, there are contexts in up steps might make a place accessible to which the voices and experience of those more than an expensive ramp would cater under eighteen are forgotten about, and for; ensuring a chair is always available for although it is rarer these days, sometimes those who cannot stand for long is an easy men are assumed to be the norm and way to help many. women’s needs are overlooked.

B.2 Undertaking an audit of premises to A.3 To ensure our community is fair and see how well it caters for the needs of inclusive of all, we need to be aware of and others is one way to start the process of consider all these needs, and get better at improving access. But of course, the including as many as we can, working physical building is only part of the ways in towards ways to be welcoming and which we can be inclusive and fair for all. supportive to everybody. We are an ageing The way we speak, the way we position population (this is true across Cumbria and

C. Potential actions

What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? 1d1 Local businesses, building-based services, churches etc to audit There is a need to identify a good audit method or an individual their premises to identify what barriers there might be to full who could help, and encourage all local businesses etc to complete accessibility and inclusiveness such an audit, using information from organisations that specialise in such work. Individual businesses etc could then, with information provided, identify the likely cost of each potential improvement and which they would be able to do in the near future, mid- and long-term. 1d2 Training for all who deal with the public about catering for Parish Council or others might identify a good training so that those with sensory impairments people with hearing or visual impairments can be better served – the rôle of good lighting (for lip reading), reduction of ambient noise, clearing unexpected obstacles, larger typeface, etc 1d3 Raising awareness about ways to make life easier for those with Alston Moor Dementia Alliance, already formed, to provide more dementia events and Dementia Awareness training for all – businesses and individuals 1d4 Organise volunteers to provide support, information and social Good Neighbour Scheme being planned – will need support from contact for those who are isolated. all bodies and individuals when established 1d5 Event planning to include awareness of inclusiveness throughout Sharing of experience and understanding through various means 1d6 More seating provided in public areas, particularly Front Street Alston Moor Parish Council is responsible for some seats, but has and Tyne Willows a very limited budget for such work. Others will need different ‘sponsors’ and maintenance 1d7 Ensure road works, including the Front Street plans, include Individuals and groups on Alston Moor to put in requests to CCC dropped kerbs for pushchairs and wheelchairs when appropriate

(e) Services for everyone

A Area of focus considerable reduction in funding, in real Moor is, as too often, seen as the ‘out on a A.1 For as long as most residents can terms. The co-location of Alston Primary limb’ part of the service which can be cut remember, the geographical position and and SKS has reduced the costs of both adrift. low population of Alston Moor have schools enough to keep our education resulted in concern about the viability of provision (including Nenthead Primary A.5 A concern often expressed is that services provided by statutory bodies, School) safe for the moment, but history there is no specialist dementia care on actual threats from providers including tells us there is likely to be another threat. Alston Moor, nor end-of-life hospice care. plans to close schools and medical services, The hospital was perceived to provide the the loss or lessening of police presence, etc. A.4 We spent two years, working as a latter to a limited extent. While it is united community, arguing against the difficult to provide specialist dementia care A.2 In recent years, the police station has proposals of the Success Regime to close when the numbers involved are small and been closed and the visible police presence our hospital beds.2 Nonetheless, the beds the inputs needed so very considerable, it lessened although regular and visible visits have been closed, but a proposal developed is an issue that needs to be examined and by PCSOs (police community support by the Alston Medical Practice and the as much care provided locally as is possible. officers) have alleviated concerns to some League of Friends of the Ruth Lancaster extent. James Hospital was seen as a possible way A.6 Social care is problematic across the forward and was given a year to work up a country, but particularly difficult on Alston A.3 The secondary school (Samuel King’s ‘business plan’. This has since been Moor where social care is provided by School) has been slated for closure more accepted. The issue now is to make sure it agencies based elsewhere. We are lucky to than once, with the loss of a sixth form is implemented in its entirety and have a County Council that has retained being the compromise on one occasion; continues, as intended, to develop care homes (without this policy, our new and the cutbacks in funding for education appropriately in response to changes in the hospital bed arrangements, based at the have more of an impact on our small NHS and in social care etc. As part of the care home, could not have been managed), schools than on larger ones, where the per Eden Integrated Care Community, we need but with continuing pressure on Council capita funding goes further owing to the to ensure that the intended changes in budgets it is going to take new ways of economy of size. Even large schools in future management of NHS and social care thinking and working to ensure the Cumbria are warning of the impact of the do not lead to a situation where Alston continuation of all services.

2 Hundreds of us contributed to the consultation, analysing the flaws in the arguments used – only to the Clinical Commissioning Group which accepted unanimously voting in a local referendum to retain see all our protests apparently regarded as the entirety of the proposals (which affected the hospital, writing responses to the proposals, irrelevant, not only by the Success Regime but by people across the whole of north Cumbria). 19

B What is needed in the system and people paid to do all that is needed, the current reality is that this is B.1 We need to engage with the various not going to happen in the foreseeable bodies and services so that they are aware future, and the only alternative is of our commitment to their work. People volunteering or obtaining funds through who feel appreciated – even if receiving grants for specific projects. constructive criticism – are always more likely to recognise the needs of the B.4 It is important that all services, community! So communication and including those not available currently on volunteer support, where appropriate, are Alston Moor or only in limited form, the key ways in which we can ensure that including end-of-life services, are known our services survive, develop, and meet our about and publicised to the friends and needs. It is not enough to mount one of family of those in need of them, and to the our very effective campaigns when there is wider community so that there is a threat to a service; we need to keep understanding and clarity. It is not enough aware of what is happening and keep up the that people get to know about availability at pressure. the point of need – considerable anxiety B.2 Those individuals in the community and concern could be avoided if there were who do volunteer, in the various more widespread knowledge of what we committees and activities that support and can access. progress the services, need to be C. Potential actions supported rather than criticised. It is also What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? important that those individuals 1e1 Support for our schools, through The PTA and others might develop communicate with residents through volunteering, engaging with management plans, encourage support through all whatever means are appropriate and staff about concerns, ensuring that as means. The rest is down to individuals! accessible, be that personal conversations many children as possible attend their (often the best), online groups, the Alston local school. Moor Newsletter, etc. 1e2 Ensure good communication from those All those involved, using the various B.3 Volunteering to help in various involved, as volunteers and otherwise, in media available and through personal contexts will enable the services to make the various projects and activities contact the most of possibilities on Alston Moor. relating to our services While ideally there would be more money 20

C. Potential actions contd 1e3 Gather information about services, Various groups and routes might be used including end-of-life and supportive – the Healthcare Alliance group, parish services, and communicate these council and others to gather info, Alston through all appropriate means. Medical Practice might put info in with prescriptions, articles in Alston Moor Newsletter, regular postings on Facebook and websites et al 1e4 Develop social care apprenticeships Healthcare Alliance group, Carlisle (some already offered through CCC) College, CCC 1e5 Explore ways to recruit, train and CCC, Grisedale Croft, others? employ care workers on Alston Moor, including as a partnership with Grisedale Croft 1e6 Establish a group to monitor upcoming AM parish council, AMP, County policy changes, find best practice ideas Councillor, District Councillors, etc from around the world, make contact with others interested in the same issues

(f) Quality of life, learning and leisure for all

A Area of focus A.1 There are many things that contribute embroidery, book group, exploring A.2 The Highlights shows, gigs organised to quality of life – the friends we have, the astronomy, learning a new language or by a variety of people and organisations, environment we live in, the services whatever, we do not have to miss out just the art group exhibitions, the folk music available. Sports provision, interest because we live far from centres of nights at pubs in Nenthead, Garrigill and groups, clubs, performances etc are all population. There is an enormous wealth Alston, and more, contribute to the important to our life here. One of the key of talent and knowledge available on Alston enjoyment of many of us. They are not things is the creative and learning Moor, which could be harnessed and always as well known-about as might be environment which we can access or shared. and hence not as well-attended as hoped. participate in. Whether this is a gig, 21

A.3 Some established services and events might be a worthwhile case to build on on Alston Moor may not need further their work by bringing more artists, work, but do need to be appreciated! Our craftspeople, musicians etc to Alston Moor library at Local Links, the book groups that to develop our reputation as a place to be meet there and elsewhere, the shops selling visited – see section 2. arts and crafts, all contribute to the sense of Alston as a place with a cultural life B.4 There are currently few if any outdoor where learning and creativity are valued. sports clubs on Alston Moor, and re- establishing such clubs (football, running, B What is needed rugby, etc) would be a great benefit. B.1 Discovering who has skills to offer, Additionally, the community gym needs enthusiasms to share, knowledge to impart, good management and more support in would enable us to begin to construct an order to provide appropriate staff. evening class programme. Meetings classes/ groups could be established on the model C. Potential actions of the University of the Third Age, but What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? available for all ages. 1f1 Establish a voluntary ‘evening class’ A group of people to organise and co- programme, with any and all topics ordinate; Alston Moor Federation to host

B.2 More publicity for events seems to be available that can be offered by local (preliminary discussions have taken needed as many people say ‘if only I’d people, from carpentry to bee-keeping, place), and other sites as they become known’. The more people attend and pay grime music to astronomy, Spanish available. – whether the money goes to the room language to basic maths, etc etc hire and performers or to a charity or 1f2 Work on all means to publicise, regularly The new e-mail Alston Moor News, other cause – the more interesting and and repeatedly, the various events (one- online sources and word-of-mouth are all enjoyable events we are likely to have off and regular) and encourage needed alongside the conventional available. A lack of attendance certainly will attendance and active participation posters. The parish council and others not make it likely that a similar event is held might consider ways to assist this effort. in the future. 1f3 Encourage positive promotion of events EDC guidelines for TIC staff; information from all venues and authorities sharing and support between all venues B.3 The large number of artists and (needs individuals involved to set up a craftspeople on Alston Moor already do regular meeting or similar) need support and promotion and there

