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Chalk, Cherries and

Landscape Conservation Action Plan 2019-2024

The story of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs 3 1.1 Acknowledgements Contents Our thanks go to the organisations, their representatives, and individuals who have been involved in the development of Chalk, Cherries and Chairs from the outset – a great example of the sector working on a scale to celebrate all that the Central Chilterns has to offer. In particular, we would like to thank the Advisory Group members and lead partner organisations. In addition, Part 1 our thanks go to all the people who have offered their considerable expertise and time in Executive Summary...... iv contributing to this Landscape Conservation Action Plan. Introduction...... vi

Section 1: The story of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs...... 1 1.1 Introduction to the Central Chilterns...... 2 1.2 Geology ...... 9 1.3 Natural Environment...... 13 1.4 Chalk, Cherries and Chairs timeline...... 18 1.5 Archaeology ...... 20 1.6 The working landscape ...... 23 1.7 Landscape character...... 28

Section 2: Statement of significance...... 35

Section 3: People of the landscape...... 47

Section 4: Threats and opportunities...... 59

Section 5: The Scheme...... 71 5.1 Vision, aims, development and consultation...... 72 5.2 Chalk, Cherries and Chairs area...... 76 5.3 Marketing and communications...... 77 5.4 Themes and projects...... 80 5.5 Finances...... 87 5.6 Structure and management...... 91 5.7 Risks ...... 100

Section 6: Monitoring and evaluation...... 103

Section 7: Legacy ...... 109

Part 2

The Chilterns Conservation Board (CCB), an independent body established by Project Summaries Parliamentary Order with 27 members drawn from local communities, has a statutory Available at Chalk, Cherries and Chairs duty to protect, conserve and enhance the Chilterns AONB. Our vision is that the Chilterns is recognised, conserved and appreciated as a vibrant, internationally significant landscape which offers unique social, health and economic benefits to its communities and beyond. AppendicesAppendices We achieve this through developing innovative partnerships and projects which value and sustain the benefits that the Chilterns provides for society, support the economic Available on request from CCB and social wellbeing of local communities, promote public understanding, and mobilise people to take action for its conservation. www.chilternsaonb.org The Scheme seeks to connect or reconnect local people to the wildlife and cultural heritage of the Central Chilterns through a number of individual but interweaving projects under the Executive Summary following themes:

The Chilterns AONB1 is one of the UK’s finest and most distinctive Wildlife and Landscape , and the Central Chilterns2 area reflects all of the special characteristics that contribute to this distinctiveness. Creating and/or restoring large-scale habitats on farm and other private land; improving and It has a stunning backdrop of chalk hills; extending wildlife sites; providing groups with the ‘scarp edge’ of the hills created when the skills and resources to manage their own glaciers came to rest and rushing meltwaters community wild spaces; increasing the number

carved deep narrow valleys with clay and flint of people able to monitor wildlife; advising Cox Ashley summits. These have left an intimate mosaic and helping landowners to improve their land Adonis Blue butterfly, a specialist of chalk grasslands, Yoesdon Bank of woodland, chalk grassland, farmland, chalk to benefit wildlife. streams, commons and parkland, with a dense network of ancient routeways, tiny winding Heritage and Landscape green lanes and deep hollow-ways connecting photo to be supplied the hills and valleys. Creating opportunities for people to explore, experience and learn about their rich cultural Its proximity to London means that the Central Chris Smith heritage and how it relates to their experience Chilterns has benefited from easy access of the landscape today; creating an enduring to markets. In the 1700s and 1800s, fruit The dynamic interplay interpretation and record of this heritage, growing became a major livelihood, with the King Stuart to inform and inspire future generations. chalky soils being a natural host for cultivated between people and place Alan Dean, Turner, at , 1972 cherries. By the turn of the 1900s, everyone over thousands of years is in the rural communities would stop working People and Landscape on their other jobs to help harvest the cherries a relationship of perpetual, and celebrate Cherry Pie Sunday. Providing groups and communities with incremental change. the knowledge and skills to look after their By the mid-19th century, the were busy local special places and landscapes, through with ‘bodgers’, the men who turned to Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape effective engagement with the planning system, make parts for chairs, to supply the Partnership Scheme (the Scheme) is the catalysing local volunteering, and directly caring workshops and factories in and around High coming together of diverse organisations for local green space; creating activities and Wycombe, an industry that came to define and communities in the Central Chilterns opportunities to help break down barriers the region. Murfett Lucy to work towards a vision of: which prevent people from experiencing and Future custodians of the landscape The dynamic interplay between people and “A healthy, resilient, connected landscape; enjoying the countryside around them. enjoying the great outdoors place over thousands of years is a relationship of perpetual, incremental change. Yet the with its unique natural, historical, and Common threads, such as volunteering, learning, digital media and providing small pace and scale of change from housing and cultural heritage cherished by present grants to encourage community initiatives, will run across the themes. infrastructure development that the area and future generations.” now faces are of an entirely different order. The programme will leave a legacy of improved conservation and land management, Combined with other forces for change, Led by the Chilterns Conservation Board partnership working, skills, volunteers, and engaged and aware communities caring they are putting the characteristic landscape (CCB) and supported by the Heritage for the future of their heritage. features, cultural heritage and ecological Lottery Fund (HLF), the Scheme will provide connectivity of the Central Chilterns at opportunities for people to get involved and considerable risk. Construction of High volunteer; to increase and improve wildlife Speed Two (HS2) will cut a swathe through spaces; and for communities to learn, create the Misbourne valley, impacting on the and take action. landscape and communities there.

Nick Phillips 1. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Chair of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Advisory Group 2. For the purposes of this report, the area represented within the LCAP is called the ‘Central Chilterns’ although it is not a formal designation. and Group Chief Executive Community Impact Bucks – A Better Life Together iv Executive Summary Executive Summary v Location Chalk, Cherries and Chairs will take place Introduction in the Central Chilterns which lies mostly within the Chilterns AONB and National Jacky Akam • Landscape Partnership Development Manager, Character Area 110. The area follows Chilterns Conservation Board the upper courses of the Rivers Wye and Misbourne, and links the towns of , , , This Landscape Conservation Action Plan (LCAP) is the guiding and . document for the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape Partnership Within ten kilometres of the Scheme Scheme. It provides background to the landscape and its distinctive area are the larger settlements of ,

character, and brings together the research, consultation and planning Maidenhead, Rickmansworth, and the CCB that have taken place since 2016, under the leadership of the CCB. outskirts of west London (Northwood, Figure 2. Stream dipping on the River Wye Ruislip, Uxbridge), with Hemel Hempstead The LCAP will guide five years of delivery of Parts 1 and 2 will be made available via and Watford just beyond that range. the Scheme and the foundation for the legacy the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs webpages of a long-term partnership. It has been written hosted by the CCB. The Central Chilterns Landscape Partnership by a range of contributors involved with the Scheme covers 278 km2. This is a larger area The development stage and the production development of the Scheme, many of whom than many similar schemes but was chosen of the LCAP have been overseen by an are experts in their own fields. for the following reasons: Advisory Group, whose members have The LCAP consists of three parts: dedicated time and advice to bringing l to reflect the landscape character types Part 1: The Scheme Plan the Scheme to fruition. representative of the whole of the Chilterns Part 2: Project plan summaries l consideration of the AONB protected

Part 3: Full project plans landscape Allen Beechey Figure 3. Duke of Burgundy butterfly l being adjacent to significant populations and cowslip l to address key threats to the area, the most significant being the construction The area of the Scheme in relation to the AONB of the HS2 railway over the next ten years. and its proximity to London A buffer strip along the north-west of the project area is outside the AONB but is included in the Scheme as it is both a key component of the ‘setting’ of the AONB and a host for unusual wildlife habitats

created by a line of springs emerging Gerry Whitllow from the chalk hills. Figure 4. Whiteleaf chalk cross Stuart Kinh Stuart John Morris Figure 6. Cherry blossom at Whiteleaf Hill Figure 5. Chair making items

Figure 1. Map showing the area of the Scheme in relation to the AONB and its proximity to

Executive Summary vi Introduction Introduction vii 1.1

Section one: The story of Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Delphine Gimat viii The story of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs 3 1.1 1.1

Introduction to the Chiltern and Vale strip parish Land use in Anglo-Saxon and Medieval periods Central Chilterns

Alison Doggett • Chilterns Conservation Board Member

From earliest times, the were difficult to settle in, a problem to farm and a challenge to cross, because an unusual geological history created a complicated landscape. This awkwardness has contributed to a unique cultural heritage that many enjoy today.

The making of the Chilterns the unique characteristics of the Chilterns are revealed. Grassy downlands and patchy The Chilterns Scarp makes a bold statement. Figure 2. Chiltern and Vale strip parish. Land use is intimately related to the relief woodlands share the rounded summit Its scalloped edge parades a white chalk and soils, and each strip parish allowed for an equitable combination of arable, ridges, but as the ‘dip-slope’ (a slope of skeleton, rising abruptly above the Vale to woodland and common land ground following a dip in the underlying its highest points near Wendover Woods rocks) slides towards the Thames, the (267m) and Coombe Hill (260m). However, surface becomes deeply dissected, forming The imprint of the past emerging springs and the region is dotted it is in the subtlety of the landscape that a complicated and irregular patchwork. with ponds and wells, some now hiding in remains clearly and places that were once open spaces and have subsequently been wooded over. Historical parish boundaries spectacularly visible... and commons The cultural landscape Chiltern countryside’s distinguishing Scratch the surface of this region and a features are a consequence of its geological continuous timeline of changes is quickly and glacial history. The scarp edge of the unearthed with real evidence to go and Chilterns marked the final boundary of see on the ground. The cultural heritage the glaciers. Annual cycles of freezing and reflects an ancient historic landscape with thawing allowed rushing meltwaters to evidence of human occupation from earliest carve out deep narrow valleys and deposit pre-historic times. The imprint of the past thick layers of heavy clay and flints on the remains clearly and spectacularly visible summits. Thus, it is not typical of rolling chalk because of the unusual colonisation and scenery with open grasslands like those of evolution of settlement that occurred on the . Instead there is much more the hills and in the valleys. local diversity of relief and soils, creating a Neolithic flint mines, Bronze age barrows, small-scale character to the pattern of fields Iron age forts, Roman villas, Anglo-Saxon and woodlands. A dense network of ancient boundaries and medieval wood banks are routeways remains, with tiny winding green evidence of a historic landscape that has lanes and deep hollow-ways emphasising managed to maintain the secrets of its the boundaries and demonstrating the past. Woodlands and commons, fields and connectivity between hill and vale. farms, tiny hamlets and grand manors reflect The Rivers Misbourne and Wye are the two the long legacy of human influence first major troughs which breach the Central mentioned as belonging to the ‘Cilternsaetan’ Chilterns. In common with many chalk (people of the Chilterns) in the Tribal Hidage, streams their flow is variable and unreliable. a 7th century document, just one of a rich Along the edge of the scarp, spring-line documentary record that adds authenticity line up to mark the location of the Figure 1. Historical parish boundaries and commons. The long, thin scarp-edge parishes line up to the evidence on the ground. perpendicular to the scarp edge

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The division between the hilly wooded land breadth, nor do all of the defining features and the flatter more open countryside was occur everywhere. There is more a ‘pick clearly recorded by John Leland in the 1530s and mix’ of characteristics that are clearly as he journeyed through . It was recognisable as ‘typical’. most marked near Wendover as the valley Some of the most enchanting are the old opened out into Vale and he oddly-shaped, enclosed fields bounded wrote: ‘Looke as the conterye of the vale of by deep winding lanes with high hedges Aillesbyre for the moste parte is clene baren or tree tunnels. Some of these tiny single- of woodde, and [is] champaine; so is all track roads, like Areweg Lane (also Chilterne well woodyd, and full of enclosures.’ documented as Arrewig) in the hilltop A sense of place of , even maintain their Anglo-Saxon name. Others have clearly It is the link to the past that provides the visible wooded banks, garlanded in group of characteristics which, when taken spring and summer with wild flowers. together, create the idea of a sense of place. In the Central Chilterns the cultural Woods and commons landscape does not maintain a unity of Also typical are numerous small patches appearance throughout its length and of woodland of which a significant amount is ancient woodland dating back to early

Alison Doggett Oliver Rackham has called medieval times. The tiny Jones’ Wood is Figure 3. Narrow high-sided lane, typical of the Chilterns this type of landscape shown on a beautiful old estate map from 1620 (figure 4) to be both the same size ‘ancient countryside’, and and tear-drop shape as it is today. The Ancient countryside fields and stony soils. Most wooded hilltops woodland margins have fluctuated, and on the hilltops remained and were managed as a valuable such areas are precious even those recorded in the Domesday renewable resource. Wood provided The colonisation of this difficult hilly book show succession and regeneration construction materials, fuel and, at certain because they hold the key landscape with its steep slopes, stony soils as grazing may have temporarily declined times of year, foraging for animals. and wooded hilltops was long and slow, and to our cultural heritage and the natural vegetation taken hold again. successive generations needed to adapt to survive. The hilltops on either side of the Open fields on the flatter land valley reflect the local diversity of relief and The major land re-organisations occurred soils, generating a small-scale character to on the valley bottoms and along the base of the patchwork of hedged fields, woodlands, the scarp where the land was flatter and the high-sided lanes, and dispersed settlement better soils were easier to farm. The first of pattern. Oliver Rackham* has called this type these was in late Anglo-Saxon and medieval of landscape ‘ancient countryside’, and such times, and was associated with the joint and areas are precious because they hold the key co-operative working of the land. It involved to our cultural heritage. the creation of strip fields and nucleated villages, many of which had the manor, During the Anglo-Saxon period along the church and houses clustered around a village scarp edge the arrangement of parishes in green. Rackham refers to this as planned or long skinny fingers, perpendicular to the champion (from champagne) countryside. slope (known as strip parishes), reflects However, in the Chilterns the limited amount an equitable division of the vital resources of flat land meant the proportion that was associated with different soils and relief jointly and cooperatively farmed was small, (figures 1 and 2). when compared to most of middle England. By medieval times innovative Chiltern Fields remained generally small, irregular, farmers were ploughing with horses that hedged and individually owned. coped better with the smaller irregular 80 BAS Studies for Centre Figure 4. 1620 Map of the Wendover Borough. This rare ancient map of the Misbourne Valley clearly shows the contrast between the open strip fields on the valley floor and the irregular ‘closes’ on the hillslopes. * Oliver Rackham is the acknowledged authority on the British countryside, and author of the highly acclaimed The History of the Countryside (1986).

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The Chiltern woodland has been penetrated Commons barges with furniture for the growing towns since Neolithic times and while some areas The distribution of commons is also directly and cities. The waterway was both to save were individually owned, others were the related to the shape of the parishes, with the woodlands and change the way they common property of a group or community, many remaining commons still sitting on were managed. The beautiful Chiltern which had specific and limited rights. the higher points of the strip parishes and woods with their carpets of spring bluebells The rights were regulated and restricted areas of the dip-slopes where the soils remain an enduring, if unexpected, legacy by tradition, charter, and social position, are poorer. A particularly interesting and of the industrial revolution. and resources were balanced and managed widespread case of common wood use was It was the arrival of the steam locomotive in a variety of ways. in the Chiltern strip parishes where common that is recognised as the main catalyst Many of the largest wooded regions were rights were given on the escarpment edge forcing the pace of change in the 19th the wood-pasture commons that attempted and were called ‘hillwork’. An Inquisition century. The Chilterns were early on the to combine multiple uses; the pollarded Post Mortem of 1293 for Princes Risborough railway scene by default, as they were in trees provided wood for timber and fuel, records: ‘…all the tenants hold a wood called the way of the important route between and beechnuts and acorns served as Le Hellewrk in common’. London and . The Misbourne ‘pannage’ (food gleaned from the forest Many commons were on the least fertile soils valley was the last to have its line penetrating floor) for grazing animals (figure 5). and it is on the sands, gravels and clays of through the very heart of the Chilterns when the Metropolitan Railway was eventually Daughter settlements the Reading Beds and Plateau Gravels that industries such as brick making and tile and built in the late 1880s. It was to promote a On the higher summits, hilltop hamlets pottery kilns were located, making use of whole new attitude to the countryside when dating back to Anglo-Saxon times grew the local clays, sands and wood fuel. The the concept of Metro-land was born and up, becoming the daughter settlements vernacular Chiltern churches and cottages Londoners were enticed to move into new of spring-line villages at the base of are typically a combination of local brick and suburban estates near the railway stations. parishes. These include The Lee, Little

flint, with clay-tiled roofs. They tend to be Alison Doggett Kimble, and Little Hampden. The initial Cottage industries long and low, as their intrinsic strength did creation and expansion of many upland Figure 6. Ancient Chiltern beech wood with Even before the a small not favour high towers and tall buildings. daughter settlements may have started as a carpet of bluebells employment revolution in the Chilterns grew huts for seasonal grazing, but their major Today the many heaths, commons and to national significance. It was the wives and expansion took place in the 11th and 12th downlands that remain are accessible Parliamentary enclosure children of agricultural workers, eager to centuries as evidenced in historical records through one of the densest networks The process of parliamentary enclosure supplement low farm incomes, who created where the hilltop hamlets of St Leonards, of paths in the country. replaced the openfields with a new planned two cottage industries: lacemaking and straw and first appear. landscape of enclosed and hedged fields. plaiting. They eventually grew to employ In Wendover it took an Act of Parliament tens of thousands and dominated many local to complete the process in 1795. The communities. Lace makers started learning long-standing contrast of ‘champion their craft as little children in ‘schools’, in an and woodland’ was softened by these industry rigidly controlled by the wholesalers changes although some open fields lingered who supplied the threads and patterns and on well into the railway age. Many of the sold the finished lace in London markets. outer field boundaries remained stubbornly Buckinghamshire black lace was renowned intact, despite some amalgamations; the and highly esteemed. resemblance of the ancient field boundaries The straw-plaiting industry benefited from to those on the modern map is striking. a ready supply of a thin and pliable wheat Changing communications straw that grew in the poor Chiltern soils, and a growing demand for hats. There From the early 1700s, the turnpike roads was easy access to the markets in Hitchin heralded a new era of communication and and Luton and it was very big business. In with it played a fundamental role in meeting Edlesborough half the female population was the demands of a rapidly industrialising employed in straw plaiting in the 1851 census. Figure 5. Main elements of medieval woodland. Woodlands were an essential part nation. They were quickly followed by the of the economy and were carefully managed to provide multiple uses canals. The man-made Grand Junction It was, without doubt, the growth of the waterway was to have a profound side-effect chair-making and furniture industries at the in protecting the Chiltern woodlands, for the end of the 1700s that lay behind the survival chair making industry could fill returning coal and salvation of the Chiltern woodlands.

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were so many that tourists would flock to see the Spring blossom. The ‘ Black’ cherry was the most popular variety and the Geology end of the cherry harvest was celebrated on the first Sunday in August, which became Haydon Bailey • Geological Adviser, The Chiltern Society known as Cherry Pie Sunday.

