DOCSLIB.ORG

Phase 1 Report, July 1999 Monitoring Heathland Fires in Dorset

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

MONITORING HEATHLAND FIRES IN DORSET: PHASE 1 Report to: Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions: Wildlife and Countryside Directorate July 1999 Dr. J.S. Kirby1 & D.A.S Tantram2 1Just Ecology 2Terra Anvil Cottage, School Lane, Scaldwell, Northampton. NN6 9LD email: [email protected] web: http://www.terra.dial.pipex.com Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 1604 882 673 Monitoring Heathland Fires in Dorset Metadata tag Data source title Monitoring Heathland Fires in Dorset: Phase 1 Description Research Project report Author(s) Kirby, J.S & Tantram, D.A.S Date of publication July 1999 Commissioning organisation Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions WACD Name Richard Chapman Address Room 9/22, Tollgate House, Houlton Street, Bristol, BS2 9DJ Phone 0117 987 8570 Fax 0117 987 8119 Email [email protected] URL http://www.detr.gov.uk Implementing organisation Terra Environmental Consultancy Contact Dominic Tantram Address Anvil Cottage, School Lane, Scaldwell, Northampton, NN6 9LD Phone 01604 882 673 Fax 01604 882 673 Email [email protected] URL http://www.terra.dial.pipex.com Purpose/objectives To establish a baseline data set and to analyse these data to help target future actions Status Final report Copyright No Yes Terra standard contract conditions/DETR Research Contract conditions. Some heathland GIS data joint DETR/ITE copyright. Some maps based on Ordnance Survey Meridian digital data. With the sanction of the controller of HM Stationery Office 1999. OS Licence No. GD 272671. Crown Copyright. Constraints on use Refer to commissioning agent Data format Report Are data available digitally: No Yes Platform on which held PC Digital file formats available Report in Adobe Acrobat PDF, Project GIS in MapInfo Professional 5.5 Indicative file size 2.3 MB Supply media 3.5" Disk CD ROM DETR WACD - 2 - Phase 1 report, July 1999 Monitoring Heathland Fires in Dorset EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Lowland heathland is a rare and threatened habitat and one for which we have international responsibility. Dorset has around 6000 ha of heathland that gives it the third largest area for an English county. Much of the recent decline in heathland area has slowed in recent years but there are many concerns over quality. In Dorset in particular there has been widespread concern that repeated incidences of fire have been diminishing the resource and threatening important heathland species. In July 1998 the Council of Europe’s Bern Secretariat undertook an “on-the spot” appraisal visit to the Dorset heathlands. Part of the remit of the visit was to assess the effect that fires had on the conservation interest of the heathland, particularly those areas lying close to or within the large urban conurbation of Poole and Bournemouth where the problems were thought to be most severe. In anticipation of the Standing Committee’s recommendations the European Wildlife Division of the Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions decided to commission independent research to draw together existing records of heathland fires. The main purpose of this research was to establish a baseline data set and to analyse these data to help target future actions and produce proposals for recording future fire events. This report is a product of the research and concentrates on the collation of a reference data set and an analysis of this information. Proposals for recording future fire events are covered in the separate Phase 2 report. A large number of records of heathland fires were gathered from a variety of relevant organisations, the vast majority of these records were generated by the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service. The resulting data set contained 3333 incidents for the period 1990-1998 across Dorset. Data were analysed both statistically and spatially and results presented in terms of temporal and geographic characteristics. Data collection methods and standards varied across different organisations and there were some problems with data quality, most striking were locational errors in grid references. The results showed that uncontrolled fires can occur at any time of the year but are most frequent between April and August when, unfortunately, they are likely to cause most damage to heathland vegetation and wildlife. Fires were more likely to occur at weekends than weekdays, during school holiday periods rather than term time and during the afternoon and early evening compared to other times of the day. Fires occurred on nearly all patches of heathland over the study period with higher concentrations on heathlands within or near to conurbations. It was not possible to quantitatively assess the ecological impact fires had had upon Dorset’s heathlands due to lack of information. However, it is clear that a number of heathland sites have been subject to substantial numbers of fires and that these may have caused significant ecological disturbance and damage. DETR WACD Phase 1 report, July 1999 - 3 - Monitoring Heathland Fires in Dorset I. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A great many people have provided help with this project. First and foremost, we are grateful to Richard Chapman for expertly guiding the project and Mark Taylor, Alison Briggs and Vic Jennings for assisting him at the Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions. We also thank our collaborators, Professor Nigel Webb and Rob Rose of the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology’s Furzebrook Research Station, George Boobyer of Augur Information Systems and Mark Stevenson of the Northmoor Trust for contributions of ideas, informed comment and the tackling of specific tasks for the project. Questionnaire, fire or other data, or expert comment, was provided by many: AFV Gunnery School, Lulworth Camp (Mick Burgess); Bournemouth Borough Council (S Clarke); Christchurch Borough Council (P Holloway); Dorset County Council (Stuart Crane, Phil Sterling); Dorset Environmental Records Centre (Alison Stewart); Dorset Fire and Rescue Service (Alun Morgan, Andy Motteram); Dorset Police (Mike Humphreys, Simon Merry); Dorset Wildlife Trust (Rob Brunt, Andy Fale, Lesley Haskins); East Dorset District Council (Phil Baarda, Phil Thompson); English Nature (Andrew Nicholson); Forest Enterprise (Alison Field, Harold Gillen, Richard Mihalop); Herpetological Conservation Trust (Sandy Dolbear); Poole Borough Council (Jez Martin, Nick Woods); Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (Neil Gartshore, Nigel Symes). We are grateful to all for the kind assistance so readily provided and apologise to anyone we have unknowingly omitted. II. CONTENTS I. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................ 4 II. CONTENTS .................................................................................................................................... 4 1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................ 6 2 METHODS ..................................................................................................................................... 8 2.1 DATA COLLATION.............................................................................................................................8 2.2 DATA PREPARATION........................................................................................................................10 2.3 DATA ANALYSIS..............................................................................................................................11 2.3.1 Statistical analyses................................................................................................................11 2.3.2 Geographical data ................................................................................................................12 2.3.3 Geographical analyses..........................................................................................................12 3 RESULTS...................................................................................................................................... 14 3.1 TIMING OF FIRE EVENTS ...................................................................................................................14 3.2 SPATIAL VARIATION ........................................................................................................................18 3.2.1 Statistical analyses................................................................................................................18 3.2.2 Geographical analyses..........................................................................................................20 3.3 CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF FIRE EVENTS.................................................................................................30 4 DISCUSSION ............................................................................................................................... 33 4.1 DATA QUALITY...............................................................................................................................33 4.2 TEMPORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE RECORDS...................................................................................33 4.3 SPATIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE RECORDS.......................................................................................34 4.4 IMPACTS ON SITES AND SPECIES.........................................................................................................35 5 CONCLUSIONS ..........................................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • History of the Aldershot Branch, Rsa