C. Potential actions contd

1f4 Promotion of our artists and AMBA, Cumbria and Eden Tourism, might

craftspeople in visitor and tourism all contribute to this material 1f5 Identify possible sports coaches, co- AMPC, individual sports enthusiasts, ordinators etc to establish sports clubs players, runners etc 1f6 Develop the community gym with Gym management, AMPC, grant

trained staff etc applications etc (as is happening)

SECTION 2: WORKING AND CONTRIBUTING

(a) The economy and its challenges

A Area of focus number are employed in our public services Any short-term added problems highlight the need to ensure as solid an economic A.1 For a community to thrive and survive, (medical and social care, education); there base as possible so that problems can be it must have a sustainable economic base – are one or two larger manufacturing weathered.3 a way for local people to earn money within businesses; some individuals now take or reasonably close to the area, and for advantage of technology to work remotely A.4 Keeping a range of diverse and retail and service businesses to be in businesses based elsewhere or running interesting shops and artists’/craftworkers’ supported by local and visitor custom. their own online business from home; open studios is understood as essential to Alston Moor’s economy was built on some people work away from Alston maintaining the attractiveness of Alston mining and associated businesses, but these Moor, travelling daily. Resourceful and Moor as a visitor destination as well as for major employers closed during the late 19th innovative people earn a living and spend the community. Our reputation for and 20th centuries, and the largest money on Alston Moor. workers’ co-operatives and social employers now employ a small fraction of A.3 However, there are signs that all is not enterprises has been useful and could be the numbers that formed the workforces well. To some extent this is a nation-wide built on. It is also important to keep the then. pattern, with high streets everywhere area looking attractive – the Townscape Heritage Project has improved the ‘look’ of A.2 Nonetheless, Alston Moor HAS experiencing the impact of online shopping Front Street but more is needed, and there survived as a community, with a rather and advertising. Our situation reflects that are ongoing concerns (in 2019) about the different economic base from that of earlier national issue, but as a small community it reinstatement of the street’s famous times. Small businesses provide services has perhaps a more worrying outcome. cobbles and the plans for the redesign of (hairdressers, garages, etc), retail (food, The Town Benchmarking Report 2017 the street. crafts, etc), hospitality (pubs, hostels, bed reported that 41% of businesses in Alston and breakfast, self-catering lets, hotels); a said that their turnover had decreased over A.5 The difficulty of running small the previous year and 35% expected businesses in a small community, of

turnover to decrease over the coming year. ensuring their viability, has led some

3 During 2018-19, Alston Moor, and Alston itself roadworks and utilities upgrading. Our difficulty for those businesses reliant on people especially, experienced particular difficulties with geographical position, lack of easy alternative being able to access them. long and difficult road closures owing to planned routes, and narrow local roads all led to great 24 business-owners to suggest that there B. What is needed Working: employment and self-employment should be ongoing help with business rates below. B.1 Bringing together all of this and issues and council tax. Alston Moor does raised in further sub-sections, regeneration B.4 Alston Moor Business Association currently benefit from Eden District of Alston Moor and particularly Alston represents many (but by no means all) of Council’s decision not to charge business town centre is needed, and a holistic the businesses on Alston Moor and can rates for micro-businesses. strategy for this to include marketing and push for A.6 A problem that many are all too aware promotion (possibly with a funded their interests (including in relation to of is the fact that all banks have now closed individual to undertake this rôle) is business rates and council tax) with and there is only one ATM (cash machine) probably the most important and ‘core’ councils and government. Ensuring that the available, which tends to run out of cash, action to be taken immediately, and issues of rurality are clearly understood is and not in the town centre but at developing in the longer term. obviously important. Townfoot. Not all businesses are able to B.2 One thing everyone on Alston Moor B.5 The lack of an ATM/cash machine in take cards. This undoubtedly deters some can do is to support local businesses. Of potential ‘en route’ tourists who may not the centre of Alston is well-understood as course we all use shops and services a problem. Both the Co-op and the Post be staying locally but would stop and elsewhere at times and for a wide range of purchase a coffee or a postcard, and Office have expressed an interest in different products, but spending our money providing such a machine (internally in the perhaps more if they could get cash. The locally as far as possible is an easy and post office is available to provide cash for case of the Co-op, with its relatively long straightforward way of supporting the local opening hours, externally in the case of the the customers of some banks during economy. opening hours, but this is not an adequate Post Office). Decisions on such solution. Also, businesses need to be able B.3 However, it has long been recognised installations are not down to local to pay in cheques and currently many must that many of our shops and pubs would not management, but to national and regional travel to the nearest branch of their bank survive without the boost given to them by offices; in the case of the Post Office, or rely on the post, which is a disincentive visitors. Section 2(c) Developing our tourism provision is by the Bank of Ireland who do for business start-ups. The situation also economy below focusses on the tourism not currently have plans to roll out further tends to deter those in outlying areas from economy, and support from local people ATMs. shopping in Alston, instead going to towns for the work of those in that sector or B.6 Given that mainstream banks have with a bank. needing support from visitors would be a closed their Alston Moor branches, it is useful way to encourage this means of unlikely that we could persuade any to re- ensuring our healthy economy. The need open. A number of people locally bank to encourage new businesses and with the Cumberland Building Society, employment is covered in Section 2(b) which is a mutual and has a fine record of 25 supporting communities in Cumbria. It has C. Potential actions been suggested that, although it has not as What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? yet responded positively to the suggestion 2a1 Establish a group to work towards the AMP, AMPC, AMBA, local business people, that they open a branch on Alston Moor, development of a Regeneration Strategy, interested individuals, giving the widest members presenting motions at the AGM devising a plan, investigating grant representation of interests. Develop earlier might result in such a branch in the long possibilities, establishing methods of regeneration strategy to current term. A mobile bank has also been marketing and promotion, possibly circumstances. Ensure wide communication suggested, as operates in some rural areas. through a dedicated co-ordinator. and involvement. Work to engage CCC The Alston Moor office of the Credit Union and EDC, plus local MP, and thence to gain has unfortunately closed, apparently no major funding for an ambitious project and longer being economically viable within the paid co-ordinator(s). overall Credit Union framework. 2a2 Devise new ways to encourage local AMBA, Alston Moor Parish Council, groups people to use local businesses, possibly of town centre shops and pubs by a reward or discount system 2a3 Continue to promote business interests AMBA with all relevant bodies, emphasising the particular needs of rural businesses 2a4 Those already banking with the Current Cumberland Building Society Cumberland Building Society to propose members. Anyone individual or business motions to the AGM to open a (full- or considering opening a bank account! part-time) branch on Alston Moor. AMBA, AMPC Others opening accounts with the CBS to increase the numbers. Work with local businesses to establish potential support for CBS if they opened a branch in Alston. 2a5 Explore the possibility of a mobile bank Identify where the nearest mobile bank visiting Alston Moor provision is and which bank it is provided by. Small group?

C. Potential actions contd 2a6 Keep in touch with the Co-op This is a matter of keeping them aware management, and the Post Office of our wishes. AMBA, AMPC writing

organisation, about installing cash regular (quarterly?) letters? machines internally (Co-op) or

externally (PO)

(b) Working: employment and self-employment

A Area of focus A.3 We also know that when there are

A.1 Everyone needs an income, and, for many empty shops, there is a sense among

the majority of adults below pension age, residents, potential residents, visitors and that means employment or self- potential visitors that the area is not worth attention, that it is ‘run down’, leading to a employment. Hence it is crucial that Alston Moor can provide adequate opportunities downward spiral. The work through the for employment and self-employment. Our Townscape Heritage Project to improve geographic position means that, for a high our shop fronts has certainly helped to make Alston more attractive but there are proportion of the local population, that employment needs to be on Alston Moor, empty shops and a need to find ways to although there are, and will continue to be, make the area more productive, employed and busy. many who work some distance away. A.4 While the recent growth in the game- A.2 More businesses that employ some people would be a great boost for Alston shooting industry has provided

Moor, as would small self-employed employment, there is also concern that it causes a downturn in access and businesses which help create a lively and biodiversity, both of which are important interesting economy that attracts others to live and work here, or visit to take to the local economy and visitors. advantage of interesting shops and

activities.

B. What is needed What is agreed by everyone is that a large would need some thought and national chain outlet would not be good for organisation. Assuming the work on Front B.1 Many people believe that, given the possibilities opened up by digital Alston Moor, as it would inevitably lead to Street includes, as is currently intended, an technology, it should be possible to attract the closure of small businesses and swamp area that could be used as a market, this people here to set up businesses, from the character of the place. could be established as a regular event. Of single-person enterprises to those B.3 It is important that new jobs are course, as with other retail businesses, employing a number of people. The properly set up, and not merely minimum unless such markets are well-supported by problem is that the potential entrepreneurs wage in the long term (although it is local people, they will not survive. and innovators do not know we exist and understood that new start-ups may not B.6 The need for apprenticeships for young do not realise the quality of life they could initially be able to pay anything more, and people has been mentioned in Section 1(b) have on Alston Moor while earning money of course if businesses are not well- A community for young people but deserves from a successful enterprise. Finding ways supported by local trade, higher wages will reiteration here, as it is an important aspect to get ourselves better known, enabling not be possible). It is well-known that living of the future economy we hope for. people around the country to know about in a rural area is expensive, given the cost our community, is important in our future of travel, the sometimes higher cost of planning. basic necessities than might be available in B.2 While many conventional retail outlets a city etc, and it is essential that a low wage economy is not something to be expected may not be able to survive at a time when people buy so much online, there is no and accepted. doubt there are possibilities for the empty B.4 A shared public space where shops on Front Street. The Town individuals and small businesses can access Benchmarking Report 2017 says that 81% desk space and internet cheaply or free of Alston’s shops are unique (17% higher would be valuable support for start-ups, than the small towns average) and we could enabling networking and the sharing of build on that. The reputation Alston Moor skills. Such provision could encourage already has for its craftworkers, artists and people to move here as well as being an musicians may indicate that further incentive for people already on Alston specialist shops and businesses might Moor to develop a new business. strengthen the local ‘brand’. Other B.5 The possibility of an outdoor farmers’ suggestions include a brewery and a wine market or similar has support from a bar with food, and innovative uses of shop number of people across Alston Moor but fronts might be found including gaming. 28