A changing landscape The unique geological history which resulted in the evolution of the Chiltern Cultural landscapes are constantly evolving Hills created the underlying foundations for everything else that takes place and the Chilterns has always been under on the surface today. The root of the Chiltern Hills is in the Chalk. pressure from all sides, especially because Baker, J.H. 1959 The Country: William Smith William Ipsden Country: The 1959 J.H. Baker, the area is so close to London. This is, Forming the Chilterns’ Chalk Figure 7. A bodger, Silas Saunders, stacking first and foremost, a farming and forestry The Chalk is divided into a series of chair legs in the beech woods region, but its woodlands and downlands formations which are now mapped across have been recognised as nationally valuable the whole of southern England. These With the newly industrialising regions of since the early 1900s. Changes during the include the Lewes Formation, which the North and Midlands relying on coal, interwar period created further pressure comprises nodular chalks and hardgrounds fuelwood was much less in demand and the for environmental and nature conservation. such as the Chalk Rock. This distinctive unit woods might have been grubbed up. From The important sites were included on lists caps the top of the Chiltern escarpment humble beginnings wood-turning and chair of potential nature reserves, particularly and forms the spine of the Chiltern Hills, making rose to a substantial industry in a those along the scarp edge where ancient perfectly reflecting the topography we see few decades after 1780. The industry focused woodlands and chalk grasslands formed today. The older underlying New Pit ‘marly’ Hoffmeister Keith on making Windsor and cane-seated chairs. a rich and diverse ecology that needed chalk forms the lower part of the north- Figure 1. Scarp The chair legs and ‘stretchers’ were often to be safeguarded and conserved. facing scarp slope and provides a floor turned in the woods by ‘bodgers’, who were Deposition of the Chalk ceased about 66 The rural economy has felt the combined for the important chalk aquifer below the outworkers paid (badly) by the gross. The million years ago and a considerable amount effects of global competition and EU policies southerly dip slope (see figure 2 overleaf). chairs were then assembled in workshops eroded away over the next 6 million years, such as set-aside and diversification. It has and factories in and around High Wycombe. While the clay-rich Lower Chalk and Gault before sands and clays were laid down meant that farmers have been dividing up The result was to increase the demand for Clay provide the deep floor of the region during the time periods that followed. their land and selling it off as they struggle larger timber and far more trees were left exposed along the northern foot of the These have all been affected by the next to make ends meet. A significant proportion to grow tall to become today’s iconic beech escarpment, it is the relatively hard Middle major chapter in the geological story of of this land is being sold as ‘amenity land’ woods with their carpets of spring bluebells. Chalk which forms the scarp slope itself. the Chilterns – the Pleistocene Ice Ages. rather than agricultural land, with a variety The ready access to bigger markets was of consequences. Farmers represent the The root of the Chiltern Influence of freezing and thawing also to encourage fruit farming and, in the principal stewards of the countryside and There were a series of glacial periods during late 1800s, many cherry and apple orchards it is unlikely that land lost to agriculture Hills is in the Chalk. the Pleistocene with intervening thaws, but were planted. In Prestwood and Speen there will ever be recovered as such. perhaps the most important in its impact This steep slope is capped by the intensely on the Chiltern escarpment was the Anglian ‘indurated’ (hardened) chalk which creates Glaciation, which lasted from 480 to 425 the ‘hardgrounds’ of the Chalk Rock thousand years ago. Glacial ice sheets Complex that form the backbone of the spread southwards from the northeast, Chiltern Hills. These can be seen in the M40 struck the edge of the Chilterns and spread cutting at and they stretch southwards over the earlier line of the north-eastwards throughout the region. Chiltern escarpment. These hardgrounds represent a series of During the cold periods the repeated fossilised sea floors, approximately 90 freeze/thaw cycles would have broken million years old, which combine in some down the chalk at the surface, and during locations to create an important feature the relatively warmer inter-glacial times in the Chalk (see figure 3 overleaf), forming melt-water erosion would have taken a break in the local topography. The chalk place. It was during these periods that the of the Chiltern dip-slope is younger, softer

Alison Doggett creation of the deep incised valleys which and flint rich, and acts as a major aquifer characterise the Chiltern dip-slope started Figure 8. Old wild cherry trees and ancient wood bank for the region.

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Geology of the Chilterns to occur. Another effect of the Anglian Dry valley ice-sheet was to push the river which later Hilltop became the Thames further south, from woodland CHILTERN the southern margins of the Central Chilterns HILLS to its current course. Chalk str eam One of the effects of the repeated glacial Scarp slope periods, both during and since the Anglian r Table Wate phase, has been the breakdown of the sands ted chalk and clays overlying the Chalk into mixed Satura

ust / Hugh Mothersole sediments now often called Plateau Drift Tr Spring Line River alluvium on the local geological maps. Beneath this, Clay with flints a layer of clay with flints, the latter derived

VA 1978 Mckerrow, LE OF A Seaford (flinty) chalk © National from the underlying chalk, has also often YLESBUR Lewes (nodular) chalk been formed; this is inevitably referred to Y y Chalk rock unit New Pit & Holywell chalk as the ‘Clay with flints’. Impermeable cla Grey (marly) chalk Gault clay Chalk flora and fauna As a consequence of this unique geological history, we find open chalk sediments Figure 3. Fossilised sea creatures, 90 million exposed on the north-west facing scarp years old, form the Chalk hardgrounds slope of the Chilterns, with a corresponding woodland plants which would otherwise flora and fauna totally dependent on the struggle to survive on a chalky soil. calcium carbonate-rich chemistry that chalk Chalk Rock Complex on the Chiltern Scarp gives rise to. Conversely, the presence of the (After Bromley & Gale, 1982) Clay with flints capping the south-east facing Chalk streams dip-slope, together with sandy Plateau Drift The Chalk is an important water storage and even pockets of the original sands and system. Below the surface its microscopic pores hold the water in place, whilst major ASTON clays, all give rise to extensive areas of more ROWANT fractures provide conduits through which GREAT acidic soils which are ideal for the beech Top Rock MISSENDEN hangers (hillside woods), and other ground-water can flow both laterally and 10m

Hitch Wood (HW)

Hardground Chalk Rock HW

BF co

Blounts Farm (BF) mple Hardground Latimer Marl x Fognam Farm (FF) Hardground

Fognam Marl 1m

Figure 2. The geological succession of Chalk formations mapped against a typical Chiltern landscape Haydon Bailey Haydon Figure 4. The flowing over chalk near Chalfont-St-Giles

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dependent on them. They are critically important to the ecological health and heritage of the region. Natural Environment As Charles Rangeley-Wilson recorded in his book centred around the River Wye, Nicola Thomas • Partnership Manager, Buckinghamshire and Silt Road – The Story of a Lost River: Natural Environment Partnership

“We now know that the chalk accreted Haydon Bailey Haydon The past actions of ice and melt-waters, combined with the geology, soils Figure 5. Rangeley-Wilson’s ‘lump of chalk’ at the rate of just one millimetre in a and climate, and generations of human influence in the Central Chilterns from the River Wye took tens of thousands century, a centimetre every thousand of years to be deposited give rise to distinctive, beautiful and varied habitats rich in wildlife and years. A small lump of chalk such as the historical value. vertically. Where the water table intersects one I was holding on that hillside bearing the gradient of the chalk slopes, springs the imprint of a long-dead Inoceramus Unimproved grasslands form; they arise higher up in the winter than Lowland chalk (i.e. calcareous) grassland represents a greater span of time summer, with some valleys dry throughout is an attractive, specialised and fragile much of the year but with seasonal flowing than has elapsed since the last ice age. habitat. It results from centuries of grazing water known as ‘winterbourne streams’. And this lump was to this landscape on nutrient-poor chalk soils, producing a short turf (or ‘sward’) that can be rich in The Chalk streams, principally the Misbourne as ten thousand years is to the length herbs, flowers and grasses. Many chalk- and the Wye, provide unique ecosystems of time it took chalk to accumulate.” grassland plants do not live in other habitats. with indigenous plants and animals The Chilterns has nationally-important concentrations of such chalk grassland, particularly along the slopes of the steep scarps and dry valleys. Luxuriant stands of

orchids and other local species such as the Allen Beechey Chiltern gentian are vital components of the Figure 1. The chalk grassland of the Central area’s distinctiveness. Many of the insects Chilterns provides an important habitat for butterflies such as the Adonis blue found here rely on chalk-grassland plants – for example the Adonis blue, Chalkhill blue At Yoesdon Bank in the Valley, and Duke of Burgundy butterflies. Glow swathes of ancient chalk grassland, worms and Roman snails are found among undamaged by ploughing, fertilisers aromatic swards of thyme and marjoram. and intensive grazing, are packed with

Figure 6. Sites in the Central Chilterns designated for their geology Allen Beechey Figure 2. Ancient chalk grassland at Yoesdon Bank, Radnage Valley

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rare butterflies, wild flowers and chalk Hedgerows have been downland plants, including common spotted and fragrant orchids and Chiltern gentians. part of our landscape Low trees and bushes, or ‘scrub’, are often found in managed grassland habitats, and for centuries and provide provide important shelter and niches for a direct cultural link to other species. As it grows quickly, scrub needs to be managed to allow chalk- our past grassland species to thrive. Species-rich hedgerows Arable field margins Hedgerows have been scrubbed out to make Agriculture has taken place over thousands way for large-scale agriculture in much of the of years in the Chilterns. Arable farming is country, but tracts of species-rich hedgerows especially suited to the gentler slopes of the remain among the arable landscape and rural plateau where there are thicker soils than areas of the Central Chilterns. They are home Management Countryside Nigel Adams, on the steep scarp slopes. Natural England to native woody species and shrubs such as Figure 5. A mixed hedgerow on Smalldean Farm, Bradenham and Plantlife surveys have revealed that the hawthorn, beech, ash, and blackthorn. Chilterns is particularly rich in plants that grow in arable fields and margins, including Hedgerows are essential corridors for wildlife some rare and threatened species. movement and provide habitats, food and Sapphire carpets of shelter for insect pollinators including the Arable field margins, if managed bluebells and bright brown hairstreak butterfly and moths, as appropriately, can create beneficial well as for farmland birds, bats and dormice. conditions for key farmland species. emerald leaves in spring Occasional standard trees along the hedge- Cornfield annuals, poppies and knapweed, line are home to tree-nesting birds. give way to the rich which have suffered national declines in distribution and abundance can find a Hedgerows have been part of our landscape golden hues of autumn home there. Arable field margins are also for centuries and provide a direct cultural important nesting and feeding sites for link to our past; they still bear the marks of Woodlands game birds and song birds including the traditional hedgerow management, and help The Central Chilterns has been well-wooded skylark and corn bunting. Butterflies, to uncover human activity in the area. Black for hundreds of years. The richest woodlands grasshoppers and invertebrates may Hedge at Princes Risborough, is known to lie on the scarp slope of the chalky ridge breed or spend the winter in the grassy have been in existence since AD 903 and where the nutrient poor, calcareous soils banks between crops and hedges. is thought to be England’s oldest hedge. also support many rare orchid species.

Beech woodlands Although ash, cherry and are widespread, the area’s famous beech woods, such as at the Bradenham Estate, are the jewel in the crown. Sapphire carpets of bluebells and bright emerald leaves in spring give way to the rich golden hues of John Morris autumn. Above the chalk bank at Yoesdon, Figure 6. A fine old hornbeam in Piggots Wood is a strip of mature hanger woodland of beech, yew and whitebeam trees on the Ancient woodlands edge of a steeply sided valley. The woodland, Ancient woodland is a nationally important

Tracey Adams Tracey Adams Tracey once managed for timber for the furniture and threatened habitat, where tree cover industry, now echoes to the sound of great Figure 3. Arable plants such as black knapweed Figure 4. Musk thistle, bladder campion and has been continuous since at least AD 1600. common poppy grow in arable margins, enticing spotted woodpeckers, buzzards and red thrive in field margins and attract bee pollinators There are particular concentrations in the many pollinators kites. On the leafy floor, among the beech Central Chilterns, which have provided and yew trees, are woodland specialist plants timber, fuel and other products to many including wood anemone, ramson (wild generations, and their irreplaceable garlic), primrose and bird’s-nest orchid.

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Traditional orchards in the Central Chilterns produced varieties of fruit including dessert, cooking and dual-purpose apples, and cherries such as the Prestwood Black. The majority of traditional orchards lie south of the Chilterns Ridge, including around High Wycombe and , such as at and . Chalk streams and rivers and their More than 85% of all chalk headwaters Allen Beechey streams in the world are Chalk streams are an internationally rare Figure 9. The at Latimer, typical and special habitat, created where streams of precious chalk rivers which support rare flora found in England, and and rivers rise from groundwater springing and fauna from chalk rocks. More than 85% of all chalk many lie in the Chilterns streams in the world are found in England, and many lie in the Chilterns. Wetland areas and ponds Wetland areas such as ponds and streams, Chalk streams and rivers are important whether located within orchards (where habitats for wildlife and support a huge they were used for watering the grazing range of plants such as rare starworts livestock) or elsewhere, provide valuable growing midstream and watercress at additional habitats. They form breeding the edges. They also support animals such grounds for amphibians (frogs, toads and as Britain’s fastest-declining mammal, the newts), insects and other invertebrates. water vole, and fish including brown trout. Temporary summer ponds on heathlands, Figure 7. Map showing the locations of known remnants, or existing, traditional orchards The Chilterns escarpment is also home such as those found at Common, to many sources, or headwaters, of the are home to the nationally-rare starfruit, ecological and historical features survive. Traditional orchards Chilterns chalk streams, such as the Wye a distinctive water-loving plant with large, spiky, star-like fruits after flowering. In addition to ground flora, ancient Traditional orchards are low-intensity headwaters in the beautiful Radnage Valley. woodlands often support protected managed landscapes. They are hotspots species such as bats and dormice, as for biodiversity and have layers of habitats well as woodland birds and butterflies. similar to wood-pasture and parkland. Below Most of the ancient woods are found on the trees is an understorey of scrub and the Clay with flint soils which cap the chalk hedgerows, and the orchard floor includes hilltops, such as at Wendover Woods. Penn fallen dead wood. The variety of different Wood, one of the largest ancient woodlands fruit trees leads to extended periods of in the Chilterns, was once part of Wycombe flowering and fruiting, benefiting insects, Heath common, and part of it is still grazed birds and mammals. and managed as traditional wood-pasture.

Ancient and veteran trees Ancient and veteran trees, found for example at Piggots Wood, Wendover Woods and in the Hughenden area, are particularly old specimens which occur either in woodland, wood-pasture, parkland, traditional orchard, or which stand alone. They are of special biodiversity value for invertebrates, bats and birds, and support a rich variety of lichens and mosses. In addition, the trees are of cultural and historical significance CCB Allen Beechey both locally and nationally. Figure 8. Apple trees at Drovers Hill Farm Figure 10. Wye headwaters, Radnage Valley

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Chalk, Cherries and Chairs timeline Hover over photos to find out more (pdf version only)

800 BC Iron Age AD 43 Roman AD 410 Late Antiquity 125,000 BC Paleolithic 10,000 BC Mesolithic 4000 BC Neolithic 2500 BC Bronze Age Hillforts and linear Roman occupation and Saxon Nationally notable finds Permanent occupation Woodland clearance Semi-nomadic farming Some ancient earthworks date evident in remains Settlements extended of flint – evidence began after the last ice for arable farming and gave way to permanent routeways date from around this of villas, iron works up the scarp to become of Neanderthal hunter- age, when vegetation keeping of domestic settlements. Increased from this time time, including and pottery kilns strip parishes, each gatherers in the Chilterns returned as the ice animals began. The use of metal tools and Grim’s Ditch whose having a share of sheets shrank burial mound, Whiteleaf weapons function remains an lowland arable, upland long barrow, dates unanswered puzzle pasture and hilltop from this time woodland

AD 1900 Twentieth Century AD 1870 Late Victorian AD 1837 Victorian AD 1603 Stuarts AD 1485 Tudors AD 1066 Medieval period Chalk pits, such as at , Mills for flour, cloth and Turnpike roads, canals Cherry orchards to Victorians to Elizabethans The hilly landscape led to quarried for cement, lime and paper multiplied on the and railways brought increased as Arable farming dominated Political stability enabled a patchwork of small fields mortar, which were transported rivers. Chair making marked population growth pickers could as metropolitan demand farming to prosper; food and woodlands separated on their own railway. Charles the start of the furniture and new access to travel from increased. Early maps show and fuel supplied to by hedges and earth Rothschild identified wildlife industry of High Wycombe markets. London the extent of woodland, growing London. Piecemeal banks. Wood became sites needing preservation – the considered ‘ancient’ if it enclosure open fields valuable as a fuel for forerunner of the Wildlife Trust is pre-1600, with bluebells gradually disappear, leading brick and tile making often a good indicator to the intimate landscape character

AD 1949 Sites of Special AD 1950-60 Post-war AD 1965 Designation AD 1967 M40 AD 1980-2010 AD 2011 to present Scientific Interest agricultural intensification of the Chilterns AONB The new M40 cut European agri- Rapid growth increasing pressure Legal protection was Some landscape features Recognition of the through the Central environment grant on the protected landscape, along given for the best wildlife lost, including hedgerows importance of landscape Chilterns and led to schemes encouraged with new environmental awareness, and geological sites and habitats; decline of and wildlife resulted a rapid increase in farming practices new technology, and new people in England land-based employment, in the creation of the housing, transport to halt the decline in keen to explore, learn and protect skills and crafts followed Chilterns AONB and noise wildlife. John Lawton the countryside review resulted in Making Space for

Photographs – Top row: BCC, under Creative Commons Licence x3; Tracey Adams; John Waxman; Stuart King; Chiltern Open Air Museum. Middle row: BCC, under Creative Commons Licence; CCB; John Morris; CCB; Licence; Commons under Creative BCC, Open Air Museum. Middle row: King; Chiltern Stuart John Waxman; Adams; x3; Tracey Licence Commons under Creative BCC, row: – Top Photographs Rose John Morris; Cathie CCB; Gerry Whitllow; of postcards; collection Seabright’s Colin Drake; Colin row: King; Phil Marsh. Bottom Amersham Museum; John Morris; Stuart Nature paper 18 The story of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs The story of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs 19 1.5 1.5

Burial mounds known as Archaeology round barrows began to appear on ridges and other and early History high points in the Chilterns in the Bronze Age Nigel Robert Wilson • Council Member for the Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society monument is not clear, but it is suggested that it was designed to manage the The presence of early humans hunting and gathering in the central movement of people and livestock across Chiltern hills is confirmed by scattered deposits of worked flint and bone. the Chilterns. Cholesbury hill fort is strategically located within the boundary Elsewhere in the Chilterns, Lower and Middle Palaeolithic flint tools have of Grim’s Ditch. One of a number of hillforts been recorded, providing evidence of human activity in the area as far in the central Chilterns, it was inhabited

back as 125,000 BC. However, it was not until the Mesolithic Period Council County Buckinghamshire right up until the Roman Conquest, which (10,000-4,000 BC) that we see evidence of hunter-gatherers, in the Figure 2. Grim’s Ditch at Bradenham some argue may have been partly induced form of flint arrowheads, spearheads and other blades such as ‘microliths’. by the growing power of the Catuvellauni, the regionally dominant tribal polity. A folk The Neolithic Period The Bronze Age from 2500 BC tradition written long ago into the Chiltern from 4000 BC landscape is that Cunobelin or Cymbelline, Burial mounds known as round barrows the king of the Catuvellauni who died in The first significant signs of permanent began to appear on ridges and other high AD 40, lived close to and Great human residence among the deciduous points in the Chilterns in the Bronze Age. Kimble. An unfortified, linear settlement of woodland and glades of the Chilterns Scatters of worked flint tools are found this period has been identified along the are the development of agriculture, the across the Central Chiltern hills, suggesting Chiltern escarpment at Ellesborough. clearing of woodland for arable use and the a semi-nomadic culture of animal husbandry domestication of animals. Around 3700 BC accompanied by the cultivation of crops The Roman Period an adult male was ceremoniously interred in the larger clearings. This latter activity AD 43 to AD 410 in a timber mortuary chamber under an eventually led directly to more woodland During this period, a network of roads oval earthen mound (a long barrow) at the clearance and the development of coaxial was established in the Vale of Aylesbury very edge of the escarpment on Whiteleaf landscapes defined by long lanes along encouraging the development of farmsteads. Hill. A few generations later, around the valley floors. Villas are known to have existed at Cobbler’s time Stonehenge was being formed, a large Hill, Missenden, at Lee and chalk mound was built around this barrow Council County Buckinghamshire More extensive settlement became evident as the Bronze Age evolved into the Iron Age elsewhere. Evidence from excavations to ensure it stood out from the surrounding Figure 1. Reconstructed pottery from at Latimer further east show that such woodland, to provide both a memorial and Neolithic finds from Whiteleaf Hill when defined land boundaries were set. estates produced their own vegetables and a place for ceremony. Another recently The large white cross cut into the The Iron Age from 800 BC fruit. Herds of pigs were cultivated in the excavated mound is a natural prominence escarpment at Whiteleaf Hill is not of Grim’s Ditch, a long linear earthwork that woodland. There were iron smiths at the where the cutting and shaping of flint-tools prehistoric vintage, but it is believed to extends from Bradenham in the west to Cobbler’s Hill villa and pottery kilns at Stone. took place in those ancient times. During the be the consequence of eighteenth century Berkhamsted in the east, works its way Recent excavations at Coleman’s Wood, late Bronze Age, circa 1000 BC, a ditch was Christian revivalism, thus extending the across the Chiltern landscape as a high bank Holmer Green, show that burnt flint was dug across the ridge further to the south spiritual context of this place into the and accompanying deep ditch. It has been produced for inclusion in ceramics, although to define a large ritual enclosure around early modern era. excavated to a full height of 2 metres where the finished goods were manufactured these monuments. Devotional objects some and a width of 3.5 metres for both bank is not known. In the later Roman period of which were of considerable value, were During Neolithic times, significant cross- and ditch and is believed to date from the the Chilterns became depopulated due left at the site up to the late Roman period, country routes such as The Icknield Way Iron Age. The purpose of this remarkable to changes in the wider economy. demonstrating that this ceremonial site followed the line of the Chiltern escarpment continued in use for over 4,000 years. both on the hills and in the vale below.

