AONB Unit Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Annual Review 2011-12 Chairman’s Foreword

Welcome to the Annual Review 2011-12 in which we highlight the work undertaken and key achievements of the AONB Unit and its Partnership activity.

The AONB Partnership has demonstrated that despite local authority funding cuts and diffi culties to sign up to long term funding agreements all the local authority partners have been able to commit suffi cient resources to enable the Partnerships staff team to deliver a wide range of functions and projects locally and to be an effective member of the National Association of AONBs.

Richard Benyon MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Natural Environment and Fisheries has recognised the fundamental role of AONB Partnerships in meeting

environmental objectives and delivering Big Society. AONBs, as of AprilChew Valley2011 Lake receive direct sponsorship from Defra confi rming us as valued members of theVisitor UK’s Centre Woodford protected landscape family. In developing a more mature relationship with Sandford Station Pumping government,Heritage we know that changesStation will be necessary. The AONB family has already Burrington beenCentre embracing these changes by reducing expenditure, fi nding more cost-effective

WESTON SUPER MARE ways of doing things, pursuing new income streams, and making better use of our largest collective resource – AONB partnership members, staff and volunteers.

Hellenge Hill AWT Black Down The Mendip Hills Futures Working325m Group has considered establishing a shadow Lots Grassland, SWT charitable body to the PartnershipGB Gruffy Charterhouse to secure project funding that the AONB Unit, SWT

Peak hosted by a local authority, cannot. This work,Reserve together with work commissioned by the NAAONB, has suggested the option ofUbley working Warren, SWT with an existing body that can host a project fund for the AONB supported by existing trustees and administra- tive structures. This relieves the small AONB team of the requirement to set up and Chancellors Farm, SWT manage a new body in addition to the Partnershiprestricted Committee access and their extensive delivery programme. A number of AONBs have already taken this approach and we

Priddy hope to do so this year. , SWT Stockhill Forest Reserve Financial challenges can trigger new, imaginative, ways of working and there are Cooks Field many opportunities ahead. Partnership workingSWT helps us unlock the full potential of

our greatest resource – the people that care passionately about these305m areas and our local authorities are key players in this.

With the current0 AONB Management10km Plan 2009-2014 to be reviewed and revised

over the nextSomerset 18 months County Council 100038382 to fulfi (2010) l the statutory duties placed on the local authorities by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CRoW) 2000 we needWells to & Mendipensure Museum that we continue to work together sharing skills, expertise and resources, to ensure that this nationally designated landscape is conserved and enhanced and can be enjoyed by current and future generations.

Cllr Dawn Hill, Chairman , Mendip Hills AONB Partnership

2 Mendip Hills AONB Unit - Annual Review 2011-12

Front cover - Restored AONB boundary marker in Burrington Key Achievements for the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Discovering Black Down ■ Discovering Black Down application to the Heritage Lottery Fund given a Stage 1 Pass and development grant of £9,400 ■ Consultants appointed to consult with site users and community groups to develop Interpretation Plan, Activities Plan and Stage 2 application

Volunteers and Young Rangers ■ AONB Practical Task Volunteer Group established ■ Fourth intake of 15 Young Rangers recruited from local schools on the programme of monthly activities ■ 14 Advanced Young Rangers – undertaking wildlife surveys, practical tasks and activities ■ 1,147 hours given by 16 Volunteer Rangers ■ 146 hours given by 2 Young Ranger Assistants AONB Volunteers laying a hedge at ■ 83 hours given by Volunteer Project Assistant Barton Camp Children’s Centre ■ 566 hours given by Practical Task Volunteers

Local Support ■ £36483 awarded to 7 projects from the Sustainable Development Fund totalling a value of £58280 ■ £300 from Butcombe Brewery for Visitor map posters distributed to local businesses

Planning Protection ■ Revised Guidelines for Horse-related Development for the Mendip Hills AONB Supplementary Planning Guidance. New 2012 Guidelines PDF available on web site ■ AONB Planning Liaison Offi cer responded to:

- National Grid Hinkley C Connection project power line consultation and attended 3 Landscape & Views Thematic Group meetings - 5 national consultations and 38 local authority consultations - Of the above, 20 proposals were deemed as major or potential for signifi cant impact on the AONB, including solar and wind turbine proposals, new visitor attractions proposed by Longleat Estate at , two new urban villages in North and a Ski Dome Leisure Centre at Weston-super-Mare. - Landscape issues relating to ‘Fracking’ were researched and ’s proposed new were commented on.

Mendip Hills AONB Unit - Annual Review 2011-12 3 Mendip Hills AONB Projects

Discovering Black Down project will help conserve the heritage landscapes, wildlife habitats and archaeology of Burrington Commons. The site is of national importance for landscape, wildlife and archaeology and attracts signifi cant numbers of visitors who enjoy the open landscape and views from the highest point in the Mendip Hills (325 metres).

The Black Down Advisory Group worked with consultants, Rural Environment Practice (REN) to develop the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) application that secured a HLF fi rst round pass and development grant of £9,400 enabling the development stage of the project to be undertaken:

- Interpretation and Signing Plan - to identify the ‘story’ of the area, the themes and the interpretative media to be used - Activities Plan – to develop a diverse range of learning and community Erosion problems on Black Down involvement opportunities - Volunteer Recruitment Plan – to maximise opportunities for local communities, access user groups and students from schools/colleges/universities to be involved - Submit Stage 2 Application (Sept 2012) for the full grant to fund the 3 year delivery phase of the project

The Stage 2 application, if successful, will result in a HLF grant of £195,995 as part of a total project valuing £250,000, including the appointment of a Project Offi cer to deliver the three-year programme of works.

AONB Gateway Signage and Visitor Information AONB Boundary Markers (9) designed and installed in 2006 have been cleaned, cleared of vegetation and painted to stand out at key entrance points to the AONB. AONB Visitor Map Panels have been placed at 5 visitor stopping points – , lay-by, Cheddar Gorge National Trust shop, Lake Visitor Visitor information map in Burrington Combe Centre and lay-by. AONB Banners for venues with limited display space, have been produced for , King Johns Hunting Lodge (Axbridge) and Weston Super Mare Museum/Tourist Information Centre. AONB Visitor Guide celebrating 40 years of designation as a protected landscape the 2012 guide has been restyled. The cover uses a collage by textile artist Anne Carpenter, and whilst the map remains the main feature, the promotion of popular walking and recreational routes in the area has been emphasised along with sites to visit. Traditional highway fi ngerpost signage - the Mendip Hills AONB Unit is undertaking a phased project to restore the traditional black and white fi ngerposts at high profi le junctions. Restoration of fi nger posts in other AONBs and National Parks have had a positive impact on but have also provided an improvement to the environment. With funding from the Mendip Hills AONB Sustainable Development Fund the fi rst 10 posts repaired are on the route from Two Trees at the top of Burrington Combe, to West via Charterhouse and . A new ‘collar’ with the name of the junction, the grid reference and ‘Mendip Hills’ are being added to each post to aid visitors and to Renovated AONB boundary marker at Chew Stoke raise awareness of being in the AONB. Strawberry Line Signage – linked to the Council Strawberry Line Management Plan 2012- 2016 the AONB Unit has liaised with Cheddar and Axbridge Parish Councils to install ‘Cheddar’ and ‘Axbridge’, GWR heritage style signage to increase awareness of the route and villages/towns to support local business. 4 Mendip Hills AONB Unit - Annual Review 2011-12 Volunteers from Near and Far

AONB Young Ranger Scheme The Mendip Hills AONB Young Ranger Scheme has been running since 2005 offering a two-year programme to 15 young people every other year. The Young Rangers have the opportunity to progress to Advanced Young Rangers and then onto the adult Volunteer Rangers.