C. Potential actions

What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? 2b1 Devise a programme of press releases, approach AMPC, AMBA, perhaps a group set up specifically to journalists in all media, to ‘advertise’ Alston Moor do this? Important to have a broad range of people as a good place to set up business including involved. Interest people across the country, make diverse relevant information. Include films which clear all the services and support available. Devise a can be viewed in various places on the internet – package of support for anyone interested, regarding existing film has already attracted new residents. accommodation, etc etc. Needs to be well-planned with a programme of things over a year or so. Link this to the Regeneration Strategy identified at Action 2a1. 2b2 Discuss with existing craftspeople and artists Art Group, AMP, AMBA, Nenthead Chapel Arts & about ways their work can be promoted, and Visitor Centre, churches, others? Possible use of encourage others to move here and establish empty shops in Alston to display art, displays and outlets. Possibility of an annual arts festival with events in pubs and cafés, live music included. open venues across Alston Moor. 2b3 Establish what businesses might be wanted by A ‘fantasy-shopping’ event? Volunteer group to current residents – various ideas mentioned organise. Involve young people in such discussion and include a greengrocers, clothes shop, garden brainstorming. centre with café, farm shop. 2b4 Establish a regular (monthly or fortnightly during AMBA, AMPC, volunteer group; and good support the summer?) farmers’ market or similar from local residents. Market day needs research – which Saturdays are used by other local towns? How good might a Friday be? 2b5 Identify a good venue and establish a space with AMBA, possibly the High Mill project; CCC in free or cheap internet for use by new start-ups connection with the former primary school; others. and others. 2b6 Encourage use of vacant shops for temporary AMBA, local property owners displays and as ‘pop-up’ shops on very short term lets, eg a week or a month

A Area of focus A.1 Tourism has, at least since Victorian housing unaffordable for local people and times, been an important element in the further increase in this aspect of the market economy of Alston. Where once visitors is seen as a threat.

came for the thrill of a boat trip along the A.4 Despite the income, some residents Nent Force Level, now our visitors come see tourism as a downside of living here and to walk, to cycle on the C2C and other question the viability of the larger heritage routes, to experience the landscape and projects. In reality, the economy is unlikely

communities of the North Pennines, to to find a different way forward and having explore our mining history, to travel on the established a number of businesses South Tynedale Railway and to visit some dependent on visitors, it is essential that we of our renowned artists and craft workers. ensure their future. Part of this will be A.2 Many businesses on Alston Moor focus good marketing.

specifically on visitors – hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast places , self- B. What is needed catering provision, and visitor attractions, for example. Many others rely on the B.1 To ensure a range of future visitors, the area must provide, and promote, a income from visitors as part of their annual turnover – such as shops, craft workers, range of opportunities which will attract

artists’ studios, pubs and cafés. visitors, and ensure that they tell others it is a good place to visit (word of mouth A.3 In order to maintain a good income being one of the best methods of from tourism, we need to ensure that we advertising). The provision – both adapt to changing interests and needs. At accommodation and activities/sites – must the same time, it is essential that tourism be appropriate for the local community as does not overwhelm aspects of the Alston well as working well for visitors. Moor community. Some feel that the

number of holiday lets and holiday/second homes has contributed to making local

B.2 Some of the recreational activities that included as Action 1a9 might be an provision, how it would be staffed, etc, and people come for require more than just the important aspect of our tourism promotion how to raise the funding for it. existence of a landscape in which they take and development. B.6 Clearly, a coherent approach to place. Footpaths, which were once well- B.4 We can also perhaps make more of marketing, locally, regionally and nationally, maintained through East Cumbria what we already have. Many feel that our and also internationally, as began with the Countryside Project and the County position as the highest market town in Vieille Montagne Conference in 2016, is Council, no longer have adequate funding England has been inadequately promoted needed. Although Alston Moor is as a result of national cuts, and so are and could be made more of, possibly with promoted alongside other destinations in reliant on landowners and supportive local development of a market (see Action 2b4). Eden District Council’s promotions), we volunteer groups. Existing walk leaflets do The existing agriculturally-based events – tend to miss out on potential visitors as we go out of date, and new ones and perhaps the sheepdog trials and the are not in the Eden Valley and are digitally based walk guides might be devised agricultural/sheep show – might be geographically more closely connected to and produced. The C2C is signed across developed to draw in more people who are other communities in the North Pennines Alston Moor, but for cyclists to stay, there not involved in farming, providing AONB. Although the AONB Partnership need to be more local cycle routes and education for local and visitor alike. It can does not have a large marketing budget, it hard copy or digital means to guide those be hard for those who know little or promotes the area through its website and using them. nothing of the farming way of life to engage its events and activities. It also encourages B.3 There are existing attractions – The with the sights and activities, but some help the three ‘Destination Management Hub, South Tynedale Railway, Nenthead and guidance would add to interest and also Organisations’ to work together to mines (through the Nenthead Mines help develop respect for the agriculture promote the wider area as well as their Conservation Society open days) – and a which shapes the landscape and much of own local patch. Using the the AONB and number of others in the process of the life of Alston Moor. UNESCO Global Geopark designations, development or potential development B.5 A visitor centre has also been which already have national and (Nenthead Chapel, High Mill), However, suggested, with both High Mill and the old international relevance, is likely to be 4 there are also suggestions of new foundry site being mentioned as potential helpful to Alston Moor . attractions that might be particularly useful, sites. This would require considerable such as a zipwire and a mountain bike trail thought about what such a centre would at Mount Hooley. The town centre event B.7 Visitors from the USA and Canada are contain, how this would impact on existing always very excited by things we take for

4 Many people are keen to see the ‘Roof of been abandoned, there is little purpose in trying to England’ strapline revived, but as this did not gain revive it. support from all the relevant bodies and has now 31 granted – our history and the evidence of it and bulb planting, and hanging baskets, all in houses, the landscape, etc. There is a around Alston Moor. Some bulb planting real opportunity to market ourselves to has been done previously, and there are this audience, and these would be visitors hanging baskets most summers, but they do able and willing to spend money on a good require very frequent watering which experience and appropriate art and craft means someone/some people being willing work. We can also build on those to commit to doing this. Bulb planting European contacts related to mining requires a group (preferably) to raise history. North American and European money for, and buy, bulbs, identify a piece contacts are particularly likely to be of land on which they can get permission interested in genealogy, and the resources from the owner to plant, and then do the of the Historical Society archive. necessary work. Follow-up work is also B.8 A significant number of visitors come needed – weeding, grass-cutting, etc. to the area to explore their family history. B.10 The proposed Neighbourhood Plan, The relevant resources – the Historical in its initial stages through the Parish Society archives, churches and churchyards Council at the time of writing, might be able – could be more actively promoted, with to provide parameters for the future of displays concerning local history, geography second homes and holiday lets. This needs and historic way of life included. Garrigill is not only the work of parish and district sometimes the ‘poor relation’ in terms of councils, but for local people to participate displays, and specific resources there would in the consultations and contribute be welcomed. thoughts.

B.9 The ‘look’ of the place is perceived as a key element in ensuring our attractiveness to visitors and encouraging repeat visits. Aspects mentioned include repair of buildings, including shop fronts – the work of the Townscape Heritage

Project is seen as a positive but more is needed. There is general appreciation that the area has not been made ‘twee’, Some people felt that there should be more shrub 32

C. Potential actions What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? 2c1 Establish a footpath maintenance group, Possible links between Walkers are to liaise with CCC and local landowners, Welcome, new Alston Moor Footpaths and to ensure our footpath network is in Access to Outdoors group, others? Would good order; to alert CCC to major work need to ensure training (may need fund- needing doing raising) and close working with CCC and landowners 2c2 Devise digital and hard copy walk and Possible project for funding? AMPC, AMP, cycle guides AONB, Walkers are Welcome, others? 2c3 Investigate the possibility for a zipwire Relevant landowners, originator of the idea, and mountain biking; liaise with AMP, others enthused by the idea landowner(s), raise money, implement 2c4 Work with sheepdog trials and Sheepdog trials and agricultural show agricultural show organisers to develop committees, interested individuals; possibly information and activities to encourage find small grant to pay for display material wider attendance and enable non-farmers and leaflets, perhaps from AM parish council to understand and enjoy more of the or EDC. events, perhaps including more stalls and activities. 2c5 Consider possible visitor centre if the AMBA – needs consideration of what such a High Mill project goes ahead centre would include, so liaison with EDC, AMPC, AMP, AONB and others might be helpful. Needs to be included in Regeneration Strategy identified at Action 2a1 2c6 Marketing plan, using ‘North Pennines’, Accommodation providers, attractions, ‘North Pennines AONB’ and ‘Global AMPC, AMP, AMBA; liaison with North Geopark’ branding Pennines AONB Partnership, EDC, Durham and Northumberland providers. Link this to the Regeneration Strategy identified at Action 2a1.