    History of the Aldershot Branch, Rsa

    HISTORY OF THE ALDERSHOT BRANCH, RSA Edition 2, June 2020 The author acknowledges with grateful thanks the considerable help received in compiling the military history content of this update. Paul Vickers, Chairman, Friends of the Aldershot Military Museum, generously provided much detailed information on Aldershot Garrison aspects. The story of the formation of C Troop was drawn from the research work of branch member, David Mullineaux, written up in the Royal Signals Institution Journal of Spring 2010. Branch Committee Member, Neville Lyons not only provided the lists of events and talks but also proof read the whole document and made valued suggestions on presentation. Historical Background There has been a strong link between Aldershot and the evolution of modern Army signalling ever since the establishment of the first Royal Engineers Telegraph Troop there in 1871. As the technology developed, so did the number of units both in Aldershot and worldwide with the result that at the end of the Great War there were 70,000 men serving in the Royal Engineers Signal Service. This led in 1920 to the formation of the Royal Corps of Signals which has maintained a continuous link with the Town and Garrison of Aldershot to this day. The full story of this evolutionary process is set out in a further new paper entitled “Aldershot: the Cradle of Army Signalling.” The technical and organisational details given there are separate from the history of the Association branch but there is a connection between the two stories which was particularly close in the early years of Royal Signals because of the units and individuals involved.
  • Key Poole Town Centre