- The third intake of AONB Young Rangers completed their 2-year programme with a celebration camp at Fernhill Farm July 2011 and gained the John Muir Explorer Award - Two Young Rangers represented the Mendip Hills AONB at the Europarc International Junior Ranger camp hosted by Weeribben Wieden National Park in the Netherlands - In August 2011 the Young Rangers hosted a group of young people from the Isles of Scilly on a day of activities at Cheddar Gorge. A return visit to the Europarc Junior Ranger Camp Field Trip in Weeribben Isles of Scilly is planned for 2012 Wieden National Park - In September 2011 the fourth intake of 15 Young Rangers were recruited from local schools and the new 2-year programme is well underway - A group of 14 Advanced Young Rangers participated in a monthly programme of activities including wildlife surveys, outdoor activities and practical tasks including assisting the Mendip Society work at Sladers Leigh - The two AONB Young Ranger programme volunteers have assisted activities, overnight camps, coordination of participant feedback and administration

The Mendip Hills AONB assisted EUROPARC Atlantic Isles with other protected landscapes to successfully obtain European funding under the Youth in Action programme to establish a UK Young Ranger network. The 6 month project starting May 2012 aims to bring together staff from protected landscapes responsible for running junior ranger programmes.

AONB Volunteers Volunteers make a signifi cant contribution to the work of the AONB Unit. The team Young Rangers learning map reading and navigation of AONB Volunteer Rangers have contributed 1,147 hours (worth £8,193) on a range of tasks: - Undertaking regular site visits to Black Down, Burrington Ham, Deer Leap and Blackmoor to provide information for visitors, keep the sites free from litter and report issues - Attended the North Somerset Show and Wild About Chew events with AONB visitor information

This year has seen the establishment of the AONB Practical Task Volunteer Group led by AONB Volunteer Coordinator Owen Jones. This post is shared with the AONB and ran as a pilot project 2011- 2012 and is to continue for 2012-13. The two day per week post involves liaising with local landowners and organisations to identify tasks. Tasks are then listed in a 3 month programme of work promoted on the AONB web site and via press releases and tweets.

A total number of 104 volunteers have taken part over the year resulting in 566 hours of work worth £4,042. Tasks have included dry stone walling, footpath work, scrub Stile repair at Bubwith Acres (SWT) by AONB volunteers management, stile construction and hedge laying assisting Barton Camp, Rights of Way, Bristol College, Rodney Stoke Parish Council, Axbridge Town Council, , Sir David Wills, Longleat Estate and Simon Tudway-Quilter whose site offered dry stone walling training combined with a task.

There is now a core of dedicated volunteers who continue volunteering to gain new Mendip Hills AONB Unit - Annual Review 2011-12 5 skills and work at a variety of sites. Local Support - AONB Sustainable Development Fund

Community participation- Wells and Mendip Museum /Somerset Wildlife Trust - £3250 Aimed to encourage community participation in and awareness of the areas geology, archaeology and wildlife. The Mendip Hills Festival of Archaeology took place 16-31 July 2011 and included over 20 events, the fi rst Mendip Rocks programme of 11 events took place 25 August – 12 October with 218 people participating. The Annual Mendip Hills Heritage Seminar took place in March at Wells and Mendip Museum to a packed audience of 80.

Mendip Hawk and Owl Awareness Project - Hawk and Owl Trust - £5000 Project to promote the recognition of 14 bird species through surveys, training ses- sions, walks, activities with schools and groups of young people including the AONB Young Rangers. The Spotters Guide has proved popular. 12 short eared owls, 6 Red Kites a Pallid Harrier and a European Eagle Owl are highlights recorded. The Mendip Society installing a Radar gate for better access to Sladers Leigh - © Judith Tranter ‘Sunday in the meadow’ - Mendip Society - £800 Leafl et and event to promote Sladers Leigh Reserve as a wheelchair accessible nature reserve on the Strawberry Line and to thank volunteers who have been involved. The July event included activities, displays, guided walks and was well attended. Follow- ing the event, further work was undertaken to enable access for mobility scooters with improvements made to the entrance area and a Radar key access gate installed.