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Late Antiquity and the Saxon Period AD 410 to AD 1066 The Chilterns missed out on the advent The working landscape of the Saxons as they did not begin to settle the area until the Middle Saxon period around AD 850, long after the Dr Helena Chance • Reader in the History and Theory of Design, wider countryside had been converted Buckinghamshire New University to Christianity. This is evidenced by the spread of broken pieces of ninth century As we follow one of the well-marked footpaths through the Central Chiltern St Neot’s pottery-ware at Ellesborough, Allen Richard Medieval woodland was an woodlands, barely another soul in sight, we are moved as much by the Kimble and Stone. Manor boundaries and Figure 3. essential resource for rural communities, silence as by the stately beauty of the beech trees. the definition of property rights created providing fuelwood, clay for bricks and elongated parishes that comprised some tiles, and food for livestock vale land, some escarpment and some dip- Crafting the landscape The Central Chilterns slope. Many of these parish boundaries were tile manufacture brought Chiltern designed Today the quiet of the woods can be has been an industrial founded on earlier land divisions, becoming and manufactured products into royal broken from time to time by a tractor in fully established by the tenth century. The palaces. The clearance of woodland over neighbouring fields, or the retort of a hunting landscape since the first planting of a continuous blackthorn hedge, the centuries had helped to create much gun. In the mid-19th century the woods and known as the Black Hedge still defines the enclosed land and dispersed settlements, valleys echoed with the strike of an , the humans settled there border between and so people could prosper through both craft of the saw, the hum of a lathe and the Princes Risborough. This land division was and cultivation. Places such as Missenden shouts of men as they laboured to supply Wycombe, an industry that came to define possibly intended to define the separate and modern Cholesbury developed as fuel wood and timber for woodware and the region. summer cattle grazing rights of each estate, settlements along the edges of commons furniture workshops, or worked at the craft within the strict laws of King Ine of Wessex. with some irregular open fields. Towards the of ‘’. Bodgers were men who worked Other men found work in chalk pits and In the woodland areas, such as at Bledlow, end of the Late Middle Ages, circa AD 1340 in the woods using a foot-powered quarries, in tile and brickmaking, or down in pigs were still cultivated through ‘pannage’, to AD 1485, many areas, Great Hampden to supply turned chair parts for the furniture the Wye valley in corn, fulling or paper mills. being the feeding of acorns, beechmast in particular, experienced some population workshops and factories in and around High Their wives and children worked in cottages and the like during the autumn. decline probably due to a deterioration in the climate. The Medieval Period AD 1066 to AD 1485 The continued economic development of the Central Chilterns during the medieval period was quite slow. It was founded on the natural products of the landscape. Woodland persisted on the clay and flint uplands where coppicing, pollarding and wood-banks defined property rights, the management of timber resources and

the organisation of its many products, Council County Buckinghamshire including firewood. At Penn, high-class Figure 4. Penn tiles at Missenden Abbey Courtesy of Stuart King, Sam Rockall Collection King, Sam Rockall of Stuart Courtesy

Figure 1. Chair bodging in Hampden Wood. The bodgers chop logs into billets before turning them on a pole lathe

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and workshops, making lace or plaiting Wood was carried by cart and wagon to North. The wooded landscape might have The largely craft-based straw to supply an insatiable market for the Thames near Windsor and thence by disappeared, and the population moved dress trimmings and for hats. barge to London. It is said that the ‘Windsor away, had landowners not promoted and industries of the Chilterns Chair’, a type distinctive to the region, was financed the district’s already fledgling The Central Chilterns has been an industrial are mostly invisible today named after this trading route. Another furniture industry. They planted more landscape since the first humans settled commodity, which became important to the beech trees to produce the tall, narrow there, extracting flints for tools and weapons economy of the Central Chilterns, arrived timber suitable for furniture making. By and, over time, digging chalk for quicklime in the late 18th century. The River Wye, the middle of the 19th century, the Chilterns and clay for making bricks, tiles and vessels. which joins the Thames at Bourne End, had and the town of High Wycombe were Cement, made from chalk, sand and gravel, supplied power for a string of corn and rapidly becoming the leading centre for was in production in the Roman times. fulling mills at least since medieval times. chair making in Britain. The local woodware Tile making, which dates back to the 13th With the coming of steam engines, the river industry expanded at the same time and century, was also a lucrative trade and where enabled the establishment of a number of nearby became an important tiles were made, so too were bricks; all came paper mills downstream of High Wycombe centre for the manufacture of wooden from the plentiful supplies of local surface supplying, from one mill, award-winning domestic and dairy utensils. While the men clays. These, together with chalk and flints, papers to national and international markets. worked in the woods, or in workshops and are the building materials still seen in local Entrepreneurs also seized the opportunities factories, women and children laboured at houses. The Chesham firm, H.G. Matthews, provided by new trading networks opened lace making for clothing, or straw plaiting continues to produce handmade bricks up with the coming of the canals to the for hats, both crafts for which the Chilterns using the local Reading Formation clays. district, from 1799, and then the railways, gained a reputation for quantity and quality. Despite the quantity of useful minerals in from 1832. Increasing demands for fashionable dress the Chilterns, wood remained an essential in the 18th and 19th centuries saw a rapid resource for building, fencing, hurdle Industrial expansion growth of these traditional crafts and, by the making and charcoal burning. Woods such in the 19th century 1850s, thousands were employed in cottages as oak, ash, cherry and beech, were in such For the Chilterns fuelwood industry, so and workshops. Special craft schools were abundance that they supplied not only a vital to livelihoods, the new transport routes opened – three lace schools in Chinnor alone local demand for fuel and woodware, but spelled potential disaster as coal could now – to train children as young as five or six also served the great metropolis nearby. be brought cheaply to London from the (figure 2). Dealers and wholesalers, mostly men, took supplies of lace to sell in London, King of Stuart Courtesy or plaited straw to Dunstable and Luton, Figure 3. Seasonal fruit pickers at Holmer Green, towns which became famous for hat-making. posing proudly on their extremely tall orchard ladders A light mark on the landscape can be discovered in local museums, but the Unlike the textile landscapes of Derbyshire only clues to these crafts in the landscape or Lancashire, where the physical presence are the village name of , roads of factory and labour can still be seen in and lanes called ‘Chairmaker Road’ or ‘Lace the remains of the mills and waterways Lane’, lace makers’ cottages identified in old that powered them, the largely craft-based photographs, and buildings known to have industries of the Chilterns are mostly invisible been lace or straw plait schools, such as the today. The temporary woodland shelters or former lace school in Watlington. The thin ‘hovels’ where the bodgers set up their pole wheat originally grown on the land has been lathes to turn legs, spindles and stretchers supplanted by high yielding corn for food, for chairs are long gone. However, if you are not hats. out walking and look carefully, you may find a small deep hollow near an ancient footpath, There is however another industry that once a saw-pit, where men called pit sawyers has left a light mark on the landscape or would transform tree trunks into planks. is being revived. Visit the village orchard These men worked in pairs, the ‘top dog’ on at Prestwood in the spring and you can imagine Central Chilterns landscapes once Copyright unknown Copyright top of the log, and the ‘under dog’ down in the pit. Examples of lace and plaited straw blossoming with thousands of cherry and Figure 2. Children would learn their craft in plaiting schools held in cottages. Children under 10 worked for 5-8 hours per day, and over-10s for 10 hours (Engraving from Cassell’s Family Magazine, 1882)

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The decline of the Chilterns craft industries Flackwell Cherries came in the late 19th century, with machine production and competition from abroad. The Frognoors and the Bigaroos By the 1920s, the numbers of bodgers, lace The Blackhearts and Mirellas too, makers and straw plaiters had dropped from thousands to a few hundred. One bodger, The Hunies that all small birds attack Reg Tilbury, who worked from his cottage The Rivers and the Bastard Black on the Hampden Estate purchased an oil engine in 1924 to turn his lathes and circular The Reynold Hearts they fill the sieves saw, but after the War he gave up bodging The buds, the cherry pies to give. to grow strawberries. Luckily for some The Casher which is red and black women, the thriving chair making industry in High Wycombe continued to provide home- But my favourite cherry is the nap. based employment in caning and rushing chairs. But by the 1960s, the last bodger had G.A.S. Bowler abandoned his lathe, lace and plait making had become hobbies for a few, and the new generation were drawn to more lucrative other fruit trees. The craft industries could be employment in towns. casual and insecure so in the summer, men, Today, timber is still harvested from the women and children turned to harvesting woods, but for most of us they are places the fruits which became central to the local for rest, not work, where we can walk, enjoy economy, for pies, jams, dyes, and medicines. peace and quiet, and look out for wildlife. CCB The cherry harvest was often celebrated in However, the woods, valleys and villages are Figure 5. Apple juice locally produced by Drovers Hill Farm the chapels with cherry pie suppers; watch living legacies to past industries, helping us this video by Stuart King to find out more. to remember that industry, land, landscape Mixed farming country The chalk downlands and commons rely and nature have always been co-dependent. on grazing livestock to maintain them, so Farming has been an essential ingredient the long-term decline in livestock numbers in the history and economy of the Central caused by a global market which controls Chilterns but, on these marginal lands, commodity prices, is especially concerning farmers cannot rival the yields of the flat for the local landscape and economy. lowlands of Middle England. More than 70% remains as agricultural land, but it Going local with food and drink is mostly run as small- to medium-sized The growing passion for locally-sourced food mixed farms with a combination of crops, and beverages has created a rise in more livestock and pasture, that have adapted to traditional farm produce, from rare-breed local conditions and increasingly depend on meats and farm-made dairy products, to small-scale diversity to survive. But what has award-winning rape-seed oil, artisan bread, made it difficult for farmers, has also made it farm-pressed apple juice and craft beers. attractive countryside for the beholder, with Farm shops and cafes have become popular irregular fields, ancient hedgerows and a family destinations. The chalky slopes of the seasonal patchwork variety. Central Chilterns have been growing vines since Roman times, but now new commercial vineyards are joining established winemakers to produce prize-winning Chiltern wines. Daws Hill Vineyard Daws Figure 4. View from Daws Hill Vineyard across Radnage valley, showing the ploughed arable, irregular pasture and hedged fields typical of this landscape character

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Steven Warnock, can be found in Appendix 1. Additional information is available from Landscape character the Local Authority Landscape Character Assessments.2 The variety of landscape character types outside urban areas which Bettina Kirkham • Director of Kirkham Landscape Planning Ltd have been identified are as follows:

1 Wooded Chalk Scarp “Landscape: an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the A prominent, often heavily wooded and 1 result of the action, and interaction, of natural and/or human factors.” steeply sloping, landscape which defines the north-eastern edge of the Chiltern Landscape Character Assessment or enhancing. It also helps to establish what escarpment. It occurs in three locations needs to be improved or how new changes in the Central Chilterns, at Aston Hill A Landscape Character Assessment is a can best be blended into the landscape. and Wendover Woods; Coombe Hill and What is landscape? standard assessment method developed Figure 2. Whiteleaf; and Beacon Hill to . © Natural England by Natural England which helps us to The Central Chiltern landscape was looked understand the landscape and visual factors at in detail by the Chalk, Cherries and Characterised by: providing wildlife corridors, with which make the rich and diverse Central Chairs team in 2017, as summarised in the • Steep slopes along the north-eastern edge important biodiversity value; rich Chilterns distinctive, and to decide which map below. The full report, Development of the escarpment; extensive areas of variety of archaeological features elements are in greatest need of conserving of a Landscape Character Framework by ancient semi-natural woodlands and stands and historic landmarks of mature beech trees; commons and • Ancient, often sunken trackways and unenclosed land with species-rich chalk narrow winding lanes; network of local grassland, often with patches of secondary rights of way providing easy access woodland and scrub • Wide panoramic views over the adjoining • Small areas of early field enclosures; vale; prominent wooded skyline when hedgerow networks linked to woodland, viewed from the vale Steven Warnock Steven

Figure 1. Landscape Character Types of the Central Chilterns Taken from A Landscape Character Framework by Steven Warnock, Sept. 2017 John Morris Figure 3. Wooded chalk scarp

1. European Landscape Convention 2. Landscape Character Assessment 2011 Landscape Character Assessment 2013 South District Landscape Character Assessment 2017

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Common, with evidence of historic land • Enclosed by woodland which forms a management; a dense network of local backdrop to views; a sense of openness with footpaths and tracks; crossed by The views across open arable fields and rolling Chiltern Way, The Icknield Way and hills to wooded horizons, such as can be South Bucks Way Long Distance Paths glimpsed over the escarpment to the Vale, and The Ridgeway National Trail to the Wendover Gap and to ; Shardeloes House is a visually prominent feature on the valley side

3 Ancient Farmlands ridgelines; small areas of chalk grassland persisting on upper valley slopes The Ancient Farmlands are a wooded (e.g. Little Stocking Meadow) agricultural landscape created by the piecemeal clearance, or ‘assarting’, of • Irregular pattern of small- to medium- woodlands since the medieval period. sized fields bounded by mixed species Found in large areas on the upland Chilterns hedgerows; low-density linear settlements undulating plateau, and closely related to along roads, mostly corresponding to the Wooded Estatelands. ridgelines, with a pattern of farmsteads, Colin Drake Colin rural dwellings and occasional hamlets; Wooded estatelands Characterised by: Figure 4. mainly brick and flint buildings with • Undulating topography with occasional clay-tiled roofs steeper valley sides; irregularly shaped and floor of the incised dry valleys; a • Irregular network of winding lanes with 2 Wooded Estatelands woodlands of ancient character; blocks mixture of regular and irregular enclosure thick roadside hedges; a concentration of A well-ordered and heavily wooded arable of often ancient woodland and ‘hanging’ fields predating the 18th century, with some ‘ancient’ sunken lanes such as Areweg Lane landscape set within gently undulating woodland, broadleaved (beech) with some coaxial and modern fields; early ‘assart’ chalkland where views are tightly framed clumps of coniferous, particularly along the • Filtered views through scattered mature (cleared forest) enclosure, often interlocked by landform and woodland edges. Found upper slopes of valleys and along hedgerow trees; remote, tranquil and with ancient woodland; smaller fields of in large parts of the upland Chilterns’ rural character rough grazing, pasture, paddock and pig undulating plateau, and closely related farms closer to settlements; elsewhere, to the Ancient Farmlands. For example, large fields bounded by often thick hedges Hampden Coppice and Hampdenleaf of mixed species; archaeological features Wood, Penn Wood, The , and including the prehistoric earthworks of Common Wood. Grim’s Ditch and medieval and post- Characterised by: medieval buildings in Little Hampden; • Large areas of ancient replanted and post-medieval parkland at Shardeloes ancient semi-natural woodland; relatively and Missenden Abbey wide, flat-bottomed floodplain with valley • Brick and flint is a common building sides steepening in the upper reaches of material, with some timber-framed and the Upper Misbourne; rough grassland, thatched cottages; hidden historic houses permanent pasture and paddocks on and parkland landscapes, as at the valley floor, divided into smaller and Hampden House fields by low hedges and wooden post • A remote and tranquil character prevails and wire fencing; narrow, gently flowing away from the busy roads, with limited and meandering River Misbourne, with public access and a strong sense of rural occasional ponds character; accessible areas of wooded • Large estate farms set in a cultivated common such as at Low Scrub, Little landscape with arable fields on the slopes Hampden Common and Great Hampden Colin Drake Colin

Figure 5. Ancient farmlands

30 The story of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs The story of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs 31 1.7 1.7

• Mixed pastoral and arable farmland villages, clusters of roadside dwellings with extensive areas of grazing land and scattered farmsteads in Settled Valley and pony paddock; regular pattern of Farmlands; traditional red brick and flint small- to medium-sized hedged fields buildings with clay-tile roofs with some coaxial fields in Settled • A planned highway network of straight Plateau Farmlands; more densely settled roads with uniform verges and relic heathy areas with linear roadside settlements, vegetation in Settled Plateau Farmlands; many roadside dwellings and modern minor lanes or few roads elsewhere suburban development with small rural

5 The Vale landscapes Characterised by: The Central Chilterns extends into Aylesbury • A rolling landscape on lower-lying ground Vale which is divided into four landscape in valley bottoms and along the foot of types: Settled Farmlands between Chinnor the escarpment, with more-steeply sloping and Wendover; Estate Farmlands at the foot land on the surrounding valley sides of the wooded chalk scarp between Chinnor • Mixed arable and pastoral farming; small and ; Village Farmlands between and large areas of parkland surrounding Princes Risborough and Wendover; and large country houses; small game coverts pockets of Village Claylands towards Chinnor. and belts of trees; a varied pattern The Vale landscape is gently rolling along of medium- to large-sized fields with the foot of the escarpment, with productive hedges; settled pattern of minor rural

Colin Drake Colin mixed farming. Although not wooded, views villages, clusters of roadside dwellings Figure 6. Settled plateau farmland are always framed by the heavily wooded and scattered farmsteads, and a nucleated escarpment of the Chilterns. pattern of small estate villages; traditional 4 Other plateau landscapes are found along the Misbourne, the valleys red-brick farmsteads, estate cottages leading from the north-west into Chesham and flint buildings with clay-tile roofs Chalk, Cherries and Chairs will also carry and High Wycombe, and the Wye Valley out projects in the smaller, plateau landscape • A network of minor roads linked to busy leading south-east from Princes Risborough; types which distinguish this part of the highways in the main arterial valleys AONB. These include: River Meadowlands – flat alluvial floodplains in the lower parts of the chalk valleys, with Settled Plateau Farmlands – a settled narrow meandering river channels and agricultural landscape typically associated adjoining alluvial floodplains. Located with a series of long narrow plateau summits within the floodplain of the River Misbourne, and characterised by a gently rolling ‘upland’ from to Chalfont St Giles. character, associated with the extensive areas of Clay with flints. Mainly found on Characterised by: either side of the Radnage valley between • Gently rolling glacial plateau topography High Wycombe and Chinnor; descending into the valley bottoms, with Settled Commons – a small-scale pastoral a low-lying flat corridor along the River landscape closely associated with the imprint Meadowlands; localised more-steeply of former unenclosed common land that lay sloping land on the surrounding valley on localised deposits of sand and gravel. sides in Settled Valley Farmlands; poor Relatively rare, with pockets found around soils with a relic heathland character , , Wigginton, Holmer associated with pockets of sand and Green/, and Coleshill; gravel in Settled Plateau Farmlands; seasonally flooded alluvial floodplain, Settled Valley Farmlands – a rolling, settled meandering river channel, and lines of agricultural landscape with occasional chalk poplar, and along watercourses

streams, within the valleys that drain the Chris Smith in the River Meadowlands; numerous dip-slope of the Chilterns escarpment and heath-related names reflecting the Figure 7. Settled valley farmlands dissect the Chiltern plateau. The largest presence of former heathland