2c7 Bulb planting, hanging baskets etc People running shops in Alston, individuals – the need for committed hanging basket waterers!! Small grants available from the Parish Council 2c8 Neighbourhood Plan development to AMPC Neighbourhood Plan group, all manage the potential problems of second community in consultations (if the homes and holiday lets Neighbourhood Plan goes ahead, it will have to be approved by a referendum of all residents, so there will be many opportunities to contribute) 2c9 Marketing of Alston Moor to an international Small group – those who may benefit, audience, particularly USA and Canada as Historical Society, those with contacts in the well as European countries especially those USA? Investigate government-funded projects connected via mining history, and to the like the recent ‘Discover England’ fund. Netherlands where knowledge of the English AMBA. language is excellent. 2c10 Programme of night walks to take advantage Liaison between NP Astronomical Society, of dark skies, hopefully extending the tourist AONB Partnership and Walkers are season to the darker months. Engagement Welcome. with the AONB Partnership regarding the annual North Pennines Stargazing Festival. 2c11 Promote the Historical Society Archive, Historical Society website, links to that from churches and churchyards as a source for promotional material particularly that genealogical research mentioned under Action 2c9; mention there and elsewhere of the resources provided by the churches and churchyards. 2c12 Develop readily accessible information about Garrigill church (has already expressed an the Garrigill community and its history, interest) with possible exhibition and archive contributing to the visitor experience collection

(d) Contributing through volunteering

A Area of focus recruitment, and for involvement of more has established our Archive as a major younger people. The need for ways to voluntary enterprise of international A.1 Many people on Alston Moor identify and recruit volunteers for both importance. contribute to the community in a very wide long-term and one-off tasks was mentioned range of ways through offering their time A.4 Another aspect of voluntary work is frequently during the course of the and energy to activities and projects, with the administration of many of Alston Moor Community Plan consultation. no pay but often many other forms of websites, Twitter accounts, and Facebook reward. These volunteers are a key part of A.3 As well as those activities which are of pages and groups. One of the complaints is what makes Alston Moor such a lively, value in the here and now, for people who that there are too many and it is hard to varied and interesting place to live. live on Alston Moor today, we have find the relevant sites/pages/groups for Volunteers run many of the clubs and voluntary activity which is of benefit for the what one wants. This is a difficult problem, activities, church groups, WI, League of future and for a far wider ‘audience’ than as many Facebook pages/groups are set up Friends, Brownies, Nenthead Mines local residents. The work of the various as single issue sites and there is no way of Conservation Society, parish council, conservation groups (Nenthead Mines, forcing individuals, even if one wanted to, Alston Moor Partnership, and so very much Nenthead Chapel, et al), and perhaps most to co-operate on creating a single site/page. more. particularly our Alston Moor Historical However, there is probably scope for a Society Archive, provide a resource for central website with links to all the various A.2 It can be hard being a volunteer. As people in the future and internationally. websites, Facebook groups and pages, etc, long as there are several people, the The Archive is our memory bank, and of available online. pressures are not quite so tough, but for great use to genealogical researchers some who find themselves as one on their looking for family who lived here, and for own or in a team that is not really big mine and social history researchers, as well B. What is needed enough, it is hard to take time out when as being of considerable interest to all one needs to, or to take on yet another B.1 It is clear that ways need to be found those who live locally and who visit. The task that suddenly presents itself. To try, to ensure that all the voluntary activity on Vieille Montagne Conference of 2016 on top of that, to find new volunteers is Alston Moor can continue, for the benefit created links with mining companies and often just beyond possibility. Many (not all) of local people and of visitors, now and in communities in Belgium and Italy, and this volunteers are retired and cannot keep the future. This would entail some means going forever! There is a need for of encouraging people to volunteer, supporting them, ensuring that they can be ‘matched’ to appropriate one-off or long-

35 term projects/activities, perhaps effort. Once again, a paid contract might researching appropriate training for certain be the only way to go. tasks, etc. It is unlikely that a volunteer could be found to undertake such a rôle, and for a paid post (perhaps one day a C. Potential actions week) funding would be required to pay a What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? self-employed contractor and cover travel 2d1 Identify ways to recruit and support AMPC, AMP, others. and home office expenses. volunteers, for long-term and one-off B.2 It is harder to see how the problems rôles of social media can be addressed. On the 2d2 Devise a central Alston Moor internet AMPC, AMP, Cybermoor, others internet, anyone has the opportunity to resource with links to the plethora of start websites, blogs, Twitter accounts, Alston Moor-related online resources Facebook pages and groups etc as they choose, and this is of course a tremendous boost for many groups, causes and ideas. However, it does make things difficult for those just trying to keep up with what is happening on Alston Moor. The only solution of any sort seems to be an ‘Alston internet central’ listing all the various Alston Moor-related sources of information available on the internet, with links. This might encourage ways to keep non-computer-using people informed also, if there were clearer ways to identify the information of most interest to any individual. Obviously such a website would need to be kept up-to-date on a very regular – at least twice a week – basis, and this is not straightforward, requiring as it does a considerable investment of time and

SECTION 3: ENVIRONMENT, FARMING, FOOD AND FUEL

(a) Our environment, its stewardship and future

A Area of focus B. What is needed A.1 We all know we live in a special area land use that maximise biodiversity are B.1 An understanding of all that is of the country, and that its character has clearly important, recognising that farming involved in caring for our environment is been recognised in its designations as part can be a force for high nature value an important aspect of how we, as a of the North Pennines Area of landscapes. community, can ensure that we contribute to the protection of our landscape (and Outstanding Natural Beauty and UNESCO A.3 There is also the issue of light skyscape). Everyone on Alston Moor – Global Geopark. It is a wonderful area, pollution – living in an area that has some farmers, woodland owners, gamekeepers, whether we go walking in it or just enjoy of the darkest skies in England, we not gardeners, all of us dealing with our the views. We are also aware that we are only enjoy the sight of stars, planets, rubbish/recycling, making decisions about not isolated from changes happening meteors and the moon ourselves, but host how we heat our homes and water, how world-wide – climate change and many amateur and professional we travel etc – is jointly responsible for environmental damage. As a community, astronomers, who visit from near and far. our future. we want to be part of the solution, to Increasingly, as people light up dark areas keep our area looking and ‘feeling’ good, throughout the night and install bright B.2 There is a general recognition that and to contribute towards the reduction security lights, the clarity of the Alston care for our landscape is a key issue for in carbon emissions, major reduction in Moor night sky is being impaired. everyone here, whether farmers, people single-use plastic pollution, keeping air and involved with tourism, or simply a local A.4 Finding ways to generate non- water pollution low etc. resident who enjoys living in a good polluting renewable energy locally would environment. Each of us can make some A.2 The landscape has been crafted be one way of working towards a less impact on the future landscape by our through centuries of farming and mining, environmentally-damaging future, while actions and by supporting moves by and one can read much of the history in generating income for the community and others. the land if one knows what to look for. It creating local employment. See part (d) of is well-understood that intensive use of this section. the land damages biodiversity and we are increasingly aware of the need to protect and encourage biodiversity, especially in a world of climate change. Approaches to

C. Potential actions

What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? 3a1 Create a more-informed local Encouragement, perhaps through AMP, population. Understanding the issues AMBA, AMPC, AONB, of interest means it becomes easier to put pressure groups to produce information material. on government, councils, statutory and Ideally, creative and innovative ways to voluntary bodies etc get the messages across. 3a2 Use relevant opportunities to impart Organisers of farming events and others. information and knowledge about See Action 2c4. farming, woodland management etc 3a3 Campaign to encourage the use of dark North Pennines Astronomy Society, skies compliant outside lighting and the North Pennines AONB Partnership. changing of existing lighting which Neighbourhood Plan group regarding produces upward light pollution. future planning conditions, EDC. Dark skies night walks for local people and visitors in winter. See Action 2c10. 3a4 Investigate the possibility of getting the CCC Front Street Development Plan. old water pumps functioning in order for AMPC. people to refill water bottles (reducing single use plastic bottle use). These have, we think, already been linked to the mains supply, but further piping would be needed to bring the water safely to the taps.

(b) Food and its production A Area of focus A.1 Currently, the only food commercially A.3 Although the legal requirements for able to utilise some of the patches of green produced on Alston Moor is meat, largely abattoirs make it very difficult to establish space around Alston and Garrigill lamb with some beef. However, many one on Alston Moor, there is a (Nenthead may be more difficult owing to people grow vegetables and fruit in their considerable interest in being able to the mining contamination). gardens, some using greenhouses, promote our local lamb and beef B.2 It might also be possible, if more major conservatories and polytunnels as ways to production through availability at the local pieces of land were available, to establish extend the growing season and enable the butcher’s shop and in meals produced in productive and semi-commercial fruit and growth of plants needing warmth. Others local hotels, cafés and pubs. This happens vegetable growing areas, possibly keep hens for egg production and a few to some extent with locally-shot game supplemented by polytunnels and people do sell eggs locally, but not as a birds and locally-caught wild trout and greenhouses. An ideal would be a plot of major income source. salmon. land near a community building, so produce A.2 There is an interest in producing more could be used by both the volunteers and a for our local consumption. Regret was B. What is needed community kitchen/café, or supplying expressed by some people that there is no existing local cafés keen to emphasise local B.1 Establishing a community vegetable longer any milk – cow’s or goat’s – produce. Should a particular crop be garden could build on the work done by the produced for sale on Alston Moor (both possible to grow commercially, this might Grisedale Community Garden volunteers, having been available in the last 35 years), be the foundation of a viable enterprise, who have been tireless in re-establishing and others felt it was really important that possibly using renewable heat sources. the garden there. There is interest in the we become more self-sufficient in vegetable This would entail job creation and training possibility of growing food together, both and fruit production. This would enable a possibilities. for the value of vegetables and fruit as food reduction in transport costs and provide a and for the social value of working together B.3 While the interest in local milk number of possibilities of benefit to the on a worthwhile project. The ‘Incredible production has come from potential community. Several recalled that cheese Edible’ project in Todmorden and its many consumers rather than those who might had been made in Alston in the 1980s and related projects (including in Penrith and establish a dairy, there is a national interest wished that there were local cheese again Hexham) use many small areas of ground in micro-dairies that has grown over the available. throughout towns to grow vegetables, fruit last few years, with courses available. As and herbs which are tended by volunteers well as producing milk for sale, the and available for picking by any member of producers might be interested in the community. Such a project might be establishing a cheese-making business. 39