    Key Poole Town Centre

    n ll rl on e et F t e Rd Sch Rd Dr y H d U Whitehouse Rd e tt R llswat n ille W C W er Rd Po c d 8 h a a m R 4 m M y a a y p 3 R g s y e r m 's W e A a d l y d B B Cl Fitzpain e i k s W W a n Canford C ig 3 a Carters Cottages l ht r Hurn A O L s W r n 0 l o Lambs' 31 A31 Park n k k a Honey 7 B c w N r 3073 d 3 Glissons o Rd e s Farm C n Green d C n w h Lower Russell's L kley L C Barrack Rd s d Park Cottages d Belle Vu r y L Oa e a d s am a R l Copse bs Hampreston s p n y an P Hadria d g c a reen To l Poor e l L n i d d H C Dirty Lane e v F Holmwood n e l a R Wk C Cl n Wimborne a l l Common ammel n L t Oakley o m Coppice t a r n H C y l Higher Russell's L C M al L Park n W Brog S l n r F C i e House Ln o a u k Copse y A349 Ch d H u r r b e D Merley l Harrie C m is s R S r r Dr Merley opw n tc Belle Vue d West e y i u t v Mill St A31 Park e h l t hu D e e First Sch C j r a A31 M l o c Plantation r A Rhubane r Longham h F Parley k e y Floral d Rd b Parley Bsns h Cottage a e s R n O a r c L v Wood Pk r rm i n Rd d den Cl u i k A B o 3 l Pond Chichester W 07 B B Oakley 3 y S ry opw ith o B Merley l Cres C e Coppice Rec l Oakland i Lin l l w d a bu r S w Brie W n Cottage H a e rley Grd g d t n e n i o y B o f n R ds Av o r r i e u e M a g d r er d l le b u k d Rec y B r L H a a R R The n z a Vw o D d ak a e Grd n M Canford C h Shrubbery O w Rd in Sports M e East k d L Ashington Ln er r Magna yd W Fields y o k n le C li k B er l f n 3 End L M c l n Longham Lakes 0 H S W R h 7 Dudsbury C n s a 4 ark Rd n Cl u e P d e Garden Reservoir o y G Layard
  • Papers for Dorset LEP Board Meeting 22 November 2018

    Papers for Dorset LEP Board Meeting 22 November 2018

    DORSET LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEETING 22 NOVEMBER 2018 FROM 10.00 AM TO 12.30 PM THE TANK MUSEUM, BOVINGTON AGENDA Time Item Subject/ Title Presenter Recommendation 10.00 1. Apologies and declarations of interest Jim Stewart 10.05 2. Minutes of last meeting and matters arising Jim Stewart and Forward Plan 3. Guest Presentations 10.15 3.1 South West Community Bank Tony Greenham List of all recommendations for decision from Dorset LEP Board 10.30 3.2 Studio Egret West Talbot Quarter Proposals Darryl Tidd/ For information as the Talbot quarter proposals are now being by Talbot Village Trust James Gibson/ progressed, as well as an opportunity for early engagement. Norman Apsley/ David West 4. Strategy 10.45 4.1 Innovation Strategy Rob Dunford/ LEP Board to note the progress to date and timeline for completion of Neil Darwin the Innovation Strategy 11.00 4.2 Horizon 2038 Lorna Carver None 11.15 4.3 Local Industrial Strategy Lorna Carver 1. Board Members to note the progress 2. Board members to volunteer to be part of the steering group. 3. Please note the diagram to summarise the process. 11.30 4.4 Partnership Working Rob Dunford To note the progress made with regional partnership working and to continue to support the approach. 11.40 4.5 Governance Update Lorna Carver Dorset LEP Board to note the progress that has been made to enhance Dorset LEP’s governance and transparency. Page 1 of 52 5. Delivery 11.50 5.1 Delivery Update Rob Dunford Confidential - Commercially Sensitive 12.00 5.2 Project Pipeline Update Rob Dunford Confidential - Commercially Sensitive 12.15 5.3 Delivery Plan Lorna Carver Dorset LEP Board supports the Dorset LEP Team to create a delivery plan in the format required by Government by the deadline of April 2019.
  • Draft Christchurch and Waterw