32 The story of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs The story of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs 33 1.1

Section two: Statement of Significance Common spotted orchid; John Morris orchid; spotted Common

34 The story of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs 31 2 2 Statement of Significance

Nick Marriner • Landscape Partnership Development Officer, CCB

The Central Chilterns holds a rich and varied heritage. The quality of its natural, built and cultural heritage is reflected in both the number of internationally, nationally and locally designated sites and the strategic importance placed on the area by a number of conservation organisations. Summary The overriding designation for the area is the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – a national designation given to some of Figure 2. Designated conservation sites in the Central Chilterns, in relation to major the finest landscapes in the UK. Dating from population centres marked in black 1965, the AONB area covers 833km2 and Brown – of international and/or national importance was designated for the natural beauty of its Orange – of local significance landscape and the importance of its natural and cultural heritage. At 278km2 the Central Scale of significance Designation Number of Area of designated Chilterns scheme area covers approximately designated sites sites (hectares) one third of the AONB. International Special Areas for 1* 1,285.9 The Chilterns AONB was designated to Conservation (SAC) protect its special qualities including the National Sites of Special 21 848.5 steep chalk escarpment with areas of Scientific Importance flower-rich downland, woodlands, commons, (SSSI) tranquil valleys, networks of ancient routes, villages with brick and flint buildings, and National National Nature 1 170.0 a rich history of hill forts and chalk figures Reserve (NNR) such as the Whiteleaf Cross. Local Local Nature 9 105.8 Reserves (LNR) The Chilterns is further recognised in the

National Character Area (NCA) 110*. The Ventners Annette Local Local Wildlife Sites 146 2,192.1 NCA description recognises the Chiltern Figure 1. Aston Rowant National Nature (LWS) chalk bedrock, an extensively wooded and Reserve, a Chiltern chalk grassland and SSSI Local Biological 132 1,156.7 farmed landscape, a patchwork of mixed managed by Natural England Notification Sites agriculture with woodland set within hedged (BNS) boundaries, and small streams that flow Natural heritage Local Local Geological 7 315.2 on chalk down both dip-slope valleys and Sites (LGS) 1. Designated Sites from the escarpment. The natural and built Local Road Verge Nature 21 15.17 features of the Chilterns are recognised as The Central Chilterns typifies the importance Reserves (RNVR) special and attractive and offer wide-ranging of the Chilterns’ natural heritage. This is Total 338 6,089.37 opportunities for the growing populations reflected in the number, spread and scale of fringe towns such as High Wycombe of designated conservation sites as shown * SAC is made up of 6 specific sites and Aylesbury. in figures 2 and 3: Figure 3. Designated conservation sites in the Central Chilterns

* Available at http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/4977697?category=587130

36 Statement of Significance Statement of Significance 37 2 2

In addition to the land contained within in the ‘Rothschild List’, five are in the the various conservation designations Central Chilterns. the total amount of land held in sensitive In addition, the area plays host to conservation management is greatly significant coverage of land held in enhanced by the number of Nature Reserves a range of conservation management owned and/or managed by many of the schemes including Agri Environment, national statutory and non-governmental and various woodland grant schemes. conservation organisations. 2. Priority Habitats These include Bank (, ‘Priority Habitats’ is a national designation Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife identifying habitat types that are most Trust), Brush Hill (Chiltern Society), threatened and require conservation Wendover Woods (Forestry Commission), action under the UK Biodiversity Action Coombe Hill (National Trust) and Aston Plan. Most noted for its areas of chalk Rowant (Natural England). streams, calcareous grassland, and lowland The rich history and connection to broadleaved, mixed and yew woodlands, conservation is further highlighted by the the Central Chilterns (Chalk, Cherries Scheme’s proximity to both Waddesdon and Chairs area) also plays host to a and Park, seats of the Rothschild family wide range of other priority habitats who have influenced conservation in the as shown in figures 4 and 5: area. Of the 245 original sites identified Figure 5. Priority habitats in the Central Chilterns Please note that for ease of presentation priority grassland habitat types Habitat type Area of habitat type (hectares) have been grouped together

Woodland – lowland broadleaved, mixed and yew 4,445.7 Grassland – lowland quality semi-improved 169.6 Ancient woodland is defined as an area that has been continuously wooded since at Grassland – lowland calcareous 266.4 least AD 1600. These areas have developed Grassland – lowland dry acid 1.9 over time to become rich ecosystems and Grassland – lowland meadows 2.8 one the UK’s richest land-based habitats for wildlife. Ancient woodland covers only Grassland – purple moorgrass and rush pastures 4.3 around 2% of the UK’s land area, yet 13% of Wetland and Water – lowland fen 0.5 the Central Chilterns is covered in formally recognised ancient woodland as highlighted Heathland – lowland heathland 16.8 in figure 7 (overleaf). The importance of Wood pasture 940 ancient woodland led to the production Orchards – traditional orchards 125.6 of an Inventory of Ancient Woodland which is held by Natural England. Total 5,973.6

Figure 4. Priority habitats in the Central Chilterns

In addition, the Central Chilterns is a nationally important area for internationally rare and globally threatened chalk streams (three of the 300 in the world are located in the Central Chilterns and flow for a combined total of approximately 37km. They are marked as Wetland and Water in figure 5). Allen Beechey

Figure 6. Hughenden stream, recognised as a Chalk Stream priority habitat

38 Statement of Significance Statement of Significance 39 2 2

the Chilterns since 1987 (including 20 of the 23 Section 41 [S41] arable plants listed under the NERC Act 2006) making the area one of the most important on a national scale for conservation effort. On a more specific level c. 20% of the 2km tetrads (a 2km x 2km survey area) in the Central Chilterns have been recognised by Plantlife: • 1 is of European importance • 14 are of National importance

Mike Maliphant Mike • 15 are of County importance Figure 9. Notable species – hazel dormouse In its current Biodiversity Action Plan the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes 4. Strategic importance Natural Environment Partnership (NEP) The Central Chilterns forms a key part has identified 23 areas across the county of both national and local conservation as Biodiversity Opportunity Areas (BOAs). strategies. Plantlife have designated the These represent specific geographic areas Chilterns as one of its ‘Important Plant where the greatest opportunities for habitat Areas’ for: creation lie, enabling resources to be focused Figure 7. Areas of ancient woodland make up 13% of the Central Chilterns • Vascular woodland plants where they will have the greatest positive conservation impact. • Calcareous grassland plants 3. Notable species • European protected species The Central Chilterns contains 7 of the 23 • Arable plants Analysis of species records reported in the (such as otter and hazel dormouse) Buckinghamshire BOAs (as well as a small Central Chilterns highlights how significant • Priority species for conservation Of the UK’s 121 rare and threatened species part of a similar Conservation Target Area the area is for protected and/or rare species (such as the Duke of Burgundy and of arable plants, 81 have been recorded in in Oxfordshire) as shown in figure 10 below: as well as those in significant decline. Figure small blue butterflies) 8 shows the geographic range for notable • Nationally and locally rare or notable species across the Central Chilterns that are: species (such as corn bunting and grey partridge)

Figure 8. Notable species for Buckinghamshire across across the Central Chilterns Figure 10. Biodiversity Opportunity Areas in the Central Chilterns (major population centres marked with black dots)

40 Statement of Significance Statement of Significance 41 2 2

Built and cultural heritage and the strategic importance of some of 2. Hillforts those sites. For example, Hughenden Manor The Central Chilterns has a rich and varied The Central Chilterns is a significant area (owned and managed by the National archaeological, industrial, social and built noted for the presence of hillforts. The Trust) was the country house in the 19th heritage that has played a key role in forming Scheme area contains five Large Multivallate century of the then Prime Minister Benjamin the wider landscape. The overlaying of these Hillforts which are defined as ‘fortified Disraeli, and the Chequers Estate (in private features creates a rich tapestry of heritage enclosures of between 5ha and 85ha ownership) plays host to many Prime interest for the visitor. in area and located on hills’. Ministerial state visits and summit meetings. 1. Designated Sites They date from the Iron Age period, Figures 11 and 12 show the number and The number and range of designated sites having been constructed and used between spread of designated sites across the area highlights just how rich a built and cultural the sixth century BC and the mid-first of the Scheme. heritage the Central Chilterns area has century AD, and are regarded as centres of permanent occupation which were defended in response to increasing warfare resulting Scale of significance Designation Number of Area of designated from the power struggle between competing designated sites sites (hectares) elites. The five hillforts in the Central National Scheduled 62 69.1 Chilterns – Boddington Camp, Cholesbury Monuments Camp, Desborough Castle, Pulpit Hill, West National Archaeological 241 2,404.7 Wycombe Hill – are shown on figure 14.

Notification Areas The Beacons of the Past – Hillforts in the John Waxman Chilterns Landscape HLF funded project Figure 13. Learning more about Boddington National Listed Buildings 944 n/a will provide complete LiDAR coverage Hillfort, a Scheduled Ancient Monument National Parks and Gardens 8 1,084.7 for the Central Chilterns and possibly near Wendover Local Buckinghamshire 7 315.2 help locate any additional hillforts and Geological Sites other archaeological features. Total 1,262 3,873.7

Figure 11. Designated built and cultural heritage sites

Figure 12. Designated built and cultural heritage sites across the Central Chilterns Figure 14. Five hillforts in the Central Chilterns

42 Statement of Significance Statement of Significance 43 2 2

3. Ancient routeways chalk grassland, woodland, archaeological monuments including Stone Age long Grim’s Ditch barrows, Bronze Age round barrows, Iron Grim’s Ditch is a key feature of the Central Age forts, and many of the Nature Reserves, Chiltern project area. Presumed to be SSSIs and other key designated sites. an ancient routeway and thought to date back to the Iron Age (c. 700 BC to AD 43), much of its known and mapped length is designated as a Scheduled Monument of national importance.

The Ridgeway National Trail The Ridgeway National Trail is one of only 16 National Trails in England and Wales. From its start point at the World Heritage Site at Avebury in it stretches for 139km, largely through the Chilterns AONB towards its end at Ivinghoe Beacon in . It follows a northwesterly route across the Central Chilterns, tracing the line of the Chiltern escarpment for over 29km. It is best known as Britain’s oldest known Annette Ventners Annette

road and passes many of the areas of / BBOWT Lewis Robert Figure 15. The Ridgeway National Trail, significance and particular landscape Figure 17. Sunset over Grangelands, a Nature Reserve managed by BBOWT and designated SSSI features of the Central Chilterns, including a dominant landscape feature running across the Central Chilterns 4. Woodland archaeology The Central Chilterns is a heavily-wooded landscape with much ancient woodland. Research has uncovered a rich and varied archaeological history, helping us to understand the significance of these woodlands, in particular their intense historic management and industrial heritage. Key local industries included clay extraction,

brick making, charcoal burning, furniture John Morris making, iron smelting and timber production, Figure 18. Sawpits are a feature of ancient as evidenced by the uncovering of many woods in the Chilterns and show past significant historic features such as banks, management. They were used for cutting sawpits, charcoal hearths and coppiced or timber trees, such as oak and cherry, into pollarded trees. planks and beams

Figure 16. The known route of Grim’s Ditch and the Ridgeway National Trail are influential features in the landscape as they pass through the Central Chilterns

44 Statement of Significance Statement of Significance 45 2 3.1

Section three: People of the Landscape Nick Marriner

Figure 19. The Parish of Seer Green, proud of its Cherry heritage

5. Orchards were famed for their cherry orchards. , damsons, apples and pears were The Central Chilterns is notable for its also grown with local varieties including orchard heritage. The traditional orchard Aylesbury prune, Prestwood Black cherry was a component of many residences, and Prestwood White Heart cherry. farmsteads, market gardens and estates supplying families, farm workers and local Traditional orchards are on the brink of markets. Until as late as the 1930s many disappearing in the Central Chilterns. Most commercial orchards were in operation, of the remaining sites are less than 0.6ha managed by a seasonal workforce and each, and while a few are well managed, supported by the growth in the railway many are neglected or poorly managed and network to move fruit to market. in declining condition. In some cases, only lone trees survive. However, the orchard Cherry orchards and festivals were once heritage is still celebrated in local areas such a common part of the local economy and as in the Seer Green Parish championing fruit was eaten fresh, preserved, and used itself as the ‘home of the Cherry Pie’. for dyeing fabrics. Particular areas such as Prestwood, Seer Green and Holmer Green Lucy Murfett Lucy

46 Statement of Significance People of the Landscape XX 3 3 People of the landscape

Sharon Bayne • The Places Team

“…there is a strong physical and emotional connection between places and people – and that these places have a positive effect on our wellbeing”

Places that make us, Research report, National Trust

Communities of the Central Chilterns Like many parts of south-east England, the towns and villages of the Chilterns and surrounds have grown substantially in response to the demand for housing and its associated infrastructure. The maps below illustrate that growth, comparing 1960, the present day and a prediction for the next 20 years, including the route of the HS2 railway. Figure 2. Built-up areas in the present day

Figure 1. Built-up areas in the 1960s Figure 3. Built-up areas in the present day plus proposed development and HS2

48 People of the Landscape People of the Landscape 49 3 3

Current audiences survey, it is more likely that those responding Settlements Settlements Demographic profiling were already motivated to take part as they In this section we outline who our current immediately adjacent within 5km already had an interest in the area, in nature audiences are and what we know about to the LPS boundary of the LPS reveals that this is an conservation or in the landscape. Therefore, them, and the audiences we will target boundary this online survey provides valuable area of contrasts for engagement in the Scheme. This information about current audiences. Amersham Aylesbury (part) understanding has been gained from a Beaconsfield Berkhamsted detailed online survey and from workshops Of the survey respondents, 76% were over Chalfont St Giles (part) with residents in the Chalk, Cherries and 45, with the highest numbers in the age Chinnor Bourne End Chairs area. groups 55-64 and 65+. Most (92%) are of white ethnicity, and only two respondents Insight into the current audience was gained (<1%) were Asian. They live in the least Great Missenden Chesham through an online survey, which received deprived areas; half of respondents live in Chorleywood 474 responses, 80% of which were from the least deprived 10% of areas of the whole High Wycombe within 5km of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs of the UK, and 94% in the least deprived 50% Gerrard’s Cross area. The online survey was publicised to Little Kingshill of areas in the UK. Of those living within 5km contacts of the organisations taking part in Loudwater Maidenhead of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs area, nearly the partnership scheme, and through social Princes Risborough (part) two-thirds had lived there for more than 20 media and websites. As respondents could Seer Green Marlow (part) years, and 20% had lived there for between choose whether or not to complete the Rickmansworth 11 and 20 years. Walter’s Ash (part) chartridgephotographic.co.uk chartridgephotographic.co.uk Wendover Tring Figure 4. Chalk, Cherries and Chairs consultation at Princes Risborough public meeting, January 2018

This growth in towns and villages has not people in the highest social grade (AB) and only brought a rapid increase in the numbers less deprivation than the South East average. of people living in the area but has also The average age here is also higher than the substantially changed the demographics, South East average and there are very few increasing the diversity of people living people of ethnicity other than white. This within it. population, especially to the east of the area, shows strong characteristics of the spread Within the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs area of suburban populations from the outskirts itself, and within 5km of its boundary, there of London and from neighbouring larger is a range of settlements of varying sizes towns, with people having less connection and with diverse populations. About 80,000 to the land and farming (Census Area people live in the rural areas and smaller Classification). However, in High Wycombe settlements of this wider boundary, with a and Aylesbury, as well as in smaller parts further 77,000 people in High Wycombe, of Chesham, there is an ethnically diverse Figure 5. Why is the Chilterns protected? These words were most used 72,000 in Aylesbury, and 12,000-15,000 in population. In High Wycombe, for example, by survey responders (with size indicating frequency). each of the smaller towns of Beaconsfield, 23% of the population is of Asian ethnicity, Amersham and Chesham (figures from primarily of Pakistani origin (compared with Census 2011). 5% across the South East). In these areas, Demographic profiling reveals that this is there are higher levels of deprivation, more an area of contrasts. Many people living people in the lowest social grades (DE), and in the rural area, the smaller villages north a lower average age (probably because there of High Wycombe and in towns such as are more families with young children). Beaconsfield are very affluent, with more

50 People of the Landscape People of the Landscape 51 3 3

Figure 6. About our current audience

Older, white and affluent

• Similar to that revealed by national research as being more likely to visit or be interested in the countryside (Natural England Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment)

Lived in the area for many years

• Likely to have lived in the area for 11 years or more • Less likely to live in the larger urban areas, especially High Wycombe and Aylesbury

Cares about the area and is knowledgeable about it

• Understands why the area is protected and thinks it is important that it is • Has good knowledge of the importance of ‘Chalk, Cherries and Chairs’ as part

of the heritage of the area, with chairs the most well-known and cherries the least Akam Jacky well-known Figure 7. Planning a walk from Coombe Hill

Other current audiences included in Chalk, audiences and how we should reach out Regularly visits and takes part in activities in the area Cherries and Chairs are: to these people, we commissioned a short • Landowners/managers report from a partner organisation which is very successful in working with under- • 57% take part in activities in the area once a week or more frequently • Parish Councils represented groups, and we talked to the • The most popular activity is walking (without a dog) – 89% • People who volunteer for local heritage kind of people we would like to engage • Second is visiting a National Trust property – 79% • Special interest groups more, in a series of focus group sessions. (heritage, wildlife) etc. This gave us important information about • Residents and visitors, including their interest in the Chalk, Cherries and Thinks the area is under threat walkers, cyclists, horse riders Chairs area, the barriers which are stopping them from getting involved, and what • The main concerns are High Speed 2 and general development Barriers and motivators activities would interest them – see the summary overleaf. • Less knowledge about how changes in land management affect nature conservation for audience participation and landscape A range of barriers could be making it harder or preventing people from engaging in Chalk, Cherries and Chairs. We understand Thinks taking an active part in looking after the area is important that different audiences have different motivations and that different types of activities might attract them. Through • 95% ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ that people should take an active role in looking our online survey, workshops, and a series after the area of focus groups with the harder to reach • 39% had volunteered for a conservation or heritage project at some point; 29% had audiences, we have identified a range of done so in the past twelve months barriers and motivators which will guide our development of supporter engagement • Practical conservation volunteering and surveys are popular with all age groups, but Denise Quinlan and participation. those over 65 are particularly interested in finding out about ancient routeways Figure 8. Wide, flat paths at Ashridge Estate • Many are already members of organisations protecting the landscape and heritage, To increase understanding of why some give more people the opportunity to get out or supporting nature conservation people are under-represented in our current into the countryside

52 People of the Landscape People of the Landscape 53 3 3

Figure 9. What is stopping people getting involved?* Poor provision of information (continued)

Disconnection from the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs area • There was confusion among those not already engaged (particularly new residents and youth) about the aims of Chalk, Cherries and Chairs, about the wide range of activities Applies to: this intellectual barrier applies particularly to under-represented audiences, available, about the overall purpose of the LPS, and about how the Scheme as a whole i.e. those who are hard to reach, those living in urban areas, new residents, and BAME related to them (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) populations, and it also affects engagement of volunteers and active citizens • Information which is not targeted to specific audiences is unlikely to appeal – and • Our focus groups revealed that they felt less connection to the Chalk, Cherries and information which inadvertently excludes them (e.g. through age, gender or ethnicity) Chairs area as a place for them will create a further barrier • There was less understanding of why the Chilterns is protected, low awareness of its • Our survey showed that different age groups preferred different information channels natural and social heritage, and less of a feeling that they should care for it to find out information • Lack of attachment to a place can be a barrier to volunteering and active citizenship, Transport because people are motivated to improve somewhere they care about or to support a community they feel part of Applies to: youth, volunteers, those in deprived areas, BAME, families, new residents, • In some under-represented groups there was apprehension about visiting the area; disabled, those living in larger urban areas these people preferred to visit well-known countryside sites such as National Trust- • Lack of personal transport, poor public transport into the rural areas, and the cost and owned land or Wendover Woods difficulty of arranging transport were highlighted as barriers by the under-represented groups living in urban areas near the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs area Multiple barriers preventing engagement Youth-specific barriers Applies to: under-represented and all hard to reach groups