B.4 Establishing the ‘brand’ of local meat C. Potential actions might be a useful way of promoting its sale locally including at the developing farm What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? shop at Epiacum and the local wholefood 3b1 Investigate the possibilities for fruit, The Greenprint project has established a shop, and its use in local cafés and vegetable and herb production for feasibility project to look at the restaurants. Leaflets could e.g. explain the community groups and as a commercial possibilities, to report in the first half of breeds and processes of hill-farming and enterprise. Consider hydroponic growing 2019. Those taking up the suggestions the particular characteristics of the to increase the range of possible crops. might also look at possible hydroponics. resulting meat, including the need for 3b2 Support for proposals arising from the Local landowners, volunteer gardeners, slaughter elsewhere. Greenprint study AMP for potential grant-funded work 3b3 Investigate the possibilities for micro- Local landowners or potential landowners

dairying and cheese-making on Alston interested in establishing a unique B.5 Adding value to local produce is Moor, including possible goat dairying business. Possibly a group looking to essential, and creating unusual products like attract people to move and establish a smoked meats, cheeses and vegetables business on Alston Moor could research would be a useful addition to what Alston and disseminate such information. Moor can offer to those seeking a local 3b4 Establishment of a ‘brand’, promote local Local farmers, possibly with help and food purchase. If a dairy is established, meat to food outlets, produce leaflet or support from AMBA, AMP. Local paneer is a relatively simple cheese to make other material to be available in such businesses especially food-related ones. and does not require maturing – it also outlets. Alston Moor brand, in form of a Promote through Taste Cumbria as well takes well to smoking. logo, to be used on all local produce. as elsewhere 3b5 Get professional advice on viability of Greenprint feasibility study beehives on Alston Moor – if feasible, B.6 Although there are few successful establish training for those interested. beehives on Alston Moor, it may be 3b6 Establish a smokehouse to smoke cheese, Food producers, including farmers, any possible for more hives to be established. meat, appropriate vegetables etc cheesemakers, growers. Conservation of our wild bee populations is also important to ensure good pollination for crops.

A. Area of focus munity A.1 We are surrounded by land that has A.3 Maintaining such a landscape, with a dog to roam free. Keeping to paths or been, and continues to be, farmed, although biodiversity and high nature value, using open access land responsibly is also of course parts of it have also been the site appreciated by local people and visitors important, particularly not climbing of mining in the past. We can see the alike, requires low-intensity farming, which drystone walls. evidence of mining in the landscape – entails a good deal of effort (not least given B.2 It is also essential that farmers enable tailings, washing floors, levels, dams, hushes short winter days with poor weather greater understanding of their work. This – but of course the stone walls are a including high winds and snow) but low might also mean helping local people significant part of the farming landscape, as income. And herein lies a major problem – understand more of what it means to farm are many of the small woodlands (even the outcomes of biodiversity, flood for high nature value, with the hope that as though some of them may be relics of prevention, clean air and water are not voters we might want to see, and push for, mining plantings) and the many dwellings – adequately rewarded in relation to the effective ways of rewarding farmers for some ruined, some occupied – scattered value they confer on the area and their efforts in maintaining and improving across Alston Moor. nationally. biodiversity. If we value such work, it A.2 Exactly how that landscape looks is A.4 Farming also, of course, supports a clearly needs to be paid for, and it is now largely down to farming practices, and wide range of other businesses, including inevitable that such an approach does not those are influenced heavily by government drystone wallers and fencers. Of course, maximise the farmer’s income through policies, including the subsidy regime over farmers and those working in related meat sales. Payment from taxes the years, and the particular decisions made businesses also use the shops and pubs, so (‘subsidies’) for work which is of national with regard to breeds and grazing practices. all are important to the local economy. value seems sensible, measuring the

Here, the majority of animals (sheep and outcomes of biodiversity, flood control, cattle) are from traditional breeds. Despite B. What is needed etc, specific to the area (rather than a ‘one the fact that nothing of the area is actual size fits all’ for farmland across the UK). ‘wilderness’, as every square inch has been B.1 There is much that local people and The North Pennines AONB Partnership is managed in some way, much is semi-natural visitors can do to support farmers. promoting High Nature Value farming, and and is home to many species of plants, Obvious ways are to ensure dogs are under it will be essential that local people are insects, birds and mammals which are close control (preferably on a lead) to well-informed to support these moves. nationally rare or relatively rare. prevent stock worrying and never allowing

B.3 The possibility of more communication C. Potential actions about aspects of farming at local events has What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? already been mentioned under 2c4, and 3c1 Use opportunities to ensure local people Farming community and those working putting on specific farm events, enabling and visitors understand why dogs should with them at events; using opportunities local people and visitors to see more of a be under close control and drystone at other events and situations, possibly particular farm and its day-to-day work walls treated with respect (and not with info in visitor accommodation. would be a good way to assist in generally climbed). creating more awareness and 3c2 Put on talks and events highlighting Farmers, North Pennines AONB understanding. Consideration should be biodiversity and high nature value Partnership, political party local given to a permanent display about local farming, promote policies branches? farming and landscapes. 3c3 Put on two or three farm events during Two or three farming families with B.4 Given our excellent local craft the summers of 2019 and 2020, with volunteers willing to organise and workers, crafted products recognising and activities, guided walks, demonstrations steward events. AMP? Possible grants promoting our Swaledale and Hexham etc. Chance to have a go at drystone from AM parish council, EDC, to help Blackface sheep, Blue-faced Leicester tups walling with costs. and mule lambs would be popular with local 3c4 Develop video and/or moveable display Farming community, AMP, AONB people (as gifts for family and friends, as showing the sheep-farming year, from Partnership, others well as to have at home) and visitors alike, tupping in November onwards – to be and further strengthen the link between available for use at sheepdog trials, farmers and the rest of the community. Agricultural Show and in empty shops. Promoting these as specific Alston Moor Possible farming year calendar? products would raise their value to 3c5 Explore for potential for permanent Farming community, AMP, AONB purchasers. exhibition concerning local farming and Partnership – for installation in public landscape building

3c6 Develop craft items for sale, reflecting Craft workers and artists. our farming life 3c7 Gamekeepers to hold talks and events to Shooting estates explain their work

(d) Fuel and power for the future

A. Area of focus A.1 It is recognised throughout the UK – building or group or buildings may still be A.5 Electric cars are gradually becoming in fact, across the world – that we must financially viable, but producing power more affordable and more practical for an reduce our reliance on non-renewable fuel excess to one’s own needs, which used to area that often entails longer distance sources, and establish effective renewable be paid for as it was uploaded to the driving to reach main centres. The heat and power generation. We might be national grid, is no longer a financially possibility of a shared car scheme has been able to establish a community-owned attractive option. mooted, at least for people living in Alston renewable energy source. Alston Moor A.3 Biomass is another form of fuel, itself, with one or more electric cars Community Energy (AMCE) was founded potentially using community woodland available for use by scheme members for a in December 2015 to work on these production to fuel biomass boilers, but is specified mileage rate. Clearly this requires possibilities. Several people locally have currently worthwhile only where there is a good network of charging points, which already installed solar water heating or no mains gas, and would require would also enable visitors to arrive in photovoltaic cells on their roofs, and there considerable planning and the willingness of electric vehicles. are a few, mostly small, wind turbines also. homeowners to invest in such boilers. Water is harnessed at Nenthead for a Heat pumps, becoming popular in some B. What is needed commercial water turbine, but otherwise parts of the country, may be less viable on B.1 Further, and ongoing, work is needed has not been much harnessed for power in Alston Moor because our relatively low to establish what forms of renewable modern times, despite having been the temperatures result in a high energy need energy can be used on Alston Moor, within force behind the compressed air used with for them to run, although of course if current policy restraints, and to develop great effect by the Vieille Montagne zinc- electricity is from renewable source. projects to establish both small and larger mining company at Nenthead in the late installations. AMCE is currently 19th and early 20th centuries as well as A.4 Of course, reducing the need for fuel developing, in partnership with Alston powering small and large mills. is an important adjunct to reducing our reliance on non-renewable sources. Moor Federation governors, a scheme to A.2 Local investment in solar, hydro and Energy efficiency is of considerable install photovoltaic panels on the school in wind power has become harder to achieve importance on Alston Moor, where almost Alston, to provide for their own energy now that the ‘feed-in tariffs’ have been all housing stock is poor in this aspect and needs. This will need both grant- and reduced, and no new applicants will be much could be done to improve the crowd-funding to be viable. St Augustine’s accepted after 1 April 2019. The situation. Church in Alston is actively exploring eco- installation of such sources for a specific friendly heating options, and all such

43 initiatives need to be supported by local to develop recharging points now rather people. than wait. B.2 There can be continuing and increasing installation of a range of renewable energy C. Potential actions sources, and, in a field that is still relatively What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? new and changing rapidly, it is important to 3d1 Support crowd-funding for AMF Everyone locally who is interested and ensure that Alston Moor is up-to-date with photovoltaic installation being developed can afford to help fund this innovative possibilities. We are fortunate to have by AMCE scheme AMCE, but of course, as volunteers, they 3d2 Investigate the potential for further AMCE, local businesses including through need ongoing support and possibly new photovoltaic installations AMBA, churches recruits to undertake the research and 3d3 Continue to investigate possibilities for AMCE, homeowners, AMBA; advice and negotiation involved. small and large-scale renewable energy information from CAfS and others B.3 Homeowners, local landlords, installations of all types, within current providers of visitor accommodation and policy constraints local businesses can all contribute to 3d4 Ensure energy efficiency for houses and Individuals; good publicity for advice reducing fuel consumption by ensuring that businesses. Possible business available through various agencies. their properties are as energy efficient as (community-owned?) to develop Support for any local businesses set up possible. Insulation, double-glazing and retrofitting on Alston Moor. to retrofit older homes. See also Section efficient boilers are among the ways that 4(a) greater efficiency can be achieved. Advice is 3d5 Consider the development of an AMBA, AMCE; individuals making their available from a variety of sources, infrastructure of charging points for own charging point available (for a fee) as sometimes free for those on low incomes. electric cars. Ensuring such information is already possible through Zapmap. Section 4(a) considers this issue also. is available. Establishing ways to add these to any B.4 For electric cars to become more local and national information sources. widely used, one essential is a network of recharging points, easily known about and accessed. Developing this infrastructure might be a project for local businesses. Eventually big utility companies will provide this infrastructure but, as usual, rural areas like ours will be last and it will help us if try