    Draft Christchurch and Waterw

    1 Contents Page Acronyms 4 Foreword 5 Executive Summary 6 Structure of the Document 6 Section 1 Chapter 1 – The Plan 7 1.1 Introduction 7 1.2 Background to the Management Plan 7 Chapter 2 -The Plan’s Aims and Objectives 9 2.1 Strategic Aims 9 2.2 Management Plan Objectives 9 Chapter 3 - Management Area and Statutory Framework 10 3.1 Geographical Area 10 3.2 Ownership and Management Planning 12 3.3 Statutory Context 15 3.4 Planning and Development Control 16 3.5 Public Safety and Enforcement 17 3.6 Emergency Planning 17 Chapter 4 – Ecology and Archaeology 19 4.1 Introduction 19 4.2 Ecological Features 19 4.3 Physical Features 23 4.4 Archaeology 24 Chapter 5 - Recreation and Tourism 26 5.1 Introduction 26 5.2 Economic Value 26 5.3 Events 27 5.4 Access 27 5.5 Boating 27 5.6 Dredging 30 5.7 Signage, Lighting and Interpretation 31 Chapter 6 – Fisheries 32 6.1 Angling 32 6.2 Commercial Fishing 32 Chapter 7 - Education and Training 36 7.1 Introduction 36 7.2 Current use 37 Chapter 8 - Water Quality and Pollution 37 8.1 Introduction 37 8.2 Eutrophication and Pollution 37 8.3 Bathing Water Quality 37 Chapter 9 - Managing the Shoreline 39 9.1 Introduction 39 9.2 Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 40 9.3 Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management 40 9.4 Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) 41 2 Chapter 10 – Governance of the Management Plan 43 10.1 Introduction 43 10.2 Future Governance Structure and Framework - Proposals 43 10.3 Public Consultation 43 10.4 Funding 43 10.5 Health and Safety 44 10.6 Review of the Christchurch Harbour and Waterways Plan
  • Blandford's Contribution to World War

    Blandford's Contribution to World War

    BLANDFORD'S CONTRIBUTION TO WORLD WAR TWO compiled by M.J. Le Bas 2020 7.12 BLANDFORD PREPARES FOR WAR With war looming in 1939, Blandford Camp was reactivated a s a t r a i n i n g c e n t r e f o r reservists called up, and for new r e c r u i t s s e e n here. Many new huts were built for accommodation, as most of the huts from WW1 had long since been demolished or sold on. Some became the huts for the Blandford Scouts in Eagle House Gardens. INVASION? In 1940, Blandford received prominence when Prime Minister Churchill declared Blandford must become 'a strategic tank island to be defended at all costs'. This was in response to the threat of German invasion after the Fall of France in May. The German plan, one of many, was to land in August 1940 on the Dorset Coast “Operation Sealion”, and strike northward rapidly to the Bristol Channel, thereby capturing Blandford featured strongly in the German at a stroke the ports of Devon and plans. It lay on one of three routes the German Cornwall and enabling the landing Army would have taken, the others being of German forces unopposed. Maiden Newton and Fordingbridge, with Blandford and the crossing of the River Stour at it's bridge, being the most advantageous route. LOCATION ? . In order to confuse the invaders, town signs were ordered to be removed, here in particular the word BLANDFORD that was prominently displayed on street and sewer drain covers, and on the charity boards in the Parish Church.
  • Minutes of a Meeting of Church Knowle Parish Council Held at Furzebrook Village Hall on Tuesday 14Th May 2016

    Minutes of a Meeting of Church Knowle Parish Council Held at Furzebrook Village Hall on Tuesday 14Th May 2016

    Minutes of a meeting of Church Knowle Parish Council held at Furzebrook Village Hall on Tuesday 14th May 2016 PRESENT Council Members: C. K Parishioners & Members of the public: Cllr Mrs Kathryn Best Viop Unlimited – Managing Director Cllr Mr Colin Page Viop Unlimited – Technical Manager Cllr Mrs Hazel Parker - Vice-chairman Cllr Mr Leslie Bugler PDC Cllr Mr Malcolm Barnes (from 9.35pm – after Cllr Mr Ian Hollard discussion of Asset of Community Value(Min. 231) Cllr Mrs Billa Edwards Apologies: Cllr. Mr Derek Burt Cllr. Mr Tony Higgens Cllr. Mrs Jayne Wilson STATEMENT FROM CLERK 191.16 The Clerk advised the meeting that there being no elected Parish Council Chairman or Vice-chairman it would be necessary for Members present to elect a Chairman for the Meeting before the continuation of the meeting. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN OF THE MEETING 192.16 Cllr Page proposed that past Vice-chairman Cllr Parker be Chairman for the Meeting. The proposal was seconded by Cllr Edwards. 193.16 Cllr Parker had no objection to the nomination and advised Members she would be willing to act as Chairman of the Meeting. 194.16 The Clerk asked Members if there were any other nominations. There were none. 195.16 Members voted unanimously in agreement of the motion (see Minute 192.16) that Cllr Parker be Chairman and she was duly appointed to the position for the June meeting of the Parish Council. 196.16 Cllr Parker took the Chair of the Meeting. APOLOGIES 197.6 The Clerk advised the Meeting he had received apologies for absence from Cllrs Derek Burt, Jane Wilson and Tony Higgens and an apology for possible late arrival from Purbeck DC Cllr Malcolm Barnes.
  • DAW 2018 Brochure

    DAW 2018 Brochure

    DAW_2018_BROCHURE_COVER [3]_Layout 1 14/03/2018 15:49 Page 1 DORSET ART WEEKS 2018 DORSET ART FREE GUIDE OPEN STUDIOS, EXHIBITIONS, EVENTS 26 MAY –26 MAY 10 JUNE 26 MAY – 10 JUNE 2018 26 MAY – 10 JUNE 2018 OPEN STUDIOS, EXHIBITIONS, EVENTS DORSET VISUAL ARTS DORSET COTTAGES DORSET VISUAL ARTS DAW_2018_BROCHURE_COVER [3]_Layout 1 14/03/2018 15:49 Page 2 DORSET VISUAL ARTS DVA is a not for profit organisation and registered charity. It has a membership of some 300 artists, designers and makers living and practising in the county, some with national and international reputations. We are currently developing a number of opportunities for our members working across the spectrum of the visual arts with a focus on creative and professional development. Making Dorset www.dorsetvisualarts.org The driving ambition behind this grouping is to bring high quality design and making to new markets within and beyond Dorset. We aim to develop the group’s identity further to become recognised nationally and Dorset Art Weeks internationally. Membership of the OPEN STUDIOS group is by selection. EXHIBITIONS EVENTS DORSET DAW is an open studio event open to all artists practising in Dorset, regardless of DVA membership. VISUAL Produced by DVA, it is its biennial, Membership Groups flagship event. Reputedly the largest biennial open studios event in the ARTS INTERROGATING PROJECTS country. The event attracts around For those wanting to benefit from 125,000 studio visits. Visitors are interaction with other artists. The focus fascinated by seeing how artists work of group sessions is on creative and and the varied types of environment professional development.
  • Estuary Assessment

    Estuary Assessment

    Appendix I Estuary Assessment Poole and Christchurch Bays SMP2 9T2052/R1301164/Exet Report V3 2010 Haskoning UK Ltd on behalf of Bournemouth Borough Council Poole & Christchurch Bays SMP2 Sub-Cell 5f: Estuary Processes Assessment Date: March 2009 Project Ref: R/3819/01 Report No: R.1502 Poole & Christchurch Bays SMP2 Sub-Cell 5f: Estuary Processes Assessment Poole & Christchurch Bays SMP2 Sub-Cell 5f: Estuary Processes Assessment Contents Page 1. Introduction....................................................................................................................1 1.1 Report Structure...........................................................................................................1 1.2 Literature Sources........................................................................................................1 1.3 Extent and Scope.........................................................................................................2 2. Christchurch Harbour ....................................................................................................2 2.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................2 2.2 Geology........................................................................................................................4 2.3 Holocene to Recent Evolution......................................................................................4 2.4 Present Geomorphology ..............................................................................................5
  • English Nature Research Report 95

    English Nature Research Report 95

    6 INDICATOR SPECIES The idea that a group of species can be used as indicators to assess and monitor environmental quality and change is a simple and attractive one and has been successful in a number of cases. The range of species is considerable and they can be used in a variety of ways. The first group are those which are used to describe and classify communities. A good example of this is phytosociolagy, the National Vegetation Classification for instance. Here an assemblage of species is used to distinguish one community from another. Further sub-divisions of the main community and the relationships between vegetation types can be defined by considering the presence and absence of other (indicator) species. A second group of species is used to assess quality and to monitor environmental change. Perhaps the best example of this is provided by freshwater communities which are used to assess river water quality. Here there have been three approaches; first. a simple biotic index in which the differential responses of species to a pollutant is used to asses quality. Secondly, diversity indices (species richness and equitability) provides a more refined approach. Finally, the most detailed approach relates community structure to environmental variables (RIVPACS) to provide target communities against which physical and chemical stresses can be assessed. The group of indicator species which are used to identify ancient woodland or to date hedgerows is similar to a biotic index. In these cases persistence and susceptibility to disturbance are the variables which determine the presence or absence of these species. Finally there are species which have a high conservation value.
  • Council Elections 2020 David Phillips Brian Wragg Peter Close Bernard

    Council Elections 2020 David Phillips Brian Wragg Peter Close Bernard

    Page 1 September 2020 Council Elections 2020 At the Longhorn Cattle Society AGM on 17 October retiring members of Council step down and new Council members take their place for a three year term. Four valid nominations for Council for the three spaces available were received by the closing date, meaning an election is required. Your vote really does count so please do make use of it. The ballot paper for postal voting is below and should be returned to the Society office on or by Saturday 10 October 2020. Please follow the voting process and return the ballot paper correctly or your vote will be counted as void. All members with email addresses registered with the Society will be sent a link to ‘Simply Voting’ which will allow you to vote online. Both methods of voting (post and online) are valid and will be counted, but any member using BOTH methods will have their online vote discarded. The proposers and seconders of each nominee have been invited to explain why they feel their nominee should be elected to Council. Their reasons are set out within this leaflet. In addition, each candidate has the opportunity of setting out why they feel they should be elected. Council has agreed these rules in respect to elections and no other lobbying should take place. Ballot Paper For election to the Council of the Longhorn Cattle Society Please vote for no more than 3 (THREE) candidates by marking a cross against your chosen candidate(s). Ballots must be returned in the enclosed envelopes and posted to: The Scrutinisers for the Longhorn Cattle Society CIO, East Lodge, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2LH to arrive on or by Saturday 10 October 2020 Peter Close Bernard Llewellyn David Phillips Brian Wragg Name…………………………....……………………Herd No.
  • Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

    Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

    GROWTH DEALS 3 FACTSHEET – Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) 1. How much is the Government investing in Dorset as part of the Growth Deal programme? Growth Deal Growth Deal Growth Deal Three One (July 2014) Two (Jan 2015) (Nov 2016) Local Growth £66.4 million £12.6 million £19.46 million Fund Award Total Award £98.46 million 2. What will this new funding deliver? This new tranche of funding is expected to deliver: Work to increase international investment in, and business at, the ground- breaking Orthopaedic Research Institute at Bournemouth University; Providing match funding for key capital enhancements to Dorset tourist attractions, boosting productivity by increasing visitor numbers, stay and spend; Wallisdown Connectivity, a significant upgrade to the major Bournemouth- Poole commuter road which connects the two University Campuses to Poole, and suffers from congestion at peak times; Transforming the Lansdowne area of Bournemouth into a major new business district through a package of infrastructure and urban realm improvements; Gillingham Access to Growth - transport infrastructure improvements to unlock housing and employment developments; and Holes Bay, enabling the release of a major housing site in Poole, delivering up to 1,350 new homes. 3. What has previous funding delivered? This builds on previous Growth Deal investments in Dorset, which have funded the following projects: Innovation Orthopaedic Research Institute, Bournemouth Skills Bournemouth and Poole College Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester Tourism Jurassica, Isle of Portland Mass Extinction Memorial Observatory, Isle of Portland Transport infrastructure to unlock growth Bournemouth International Growth Programme Port of Poole Other Western Growth Corridor Dorset Green Enterprise Zone iCode, Bournemouth Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth Business Park 4.
  • Canford Heath

    Canford Heath

    Welcome to Canford Heath History of Canford Heath Wildlife of Canford Heath Bronze Age settlers started to clear the Birch and Oak The heaths of Dorset should be largely open areas of This heath is one of the largest remaining heaths in by Supported Dorset, lying between Broadstone to the west and woodland that once covered South East Dorset around heather and gorse, with few trees. Canford Heath is Knighton Heath Golf Course in the east. Since the 1940’s 3,500 years ago to create fields and pastures. Bronze Age dominated by the purple floweringCommon Heather the area of heathland has been much reduced but it still burial mounds can still be seen on Canford Heath. (Ling) with the brighter flowered Bell Heather and fine covers over 850 acres (380 hectares – equivalent to 532 Bristle Bent Grass blended in amongst it. In July the yellow Wembley sized football pitches!). Children gathering furze (gorse). flowers of Western Gorse appear giving an attractive contrast of colours. You can easily spend two hours walking around the site, although there are many shorter routes of around ½ hour In June or July the waving cotton-wool tufts of the Cotton Grass and the paler flowered, greyish Cross-Leaved Heath to be enjoyed as well. With its valleys and hills accentuating highlight the areas of wet heath and bog. Here the yellow a feeling of wilderness, it is possible to lose sight of the flower spikes of theBog Asphodel and the tiny Sundews, surrounding development. However the views across to Corfe that trap small insects on their sticky red leaves, can also be Castle and the Purbecks should not be missed.