• There may be multiple barriers which prevent these groups from becoming engaged. Applies to: youth For instance, an activity may appeal, but people may not be able to afford transport, • Peer pressure can be a barrier to taking part; but equally, if young people see their may not receive adequate information, or may not think it is ‘something for people like friends having fun it can be a motivator. Activities need to appeal to this group so they me’ due to the communication style or messages are shared on Instagram or Snapchat • Partnering with organisations who work with these audiences will help to break down • Young people want novelty and excitement in the activities on offer, and they want to these multiple barriers take part with their peers • As a group, youths need to understand why they are taking part in a project – there was Lack of time confusion among them about the aims of the Scheme, and they wanted a ‘narrative’ for Applies to: volunteers and active citizens, less affluent, 20-35 year olds, families, youth their engagement • The most significant barrier preventing people from volunteering, identified both in • Accreditation and recognition of skills gained by volunteering are important our survey and national research, is lack of time. For successful engagement, we must recognise this and provide opportunities to fit with people’s busy lifestyles Target audiences • Youth (14-19) We have also carried out an in-depth • Young people (20-35) Poor provision of information demographic analysis to understand how • BAME communities – those of non-white well our current audience represents the ethnicity, primarily from the local Asian Applies to: all audiences population of the area. From this, and community, but also from other minority considering the aims of Chalk, Cherries and ethnic groups living in the urban areas • Our online survey highlighted that not knowing where to find information is a barrier to Chairs, we have made decisions about who • New residents volunteering we want to include as our target audiences. • Families • Focus groups revealed that those less engaged did not know where to find general Missing audiences • Those living within 5km of the Scheme, information on activities in the Chilterns, whereas the National Trust website was well- The online survey and demographic profiling in larger towns or urban areas used for specific sites revealed that not all of those living in or • Children and schools near the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs area *Based on findings from our research with under-represented groups • Those who are less affluent or deprived were represented in the current audience. • Disabled people The following are currently not engaged as much as they could be: • Students

54 People of the Landscape People of the Landscape 55 3 3

Audience New or existing Reasons and scope for engaging this audience Community and Existing and new Building support from all sectors of the residents groups community is important to deliver our legacy. We will engage with a range of community groups, including local Friends Groups. General public Existing and new We will engage with residents and visitors in and around the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs area through a range of events and activities to deepen their understanding of the Kath Daly Kath natural and social heritage of the area. Figure 10. Enjoying a run around at Ragpits Those who do not join us directly in activities will increase their knowledge Focus groups were held with some of these Summary of audiences and understanding through web-based groups to find out more about what prevents A summary of the audiences with which and other resources. them from getting engaged in the area, and Chalk, Cherries and Chairs will engage what Chalk, Cherries and Chairs could do Special interest groups Existing and new We will provide opportunities for is shown in figure 11 below: to support them (detailed in section 4.4.2 e.g. heritage, wildlife special interest groups to further their Barriers to Access). knowledge and skills and to support a long-term commitment to the area. We will engage with groups who we Figure 11. Summary of audiences have not worked with before, across a wide range of interests. Reasons and scope for engaging Audience New or existing this audience Youth (14-19) New This audience is under-represented and it can also be hard to reach. Landowners/managers Existing and new This is a critical audience for delivering We will work with a range of youth the natural environment programme. organisations to engage with this new The commitment and knowledge of audience and support our legacy. those landowners who we already work with will be strengthened and Young people (20-35) New This audience is under-represented. new landowners will be engaged. It can be a difficult group to engage, as people are usually at a busy stage Parish councils Existing and new There will be greater and more in their lives; some will be building a co-operative working with parish career or starting a family, some may councils to foster community action be on a low income and some may in their area. We will strengthen our simply not be interested in what the working with those parishes already project has to offer. We will advertise involved, and make new links with to this group directly, e.g. through parishes we do not already work with. Facebook, and offer shorter activities Volunteers Existing and new We will improve the skills, knowledge (e.g. volunteering) for those who are and commitment of existing volunteers ‘time poor’. to support them in long-term active BAME communities New This audience is under-represented citizenship. We will recruit new and it can also be hard to reach. volunteers from across the local We will work with a range of local community to ensure that volunteering organisations to engage with this is accessible for all local people and new audience and support our legacy. to build a strong, local, legacy.

56 People of the Landscape People of the Landscape 57 3 4.1

Audience New or existing Reasons and scope for engaging this audience Section four: New residents New Those living in the area for a long time are engaged and knowledgeable, but those who are new to the area lack understanding and ‘connection’ Threats and to Chalk, Cherries and Chairs. There is significant new development in the area, providing an opportunity to engage with this important new opportunities audience and to build their connections to the heritage of the region. Families New This audience is under-represented; fewer people in the appropriate age range responded to our surveys, and we have had few requests for family or schools events. We will engage this audience through a range of family and child-friendly activities. Residents of larger Existing and new Our current audience includes urban areas residents of the larger towns near the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs area, but there is scope to engage more of these residents, to engage them more deeply with the area and to encourage them to visit more. Some people in these areas are under-represented or missing from our current audience, including those who are deprived and BAME residents. Children and schools New Engaging this new audience will help us to reach a wide range of people in our local communities and will improve understanding of our heritage within the next generation. People with disabilities New We will make all our events and activities as inclusive as possible so that we do not exclude people due to disability or any other reason of access. Students New Through partner organisations we will engage local students, helping them to develop new skills to deliver arts and digital content, while increasing an awareness of their local landscape.

Full reports of Audience Development work and Public Meetings can be found in Appendix 2. CCB 58 People of the Landscape Threats and opportunities XX 4 4 Threats and opportunities

Bettina Kirkham • Director Kirkham Landscape Planning Ltd Chris Williams • Conservation and Education Director (Buckinghamshire) for the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust

The landscape of the Central Chilterns is recognisable from afar, with its dramatic chalk slopes and distinctive beech woodlands. It is legally protected because of its nationally important landscape character, wildlife and leisure opportunities. However, it is a landscape under immediate and extensive threat from change, the pace and scale of which are unlike anything we have witnessed before. This section identifies these risks and threats, but also highlights opportunities to address or lessen them. Risks to the delivery of the scheme can be found in section 5.7.

Landscape character Similarly, reduced management of woodlands, reduces historic landscape The long-established landscape character- Figure 1. The planned route of HS2 features and the richness of wildlife. types of the Central Chilterns described in Section 1.7 are at risk of losing their The intensification of agricultural of the historic environment; preserve the distinctive local character. diversification changes distinctive local contrast between the rural landscape and landscape character through the loss of The most immediate and substantial risk is adjacent urban settlements; enhance the landscape features such as hedgerows, the construction of the High Speed 2 railway appreciation of heritage assets, provide increasing manmade structures on and its associated infrastructure over the improved interpretation of the area’s rich agricultural land, and promoting larger next 10 years. It will dissect the settled archaeological resource, and retain the fields rather than traditional small-scale valley farmlands, wooded estatelands and pattern of small woodlands. field patterns. the ancient farmland landscape character types in the Misbourne valley, changing Opportunities to mitigate these risks are: Habitats and species them forever. • Working with landowners and managers The Central Chiltern landscape supports Development pressures threaten to damage to: improve hedgerow connectivity and a rich mosaic of distinctive habitats, distinctive countryside and rural settlements, create links between woodland areas and reflecting past land management practices suburbanise the edges of settlements and the hedgerow network; restore, link and and underlying geology. However, these intensify ribbon development in the valleys. manage chalk grassland; manage farmland high-quality habitats have become more John Morris Figure 2. The scrub growing on this chalk This will lead to structures which are out to generate a rich wildlife habitat and fragmented and support less wildlife. grassland at Whiteleaf Hill would, in time, of scale with the landscape, eroding scenic visually attractive landscape; plant new tree The nationally-important concentrations of reduce the species diversity of the site if it beauty and causing the loss of open land and woodland belts and establish a matrix lowland chalk (i.e. calcareous) grassland were not cleared regularly by volunteers and green space. of small-scale woodlands reflecting the in the Chilterns are fragile habitats resulting local landscape pattern and species mix. Changes in the economics and methods from centuries of grazing on nutrient-poor species is now being adversely affected of land management will lead to scrub • Working with communities to: enhance chalk soils, but they are suffering significant by ash dieback (a fungal disease). declines in species diversity. encroaching on chalk grassland, reducing neighbourhood planning and influence Other pests – deer, grey squirrels and biodiversity. Poor hedgerow management local development; strengthen the role of Woods and ‘treescapes’ in the Central glis glis (edible dormouse) – are having breaks hedgerow links, changes historic green space in defining and separating Chilterns are facing huge change. Ash, one of a growing impact. Glis glis is a uniquely field patterns and reduces wildlife habitat. settlements; enhance local distinctiveness the most common hedgerow and woodland Chiltern problem.

60 Threats and opportunities Threats and opportunities 61 4 4

Opportunities to mitigate these risks are: • Developing new relationships between partner organisations, land managers and local communities, to invigorate the debate and share knowledge more widely. • Raising awareness of the significance of the landscape heritage and the need to conserve it. • Involving local groups and volunteers in creating more wild spaces and increasing

Stefan Jacobs Stefan biodiversity, including pollinators, in their local area. Figure 3. Glis glis or edible dormouse is a very Chiltern problem, having escaped into the local countryside just over a century ago. It can cause widespread damage to woodland by stripping bark from trees and destroying fruit crops such as apples and plums CCB

A 2008 survey showed that fewer than half Figure 5. Horse paddocks – a common sight in the Central Chilterns today of hedgerows in the Chilterns were in good condition, because of gaps in their continuity and nutrient enrichment at the base. Land Management A reduction in the number of grazing livestock is reducing the biological value Wetland features have special significance The overall value of the natural of chalk grassland; the small isolated in the Central Chilterns because it is a environment in the Central Chilterns grassland sites are difficult to graze with relatively dry area due to its relief and has been compromised and reduced commercial cattle and sheep, and so scrub underlying, relatively permeable, geology. by a general lack of joined-up, long-term takes over. Grazing continues, but with Chiltern chalk streams, including the Rivers land management planning in areas horses and ponies because it is believed Wye and Misbourne, are threatened from outside of nature reserves. that the nutrient-poor grass reduces the low water flows, inappropriate management Changes in farming practice, prompted occurrence of Laminitis and is therefore of banks and the spread of invasive non- by the drive for efficiency, have profound better for equine health. Their different native species such as Japanese knotweed incremental impacts on the habitats and grazing pattern causes some grasslands and Himalayan balsam. associated wildlife. In the Central Chilterns, to further decline in species diversity. Many crops and wildflowers rely on their larger habitat parcels have been divided into Britain leaving the EU could increase pollen being spread by bees, hoverflies, multiple smaller fragments disconnected demand for UK food production, creating wasps, moths, beetles and butterflies. from each other. This has resulted in: greater pressure on agricultural land and These pollinators are essential for much • A decline in once-common farmland leading to more intensive arable farming, of our food production and biodiversity. species such as yellowhammers further threatening declining species. However, they face many pressures leading and cornflowers; Changes in agri-environment schemes to a serious decline. have reduced grants for managing land

Allen Beachey • Less uncropped land and associated Currently, the strongest protection for for wildlife and there is uncertainty about habitat important for invertebrates and habitats and some species is European Figure 4. Chiltern gentian at Yoesdon Bank what will follow. other wildlife survival; legislation. With the country on the brink Nature Reserve. A rarity found mostly on the Lack of regular monitoring and neglect of of leaving the European Union, it is uncertain chalk downs of the Chilterns, it likes areas of • Loss and neglect of ancient hedgerows, Local Wildlife Sites leads to loss of habitat what environmental policies the UK will open turf with bare patches wood pasture and veteran trees. and ‘stepping stones’ that allow species have in place into the future. to disperse through the landscape.

62 Threats and opportunities Threats and opportunities 63 4 4 Keith Hoffmeister Keith Lucy Murfett Lucy Figure 7. Communities in the landscape Figure 8. Standard types of modern housing, show their objection to the building built at the foot of the Chiltern Chalk escarpment, of HS2 do not sit well in their Chiltern setting

Construction of High Speed Two (HS2) Opportunities to mitigate these risks are: will cut a swathe through the Misbourne • Developing tools for neighbourhood valley, impacting on the landscape and planning groups, landowners and planners. communities. • Working with neighbourhood planning Unprecedented levels of housing growth are groups to increase knowledge of the proposed (for example the town of Princes protected landscape. Risborough is set to double in size by 2031) and will inevitably increase visitor pressure • Potential funds to support biodiversity on the area. enhancements through a local

Nigel Adams, Countryside management Countryside Nigel Adams, authority Community Infrastructure Very few Neighbourhood Plans include Levy to developers. Figure 6. Traditional hedge laying rather than just cutting creates species-rich hedges information or action that capitalises on the characteristics of the protected landscape or Opportunities to mitigate these risks are: • Harnessing local people’s enthusiasm provides ways to enhance landscape features and leisure time, and promoting the health and biodiversity. • A focus on landscape-scale conservation benefits of volunteering to encourage action, implementing the ‘Lawton’ more people to help manage wildlife sites. principles of more, bigger, better and more-joined habitats. • Bringing land managers together to help match need and availability of grazing • Working with new and experienced stock and equipment. landowners to provide advice, training and resources to assist with the sensitive management of their holdings, control Development and Infrastructure of invasive species, and to promote the Increased development within the AONB effective use of agri-environment schemes. and on its fringes is placing huge and growing pressure on the Central Chilterns • Working with partners and volunteers green space, landscapes and wildlife to increase Local Wildlife Site monitoring. habitats. • Using well-managed nature reserves rich and in wildlife as ‘core areas’ linked to others Unsympathetic developments infrastructure projects threaten to compound to create stepping stones and corridors habitat fragmentation by causing habitat for wildlife. loss and creating obstacles to successful species dispersal. Lucy Murfett Lucy

Figure 9. Housing built in a style in keeping with older local buildings can lessen the impact of modern developments, as at Kingston Blount

64 Threats and opportunities Threats and opportunities 65 4 4

Of the 30 mills on the River Wye, little remains today apart from a few buildings, a mill wheel and mill race, and the restored Pann Mill. The important and rich heritage of the mills is in danger of being forgotten.

A generation still remembers the traditional land-based economies of the 20th century, but these people are in the later years of their lives and their stories will be lost if we do not capture them soon. John Morris Opportunities to mitigate these risks are: Figure 11. A derelict cherry orchard near • Capturing the stories of the people who remember the old ways of working. Traditional orchards, once a characteristic feature of the landscape and local economy, • Mapping important archaeological features are on the brink of disappearing. With such as routeways and Grim’s ditch, to poor economic viability, ageing traditional help improve their management and orchards, the wildlife that thrives in them, future conservation. traditional local fruit varieties, and cultural • Harnessing renewed interest in orchards; heritage (such as cherry festivals and restoring derelict ones, planting new ones, products) are all under threat. and conserving local varieties of fruit. Cherry orchards and cherry festivals were • Galvanising local people to explore, once common and a focus for tourists and uncover, record and interpret their heritage.

Allen Beachey the local economy; fruits were eaten fresh, Figure 10. Hughenden groundwater flooding, 2014 preserved, and used for dyeing fabrics.

Climate Change Opportunities to mitigate these risks are: In the UK it is predicted that, by the 2050s, • Promoting and implementing the ‘Lawton’ almost half of our land area will have a principles of better, bigger and more bioclimate unlike any currently found here. connected. Increased stress on our priority habitats • Developing healthy, robust ecological and ecosystems is almost certain to come networks to support adaptation, and from climate change. It is not clear what improving habitat and species monitoring the precise impacts will be, so it is important to assess impact. to enable habitats and species to cope with any climate change. Forgetting the Past It is thought that our weather will be Some of the rich and unique heritage of more erratic, with an increased number the Central Chilterns is well documented, of extreme weather events, such as excessive but other undiscovered and undesignated rainfall, drought and storms, impacting heritage features are vulnerable to on the environment. development and neglect.

Seasonal timings are likely to alter, the The area’s ancient routeways and hollow- composition of ecological communities ways have never been fully mapped: most is likely to change, and invasive species are undesignated; many are unrecorded, and disease are likely to increase. Species forgotten and neglected, and at risk of loss. which cannot adapt quickly, or which Some are under direct threat from HS2

cannot disperse are likely to suffer and will be severed or degraded with loss John Morris significant and increasing declines of heritage, tranquillity and character, and Figure 12. The Central Chilterns has many ancient routeways such as this hollow-way and even local or complete extinction. blighted views.

66 Threats and opportunities Threats and opportunities 67 4 4

Traditional Skills Opportunities to mitigate these risks are: Opportunities to mitigate these risks are: As traditional land management practices • Developing a programme of craft • Supporting existing local groups to spread fall into disuse, skills and knowledge are lost, demonstrations and hands-on training their work, knowledge and enthusiasm, and along with traditional farming systems and days. to increase membership. Establishing new local groups. the understanding of the dynamic nature • Raising the profile of the crafts and of the landscape and wildlife habitats. craftspeople still working in the area. • Using innovative ways to engage new audiences in uncovering their rich past. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the rural • Employing and teaching traditional land Central Chilterns was a hive of craft-based management skills for sensitive wildlife • Offering a range of volunteering industries vital to the furniture, straw hat, conservation. opportunities and reducing barriers and lace industries of the larger towns. to people accessing them. However, little is known of the lives of Loss of understanding, • Using technology to develop fun, these craftspeople and their families. connection and action informative digital information and Traditional crafts declined in favour Designation alone will not conserve what interpretation. of mass-produced products, but they is special here. Lack of information about are still an important part of Chiltern natural, built and cultural heritage reduces Lack of resources heritage. Some land management skills our understanding of them, and thus their Given the current economic climate and (e.g. scything) continue to play an important protection. Lack of understanding and financial cuts to public bodies and local role in sensitive management of land to connection leads to reduced commitment authorities, there is increasingly less benefit wildlife. and action needed to conserve and enhance money to spend on heritage conservation, the characteristic landscapes of the area. Chalk, Cherries and Chairs’ development awareness raising and education. Central research uncovered a keen interest in While visitor numbers are increasing government core funds to support Areas crafts with many people wanting to know at certain sites, overall there is a sense of Outstanding Natural Beauty have been

Neil Jackson more and have a go. Local craftspeople of growing disconnect between a more reducing for some time. also told us that they were interested urbanised population and the surrounding Figure 13. Scything is a traditional way of Management mechanisms such as in doing more to share their knowledge rural landscape; it is no longer relevant to cutting hay. It is used today mostly in the Environmental Stewardship increasingly with others. Crafts are a perfect conduit people’s everyday lives. management of small conservation sites require match funding from landowners for learning about the landscape. where a late cut by hand encourages a The way in which people want to receive and conservation organisations to deliver wider diversity of grassland plants information has changed, and barriers can agreements, but this is getting harder to find. prevent people exploring and enjoying the With Brexit on the horizon, it is uncertain local countryside. what resources will be available to protect There are a good number of active heritage and enhance the environment in the UK by organisations in the area, including geology, the end of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs archaeology and conservation groups, and Scheme delivery. local societies, but they need support to Opportunities to mitigate these risks are: increase involvement and reach more people. • Providing resources to conserve and protect local heritage with the establishment of the Landscape “…we will conserve only Partnership. what we love, we will love • Strengthening existing partnerships and creating new ones to facilitate the sharing only what we understand, of resources and skills. we will understand only • Providing small grants to communities and local organisations, for heritage projects. what is made known to us.” • Harnessing the enthusiasm of local

Chris Smith Baba Dioum, Senegalese Conservationist volunteers to become stewards of the land. Figure 14. The traditional blacksmith’s forge would have been a familiar sight in the 19th and early 20th centuries

68 Threats and opportunities Threats and opportunities 69 4 1.1

Section five: The Scheme Hare; Andy Fisher Hare; 70 Threats and opportunities The story of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs 3 5.1 5.1

Consultation A major part of the development of Vision, Aims, Chalk, Cherries and Chairs has been the consultation with a wide range of people, to develop ideas, test out plans and Development ensure that the Scheme and projects were designed to deliver the stated aims and HLF outcomes. This was essential to

and Consultation secure both community-level and strategic Productions Rosa support for the Scheme. Figure 2. Sally Prentice came along to Chalk, Cherries and Chairs is a Landscape Partnership bringing together The consultation undertaken can be the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs community meeting at . Here she talks about summarised as follows: diverse organisations and communities in the Central Chilterns to work what inspired her together towards a vision of: • Individual and group meetings with representatives from over 70 local groups, A healthy, resilient, connected landscape, with community organisations, parish councils, its unique natural, historical and cultural heritage local authorities, and local, regional and national organisations. These organisations cherished by present and future generations. cover sectors including environment, built and cultural heritage, community, arts, academic and volunteering. Several of Aims them became partners to the Scheme. The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs partnership aims to: • Workshops to develop ideas in response to identified needs included: a Heritage 1 Restore, enhance and record wildlife workshop, several Natural Environment Rosa Productions Rosa habitats, landscape features and the workshops, a geology meeting and a Figure 3. Bucks Buzzing at Downley cultural heritage of the Central Chilterns workshop for local craftspeople. 2 Create new opportunities for people to • An online public survey to assess people’s investigate and celebrate the cultural current views on the Central Chilterns and natural heritage of the Chilterns, and their potential interest in Chalk, inspiring more people to become Cherries and Chairs. Of the 474 people stewards for their local heritage who responded, 77% wanted to receive updates about Chalk, Cherries and Chairs.