SECTION 4: WHERE WE LIVE – APPROPRIATE HOMES,

SPACES AND SERVICES

(a) Our homes A. Area of focus A.1 Houses on Alston Moor have been affordable for people to have homes that people. Such houses must answer the built over several centuries, often adapted, are suitable for a healthy life at all ages, needs of our local population and ensure repaired, and extended. Our old stone particularly noting that the local population that young and old, families, individuals and houses tend to be damp, poorly insulated is ageing and people want to remain in their friendship groups can live comfortably. and hard to heat, and most of those built homes as long as possible. B.2 Among the requirements of many living more recently using brick and breeze block A.2 The sorts of houses and flats currently on Alston Moor or thinking of moving here are little better. Among the problems this available also do not always meet the needs are rooms that can be used as workshops causes are health difficulties, particularly of the present or future population. The or offices, often preferably rather separate lung complaints from damp rooms with way we live has changed. Alston Moor, in from the main living area for reasons of mould, which may not always be obvious. common with most of the UK, has an noise or distraction. This means that those It is expensive to heat such properties, and ageing population, and this must be who are self-employed or distance- or there is a lot of heat wasted owing to poor considered along with other needs when home-working for a business based insulation. These homes are heated using the place and form of new housing is elsewhere do not have to rent separate non-renewable fuel sources for the most considered. premises. part. 17.6% of households on Alston Moor are in fuel poverty, with the percentage less B.3 Also, at a time when more people are in Alston itself with access to mains gas and B. What is needed living alone or are single parents, some who higher everywhere else. The average for B.1 We need new houses built on Alston want to stay in their own homes in older England is 10.9% [2018 figures]. We know Moor, homes that are better for our health, age but need help at time, and when others that we must make a considerable our pocket and the planet. There is often are looking to bring some elements of reduction in the use of non-renewable a tension between affordability and communal living into their lives, there is an fuels, and establish a sustainable level of environmental soundness. We need sites interest in housing that creates small affordable energy sources here, as and developers that can provide communities of five to ten separate everywhere. We need to ensure that it is appropriately-priced homes for local (possibly terraced or semi-detached) 45 homes of a range of sizes, with some shared C. Potential actions space where people can eat and socialise together. This might be a meeting/living What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? room with a kitchen, or a 4a1 Work with different groups and Create a community-led housing group, lounge/conservatory. This will not suit agencies to establish collective working co-ordinated perhaps by AMPC in everybody, of course, but having a range of around new build, defining the overall relation to the potential Neighbourhood different possibilities is an important aspect purpose, finding suitable development Plan, involving the Greenprint/CAfS, of our future planning. sites and guiding building. EDC, Eden Housing et al 4a2 Research the possibility of an innovative AMPC, Neighbourhood Plan group, B.4 We need to build affordable homes to and energy-efficient architecture group identified in 4a1. Consult Centre a high building and energy efficient competition in relation to a specific site for Alternative Technology as well as specification as the foundation of long term identified for a small cluster of homes CAfS, involve AMCE sustainability. This would enable people to 4a3 Develop a relationship with an AMPC, requests from Alston Moor live more comfortably, in better health and appropriate developer to ensure the groups and individuals to EDC planners without having to cope with spiralling fuel building of homes to serve our needs costs. In common with social housing developments across the UK, we must promote the best possible environmental standards both for new-build and for the adaptation and ‘retro-fitting’ (making energy efficient improvements) of existing homes.

(b) Maintaining our built environment

A. Area of focus A.1 As times change, the specific activities others have become increasingly derelict, in responsible for e.g. the Nenthead Play Area and requirements change in any some cases (particularly the Methodist who actively work to maintain and improve community. Here on Alston Moor, there Chapel at the top of Alston) causing their site, but sometimes the responsibility are a number of buildings which have considerable concern in terms of public is less clear and users of e.g. the Nenthead become disused or in poor repair for a safety.5 recycling area do not always act as they should do. The dumping of items that are variety of reasons. We also have facilities A.3 Additionally, some residential and that need regular maintenance. commercial properties have been left not part of the recycling scheme causes serious problems. A.2 Some disused buildings are associated empty and deteriorating for long periods. with activities and groups that no longer There are many reasons why this happens, A.5 The Anglican churches are under-used need them, of which the obvious ones are sometimes because an owner has died and resources, parts of which could be the enormous old Methodist (and one the heirs have not been involved with the repurposed to provide accessible Congregational) chapels which were well- property, or the owner can neither sell it exhibition and performance spaces, and used in an era when Methodism was the nor afford to repair it. Some people on venues for events, meetings and groups. main religious group in the area and a Alston Moor feel strongly that official The Parochial Church Council is keen for population about four times the size of the action should be taken (not clear by whom) this to happen, but considerable investment current one all went to church or chapel to ‘tidy up’ deteriorating buildings and is needed in basic facilities such as heating on a Sunday. Times change, and while some areas. Others prefer, as long as a building and toilets. buildings have been successfully is safe, to leave such buildings repurposed (Gossipgate Congregational unmodernised, as such work sometimes B. What is needed Chapel became a very successful art gallery destroys the character of a place. This is B.1 Keeping our community’s buildings and for example, now under new non-gallery clearly not an easy matter to resolve. facilities in good enough order, and safe, is ownership, and Nenthead Methodist A.4 Play areas, the playing field and the responsibility of all who own and use Chapel is in the process of becoming a new recycling centres all need regular them. However, as we know all too well, local resource and tourist attraction), maintenance. There are groups not everyone does behave as responsibly as

5 Eden District Council has worked to identify the undertaken works in the absence of an appropriate owner of the Alston Methodist Chapel and ensure response. they fulfil their safety obligations, and has 47 we would like. Some owners may be in a District Council will take up the matter difficult financial situation and are hoping to and, if the owner does not respond, will be able to do things in the future. undertake the work and bill the owner. Maintenance can be onerous and difficult, This can be a lengthy process and local but it is essential that we do all we can to efforts are always a good first step. ensure good standards. B.4 As with so much on Alston Moor (and B.2 Some people object to buildings that in any community), small maintenance jobs have not been brought up to what they on sites used by the general public could be consider an acceptable standard, even done by volunteers. There is a feeling that though they are no danger. Words such as ‘a council’ ‘should’ do it, but the reality is ‘eyesore’ are applied to buildings that are that, with funding from government so old and not conventionally ‘attractive’. much less than it used to be, and many sites They may, however, have historic not being the responsibility of any council, associations and other people see them as local people’s willingness to deal with small ‘atmospheric’. Historically appropriate problems as they arise would be work can sometimes be achieved through appreciated. Permission of the land/site grant work, such as through the owner is obviously needed and assembling Townscape Heritage Project which gained a group of people with time, tools, skills and £1.3 million through the Heritage Lottery willingness for any particular task requires and more in support from our local a degree of organisation. Among the work authorities. This was explicitly only for that is needed is the repair of seats, some properties within the Alston Conservation but not all of which are the responsibility of Area. Further schemes might enable work the parish council, but volunteers are in other areas. needed to carry out such work.

B.3 When a building has become dangerous in any way to passers-by, it is obviously essential that the owner is alerted. If a personal approach is not possible or gets no response, then Eden 48

C. Potential actions

What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? 4b1 Ensure that dangerous and potentially Individuals, parish council, communicating dangerous buildings are dealt with with owners. Report to Eden District

appropriately Council if immediate action necessary. 4b2 Identify possible grant support for AMP, AMPC, CCC local team improvement work for those owners willing to invest in their properties

4b3 Development of a maintenance team for AMPC sites owned/managed by local groups 4b4 Establish a volunteer team (possibly, but AMPC, others not necessarily, overlapping with the team identified in 4b3) to repair and maintain seats around Alston Moor

(c) Keeping our links A. Area of focus A.1 None of us exists in a vacuum from A.2 It is not, of course, only newcomers A.3 The churches are important to the each other, and nor does our present who will not know all the detail of our history of Alston Moor, as well as for many community live entirely disconnected from area’s past and the particular stories people today. They have been, and the past of the area. Some would say that associated with buildings, lanes, and areas. continue to be, the sites of rites of passage to know where we’re going, we need to The Historical Society archive is a major and significant civic events. Their records know where we have come from. For resource for the community and for those – both registers and facsimiles – can be newcomers to Alston Moor, it can take who come seeking to know more of accessed via the Historical Society. time to discover much about our history – ancestors who came from here. Displays even our recent history – and leave some of information about the history of some of B. What is needed feeling rather ‘at sea’, both with regard to the shops in Alston, in their windows, have B.1 Support for the Historical Society and that history and how things are now. been very popular. its archive is important in many ways, including providing an understanding of the