Landscape Explorers teaching programme - Avon Wildlife Trust - £3350 Working with Primary School visiting local farms, talking to landown- ers and interviewing members of their community, pupils are developing an under- standing of the countryside, how it is looked after and where their food comes from. They are using their experiences to create short fi lms about the area and how they feel about it. A teacher’s resource pack is being developed to be available September Children out on farm with AWT at Bishop Sutton 2012 for all Mendip Hills schools to use. © AWT

Bird boxes - Churchill Parish Council - £75 Towards cost of 6 bird boxes installed in local woodland by parish tree wardens. Two of the boxes are for Barn Owls and have been installed following liaison with Chris Sperring of Hawk and Owl Trust. Monitoring of their use will take place.

Sheep wash - Priddy Parish Council - £660 First phase of project to remove trees and dumped material in historic sheep wash. Having cleared what was known as the sheep wash there is now some discussion as to whether it is one but the area will be used as part of the village green.

Traditional highway fi ngerpost signage project - Mendip Hills AONB - £23148 Restoration of 10 traditional highway fi ngerpost signs in the AONB (see page 4) at key junctions. Due to complexity of the work requiring liaison between contractors Volunteers clearing the sheep wash at Priddy and foundry the work should be completed by July 2012. © Rachel Thompson

6 Mendip Hills AONB Unit - Annual Review 2011-12 Local Support continued

Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Mendip Living Landscape scheme began 2006 with the aim of restoring and reconnecting grassland and woodland habitats for wildlife in the Somerset part of the Mendip Hills National Character Area (NCA). Until 2011 the priority was to map habitats and provide conservation management advice to landowners from Crook Peak nr Compton Bishop to . To date the team has mapped 12,518ha of land and provided survey reports to all landowners involved. Survey work is continuing and a number of new projects established in the past year will complement and enhance this survey effort: Linking Species Rich Grasslands project, funded by Viridor Credits, is enabling the Trust to continue providing conservation advice to landowners, assist them with Agri-Environment schemes and analyse habitat connectivity to identify where best to target habitat restoration work. Seeds for Change is developing trials for enhancing the biodiversity of improved grassland that covers much of the Mendip Hills. The project is trialling nectar-rich seed mixes to improve species richness of grass leys; increase the abundance of insects and improve pollination, natural pest control and soil structure. The project aims to prove that signifi cant benefi ts for biodiversity are possible over large areas of farmland without compromising productivity and therefore business viability for farmers to assist landscape scale conservation.

Industry and Nature Partnerships - The Trust is developing a working relationship with the Mendip aggregates industry to identify where quarry restoration plans can assist with recovery of wildlife corridors and ecological networks and identify ways in which landscape scale conservation and a thriving local economy can be achieved over the long-term. HLS agreement holder Nigel Taylor inspecting wildfl ower meadow - © SWT Avon Wildlife Trust’s Wildfl ower Grassland Project - working within North Somerset and Bath & North Somerset areas of the Mendips since 2008 undertaking detailed wildfl ower surveys, providing survey reports and conservation management advice to landowners and assisting farms with Higher Level Stewardship applications. The project aims to restore less species-rich fi elds to fl ourishing wildfl ower meadows, to join up wildlife rich areas and allow species to expand their range, redressing some of the decline seen over the last 60 years. September 2011 the Grassland Restoration Team volunteer group was launched. Meeting Tuesdays, it provides practical help to landowners with wildfl ower grasslands, working in fi elds where it is not possible to use machinery or where more sensitive management is needed. Guided by Project staff the Team has cleared cut hay, removed scrub, helped with weed control and carried out fence repairs. The AWT Bioblitz 2 day event at , sponsored by Bristol Water, gave people an opportunity to meet expert naturalists and see and record lake side wildlife. A total of 552 different species were recorded including a rare Nathusius’s pipistrelle bat. The records were sent to Bristol Regional Records Centre.

Tithe Map project - Somerset County Council Heritage Service digitising the Tithe maps of the old county of Somerset. Mendip Hills AONB is a partner with Exmoor National Park, Quantock Hills AONB, North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset Councils. The Friends of Somerset Archives are digitising the apportionments – the paper record that goes with the maps which details landowners, tenants, fi eld size, land value, fi eld name etc. The list of completed ones is on their web site. It is AWT grassland restoration team on Breach Hill Common intended that the digital versions of the maps should be available through local © AWT libraries and Records Offi ce.

Mendip Hills AONB Unit - Annual Review 2011-12 7 Working in Partnership the AONB Unit is protecting and promoting the beautiful Mendip Hills

Partnership Annual Forum Mendip Hills - the benefi ts of a well managed landscape held 10th November 2011 at Folly Farm was attended by 45 representatives from local businesses, organisations local authorities and parish councils. The day highlighted: the unique character and signifi cance of the whole of the Mendip Hills; the importance of managing the area to ensure its natural resources can be sustained for people’s well being and enjoyment. Links between businesses and the Mendip Hills landscape were illustrated by Bristol Water, Fernhill Farm and Go Wild. Natural ’s work on Mendip Hills National Character Area will identify opportunities for the area that will both enhance the area and support the local economy.

Bath Spa University -, following a presentation to students by the AONB Manager, Amy Johnson, studying BSc Hons Geography with education undertook her dissertation Assessing the economic value of tourism to the Mendip Hills AONB using the West as a case study. This work has produced information that will be useful in developing local tourism initiatives.

Marketing and Promotion - 286 Wild Walks publications sold and 50 complimentary copies distributed - 23 Press releases and 9 email updates - 3 Monthly e-newsletters - introduced Jan 2012 replacing email update - 88 Articles appeared in local and national media - 5000 Mendip Hills AONB Visitor Guide 2012 produced - 12 articles in Mendip Times with a monthly distribution of 20000 - 5 AONB Visitor map boards designed and installed - 100 visitor map posters produced and distributed to local businesses - 3 visitor information banners produced for Wells Museum, King Johns Hunting Lodge and Weston super Mare Museum/Tourist Information Centre - 2300, average number of visitors to the Mendip Hills AONB web site each month - 5 shows/events attended – North Somerset Show May 2011, Clic24 May 2011, North Somerset Countryside Day July 2011, Sladers Leigh July 2011, Wild about Chew August 2011 AONB Volunteer Rangers at Wild about Chew event Regional and National Work National Association of AONBs - The AONB Manager, a director on the NAAONB Board attends Board meetings and AGM and is the NAAONB Communication portfolio holder. The AONB Manager led on work to produce role descriptions for Board Chair, Vice Chair and Board members to form part of the NAAONB Governance pack. The Chairman and AONB Manager attended the NAAONB conference 5-7th July and 1st Feb the Chairman and lead offi cers meeting in Bristol. As part of the new Defra funding arrangement with the NAAONB the AONB Manager is contributing to work to ensure that the collaboration work of the SW Protected Landscapes Forum is continued through the NAAONB Business Plan 2011-2015. The AONB Manager attended the Defra Network Landscape and Access meetings on behalf of the NAAONB.

Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs)– a key aspect of the Government’s 2011 Natural Environment White Paper to bring a diverse range of interests together to create a vision and plan of action for how the natural environment can be taken into account in decision making. The AONB Manager input to the two proposed LNPs that include the Mendip Hills AONB in their areas– Somerset LNP and West of England LNP. Both propose using local authority administrative areas as boundaries. The Mendip Hills is included in both but it is anticipated that the Mendip Hills will be treated as a whole area rather than taken in part.

The 1SW Off-Road Cycling web site went live August 2011 providing information for cycling in the south west protected landscapes. The AONB Project Offi cer is an administrator for the site enabling updates on condition of routes and any closures for maintenance. 8 Mendip Hills AONB Unit - Annual Review 2011-12 Volunteers, the AONB Partnership and the AONB Unit

Volunteers, the AONB Partnership and the AONB Unit The AONB Unit would like to thank all the people they have worked with notably the following:

Volunteers Linda Lee Volunteer Project Assistant (until Feb 2012) John Freeman Assistance with Young Ranger programme (until Sept 2011) Diana Newington Administration and assistance with the Young Ranger programme 16 Rangers Assistance with range of activities including events, Young rangers, patrols, surveys, litter picks Amy Johnson Bath Spa University – Assessing the economic value of tourism to the Mendip Hills dissertation Oct 2011- May 2012

Sustainable Development Fund Panel Nicola Epps (Chair) Council Arts Offi cer (until May 2011) Sheila Petherbridge Farmer, local resident (until September 2011) Martin Grass Private business (tourism), Priddy Folk fair, local resident Chris Head West of England Rural Network, local resident Rachael Clark local resident, Priddy Folk fair John Coote Hutton Parish Council, business and wildlife experience Andy Mayled National Trust (from Jan 2012) Sara Parsons Community artist, local resident (from Jan 2012) Sue Isherwood Arts and media professional (from Jan 2012) Sarah Jackson Mendip Hills AONB Dr Simon Gardner Environment Agency, local resident

Black Down Advisory Group David Wills Landowner Nick Croxson English Heritage Chris Westcott Natural England Chris East Somerset County Council ROW Francis Wilson Burrington Conservators Chris Webster Somerset County Council Heritage Services Andy Mallender Mendip Hills AONB

Futures Working Group Cllr Dawn Hill Partnership Chairman James Small NFU Barry Lane Wells and Mendip Museum Michele Bowe Somerset Wildlife Trust Chris Head West of England Rural Network and SDF Panel member Paul Harley Mendip Society (from Dec 2011) Jim Hardcastle Active Mendip (from Nov 2011) Sarah Jackson Mendip Hills AONB

Mendip Hills AONB Unit - Annual Review 2011-12 9 Volunteers, the AONB Partnership and the AONB Unit continued

Partnership Committee meetings held: 30 June 2011, 28 September, 2011, 15 March 2012 Futures Working Group met: 5 May 2011, 21 July 2011, 3 November 2011, 26 January 2012, 10 February 2012 Partnership Annual Forum held: 10 November 2011 Offi cer Support Group met: 7June 2011, 2 August 2011, 8 February 2012 Sustainable Development Fund Panel met: 23 May 2011, 14 November 2011, 30 January 2012,19 March 2012

Partnership Committee Somerset County Council Cllr Dawn Hill (Chairman), Chris Edwards (Offi cer) North Somerset Council Cllr Ann Harley, John Flannigan (Offi cer) Bath and North East Somerset Cllr John Bull, Sue Murtagh (Offi cer) Mendip District Council Cllr Ron Forrest, David Clark (Offi cer) District Council Cllr Dennis Davy, Julie Cooper (Offi cer) Mendip Hills AONB Unit Sarah Jackson Natural England Chris Mayes Mendip Society Paul Harley (also represents CPRE) NFU James Small National Trust Andy Mayled Somerset Wildlife Trust Michele Bowe CLA vacant West of England Rural Network Chris Head (also represents Community Council for Somerset) Pocket spotters guide for the Hawk and Owl Trust Somerset Parish Rep Nigel Taylor (Priddy, Cheddar, Compton Bishop Axbridge, Westbury sub Mendip, Rodney Stoke, Wells, , Shipham, Litton, ) Bath and North East Somerset Parish Rep Richard Curry ( Chew Stoke, Stowey Sutton, , Ubley, , , Nempnett Thrubwell ) North Somerset Parish Rep Don Kinsey (Loxton and Christon, , , Hutton, and Sandford, Churchill, Burrington, Blagdon, Butcombe)

Hosted by Somerset County Council the Unit is jointly funded by Defra, Somerset County Council, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Mendip District Council and Sedgemoor District Council. North Somerset Council contributed to Partnership project costs. Manager Sarah Jackson (F/T) Development Offi cer (F/T) Frozen post Planning Liaison Offi cer Jonathan Richards (P/T 18hrs) Project Offi cer Andy Mallender (F/T) Support Offi cer Norma Newby (F/T)

10 Mendip Hills AONB Unit - Annual Review 2011-12 AONB Unit Financial Summary 2011-12

AONB Unit core income Defra 120,908 Somerset County Council 17,000 Bath and North East Somerset 17,600 Mendip District Council 8,017 Sedgemoor District Council 8,001 Sub Total 171,526

AONB Unit - other income Defra project funding 23,143 Defra Sustainable Development Fund 37,000 North Somerset Council 10,000 Mendip District Council –Fingerpost project 3,000 Parish Councils 800 Wild Walks sales 1,002 Young Ranger contributions 1,106 Heritage Lottery Fund - Black Down Project 5,957 CLIC24 Cycle Event – Black Down Project 519 Sub Total 82,527 Total 254,053

AONB Unit core expenditure Staff costs 114,489 (salaries, travel and subsistence, clothing, training) Host costs 10,100 (Rent, ICT, management fee, insurance) Offi ce costs 9,345 (stationery, telephones, postage, furniture, cleaning) Vehicle costs 4,166 (vehicle replacement, fuel, maintenance) Partnership costs 10,369 (meetings, Annual Forum, AONB conference, Mendip Times, membership fees) Volunteer Costs 1,233 Tools and equipment 114 Sub Total 149,816 Projects: Black Down 11,517 Volunteer project 13,500 Young Ranger programme 4,511 Isles of Scilly day 204 AONB Gateways 7,865 Visitor Guide 2012 3,104 AONB Banners 930 AONB Horse Related Guidance 1,500 SWT Living landscape 5,000 SCC Tithe Map project 1,890 Somerset Hedge Group 50 Sub Total 50,071

Sustainable Development Fund Grants awarded 36,483 Admin claimed 517 Sub Total 37,000 Total 236,888

Note: Figures are rounded to nearest pound

Mendip Hills AONB Unit - Annual Review 2011-12 11 Chew Valley Lake Visitor Centre

Woodford Lodge

Sandford Blagdon Nempnett Station Pumping Thrubwell Heritage Churchill Station Centre Burrington

Rock WESTON of Ages SUPER MARE & Hill Fort Burrington Herriots Ham Bridge BleadonHill Forest Hellenge Hill AWT Black Down Christon Hinton 325m Blewett Lots Grassland, SWT GB Gruffy Charterhouse SWT Loxton 175m Wavering Crook Down Kings Blackmoor Peak Wood Shute Reserve Compton Shelve Hill Cheddar Long Wood, SWT Bishop Wood, SWT Cheddar Gorge, Ubley Warren, SWT restricted access (North Side) Velvet Bottom Reserve, SWT East Cross Harptree King John's Woods Hunting Lodge Cheddar Caves Black Rock & Gorge

Chancellors Farm, SWT restricted access

Priddy Draycott Sleights, SWT Mineries Stockhill Forest Rodney Stoke Reserve

Cooks Field SWT Deer Leap 305m Lynchcomb SWT Hole Caves Milton Lodge Gardens West Mendip Hills AONB 0 10km Horrington Somerset County Council 100038382 (2010)

Wells & Mendip Museum

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All photos Mendip Hills AONB Unit except where indicated.