3 Strengthen the capacity of local Drake Colin • An online parish survey with the purpose communities to take action for their Figure 1. From Beacon Hill local landscapes and natural heritage of getting the views specifically of parish The partnership for Chalk, Cherries councils. Eleven parishes responded. Chartridgephotographic.co.uk Development and Chairs was initiated by the Chilterns Figure 4. Princes Risborough public meeting • Six public community meetings with The Chilterns Conservation Board was Conservation Board, for the purposes 118 attendees, 89 of whom left feedback • A review of the AONB management plan awarded a development grant of £185,600 of creating a Landscape Partnership registering their interest in several aspects took place during the time that the Scheme from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and submitting an application to HLF. of the Scheme. was in development. Its survey provided Landscape Partnership Scheme in November Throughout the development, there some useful responses relevant to Chalk, 2016. A development team was recruited has been an Advisory Group helping • Four focus groups to reach target Cherries and Chairs. to deliver a Stage 2 application to HLF in to steer the process. audiences not captured in the online survey or through community meetings. Summer 2018, for the full grant amount The majority of the organisations We learned a lot about our current and These were held in areas surrounding of £2.18m. The delivery of the five-year represented on the Advisory Group potential audiences and their interests and the HS2 proposed route, and urban areas Landscape Partnership Scheme (LPS) will join the Steering Group for delivery, developed the Scheme, projects and activities (Aylesbury Vale and High Wycombe). will start in April 2019 and bring a total joined by other organisations leading with this knowledge. investment of £2.8m to the Central Chilterns. particular projects.

72 The Scheme The Scheme 73 5.1 5.1

Interest in events and activities • Opportunities for my children to learn about the local wildlife and history through Feedback indicated that there is a lot of school interest in investigating the past and taking action for wildlife. The chart below shows • Family wildlife or history days survey responses when people were asked • Self-guided wildlife or history trails in which Chalk, Cherries and Chairs events and activities they would be interested in • Online information telling me about the taking part. history and wildlife At a focus group meeting with residents • Learning craft skills and techniques at the Aylesbury Healthy Living Centre, • Learning about the social and cultural the Schemes which were the most attractive history of the area to people were:

% of people giving Event/Activity Count this as a response

Self-guided wildlife & history trails 303 64%

Experience days that include food, drink and crafts 294 62%

Watching an outdoor performance 261 55%

Learning about the social and cultural history of the 256 54% area Figure 5. Where public meetings and focus groups were held during the Chalk, Cherries and Celebrations at community orchards (such as apple day, Chairs development 251 53% cherry pie festival)

Learning about the wildlife of the area 247 52%

Online information telling me about the history, wildlife 222 47% and landscape

Guided walks about history 209 44%

Listening to stories about the people who shaped this 206 43% landscape

Coming along to a History Festival 200 42%

Guided walks about wildlife 188 40% Sarah Close Sarah Having a go at heritage crafts (e.g. basketmaking, Figure 6. A Chalk, Cherries and Chairs consultation at Prestwood Village Hall 184 39% brick making or spoon carving)

74 The Scheme The Scheme 75 5.2 5.3 Chalk, Cherries Marketing and and Chairs Area communications

Why the Central Chilterns? opportunities to make positive changes for The success of Chalk, Cherries and Chairs will be dependent upon reaching biodiversity. The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural a broad and varied audience. Our marketing and communications strategies area is facing particular threats to its unique Beauty (AONB) is a very distinct landscape take advantage of this opportunity and challenge. heritage: housing growth is proposed at within easy reach of London, defined in unprecedented levels; construction of High With an eye to building a strong supporter (see p53), we learned the importance of part by its internationally rare chalk geology, Speed Two (HS2) will slash through the base and contact list, we have sought using different ways to communicate with and one of the most wooded landscapes Misbourne valley; the rural environment is permission to retain the details of everyone people and to invite them to take part, in England. The Central Chilterns is an being urbanised; and there’s a strong trend involved in the consultation period. This ensuring that communications are relevant intimate mosaic of woodland, chalk towards fragmentation of land holdings. will enable us to keep them, our partner to each of them. This learning is reflected in grassland, farmland habitats, chalk members and other supporters informed the breadth of activities in Chalk, Cherries streams, relict wood pasture and parkland. Consideration of the combined character, of opportunities for involvement and action and Chairs; some are tailored for particular need, opportunity and threats resulted in The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs area is based as the Scheme gets under way. For instance, audiences and others are intended to make a large area (278 km2) being incorporated on landscape character and Biodiversity there was a lot of interest from communities the invitation to join in as open as possible, into the Scheme. Practical delivery of Opportunity Areas (BOAs), and includes in Aylesbury that we spoke to as part of helping more people to feel they can and projects will be focused on key areas within areas of need and opportunity. BOAs are our focus groups, and it is essential that want to get involved. the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs boundary. identified by Local Nature Partnerships and we find ways to build on their enthusiasm. One problem of such a broad programme indicate areas where there are substantial In the earlier section on Barriers to is its complexity, and we learned from Engagement for new audiences consultation that sometimes it is difficult John Morris

Figure 1. There’s something for everyone at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve Figure 1. The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs scheme area

76 The Scheme The Scheme 77 5.3 5.3

to explain concisely what it is about. Therefore, our first communications task when delivery starts is to create clear, appealing key messages for Chalk, Cherries and Chairs. These will focus around: • The Central Chilterns is a great place to live, work and visit. • There are lots of opportunities to enjoy and get involved in Chalk, Cherries and Chairs – such as exploring the area, learning skills, getting creative, and

volunteering for the area’s wildlife, Productions Rosa historical and cultural heritage. Figure 3. Leaflets promoting Chalk, Cherries and Chairs were on display at public meetings • Everyone is welcome, you do not need to make a big commitment and we shall invite you and guide you. The range of communications media we will use, includes: There will be communications promoting the whole Scheme and others for • Social media – A lively social media key activities, in a range of styles and presence is key to engagement with our mechanisms for different audiences. target audiences, including Facebook, A plan of what communications will Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. Other take place and when, will be the tools such as YouTube, Pinterest, Tumblr responsibility of the Chalk, Cherries and and blogs may also be employed to share Chairs Community and Media Officer, lively and engaging film, copy and images in consultation with partner organisations promoting Chalk, Cherries and Chairs. and overseen by the Scheme Manager. • Printed materials – Leaflets and posters, produced professionally and with consistent branding to give impact and build awareness, distributed into communities in and around the Scheme area.

• Online resources – Our Coming Alive activities include creating webpages, interactive maps, videos, volunteering opportunities, events booking and other digital resources. These webpages will be Banners created for community meetings during the Chalk, Cherries and part of the Chilterns Conservation Board Figure 4. Chairs development website, with links to partner websites.

• Champions/ambassadors – Given that • Local Press – Newspapers, magazines, • Other promotional materials – Some many people hear about activities and radio, television and associated news branded display materials, such as events by word of mouth, as the Scheme websites are useful vehicles to reach pull-up banners, for use at events for gets going, the participants and volunteers a range of audiences and increase the staff team and partners will help will be the best spokespeople for involving engagement in the Scheme. to ensure that there is a professional Figure 2. Chalk, Cherries and Chairs’ social others. This is a particularly effective way and consistent image and message. • Advertising – Paid-for advertising can have media activity during development to involve young people. a role in the marketing mix. As this is an • A launch festival – In September 2019, expensive channel, advertising will be used a 10-day festival with events and activities in a focused way for specific occasions mostly in the main towns, will promote such as the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs all the opportunities on offer in the Chalk, festivals, where we are targeting large Cherries and Chairs Scheme. numbers of people.

78 The Scheme The Scheme 79 5.4 5.4.1 Themes and Projects Theme A: The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape the Scheme involves local people getting Wildlife and Landscape Scheme is divided into three themes active in caring for their local countryside; with a number of projects under each. becoming champions of their local heritage The themes and projects interweave, and green spaces and passing on their passion Nick Marriner • Landscape Partnership Development Officer, CCB with many interdependencies and much and enthusiasm to the next generation. interconnectedness. For example, an annual Across the suite of projects there will be The natural heritage of the Central Chilterns festival will provide an opportunity to chances for people to: holds a range of nationally important chalk showcase and promote the work of other grassland, woodland, chalk stream and • Explore the Chiltern landscape and wildlife projects. Training in mapping skills will hedgerow habitats that are hosts to a benefit all those involved in any of the • Investigate and celebrate Chiltern heritage rich diversity of flora and fauna, many History and Landscape projects. of which are nationally scarce and • Learn new skills Volunteering and training are essential internationally important. • for managing and preserving elements weaving the projects together. Take action the Chiltern heritage through its landscape, Key habitats are under increasing pressure Increasing skills, knowledge and depth culture and wildlife from development, lack of management, of engagement, and empowering people modern farming practices and changes in and communities are essential to achieve The chart below shows the three themes and landownership, and are becoming degraded an outcome and legacy of more people their projects. The sections that follow explain and fragmented. Across a range of species with a sense of place in the Central each of the themes in greater detail. Part 2 of groups, their presence, range and abundance Chilterns. Protection and enhancement the LCAP gives a summary of each project. is declining. of the landscape will only be lasting if

Projects will create a landscape-scale Venters Annette focus on habitat creation, restoration and/ Figure 1. Grazing to benefit conservation Chalk, Cherries and Chairs or management, to develop a network of is essential for maintaining a flower-rich improved habitats in more, bigger and chalk grassland, as at Aston Rowant National better-connected sites. They will focus Nature Reserve Theme A Theme B Theme C on connecting sites where the greatest to work more collaboratively on both Wildlife and History and People, Communities need and opportunities lie – in the seven large- and small-scale community projects. Landscape Landscape and Landscape Biodiversity Opportunity Areas, the The range of support includes direct capital Conservation Target Area, the Vale Buffer investment to carry out major works, A1 B1 C1 Strip and the HS2 corridor. The projects will increasing capacity of volunteer work Landscape Connections Woodlanders’ Lives Planning for the Future significantly increase the number of hectares parties, species surveying, training in and Landscape in active and positive management that practical skills, habitat-specific management A2 C2 will improve habitat condition and species advice, and resources such as packs of B2 Rough Around the Edges Chilterns Champions presence, range and abundance as a long- ready-to-plant tree saplings and owl boxes. Celebrating Crafts term legacy. and Heritage Skills More volunteers will be recruited to get A3 C3 Practical support will be offered to a wide stuck into a range of practical conservation Water in a Dry Landscape Echoed Locations B3 – Listening to the Chilterns range of landowners and community groups tasks. Training and support will be offered Cherry Talk to help people get involved in habitat

A4 C4 Key habitats are under management work parties, to carry out Chilterns Orchards B4 Chalk, Cherries & Chairs species surveys and to develop community Routes to the Past Festival increasing pressure from environment groups.

A5 B5 C5 development, lack of Projects will leave a lasting legacy of not only Rock Around the Chilterns The Mystery of Grim’s Ditch Coming Alive – Digital a greater range of better-connected habitats interpretation management, modern but also a more engaged and collaborative B6 network of conservation organisations, C6 farming practices and A6 People & Mills of landowners and volunteers who are better Tracking the Impact Understanding the Central the River Wye informed, equipped and actively working Chilterns changes in land ownership together for wildlife.

80 The Scheme The Scheme 81 5.4.1 5.4.2

Project Description Delivery Lead Theme B: A1 Practical support, training and CCC Team with Landscape Connections advice for collaborative clusters of delivery by landowners, to deliver large-scale a number of History and Landscape projects that will significantly increase partners the number of hectares in active and Jacky Akam • Landscape Partnership Development Manager, CCB positive management for wildlife.

A2 Engaging communities of interested Berkshire, As we have seen from Section 1 The Story Rough Around the Edges people in the creation, restoration Buckinghamshire of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs, and the and/or management of habitat on & Oxfordshire Statement of Significance, the Central smaller, local and often overlooked Wildlife Trust Chilterns has a very rich cultural heritage sites, so they come to appreciate stretching back thousands of years. and are committed to securing local But we have also seen from the Threats, how wildlife. historic features are becoming degraded, and how people generally don’t understand A3 Identify, map and quantify the Chilterns Chalk

the significance of their place in time and Productions Rosa Water in a Dry Landscape biodiversity value of the escarpment Streams Project the landscape. Younger generations appear headwaters, and engage landowners Figure 2. Abi Tompkins talking on video about not to feel the same connection to history and provide practical support to developing the Routes to the Past project and landscape in their everyday lives as their them to deliver ‘riparian’ (riverbank) forebears did. habitat creation, restoration and/or management projects. The Opportunities show us that with the Projects under this theme aim to increase right range of interesting projects, people understanding, knowledge, enjoyment A4 Inspire people to learn about the CCC Team can become fascinated by the past, and are and overall commitment to conserve and Chilterns Orchards significance of orchards and offer then keen to get involved and help put the enhance local built and cultural heritage. ways for them to actively get involved, Central Chiltern historic landscape back on By offering a range of activities and ways thus bringing more orchards into the map and into people’s lives. to connect with aspects of the past, we active management and recording and hope to capture the imagination of lots of safeguarding local fruit varieties. different people, developing their curiosity and connection. A5 Bringing the underlying geological CCC Team The projects span the millennia from the Rock Around the Chilterns story to life and showing how it mysterious Grim’s Ditch thought to date connects all the other projects, back to the Iron Age (c. 700 BC – AD 43), through a range of interactive through historic routeways and hollow-ways interpretation activities including used from the medieval days onwards, to guided walks, Geotrails and digital the industrial heritage of the 18th to 20th soundscapes. centuries such as the chair making that A6 Increase knowledge of species CCC Team defined High Wycombe, water-powered mills, Tracking the Impact trends across the Central Chilterns, traditional crafts and the spread of cherry by training and supporting more orchards. Our aim is to inspire people to get volunteers in species identification, involved, to identify, record and create new recording and surveying. stories. They will help to leave a beautiful and enduring legacy to inform and inspire future Stuart King Stuart Figure 2. Theme A: Wildlife and landscape projects residents and land managers to conserve Figure 1. Traditional tools, including a spoke and celebrate this remarkable landscape. shave and , used to make chair legs and spindles (top left)

82 The Scheme The Scheme 83 5.4.2 5.4.3

Projects under this theme aim to increase understanding, knowledge, enjoyment and overall commitment to conserve Theme C: and enhance local cultural heritage People, communities Project Description Delivery Lead and landscape B1 Uncovering the lives of the rural Bucks New Woodlanders’ Lives communities associated with the University and Landscape furniture industry of the Central Sarah Close • Landscape Partnership Development Trainee, CCB Chilterns, by documenting how people’s lives and work have shaped the landscape we see today. Our audience development work The provision of opportunities for community demonstrates that those already involved engagement is vital to the overall success B2 A programme of events, CCC Team in the Central Chilterns are passionate about of the Scheme. Projects under this theme demonstrations, and hands-on Celebrating Crafts protecting the area for future generations. look at new approaches to delivering and and Heritage Skills experience of traditional crafts and skills. However, there are barriers which are promoting events and activities, from the preventing participation. creative arts to digital soundscapes. By A cross-generational spoken-word CCC Team B3 taking these opportunities to urban areas Cherry Talk project using memories of the cherry With this knowledge, and having identified we hope to help different people, including orchards and Central Chilterns specific groups of people who are ethnically and culturally diverse communities, dialects, both of which are in danger underrepresented and/or ‘hard-to-reach’, to overcome their barriers to involvement, of dying out, to inspire new works. we have developed projects in order and help them to protect and celebrate B4 Local communities will help to CCC Team to engage new and existing audiences. investigate, record, interpret and their local landscape. Routes to the Past Projects under this theme will promote a celebrate ancient routeways and Our aim is to inspire people to get involved, their role in shaping the landscape. stronger sense of place by helping people to identify, record and create new stories. relate to today’s landscape and by breaking What was the purpose of Grim’s CCC Team They will help to leave a beautiful and B5 down barriers which prevent them from The Mystery of Grim’s Ditch ditch? We aim to uncover some of the enduring legacy to inform and inspire future engaging with the countryside. By sharing mystery with the help of local people. residents and land managers to conserve knowledge and skills, we aim to empower and celebrate this remarkable landscape. B6 Volunteering opportunities and Chiltern Rangers communities to look after their local special activities for people throughout People and Mills places, and to catalyse local volunteering. of the River Wye the local community to increase awareness, knowledge, involvement and a sense of ownership of the river Wye in High Wycombe and the social and cultural heritage of its mills.

Figure 3. Theme B: History and landscape projects Colin Drake Colin Stuart King Stuart Volunteers clear scrub for conservation at Whiteleaf Hill – a great way to keep fit Figure 4. Pann Mill is now the only working water mill on the river Wye. Figure 1. To find out more see this video by Stuart King.