49 built environment of Alston Moor. C. Potential actions Ongoing support is key to keeping our links with the past. The community can What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? encourage the Historical Society’s attempts 4c1 Create an information pack for all new AMPC, Historical Society, AMP, EDC. to share historical images and stories with residents, to go through the estate Funding through AMPC small grants, the world via the internet, in order to show agents, housing associations and private EDC grants. AMPC website, Cybermoor the human landscape here. landlords, containing a summary history et al. May possibly relate to the pack of Alston Moor, information about the identified at 1a7 local authorities and services, current B.2 As part of this sense of things, there websites and Facebook groups etc. To are many people who would like name signs be available for others on Alston Moor. to be put up for the old lonnings and alleys, Make available on relevant websites. before those names are forgotten. They 4c2 Support for the Historical Society Individuals to become members, often have an interesting history behind volunteer at the archive etc. Funding them – but sometimes that history is through AMPC and others to maintain already lost. and develop the website, physical archive, produce exhibitions and provide

contribution to the information pack B.3 Provision of information to new 4c3 Encourage and enable other exhibition AMP, AMPC, churches (potential Garrigill residents would help them to integrate and and archive provision church display, see 2c12) feel part of things, and ease their way into 4c4 Create and install appropriate name signs AMPC, AMP, Historical Society. Funding the community. It could make a real for lonnings, alleys, etc on Alston Moor through AMPC and/or EDC difference to provide simple information like the rubbish collection days as well as an understanding that the gash on the hillside is a hush (and what that is), and some sort of directory of local groups, websites and Facebook groups.

road traffic (including ever-heavier lorries) in the centre because they cannot cope SECTION 5: TRAVELhas increased, ANDand it is difficult COMMUNICATIONS to maintain with walking from elsewhere, and ‘passing

a good standard on all our roads all the trade’ of summer visitors is lost because no (a) Roads, travel and transport time. The Town Benchmarking report of parking spaces are available. The Town 2017 says that 56% of businesses in Alston Benchmarking Review identifies only 13% A. Area of focus town rated transport links as a negative of town centre parking was free on a quiet A.1 From the time that John McAdam aspect – compared to a national figure of day and only 2% on a busy day. pronounced the roads to and from the area 14%. as ‘the worst that have come to our attention’ and engineered the now-famous B. What is needed A686 from Penrith to Haydon Bridge A.3 Winter road clearance – ploughing and B.1 We as a community are not currently (enabling horses to bring materials and gritting – is done extremely effectively by able to work directly on our roads, nor to supplies into and out of the area), our our local team for most heavily-used roads, prevent the use of A-roads by heavy goods communication with places elsewhere, and by the Nenthead snowplough group, vehicles. We can, however, ensure that through travel and transport and through which was established by a group of our County Council knows our wishes (so the later inventions of radio, telephones, enthusiasts. Clearance of all roads is long as we are realistic, recognising the television, broadband and mobile phones, obviously wanted but not possible. funding constraints). We could push for a has been a major issue. scheme like the one in Devon where A.4 As discussed in Section 2 (c), car volunteers (organised through the parish council) are trained to repair potholes and A.2 Our roads need to be well-maintained parking in Alston is a major problem, and other minor work 6 . We could establish for all road transport. We are no longer many businesses in Alston believe that they new patterns of parking so those of us who reliant on a big company (London Lead lose potential customers because of the are able to walk up and down the hill, and Company) in whose interests it was to difficulty of parking in the town centre. are staying longer than half an hour or so, contract McAdam to improve the roads. There are local people with mobility get used to parking out of the town centre Now, Cumbria County Council is problems not severe enough to acquire a (Fairhill, public area by Spar), thus leaving responsible for our roads and works hard ‘Blue Badge’ (permitting parking in disabled spaces free for those who need them. to keep them in good order. However, parking spaces and in other places generally central government funding has decreased, not permitted) who do not use the shops

6 See https://www.devon.gov.uk/communities/opportuniti es/road-warden-scheme 51

B.2 We are lucky enough to have a Traffic C. Potential actions Management Group for Alston Moor, What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? unique in Cumbria and run by the County 5a1 Encourage use of non-town centre AMPC, Traffic Management Group, Council. This body meets every three parking in Alston individuals months and considers and prioritises all the 5a2 Ensure better signing for pedestrians Traffic Management Group; AMPC; may issues and plans concerning our road from the less central parking areas, to need EDC permission for signs network. 7 Where appropriate, encourage people to walk in. Also to representation can be made to them via the encourage walks out of town. Clerk to the Parish Council. Contributing 5a3 Use appropriate channels to ensure that Individuals, presenting issues and ideas to positive suggestions to the group would be the Traffic Management Group are the Clerk to the Parish Council welcomed, as well as raising problematic apprised of problems and receive issues. appropriate suggestions 5a4 Establish a Garrigill snowplough Local residents, in consultation with B.3 The Nenthead snowplough needs Cumbria County Council support, including volunteers, to ensure that the non-main roads in and around Nenthead are kept clear and useable for local traffic. Garrigill residents do not currently have ‘their own’ snowplough as Nenthead does. To establish one would need the same enthusiasm by local people to make such a service possible.

7 The Group has representatives from Cumbria Environmental Health, Alston Moor Parish Council, community representative, and thus can look at County Council Highways, Eden District Council Alston Moor Business Association, and a problems and future intentions in the round. 52

(b) Public and social transport A. Area of focus A.1 Individual ownership of cars is transport and purely individual car terms of finance and ongoing management, expensive, causes more air pollution than ownership. Some are already available and and pre-booked trips are likely to be a public transport, and represents a strain on some are likely to become more common more feasible approach, even if this cannot the world’s resources. Public transport is over the next decade. Here on Alston have the regularity of a scheduled service, the way that many communities manage to Moor, we have the Community Minibus nor the possibility of spontaneous decisions 8 reduce the pollution and avoid as much and a social car scheme. to travel. consumption of carbon-based fuels as B.2 The Community Minibus can be hired possible. One of the results of the B. What is needed decrease in local government funding has by any constituted group. We need to B.1 Many people on Alston Moor want to been the decision to reduce local bus ensure it is used often enough to retain it, see our Community Minibus providing a subsidies, leaving Alston Moor with very as it can be recalled by Cumbria County scheduled service between the main little bus transport. The railway, of course, Council who own and maintain it. centres on Alston Moor, and to other was closed long ago and has been B.3 It is often believed that it is impossible centres such as Carlisle, Penrith and redeveloped as a narrow gauge line by to run a lift-sharing scheme because of Hexham. Unfortunately, this is not possible enthusiasts who hope to complete the insurance issues. However, if the driver because of legal restrictions on the whole route at some future date. takes no more from passengers than the provision of public transport. A second, However, as narrow gauge, its speed will cost of fuel and ongoing car expenses (using reserve, minibus would be required so that always be very slow and it is unlikely to the HMRC mileage rate), there is no in the event of breakdown, the service provide a transport link for those getting to problem. https://liftshare.com/uk provides could be maintained. One option would be school, college, work. information including statements from to attempt to raise money to purchase and leading insurance companies that they are A.2 There are alternatives, transport maintain a second vehicle. However, this happy with such arrangements and it does possibilities that lie between full public would be a very major undertaking, in not affect insurance.

8 The Community Minibus is owned and per mile basis to cover costs. The social car a rate to cover fuel and ‘wear and tear’ on the maintained by Cumbria County Council, and based scheme, also a Cumbria County Council-run driver’s car. All drivers are volunteers, co- on Alston Moor. It is available for pre-arranged scheme, is available to anyone who has no other ordinated by a local person. Details are available in trips and for hire by groups. The minibus is driven means of reaching hospital or dental appointments, many places around Alston Moor. by trained volunteer drivers and is charged on a or a train. It must be pre-booked and is charged at 53

B.4 More ambitiously, a community vehicle C. Potential actions or vehicles, preferably electric, could be What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? available to be booked by all members of a 5b1 Increase awareness of the availability of AMPC, Community Minibus management community car club. Such a car club could the Community Minibus to groups and group. be set up locally or we could explore the booking methods, and encourage becoming part of a larger organisation such groups to use it. Encourage more as co-wheels.co.uk individuals to volunteer as drivers.

5b2 Support the social car scheme as a Individuals, contact with the scheme co-

volunteer driver and ensure those who ordinator might need it know how to access it.

5b3 Establish a liftshare scheme, using A small group is needed to consider the

Liftshare or establishing a local system. options and establish whichever system

is preferred. 5b4 Investigate and, if feasible, set up a Small group needed to explore and, if community car club. deciding to go ahead, raise funding to

establish a car club.

A. Area of focus B. What is needed A.1 Many people on Alston Moor, B.1 Superfast broadband is difficult to B.3 Mobile phone signal improvement particularly those not living in the areas deliver to all properties. Broadband for the across the country has been repeatedly served by superfast fibre broadband, Rural North, or B4RN, has harnessed promised by government, but congrat- complain bitterly about their broadband volunteer labour to bring fibre optic ulating the industry on covering 85% of the speed. Almost everyone is unhappy about broadband to rural communities, but as yet country or 95% of homes or whatever does the mobile signal to a greater or lesser nothing our area. A number of other little to help those in the areas still not extent, no matter which network they are projects have been developed in the Eden receiving a decent signal. Rural areas like on. Visitors are frustrated by the poor Valley. However, for fast broadband to ours, with low population, are not a top mobile service (which is not to suggest that reach all the scattered homes outside the priority. Local people and visitors need a cities have perfect mobile signal, as they do centres of Alston, Nenthead and Garrigill better service, with particular concern not, but will not have long stretches of road would require a great deal of (volunteer) often expressed about being unable to without availability) and some expect a work and more research is needed to summon help when a car breaks down, town centre free wifi service. establish the best means of providing this there is a road traffic accident, or someone key tool to more remote homes. falls seriously ill. While 999 calls will be A.2 There is no doubt that rural areas have routed to any mobile network available, if been seriously neglected in the general roll B.2 A free town centre wifi service in none is possible then such calls cannot be out of digital services, but some Alston would be a benefit, particularly to made, and this is the case in some areas of communities have found ways to improve visitors who have come to expect such Alston Moor. This causes understandable at least broadband.9 provision, but of course, while it is free to concern. the user, it is not free to provide. Research is need to establish the viability of such a

service and how it might be implemented if viable.

9 Cornwall is often cited. This relied on EU money poor infrastructure. The county received more Ireland. Such funding will no longer be a possibility under the Structural and Investment Fund, than any other English region and the same as and there is no information about what may in the awarded on the basis of Cornwall’s poverty and West Wales, Scottish Highlands and Northern future be provided by the UK government. 55

B.4 At the time of writing the scope of 5G C. Potential actions locally is unclear, but will almost certainly form part of the future communication What could be done in 2019/20? Who might do this, and how? network. The AONB Partnership is 5c1 Research the possibilities for getting AMPC, AMP, AMBA might form a developing IT-based interpretation which superfast broadband to all – or at least working group to investigate what might could take advantage of the faster 5G many more – properties on Alston be possible, or a group of interested provision, but is already useable now. Moor. individuals might undertake the task. 5c2 Investigate possibilities for free (to the AMPC, AMP, AMBA, Nenthead Chapel user) town centre wifi in Alston (and Project – sources and costs, long-term possibly Nenthead in conjunction with the Nenthead Chapel Project)

5c3 Work with the MP, mobile phone AMPC, district and county councillors companies and others (?) to raise and appropriate departments in those concerns and encourage much better councils provision of mobile phone signal.

5c4 Identify possibilities associated with AMP, AMPC, AMBA, Historical Society, whatever 5G network is developed on others Alston Moor.

CONCLUSION

Conc.1 Throughout the work of • strengthening our community by group for the proposed volunteer co- consulting local people, and sifting through ‘advertising’ Alston Moor as a good ordinator, a post that seems essential for the thoughts and information provided, it place to live, to work, to bring up the progress of the Plan (see Conc. 6) was clear that most people living on Alston children and thus bringing in new Moor wish to see our community flourish. residents; Conc.4 For Alston Moor to remain a A few are pessimistic, and see little point in • and by sourcing grant-funding for sustainable community into the future, we any attempt to work towards a different projects that will have a major need to attract more people to live and future. What all agree on, however, is that impact on the development of the work here. A Regeneration Strategy is rural areas like ours are struggling to adapt community. therefore proposed for the whole of to changes on the local, the national and Alston Moor. This should set out general international fronts. Conc.3 For the ideas in this Plan to be principles and identify areas of focus for progressed, it is essential that key bodies regeneration and development, providing a on Alston Moor – Alston Moor Parish Conc.2 To meet the challenges, it is strategic overview for sustainable Council, Alston Moor Partnership, and obvious that we cannot rely solely on large- economic regeneration and growth. Such others – work together to take ownership scale funded projects, nor on the efforts of a strategy would aim to attract large-scale of the project, for the benefit of the entire a few volunteers. We need to be working infrastructure funding for potential larger community of Alston Moor. They might, ‘in the round’: projects, involving currently redundant for example, decide which group would buildings, renewable energy, new visitor • harnessing the energy and lead on each part of the plan. An attractions, and reinstatement of historic determination of young and old to alternative might be to set up a steering features, for example. Referred to in work in a voluntary capacity on the committee consisting of representatives of Section 2a, paragraph B.1, and actions 2a1, innumerable small-scale activities each interested organisation. This 2b1, 2c5 and 2c6, such a Regeneration that are of value to the quality of life committee would meet regularly to Strategy could in fact encompass much in our community; monitor, encourage and allocate tasks as more of the broad actions proposed in the • finding a variety of ways to appropriate, liaising with all groups and B sub-sections throughout the Plan. encourage people from all over the projects across Alston Moor with the Someone to undertake marketing and world to visit, thus supporting our potential to take on actions identified in the promotion of the area to potential visitors businesses; Plan. This group might also be the steering

and to possible residents may be an example through volunteer awards, INTO THE FUTURE outcome or adjunct to such a Strategy. perhaps through Alston Moor Parish This Community Plan has been prepared Council. from contributions by many people on Conc.5 Very few people can volunteer at Alston Moor. It identifies the community’s the level and for the time necessary to MONITORING AND KEEPING perception of what is good and what needs progress the more major ideas the changing, sets out its aspirations for the THE PLAN UP-TO-DATE community has had for ensuring Alston future, and puts forward proposals for Moor remains a good place to live and The action points identified in the C sub- what might be achieved in the short term. work. Hence serious thought must be sections of the Plan are those that are given to the ways in which money can be immediate possibilities to fulfil the general It will serve its purpose if many people in raised in order to pay for these tasks to be purpose of the aspirations outlined in the B the community undertake tasks that help to undertaken – whether by parish precept, sub-sections. Ongoing monitoring of work fulfil the aspiration of ensuring that Alston through grant-making bodies, fund-raising and achievements in progressing the action Moor flourishes as a good place to live and or other means. points should be done regularly by the Plan work for many years to come. lead body. The sub-sections and action Conc.6 No matter what success we have points will also need to be updated at in raising money for large projects and to regular intervals as governmental policies pay the people who will progress them, the change, technologies develop, and changes

voluntary work of local people will that cannot be predicted open up new continue to be absolutely essential to all the possibilities.

very many activities, events and maintenance tasks, and to the social The first planned review of the B sub- structure of Alston Moor. A means of sections and action points will take ensuring volunteer recruitment, allocation place two years after the publication and retention that has proved effective of this Plan, in the spring of 2021. It will elsewhere is a paid part-time volunteer co- then be decided when the next review ordinator. To help with the retention and should take place. During the sixth year recruitment of volunteers, appreciation for (2024-25), AMP will undertake all those who undertake such selfless work consultation towards producing the next is might be developed more formally, for Community Plan by March 2025. ______

Alston Moor Partnership is grateful to:

ACTion with Communities in Cumbria

Eden District Council

Alston Moor Parish Council for their financial support to enable the production of this Community Plan.

APPENDIX 1

WHAT IS A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY? This diagram comes from a 2005 document produced as part of a “ministerial informal” of the EU during the UK Presidency. It is known as the ‘Bristol Accord’. We used this during initial discussions about how to approach our Community Plan, and it remains a useful reference point.

APPENDIX 2 THE ALSTON MOOR COMMUNITY PLAN PROCESS CALENDAR

7 Sept 2016 First meeting with Alston Moor Partnership members to establish the key issues and approach for a new Community Plan. 31 Oct 2016 Follow-up AMP members’ meeting 18 Jan 2017 Follow-up AMP members’ meeting 28 Feb 2017 Follow-up AMP members’ meeting Mar-Apr 2017 List of groups that meet on Alston Moor drawn up, with contact details. Two AMP members allocated to as many as possible, to make own arrangements to visit and take 20-30 minutes to get ideas in response to “What do you like most about living on Alston Moor? What do you like least? What might make things worse? What could make things better?” May-Jul 2017 Visits to 24 groups that meet on Alston Moor, including schools. Individual AMP members visited between one and six different groups; fifteen members involved. July 2017 Initial list of the issues that were raised drawn up 18 Nov 2017 Open day in conjunction with information day about post-hospital provision, involving ambulance, police support officers, councillors – gleaning thoughts on services and needs Jan-Feb 2018 Seven open consultation Saturday mornings at Alston Town Hall, advertised through social media, posters across Alston Moor et al 24 Jan 2018 Meeting with event organisers to discuss key issues, needs, plans, co-operation 9 Feb 2018 Meeting with those involved in buildings renting out space – issues, co-operative working Mar-Apr 2018 Three open consultation mornings at Nenthead Community Shop 28 Mar 2018 Meeting with group of farmers to identify key issues 3 Oct 2018 First draft of Introduction and Section 1 circulated to AMP members and promoted on Facebook and via meeting posters for others, comments invited 9 Oct 2018 Garrigill Village Hall, meeting to discuss first draft of Introduction and Section 1 4 Dec 2018 First draft of Sections 2 & 3 circulated to AMP members and promoted on Facebook and via meeting posters for others, comments invited

10 Jan 2019 Nenthead Village Hall, meeting to discuss first draft of Sections 2 & 3 4 Feb 2019 Penultimate version of Introduction and Sections 1-3 (all revised from comments received) posted to website. First draft of Sections 4 & 5 circulated to AMP members 20 Feb 2019 First draft of Conclusion and Appendices circulated to members. 25 Feb 2019 Notification of meeting to discuss Sections 4 & 5, and Conclusion and Appendices, sent to members, posted on Facebook and advertised on posters. Invitation to anyone to comment on any part of the Plan via e-mail. 6 March 2019 Alston Town Hall, meeting to discuss Sections 4 & 5, and Conclusion and Appendices 20 March 2019 Closing date for comments.

Articles were published in the Alston Moor Newsletters of Winter 2016-17, Spring 2017, Summer 2017, Spring 2018, Summer 2018, Winter 2018-19 and Spring 2019. All invited ideas and comments on the relevant stage of the Community Plan.

Throughout the period, research was being undertaken on aspects of the plan via meetings with individuals e.g. at South Tynedale Railway, U3A organiser in Penrith, Cumbria County Council staff re footpath maintenance, youth club staff and others providing activities for young people; phone and internet research concerning e.g. micro-dairying, the law on dog faeces, means of broadband provision, mobile phone coverage. The named topics and individuals are just a small sample of all that has been researched.

APPENDIX 3

ACRONYMS – WHAT THE LETTERS MEAN

AGM Annual General Meeting AMBA Alston Moor Business Association AMCE Alston Moor Community Energy AMP Alston Moor Partnership AMPC Alston Moor Parish Council AONB Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty ATM Automated Teller Machine, in other words a cash machine C2C Sea-to-Sea, a long-distance cycle route CAfS Cumbria Action for Sustainability CCC Cumbria County Council EDC Eden District Council MP Member of Parliament NP North Pennines PCSO Police Community Support Officer PTA Parent-Teachers’ Association SKS Samuel King’s School (Alston Moor’s secondary school) STR(PS) South Tynedale Railway (Preservation Society) TIC Tourist Information Centre WI Women’s Institute 63