84 The Scheme The Scheme 85 5.4.3 5.5

By sharing knowledge and skills, we aim to empower communities to look after their local special places, Finances and to catalyse local volunteering The overall expenditure budget for Chalk, Cherries and Chairs is £2.845m, as shown below:

Project Description Delivery Lead Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Costs

C1 Providing an interactive toolkit on CCB Planning Projects costs Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total £ Planning for the Future AONB planning for communities Officer A1: Landscape preparing neighbourhood plans; Connections 85,842 119,174 112,134 101,504 77,597 496,250 followed up with training and advice. A2: Rough Around the Edges 29,146 59,618 66,508 75,917 81,657 312,846 C2 To recruit, train, support, recognise CCC Team Chilterns Champions and reward volunteers working across A3: Water in a Dry Landscape 17,412 19,088 2,514 7,200 7,200 53,414 the Central Chilterns to care for their natural and historic landscape. A4: Chiltern Orchards 13,536 19,291 20,607 19,260 3,000 75,694 C3 Using community engagement to CCC Team with A5: Rock around Echoed Locations build a sonic map by recording sounds National Trust the Chilterns 9,014 4,673 4,623 4,878 4,238 27,426 – Listening to the Chilterns that define the Central Chilterns; advice A6: Tracking the young urban people in particular Impact 13,008 15,810 23,791 26,137 27,699 106,445 will be encouraged to explore their B1: Woodlanders’ creative responses to the sounds of Lives and Landscapes 11,438 15,179 12,859 16,022 8,225 63,723 the Chilterns. B2: Celebrating Crafts and Heritage Skills 3,515 11,655 11,655 7,260 4,740 38,825 C4 Working with partners to deliver an CCC Team B3: Cherry Talk Chalk, Cherries and Chairs annual Chalk, Cherries and Chairs – 9,096 8,740 920 – 18,756 Festival festival; inviting people of all ages and B4: Routes to the backgrounds to a wide variety of arts, Past 3,304 5,127 5,511 3,728 3,119 20,789 heritage and environment events and B5: The Mystery activities. of Grim's Ditch 2,363 4,270 2,910 21,950 3,335 34,828 B6: People and Mills C5 Digital interpretation will be used with CCC Team of the River Wye – 17,779 20,247 9,863 – 47,889 Coming Alive a wide range of creative techniques C1: Planning for to disseminate and deliver the output the Future 2,782 1,443 2,264 2,044 259 8,791 of other projects, particularly those C2: Chilterns relating to the area’s heritage. Champions 4,520 5,345 5,445 5,495 4,020 24,825 C3: Echoed C6 Working with local primary schools Amersham Locations 6,546 18,888 9,935 10,136 9,047 54,552 Understanding the Central to teach children about settlement Museum C4: Chalk, Cherries Chilterns: human activity in patterns, using fieldwork to observe, and Chairs Festival 9,098 11,133 11,133 11,133 13,198 55,695 time and place measure, record and present the C5: Coming Alive human and physical features in the 23,070 9,183 9,558 2,858 2,608 47,277 local area through methods including C6: Understanding sketch maps, plans and graphs, and the Central Chilterns 8,300 6,798 5,098 9,868 6,313 36,377 digital technologies. Small Grants Funds – 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 60,000 Figure 2. Theme C: People, communities and landscape projects Project Costs 242,894 368,550 350,532 351,173 271,255 1,584,402 Sub-totals

86 The Scheme The Scheme 87 5.5 5.5

Central costs Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total £ Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Income Core staff costs 159,236 185,396 188,156 191,892 226,433 951,113 Cash Income Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total £ Trainee placements 13,775 17,199 17,391 17,587 – 65,952 Office costs 16,847 9,559 13,310 9,586 9,595 58,897 Heritage Lottery Fund 234,748 421,213 425,997 424,997 489,045 1,996,000 Publicity and 12,650 8,050 6,900 6,900 3,450 37,950 Promotion Local Authorities (incl. CIL) 65,000 50,000 – – – 115,000 Evaluation and 3,450 – 5,750 – 13,800 23,000 Legacy planning Central Government - HS2 Communities 66,236 86,124 68,640 – – 221,000 Contingency – 22,037 22,037 22,038 21,949 88,061 & Environment Fund Inflation – 4,644 8,392 12,025 10,964 36,025 Match-funds from Central Costs partners towards 12,971 10,181 9,402 4,777 3,877 41,208 205,958 246,885 261,936 260,028 286,191 1,260,998 Sub-totals work on their land Match-funds from partners towards 6,277 6,702 13,702 14,702 11,452 52,835 Total Scheme Costs 448,852 615,435 612,468 611,201 557,446 2,845,400 project delivery Landowners towards Assumptions in the expenditure budget Where a project is led by CCB or the LPS work on their land – 10,500 10,500 10,500 10,500 42,000 team, the CCB procurement procedure • All project figures include the value of during delivery will be used. Where another organisation volunteer time and non-cash contributions. Own Reserves is the project lead, they will use their own – Chilterns – – – 5,000 5,000 10,000 • Inflation has been calculated annually procurement procedure, as long as this is Conservation Board at 1.5% for each year after year 1. within the HLF procurement parameters. Income from events, • Contingency has been calculated at just training and schools 640 2,380 2,697 7,683 7,446 20,846 Small Grants Fund work during delivery under 4% of all costs. This is primarily As shown in the expenditure budget above, for any unpredictable staff needs such Cash Sub-totals 385,872 587,100 530,938 467,659 527,320 2,498,889 from Year 2 of Chalk, Cherries and Chairs as maternity or long-term sickness. there will be a small fund available to local Non-Cash Income • The majority of the capital spend is in groups, organisations, and individuals with Volunteer time 33,576 49,577 70,577 85,078 88,103 326,911 relatively small amounts and therefore activity and project ideas for built and carries low risk. cultural heritage that support the aims of Non-cash 4,000 4,250 3,950 3,850 3,550 19,600 contributions • Core staff activities include the delivery the Scheme within the Central Chilterns. Non-Cash Sub-totals 37,576 53,827 74,527 88,928 91,653 346,511 of a number of projects. The core staff Local biodiversity initiatives will be costs include on-costs, recruitment, supported via the Rough Around the training and travel costs. Salaries have Edges project. Total Scheme Income 423,448 640,927 605,465 556,587 618,973 2,845,400 been budgeted with an annual increase Applications to the small grants fund will be of 1.5% for years 2 and 3, and 2% for accepted twice a year from Year 2 and the The secured match-funding represents 87.5% commercial, public sector and not-for- years 3 and 4. Redundancy payments fund will be administered by a Small Grants of the amount needed for the five years and profit organisations towards the delivery of are included in year 5. Group against the fund criteria. Information comes from a variety of sources: work on land they own or manage, such as Natural England, The Forestry Commission, • Costs for staff employed by partners, are on the guidelines and the application form • Local Authorities – including funds National Trust, The Local Wildlife Trust, included under the project on which they will be available on the Chalk, Cherries and from Wycombe District Council via their Chilterns Society, parish councils, golf clubs are leading, and include an annual increase Chairs webpages. Community Infrastructure Levy, and Bucks and churches. in line with their organisation’s standard. County Council. Scheme match-funding • Funds from partners towards project The financial management of the Scheme • Central Government – the primary source The HLF grant accounts for 70% of the delivery – including from Amersham will be the responsibility of the Scheme of match-funds is the HS2 Community overall costs of the Scheme. The Partnership Museum, The Local Wildlife Trust, Bucks Manager with support from the CCB Finance and Environment Fund, established to is committed to securing £503,000 of cash Bird Club, Chiltern Rangers, Chinnor & and Admin Officer. The Steering Group help communities along the first phase match-funding, along with a £327,000 worth Princes Risborough Railway, The National will provide scrutiny and direction but of the HS2 construction (London to of volunteer support, as shown opposite: Trust, and River Conservation Trust. accountability will remain with the lead Birmingham) deal with the disruption to body, CCB. their communities and environment. • Own reserves – funds from the Chilterns Conservation Board as the lead body. • Match-funds from partners towards work on their land – this includes funds from

88 The Scheme The Scheme 89 5.5 5.6 Structure and management

The Chilterns Conservation Board (CCB) is the Accountable or Lead Body, and the Grantee for receipt of the Heritage Lottery Fund grant and other funds on behalf of the Scheme and Partnership. The Scheme is overseen by a Partnership Steering Group that meets quarterly and is comprised of lead delivery partners and other strategic representatives.

The Accountable Body ensures the CCB employs a Scheme Manager and staff Scheme meets all legal and contractual team to administer the Scheme, carry out responsibilities and HLF Approved Purposes. delivery and support the delivery of Projects It carries out this role in accordance with the by Delivery Partners and community groups. Aims and with direction and agreement of Advisory or working groups will be convened the Steering Group. as and when needed, such as to oversee BBOWT Chalk, Cherries and Chairs has a Partnership Legacy Planning. They will be comprised Figure 1. Chalkhill Blue Principles document that sets out the aims, of invited partners or those with relevant structure, and ethos of partnership and knowledge who support the Scheme (i.e. The value of the volunteer time is based on Should any of the income during delivery collaboration, for anyone wishing to be members of the local community and private, the HLF recommended values: not be forthcoming, approaches for funds involved in the Scheme. public and third sector representation). will be made to Trusts and Foundations and Professional labour – £350 a day local businesses, and crowd funding will be The Steering Group’s role is to guide and A Small Grants group will be established Skilled labour – £150 a day pursued. support the overall development and to assess applications for grants under the delivery of the Scheme and the Scheme’s ‘Small Grants’ element of the Scheme and Unskilled labour – £50 a day Post-Scheme budget staff team. It is the main decision-making make recommendations to the full Steering The non-cash contribution is the use of body which sets the strategy and direction Group for approval. In addition to the budgets shown, a modest equipment and resources that would for the Scheme, and its members act budget would be needed to manage and There is a broader group of organisations otherwise have to be paid for, such as tools as ambassadors for the Scheme and maintain the outputs for the five years and local groups, in addition to delivery for conservation work, meeting rooms, and Partnership. beyond the completion of the Scheme, and partners and the Steering Group, which educational resources. 10 years for digital outputs. It is expected, The balance of funds needed will be raised however, that the legacy planning from year Wider partnership: CCB- during delivery of the Scheme, as follows: 3 onwards will define a more ambitious next Annual get-together Partnership Steering HLF and accountable phase of the Landscape Partnership Scheme Group (quarterly) other Funders • Private landowners will be asked to body contribute a percentage of the cost of with detailed budgeting. works carried out on their land. Small • Income generation throughout the delivery Grants Advisory/ of the scheme, through small charges being Delivery Group working Delivery lead made for events, training, school visits and (quarterly) groups staff team partners other Chalk, Cherries and Chairs activities. (as needed) Delivery meetings (quarterly), plus scheme specialists

Delivery organisations Reporting line

Figure 1. Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Partnership

90 The Scheme The Scheme 91 5.6 5.6

together make up the Chalk, Cherries Partnership Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (East) l and Chairs Landscape Partnership (the Figure 2 provides information on each of ‘Partnership’). They will meet to share Field Studies Council l the partners and the role they play in the ideas and successes at an annual get- Partnership. CCB, as well as being the Lead Forestry Commission l l together, and will be kept in touch via Body, is also a delivery organisation where Freshwater Habitats Trust l l emails and newsletters. staff outside the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust l Figure 1 shows the organisational structure team are delivering projects: Geology world of Chalk, Cherries and Chairs. l Greening Chinnor l Figure 2. Partners and the role they play Heritage Advisor – Stuart King l l Steering Delivery Delivery Delivery Hughenden Parish Council Organisation Group Lead l l organisation Advisor Member Partner Landscape Architect Bettina Kirkham l A Rocha l Lindengate l Amersham Museum l l l l Little Kingshill Combined School l Berkshire, Buckinghamshire Mid Shires Orchard Group & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust l l l l l Biodiversity Consultant Martin Harvey l Missenden Walled Garden l British Trust for Ornithology l l National Farmers Union l Buckinghamshire & MK Natural National Trust l l l l Environment Partnership l l Natural England l l Buckinghamshire Bird Club l l National Plant Monitoring Scheme l l Buckinghamshire County Council l l Nigel Adams Countryside Management l Buckinghamshire Owl and Raptor Group l l Plantlife l l Bucks & MK Environmental Records Centre l l l Prestwood Nature l l Bucks New University l l Prestwood Primary School l BugLife l l Rabbitwide Plus l Butterfly Conservation l l Ridgeway Partnership l Caring for God’s Own Acre l l River Thame Conservation Trust l l Council l Seer Green Parish Council l Chiltern Forest Golf Club l St Mary’s Church, Radnage l Chiltern Rangers CIC l l l l Thames Valley Environmental Records l Chiltern Society l l l Centre Chiltern Woodlands Project l West Wycombe Churches l Chilterns Chalk Stream Project l l l Whiteleaf Golf Club l Chinnor and Princes Risborough Widmer End Combined Community l Railway l l School Chinnor Churches Go Wild l Wild Oxfordshire l Chinnor Parish Council l l Woodland Trust l l Community Impact Bucks l l Wycombe District Council l Countryside and Land Management Wycombe Museum l l Association l Youth Ambassador* l Deer Initiative l * A Youth Ambassador will be sought from the wider Partnership, to sit on the Steering Group and represent the Environment Agency l l interests of young people in the Scheme. Farmer Cluster (Central) l l

92 The Scheme The Scheme 93 5.6 5.6

• A Steering Group Terms of Reference • Full-time Community Heritage Officer – is signed by every organisation with responsible for project delivery of history a representative on the group. and community projects and partner relations under the History and Landscape • A Delivery Agreement is signed between Theme. CCB and partners leading projects. A Project Plan attached to the agreement • Full-time Community and Media Officer sets out what will be delivered. – responsible for: project delivery and partner relations under the People, • A Landowner Agreement is to give Communities and Landscape Theme; permission from landowners for practical across-scheme communications. projects and interpretation to take place on their land. • 1-day per week Finance and Administration Support (as an extension • A Site Specific Plan Agreement sets out to CCB part-time Officer role) – responsible a plan of work for delivery organisations. for assisting with Scheme finance, office

Rosa Productions Rosa • A Professional Services Agreement admin, personnel, IT, data, and monitoring. Norman Sheppard from Bucks Owl and Raptor Group talking about provides the details for providers of Figure 3. • 1 Trainee per year for 4 years, working their involvement in Chalk, Cherries and Chairs services (such as training). either full-time for 10 months or 30 hours Sample agreements and a copy of the per week for 12 months – will report to a signed Steering Group Terms of Reference different member of the team each year can be found in Appendix 3. and be responsible for GIS mapping, Agreements interpretation, assisting with the festival, The Scheme has several agreements to cover working arrangements, as outlined below: Staffing and other duties according to their The staffing for the Scheme is shown below. interests and career path. The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Team based In addition: at CCB and employed by CCB consists of: Document Signed by… • Part-time Rough Around the Edges Project • Full-time Scheme Manager – responsible Officer – employed by Berks, Bucks and Partnership Steering Group for: overall project, staff and finance Oxon Wildlife Trust – responsible for Terms of Reference management; partnership steering group; engaging and supporting community project development and agreements; groups to develop and deliver Rough Organisations and/or individuals Small Grants Group health and safety, policies and procedures; sitting on respective Groups Around the Edges and Orchard projects. Terms of Reference fundraising; reporting, monitoring and • Part-time Community Ranger – employed evaluation; small grants and volunteering. Advisory/Working Group by Chiltern Rangers – responsible for Reports to CCB Countryside Officer. Terms of Reference recruiting and supporting volunteers to • 30-hours per week Landowner deliver practical conservation tasks for the Engagement Officer – responsible Wildlife and Landscape Theme projects. Partners leading projects for landowner engagement, project Delivery Agreement • Part-time project assistant employed by delivery and partner relations, delivery Buckinghamshire New University to work organisations, volunteers, and surveying alongside the seconded Project Lead. Landowner Agreement Site specific Landowners under the Wildlife and Landscape A lecturer will be recruited to backfill Theme projects. the teaching hours. • Full-time Land Management Officer Site Specific Plan Agreement Organisations delivering site specific work – responsible for providing ecological advice/support to Landowners and developing/delivering Site Specific Professional Services Agreement Providers of specific professional services Plans under the Wildlife and Landscape Theme projects.

Figure 4. Scheme agreements

94 The Scheme The Scheme 95 5.6 5.6

Scheme Manager – CCB

Landowner Engagement Land Management Community Heritage Community & Media Officer – CCB Officer – CCB Officer – CCB Officer – CCB

Water Rough Landscape Woodlanders Mills – Under- Echoed Annual Planning Finance/ in a dry Around Connections Project Chiltern standing Locations Trainee for the Admin Landscape the Edges Community Assistant Rangers the Chilterns – NT – CCB Future Support – Chiltern Project Ranger – & backfill – Amersham – CCB – CCB Chalk Officer – Chiltern teaching post Museum Streams BBOWT Rangers – BNU Project LPS staff employed by CCB

Staff employed by Lead Partner Delivery Organisations (Chiltern Rangers, BBOWT, BORG) and contractors delivering Woodland, Project Delivery Lead Hedgerow, Deer, Glis Glis and Equine advice package – no staff recruitment

Volunteers • Volunteers • Volunteers • Volunteers • Volunteers • Volunteers • Volunteers • Volunteers

Figure 5. Chalk, Cherries and Chairs staff and volunteer reporting structure Rangers CIC Chiltern Figure 7. Corporate volunteering – Thames Water staff clearing debris to maintain the water flow, helping to improve the health of the river Wye Volunteers Volunteering is a key way for people The range of volunteering on offer will • Passing on heritage skills or knowledge to connect with or deepen an existing include: to others connection with their local landscape. It increases the likelihood of them caring • Creating and looking after wildlife areas • Researching the lives of woodland bodgers about and becoming stewards of their and their families • Practical wildlife conservation local heritage. • Helping to uncover the mystery of • Leading local wildlife conservation tasks The audience development work showed Grim’s Ditch the enthusiasm of people to volunteer, both • Wildlife surveying and recording • Creating videos and other digital among those people who already volunteer • Finding out more about ancient routeways web content and are keen to do more, and those who and green lanes would consider volunteering given the right • Creating oral histories • Helping plant and care for a community opportunities. In addition, with a range of • Making aural history for a sonic map orchard volunteer opportunities designed to reduce • Interpreting old maps and new digital known barriers to volunteering, the scheme • Organising orchard-related celebrations information can reach people who have not volunteered • Helping to recruit other volunteers for heritage before. Volunteering is an Rangers CIC Chiltern • Creating new spoken performances from opportunity to reach out to new supporters. Figure 6. Watch this video of the Chiltern • Organising a stall or activity at a festival old stories Ranger’s Thursday conservation volunteers Much of the wildlife conservation work • Passing on countryside skills or knowledge by Highway Productions • Photography (practical habitat management and wildlife to others • Helping with promotion and surveying) will be carried out by new and/or volunteering opportunities for up to 1,400 • Leading walks about the local landscape, communications existing volunteers. Significant effort will be people. We assume 60% will be core wildlife and/or heritage made to recruit, train and support volunteers For more information on how Chalk, Cherries volunteers involved regularly in one or more to not only deliver specific projects but also • Giving talks about the local landscape, and Chairs will work with volunteers, see projects, 30% occasional, and 10% people provide the long term legacy of the Scheme. wildlife and/or heritage the Chilterns Champions Project summary who volunteer just once. Volunteers will in Part 2. We estimate Chalk, Cherries and Chairs contribute almost 9,800 days of time over • Incorporating protected landscape into will provide approximately 23 different five years. neighbourhood plans

96 The Scheme The Scheme 97 5.6 5.6

Management timetable

98 The Scheme The Scheme 99 5.7 5.7

Loss of momentum, Low Low Capture contact details and permissions enthusiasm and during development. Encourage contacts Risks change of contacts to receive CCB e-newsletter and send in the interval updates during the interval via the A number of potential risks to the Scheme delivery have been identified and between submitting newsletter. Encourage partners to keep the are listed below, together with actions we intend to take to minimise them the bid and starting Scheme alive with their contacts. delivery, made more and to deal with them should they arise. Risks to projects are documented difficult by new data within the individual project plans. protection laws

Risk Likelihood Impact Mitigation Landowners Low Low The capital budget is spread across a high not willing to number of landowners. Confidence from HLF do not award Low High Carry out development to best possible sign landowner the development work of a high demand. LPS Grant standards. Work to strengthen partnership, agreement Landowner consent secured for first year and secure match-funding. of works.

Potential shortfall in Low Medium 87.5% of the match-funds have been Failure to secure Low Medium Confidence from the development work match-funding secured, 12.5% will be generated during other permissions, identifying permissions needed early delivery. Applications will be made for the such as felling in the process, along with involvement balance and a strategy is in place should licences and communication with authorising these be unsuccessful. bodies. Projects planned and delivered in accordance with statutory frameworks and guidance. Uncertainty about Medium Low Risk is minimal as there is no dependency policies and grants on European grants in the Scheme. following Brexit Potentially this is an opportunity by Increasing pressures Low Low Develop the scheme to help increase offering interim support to landowners on and reduced capacity of small organisations, set realistic during the period of uncertainty. capacity of partners, targets and use breadth of Partnership to reducing their ability support one another. to deliver Reduced core funds Low Low Minimal risk as the costs of the CCC of CCB impacting delivery team are covered, as well as some on the ability to overhead costs for hosting. As delivery Failure of a partner Low Low Quarterly reports will identify any lead and host LPS partnership is across a number of partners, to deliver problems early, so solutions can Scheme the risk is spread. be found.

Unable to recruit Low High Circulate adverts widely. Use AONB Ineffective Low Low Cooperative development, delivery staff contacts, partners' networks and social engagement and agreements in place. Reallocate resources media. Ensure salaries are competitive. attendance at CCC to other activities or identify new partners. Steering Group Changes in CCC Low Low Good planning and scoping of roles, staffing, sickness, or responsibilities and capacity. Recruitment Merger of High Low Highly likely to take place but with low maternity of people with the right skills for the jobs. Buckinghamshire impacts in relation to the delivery of this Contingency allowance for staffing costs. Councils project. Final decision not yet made, and if it proceeds will take several years to put in place. Strong relationships are in place Shortfall in targeted Low Medium Very positive response to date; ensure with the existing Bucks Local Authorities involvement sufficient resources given to marketing/ and we will continue to communicate with in volunteering promotion. Use of a range of relevant them to ensure minimal impacts. and activities marketing methods, including face-to-face and social media. Increase focus on more popular activities. Poor project Low High Adequate budget allowed to recruit a management person with excellent project management leading to failure to and line management skills. Effective, Failure to gain Low Medium Dedicated staff resource for deliver project to regular line management and project wide support for the communications. Whole Partnership time and budget reporting with scrutiny by line managers Scheme and contributing to promotion. and Partnership Steering Group. to engage Communications Plan in place – target audiences use regular communications using in events, activities a variety of media. Increased budget and opportunities for marketing and promotion.

100 The Scheme The Scheme 101 5.8 6.1

Section six: Monitoring and evaluation Chris Smith 102 The Scheme Monitoring and evaluation XX 6 6

the delivery both of individual projects and of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs scheme as Monitoring a whole. Wherever possible evaluation will be embedded in project delivery and will engage project participants in such a way and evaluation as to enhance outcomes. M&E will be the responsibility of everyone involved in Chalk, Cherries and Chairs – partners and project Rich Clarke • CEPAR, Evaluation Consultancy leads as well as the LP team.

Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape (their impact, including benefits to heritage Project level M&E Partnership’s approach to monitoring and and for people), and planning for legacy Full project plans include details of activities, evaluation (M&E) will follow Heritage Lottery (the need to ensure that these benefits output targets and anticipated outcomes. Fund’s (HLF) generic Evaluation Good endure beyond the end of HLF funding). These are summarised together with Practice Guidance1 and will be informed associated indicators and relevant baselines This section summarises the contents by HLF’s earlier tailored guidance on as a matrix in Appendix 5. This will be of an M&E Framework, submitted as a evaluation2 and legacy planning3 produced revised on the start of delivery to provide supplementary document in parallel with specifically for Landscape Partnerships. an ‘at-a-glance’ updateable summary of this LCAP as part of Chalk, Cherries and HLF guidance embeds M&E in a wider project progress which, with the addition Chairs’ Stage 2 (delivery) submission to HLF. process of activity planning and delivery of further columns (e.g. financial data, This will form the basis for an M&E strategy focused on ‘improving’ as well as ‘proving’. milestones, ‘achieved to date’, risks etc.), to be developed and implemented in the It distinguishes between monitoring of can be used as the basis for periodic early stages of delivery. The strategy will be outputs (as measures of activity, i.e. what reporting to the Chalk, Cherries and ‘owned’ by all partners and will be central to has been delivered), evaluation of outcomes Chairs Partnership Board. Most projects have multiple outputs and

outcomes, some of which (such as those Neil Jackson relating to habitat enhancement) are specific Figure 2. Learning traditional scything skills to particular projects whereas others (for example volunteer time and participant may be as simple as ‘before’ and ‘after’ numbers) are common to several projects. photographs. Yet others, particularly those All projects (not just those specifically aimed related to ‘people’ benefits, may be less at people) will deliver benefits for individuals, tangible, requiring a mix of qualitative communities and/or organisations. approaches including interviews, focus groups, case studies, expert testimony, Each Chalk, Cherries and Chairs project anecdotal and other evidence. is associated with clear target outputs. These will be reviewed early on in the Partners and project leads will be asked delivery phase, and any significant changes to report on progress in delivering output cleared with the HLF Monitor. In identifying targets and in identifying and capturing and capturing outputs, the Scheme will outcome evidence with each interim have regard to the output data reporting financial claim. categories required by HLF. All projects will be asked to submit an Some outcomes (for example those related end-of-project evaluation with their final claim. In addition to final output data this Roy McDonald Roy to the benefits of physical work to natural will include a narrative ‘story’ of their project Figure 1. Grizzled skipper, a key indicator species of the Central Chilterns or cultural heritage) can be captured objectively, often through quantitative together with quantitative and qualitative measures (e.g. surveys of habitat condition). evidence of outcomes including case studies Others will require proxy indicators, which and other illustrative material.

1. Evaluation: Good-practice guidance. 2017 www.hlf.org.uk/evaluation-guidance 2. Evaluation guidance – Landscape Partnerships. 2014 www.hlf.org.uk/landscape-partnerships-evaluation-guidance. 3. Legacy Planning for Landscape Partnerships. 2013 www.hlf.org.uk/legacy-planning-landscape-partnerships.

104 Monitoring and evaluation Monitoring and evaluation 105 6 6

A key element is the Methods include: desk study; site visits; liaison with CCC LP team, partners and project leads; workshops; training in appropriate evaluation tools; data collection and assembly methods; online expectation that the Scheme participant survey(s); focus groups; key informant interviews with project leads, volunteers and beneficiaries; case studies of individual projects. The three stages will be facilitated by an Independent will deliver outcomes that Evaluator to be appointed at an early stage in delivery. go beyond the outcomes

of individual projects Phase 1 ‘Ownership’ and implementation of CCC M&E strategy M&E; review of Evaluation Framework; Evaluation of whole-scheme and embedding of evaluation in project outcomes implementation delivery and reporting. A key element in Chalk, Cherries and Chairs’ funding from HLF is the expectation that Phase 2 Formative evaluation; review of the Scheme will deliver outcomes that go Mid-delivery progress to date; what’s worked well/ beyond the outcomes of individual projects. review and less well and why; identification of Where those outcomes endure beyond McDonald Roy legacy planning needs and changes for second half Linnet, a key farmland bird whose of the LP; start of planning for legacy. the end of HLF funding they contribute to Figure 3. population trends will form part of Tracking legacy. Part of the challenge of evaluation the Impact will be to demonstrate to what extent this Phase 3 Summative evaluation; celebration has been achieved. Additional data collected specifically for of CCC achievements, lessons learnt; Final evaluation case studies; future needs and legacy the Scheme’s development phase includes: Formal Scheme-level evaluation will take report and arrangements; release of final HLF place at the mid-delivery point, and towards • ‘Tracking the Impact’ volunteer, biodiversity legacy grant and promotion of scheme strategy the end of the LP Scheme. However it will and habitat monitoring on key sites outcomes to a wider public. be important to ensure that alongside the • An audience survey conducted in outputs and outcomes of individual projects, December 2017 of more than 470 a shared vision of the overall benefits of individuals, the majority of whom live Feedback from project leads and partners to the LP team. Regular reporting to CCC Advisory Group. Chalk, Cherries and Chairs remains part and/or work within the Chalk, Cherries quarterly reporting to HLF and annual submission of output data by the LP team. Wider promotion of of the focus of the Partnership as a whole. and Chairs area. progress and achievements to local communities, residents, businesses and visitors through press and Through workshops and consultation with social media. individual project leads, the longer-term In addition to quantitative indicators the outcomes and legacy ambitions of the latter included open-ended questions which Phase 1: Refinement and implementation of an M&E strategy. This will include a review of Scheme will be matched against those have provided valuable qualitative feedback. project plans. It will include an updated M&E matrix which will be used as the basis for recording of HLF for the LP programme overall. It has been supplemented by a number and reporting progress through the life of Chalk, Cherries and Chairs. This will be part of a wider of community consultations carried out Baselines M&E strategy incorporating a revised framework document ‘owned’ by the partnership as a whole, between December 2017 and March 2018. On-going data collection relating to heritage which will identify who does what and when, and include a timetable for the interim review, final These provide baselines against which to and people within Chilterns AONB includes evaluation and legacy planning. assess immediate and longer-term outcomes condition indicators relevant to a range and will be integrated with monitoring Phase 2: Mid-Delivery Review. This will take stock of progress and provide a critical assessment of attributes, including: landscape and specific to individual projects and to the which will identify what has worked well and what has worked less well and why, across the biodiversity; the historic environment; social Scheme as a whole. breadth of Chalk, Cherries and Chairs activities. It will assess individual project outputs and likely and economic; and community and visitor outcomes in relation to the Scheme aims, HLF’s programme priorities and the wider aspirations understanding, engagement and enjoyment. Delivery phase monitoring or expectations of partners and stakeholders. It will consider any changes needed in delivery Where this is specific to the Chalk, Cherries and evaluation stages and management during the second half of the scheme, provide new impetus to the work that and Chairs LP area it may be appropriate as remains and feed in to Chalk, Cherries and Chairs’ own planning for legacy. Formal evaluation of Chalk, Cherries baseline data. and Chairs will involve the input of an Phase 3: End-of Scheme Evaluation. This will lead to a Final Evaluation Report which will Independent Evaluator to be appointed celebrate what Chalk, Cherries and Chairs has achieved, consider the lessons that have been soon after delivery commences. It will learned, identify unmet needs and opportunities for further funding, and review the prospects for include formative and summative elements the future. It will be written in an accessible style and illustrated with graphics and case studies. in three overlapping phases, as shown The target audience will be HLF and other funders, the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Partnership, the on the following page: Scheme’s stakeholders and beneficiaries and, importantly, local communities and the wider public. The Report will remain accessible on the CCB legacy web pages as a resource for the future.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Consultant Report can be found in Appendix 4.

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Section seven: Legacy

<> Corn Bunting; Roy McDonald Bunting; Roy Corn 108 Monitoring and evaluation Monitoring and evaluation XX 7 7

The legacy of the Scheme as partners, create a common understanding, generate trust and give confidence for them Legacy a whole is to seek to change to commit to new ways of working. Capacity has been built into projects and staff roles to the way in which the Central deliver this. Nick Marriner • Landscape Partnership Development Officer, CCB Chilterns does its business For example, a Natural Heritage Advisory Group will be established, consisting of LPS staff and project partners, to ensure strategic Starting with the end in mind range of partners, each with a shared commitment to landscape-scale impact, Agreeing a common set and operational connections are made both Chalk, Cherries and Chairs sets out to deliver have worked collectively to develop a of Heritage priorities for between projects and with the wider work a wide-ranging and exciting set of outcomes package of interconnected projects, and the Chilterns delivered in the Scheme area. This Group that will achieve a step change in the scale this collaborative approach will be driven The new Chilterns AONB Management Plan will work closely with the Buckinghamshire of delivery of conservation activity and the throughout the delivery phase. (2019-2024) has been developed in tandem and Milton Keynes Natural Environment number of people engaged and caring for with Chalk, Cherries and Chairs and sets a Partnership to establish a two-way sharing the Natural and Cultural heritage of the This will demand a fundamental shift in the strategic framework for the Chilterns. of best practice. Central Chilterns. way in which organisations with an interest in creating a thriving Central Chilterns Chalk, Cherries and Chairs will bring to life The previous section on monitoring and landscape are challenged, supported and/or the aspirations of the Management Plan, evaluation set out how the outcomes of created to widen the scope of their work increasing commitment to creating and all the projects together will deliver more and the audiences they work with, and to tackling shared priorities on a landscape than their individual sums towards the develop their organisational capacity. scale. By engaging with a wider range of HLF Outcomes for Landscape Partnership partners, stakeholders, volunteers and new Schemes. This section looks at how the The following offers a summary of the legacy audiences: long-term legacy of the Scheme will vision for Chalk, Cherries and Chairs, with be secured. examples of ways in which it will be built • Specific strategic priorities for the area will into the delivery of the Scheme. be agreed The post-delivery maintenance and continued use of outputs, resources and • Opportunities to secure new sources of digital media produced by the projects long-term funding will be identified has been considered and a plan is in place • Common approaches to engaging with new to maintain them and ensure that they audiences will be tested continue to be used by and are accessible to a wide audience. • A wide range of opportunities for people to engage will be created. Each project will carry its own legacy as set down in the summary project plan in Part 2 In addition, we will support and influence

of this LCAP. These legacies are tailored to key decision makers in partner organisations Allen Beechey each project and audience and will build on to place greater priority on the Chilterns in Figure 2. Yellow may dun, a riverfly typical the enduring benefits that Chalk, Cherries their respective strategic planning, decision- of many Chilterns chalk streams making and resource prioritisation processes. and Chairs will leave. In addition, groups of local stakeholders, The legacy of the Scheme as a whole is Lessons learned during the delivery phase landowners, community groups and to seek to change the way in which the will directly inform the production of the volunteers will be formed in each of the Central Chilterns does its business, so it 2025-2030 Chilterns AONB Management seven Biodiversity Opportunity Areas to take works together more collaboratively, it Plan (which will be published in 2024) local decisions, generate resources and make uses resources more effectively and it meaning that the legacy of the Scheme connections to other opportunities. This is has a stronger basis on which to engage will directly influence long-term planning an identified priority in the Buckinghamshire more people in improving the resilience across the whole of the Chilterns AONB. and Milton Keynes Biodiversity Action Plan of their landscape. and so will tie into broader strategic plans. Planning and making The Chilterns Conservation Board is The Legacy Plan is rooted in developing McDonald Roy key decisions together and embedding genuine commitment Figure 1. Yellowhammer, an iconic sight comprised of members from Local It is already clear that there is an appetite to partnership working. A diverse and sound of Central Chiltern hedgerows Authorities, Parish Councils and Secretary of among partners to work together to build State appointees. DEFRA bodies such as the on the work delivered by Chalk, Cherries Environment Agency, Natural England and and Chairs. It will take time to engage all the Forestry Commission along with other

110 Legacy Legacy 111 7 7

• Targeted programme-based groups. Transforming volunteer The Scheme will work Specific groups will be established to engagement plan and deliver projects such as deer in innovative ways to By providing a partnership-led and collective management and training of volunteer approach, the offer made after the delivery species surveyors engage a broader and phase will ensure continued commitment more diverse audience Developing local and growth of volunteering across all areas Community Groups of heritage. who will develop a greater By supporting existing and/or new groups, Practical support will be offered to their capacity will be increased so they awareness, appreciation Community Groups to strengthen their can continue to engage volunteers and organisational capacity, policies and not become reliant on central investment. and understanding of processes to help them become more The Scheme will leave a co-ordinated resilient and self-sufficient. Community the area’s heritage. approach to volunteering through: Groups will be offered support, training Lindengate and advice for: • Co-ordinated advertising, signposting and Figure 3. Lindengate, a horticultural analysis, make it available to more people promotion of volunteering opportunities charity working with Chalk, Cherries and • Governance improvements (e.g. financial and interest groups to use, bolster wider Chairs, organises well-managed and active management, appointment of trustees) • A collaborative approach to engaging county and national data sets and inform community groups to carry out practical new volunteers from new audiences wider decision making. habitat management tasks • Volunteer recruitment, support and management • Comprehensive training and support non-governmental organisations, landowner resources Central Chilterns heritage representative bodies such as National • Communications (use of websites and for a new generation Farmers Union (NFU) and the Countryside social media) • A broader range of volunteering Audience development research has and Landowners Association (CLA), are not opportunities • Shared buying and use of tools, equipment highlighted high levels of engagement in the embedded in the formal decision-making • Trained volunteer leaders and training Central Chilterns landscape from traditional process of the Board. • Compliance (GDPR regulations, HR • Greater involvement of volunteers in sections of communities and in established Plans are in place to address this, and the processes, financial reporting). decision making activities. However, there are low levels of development of similar engagement and engagement among specific younger and Support will be offered through a package • Practical information, tools and equipment decision-making forums through Chalk, more diverse demographic groups and in offered directly by Community Impact to support volunteers Cherries and Chairs will lead the way to population centres such as High Wycombe Bucks (which specialises in this area of a Chiltern-wide partnership. • More knowledgeable communities able and Aylesbury. work), sharing best practice, and input to articulate the special qualities of local from LPS staff. The Scheme will work in innovative ways to landscapes. Building strong local engage a broader and more diverse audience groups that work together Building lasting relationships Working from a clear who will develop a greater awareness, Supporting neighbouring and like-minded with landowners evidence base appreciation and understanding of the area’s landowners, interest groups and community heritage. It will equip them with new skills, A single point of contact for landowners organisations to work together more By generating evidence based on its knowledge, confidence and opportunities to will be provided through the Landowner collaboratively is key to achieving long term experience and insight gained during Engagement Officer who will work on behalf legacy. This will be done in both structured delivery, Chalk, Cherries and Chairs of partners during the Scheme’s delivery to and informal ways by establishing: will help organisations to continue with build effective working relationships through effective long-term planning, engagement • Farmer clusters. Local groups of farmers which projects can be delivered. and decision-making. working together to deliver projects, The Scheme will find ways to motivate share resources, find solutions to specific Mapping of heritage features, tracking of landowners to become involved, and issues and access funding such as the habitat and species trends, and gaining provide co-ordinated training, information Facilitation Fund greater insight into our audience will all and practical support. In addition, and in help develop a greater understanding • Groups of like-minded organisations partnership with organisations such as among policy decision makers of changes such as Golf Clubs, Churches, Orchard the NFU, CLA, conservation organisations, in the wider landscape. By working with Groups and wider local Community heritage organisations and community McDonald Roy existing recording groups, they will be Groups to share best practice and ways groups, relationships will be brokered Figure 4. Purple emperor butterfly, found able to continue data collection and on a number sites across the Central Chilterns of working together to leave a trusting, informed and better- including on the Bradenham Estate and equipped network of landowners. Coombe Hill

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New and exciting partnerships will be established by working with non-traditional community groups, to create a wider Roy McDonald Roy platform for future projects Figure 5. Skylark, a constant companion on farmland walks in the Central Chilterns

engage practically with the landscape and – Biodiversity Action Plan become custodians of it. – Green Infrastructure Plan New and exciting partnerships will be • Many Local and Neighbourhood Plans established by working with non-traditional community groups, to create a wider Transferring learning and incorporating platform for future projects – changing new ways of working and best practice into forever the range of audiences engaging such plans will embed Chalk, Cherries and in the Central Chilterns. Chairs into a wider legacy across the whole Chilterns and Buckinghamshire. Attracting new sources of income Making it happen The Legacy Plan focuses on stronger – driving legacy from day one partnerships, clarity of purpose, collaboration and increased capacity to deliver. This will Accountability for legacy delivery will lie develop a foundation for accessing new and with the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Steering additional sources of funding and resources Group. Legacy planning will be a standing to support long-term delivery including: agenda item and a Steering Group member will be appointed as Legacy Champion to • Work with landowners to secure and/or ensure all areas of the Legacy Plan are being extend agri-environment schemes delivered and progress is regularly reviewed. • New opportunities for partnership funding Responsibility for the delivery of legacy from trusts and foundations will lie within the job descriptions and • Opportunities for collaborative approaches work programmes of staff and project to new funding bodies across heritage partners. This will form part of the work themes programmes for specific roles both within the core LPS team and/or staff appointed • Opportunities to prioritise existing by Delivery Partners. resources on specific projects and/or sites

Developing best practice and Chalk, Cherries and Chairs testing new ideas will achieve a step change During the delivery phase many important strategic documents, each seeking to in the scale of conservation address similar issues as Chalk, Cherries activity and the number of and Chairs, will be reviewed and rewritten: • Chilterns AONB Management Plan people engaged and caring (2025-30) for the heritage of the • Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Natural Environment Partnership: Central Chilterns

114 Legacy 1.1

www.chilternsaonb.org

Chilterns Conservation Board, The Lodge, 90 Station Road, Chinnor, OX39 4HA Telephone: 01844 355500

Front cover photographs (clockwise from top left): Roy McDonald; Gerry Whitllow; Jacky Akam; John Morris; John Morris; Lucy Murfett

Editing and design of report: www.goodthinkingcommunications.net (Emma Gough and Corinne Welch) 2 The story of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs