CONSERVATION BOARD

2014/2015 A N N U A L R E V I E W O F T H E Chilterns Conservation Board Caring for the Chilterns

Celebrating Parish50 years & former 1965county boundary - 2015 hedge between Radnage & Stokenchurch CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD

In this year of many anniversaries we also involving a large number of volunteers in have, in the Chilterns, our own anniversary. varied tasks and carrying out conservation It is 50 years since the Hills received national work which will have an impact for years to protection and recognition, and were come. I very much enjoyed attending some of designated as one of the country's finest the events the Projects ran. landscapes: the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Conservation Board will In 2014, our Chief Officer, Steve Rodrick, lead the celebrations for this year's golden retired. Steve worked enthusiastically to care anniversary, a landmark which provides an for the Chilterns for 20 years, first as AONB opportunity to reflect on the unique Officer and then as Chief Officer of the countryside that we are still all able to enjoy Conservation Board, which he was today and on the achievements of the last 50 years. instrumental in establishing in 2004. His contribution to the AONB was widely acknowledged. The Board's achievements Unfortunately, work to defend the Chilterns AONB from the under his management are numerous, and we all wish Steve proposals for HS2 has continued to take up large amounts a happy and well-earned retirement. of Board time during the year. A comprehensive petition was sent to Parliament's HS2 Select Committee, making the Kath Daly, the Board's Countryside Officer, was appointed case for protecting the Chilterns from the huge damage Acting Chief Officer from January 2015 and much of her and disruption caused by the project by proposing (along time was devoted to supporting the members in carrying out with the local authorities affected) to place the rail line in a management review. After 10 years of operation it was a fully-bored tunnel under the whole AONB. We have been right to look at the Board's internal processes and its lucky to have highly relevant expertise, on both railways external relations at a time of uncertain and declining and landscapes, amongst the Board's members and I am public funding. Kath stepped up to the plate magnificently grateful to members and staff for all their hard work this and I would like to thank her for her very hard work over year. this crucial period.

During 2014-15 we saw two major projects move to a I am grateful to the Board's members for their contribution conclusion: the Commons Project and the Box Woodland this year and to the staff team for their dedication during Project. Both were funded through the Heritage Lottery this difficult time. I would also like to give thanks to those Fund with a range of partners, and enabled the Board to Board members who stood down during the year: Dr Simon raise the profile of some of the AONB's historic, cultural Mortimer, Cllr Roger Metcalfe, Cllr Chris Richards, Cllr and wildlife treasures. The Chilterns' commons are a source Marion Mustoe and Cllr Jeremy Ryman. of fascinating social history, and box is a fine grained wood used for intricate carved work, such as musical instruments. These projects have been hugely successful, Ian Reay, Chairman

Bradenham village near High Wycombe ISSUES AND TRENDS 2014 – 2015 has been another year of successful activity including the Chilterns Farm Advice Project, the Chalk despite many changes and considerable pressures faced. Streams Project, the Chilterns Box Project and Chilterns Commons Project as well providing a Rural Skills training It is clear that people care passionately about the AONB. programme and support for practical management. The public appetite for activities which engage, inform and inspire them about the Chilterns has continued unabated 71% of all woodland in the Chilterns (and 79% of ancient and the Board provides and supports an enormous range of woodland) is considered to be benefitting from some form opportunities from Open Farm Sunday, the Countryside of woodland management. This is an impressive Festival and conferences on hill forts and commons to achievement but there remains more to do to look after our night-time events, school projects, art competitions and woodlands, not least in the face of climate change and training for volunteers to help monitor our chalk streams. pests and diseases. The Board has continued to support the work of the Chiltern Woodlands Project to provide With two major Heritage Lottery Fund projects drawing to invaluable assistance and advice to woodland owners. an end this year (Chilterns Commons and Box Woodlands), it is timely to mention the outstanding contribution of over With ongoing threats from major infrastructure and housing 350 individual volunteers to the work of the Board and development pressures, the planning–related work of the these projects in particular. Without their enthusiasm, skills Board is crucial. In the current year this has entailed and commitment these projects would not have been provision of training and advice for local authorities, possible. Work has started on a proposal for a Chilterns commenting on planning applications and development Hillforts project which, if successful, will be a new plans and organising events such as the Buildings Design opportunity for people to engage with the heritage of the Awards (jointly with the Chiltern Society) and the planning AONB. conference.

Recognition of the contribution of special landscapes such Engaging with wider audiences and promoting better as the Chilterns to the economy and the health and well- understanding of the value of the AONB to the environment, being of society is slowly growing. Around 260 million the economy and society is key to securing a sustainable people visit National Parks and AONBs each year, spending future for the Board and its work. It is heartening to see the in excess of £6 billion pounds. Within this, there are 55 year-on-year increases in take up of information via the million visits to the Chilterns AONB. As we face the future website, social media, e-bulletins and leaflets. Celebrating and anticipate further cuts in government support it is the 50th anniversary of the AONB in 2015 will provide worth recalling that public spending on AONBs and National opportunities to enthuse more people than ever before Parks is currently less than £1 per person per year. about this very special place. Sustainable tourism and support for the local economy is an increasing area of focus for the Board, this year reflected in continued support for the growing Chilterns Tourism Kath Daly Network. Projects such as Cycle Chilterns have Acting Chief Officer demonstrated their value to the local economy, not least through helping to secure a stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race in the Chilterns.

With the new Countryside Stewardship scheme replacing Environmental Stewardship and Woodland Grant schemes from January 2015, it is as yet unclear what the implications of the new scheme will be in the AONB, particularly in light of funding restrictions. Against this backdrop of uncertainty the Board has continued to provide advice and support to farmers/land managers, local groups and volunteers through wide-ranging initiatives Chalk Habitats Day 2014 at College Lake near 1 Conservation and Land Use

The Board has continued to challenge government and the promoters of HS2 to meet statutory obligations towards the AONB. Along with many other petitioners, the Board is presenting the case for a fully-bored tunnel throughout the Chilterns as the best means for mitigating harm to the landscape, local communities and reputation of the AONB.

Countryside Stewardship is the name of the new scheme replacing existing agri-environment and woodland grant schemes. Much work has yet to be done to clarify the opportunities available to landowners and land managers within the Chilterns, though concerns remain over the levels of funding available.

The Chilterns Farm Advice Project, a joint initiative at Warden Hill, just north of Luton, in October, between the Board and the Environment Agency, drew to welcoming 60 professionals and volunteers representing a close with advice given to farmers managing some many organisations and groups from across the AONB. 7,155ha within 29 holdings. It has helped farmers to Significant areas of scrub were cleared to increase the achieve more sustainable land management practices area of open grassland. that will assist their business and improve soil and water Open Farm Sunday on 8th June again proved very quality. popular. Four events were promoted via the AONB Over 40 people attended the Chalk Grassland Managers' website, with staff and Board members helping at both Day held at BBOWT's College Lake Nature Reserve in July Field Farm near Lewknor and Shiplake Farm near Henley. to look at early succession and mosaic habitats managed Over 50 attended the Farmers' Forum in May held at by the Wildlife Trust at this former chalk quarry and Crowmarsh Battle Farm near Wallingford. The theme was geological SSSI. Farm-Based Renewable Energy, many taking the 14 chalk grassland and woodland sites across the AONB opportunity to visit the anaerobic digester plant at benefited from a programme of practical scrub Benson. management including 10 volunteer work parties in The 'South of England' style of hedgelaying was taught at partnership with the Buckinghamshire Natural two courses held at Bosmore Farm, near Henley and Environment Partnership. Goring Heath Parish Hall in January. 12 trainees laid over The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and 90m of hedge altogether. Our thanks to our expert Northamptonshire hosted the annual Chilterns' scrub bash trainers: Nigel Adams and Martin Wise.

Chilterns' Scrub Bash at Warden Hill near Luton 2 Woodlands

Tree pests and diseases are an increasing concern, with Acute Oak Decline affecting oaks just one of a number of problems. The threat of Ash Dieback is getting closer to the Chilterns and it is probably just a matter of time before it starts to have an impact on the AONB. Ash are one of the most important young trees in the Chilterns and are a feature of many of the areas affected by storm damage in 1990 and also in hedgerows. They are also one of the few native broadleaved trees found in the Chilterns that rarely suffer bark stripping by grey squirrels which has greatly reduced the quality of the younger beech and oak.

New applications to the English Woodland Grant Scheme administered by the Forestry Commission came to an end during 2014 to be replaced by a new Countryside Stewardship grant scheme. We have yet to see if this will lead to more or less woodland management!

The Board's primary means of promoting woodland management was by providing office accommodation and financial support to the Chiltern Woodlands Project. With this support the Project:

Gave advice and assistance to 57 woodland owners covering 661ha of woodland. Developed long term woodland management plans and arranged felling Woodland work in Hobbshill Wood, near Great Missenden consent. Helped owners to organise practical work in their woods with contractors and volunteers on 27 sites. Published one edition of News of the Woods which Held two training days in Pigotts Wood on woodland included the annual report and a review of 25 years work. archaeology attended by 23 trainees. Organised the Chilterns Woodland Conference with nearly Held fully-booked tree identification courses for both the 60 participants. Box Project and Commons Project at Wendover Woods. Promoted the use of wood fuel, including visits to HG Gave guided walks in the Chiltern Society's Bottom Wood Matthews Brickworks at Bellingdon, which is now a major and gave talks to other groups on woodland management user of both woodchips for drying bricks and logs for firing and history of Chiltern woods. traditional glazed bricks. Box Woodland

The Chilterns is one of the few places in the country where the native box tree (Buxus sempervirens) grows wild in the countryside. The largest native box woodland in the country lies on the Chilterns escarpment above Great Kimble, Buckinghamshire. Since January 2013, the Chilterns Box Woodland Project has been working with local volunteers, landowners and others to improve the conservation and appreciation of box heritage. The Conservation Board secured a grant of nearly £80,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for this project.

Over 70 individuals assisted the Project. A broad range of 284 people enjoyed nine events, including guided walks organisations are working with the Project, including the through box woodlands, talks and a day looking at the art Forestry Commission, European Box and Topiary Society, and history of boxwood printing at the Frogmore Paper Society of Wood Engravers, Chiltern Society, Royal Mill near Hemel Hempstead. Horticultural Society, National Trust and Kew Gardens. 15,000 Chilterns box seeds were sent to the Millennium Volunteers contributed to field surveys, historic research Seed Bank at Kew and 407 box plants were grown at the and events. National Trust's Plant Conservation Centre, from Chilterns Over 300 records of box located in the Chilterns were cuttings supplied by the Project. gathered together into one dataset and detailed A guide to managing box trees and box woodlands in the information is being developed for significant locations. countryside, a first of its kind, was drafted. Volunteers looked through historic maps, herbarium collections, diaries, newspapers and more to trace the A set of education resources on box, aimed at children history of box in the Chilterns landscape. aged 7-11 was put together. These include activity sheets, a number of short films and a box of physical objects A free exhibition of box wood objects, art and photos was available for loan. held at Wycombe Museum as part of Bucks Open Studios in June. 3 Chalk Streams

The winter of 2013/14 turned out to be the second wettest on record in the Chilterns since 1921, bringing record groundwater levels and high flows in all of the area's rivers. For a brief period in 2014, the number of chalk streams in the Chilterns rose to eleven with the Bourne Gutter and the rarely observed Assendon Stream re-appearing. The additional water led to flooding, disruption and to the pollution of many rivers with sewage. The R. Chess and Hughenden Stream were particularly badly affected with sewage being released or pumped into them well into the summer months. With the return of more clement weather in the spring, groundwater levels soon lowered to more normal levels allowing the pollution and flooding issues to subside.

The Chilterns Chalk Streams Project (CCSP) supported the Eight visits were made to sites along five of the Chilterns' Environment Agency and Wild Trout Trust in holding a rivers to give advice on river and riparian management series of habitat enhancement workshops in April and May and to assist with the development of enhancement on the rivers Gade, Bulbourne and Misbourne. Over the schemes and five talks were given to local groups. five days, more than 40 people received training in enhancement techniques and 600m of river was The CCSP continued to work alongside co-hosts enhanced. Groundwork South, under the banner of the Colne Catchment Action Network, securing £18,500 to support A scheme to enhance two sections of the R. Wye at the continued development of Defra's Catchment-based Desborough Recreation Ground in High Wycombe was Approach for the Colne and its tributaries. In October, completed in July. Led by Wycombe District Council and the Network launched its catchment plan for the Colne supported by the Wild Trout Trust and the CCSP under the online. umbrella of Revive the Wye, the £80,000 scheme involved the re-naturalisation of 420m of river. In November the World Wildlife Fund launched its review of the State of England's Chalk Streams. The report, The CCSP provided funding and support to an which the CCSP contributed to, sought to review progress enhancement scheme on the lower R. Ver. Led by that has been made towards their improvement in the Countryside Management Services, the decade since the Environment Agency's own report into £33,000 scheme involved an extensive programme of tree the health of the country's chalk streams. management work, in-stream habitat enhancement and installation of a new interpretation board.

The CCSP provided £1,000 to Revive the Wye for the purchase of vital tools and equipment for their conservation volunteer group.

Working in partnership with the River Chess Association, the CCSP continued its highly successful Trout in the Classroom project with five schools in the Chess Valley participating.

In partnership with the Hertfordshire Living Rivers Project, the River Chess Association, Friends of the Mimram, The Riverfly Partnership, Environment Agency and Affinity Water, the CCSP set up a Riverfly training hub for the Chilterns, Hertfordshire and Middlesex area. The hub ran five workshops in 2014/15, training five Riverfly tutors, over 50 new monitors and helped set up and support new groups on 10 rivers across the hub area including the Gade, Bulbourne and Wye.

In February, the CCSP organised a Riverfly Day on behalf of the Chilterns Herts & Middlesex Riverfly hub. Fifty delegates attended the event held at Latimer Park Farm in the Chess Valley.

The CCSP's Annual Forum was held on 8th July 2014 at The Box Moor Trust Centre near Hemel Hempstead in the The R. Wye at Desborough Recreation Ground in High Wycombe Bulbourne Valley. Over 40 delegates attended. after restoration work 4 Commons

There are about 200 commons in the Chilterns, covering over 2,000 hectares, or 2.5% of the Chilterns AONB. 75% of them are less than 5 ha, now often fragments of a once-larger common. Since its launch in September 2011, the Chilterns Commons Project has been reconnecting people with their commons. This £500,000, four-year project receives 75% of its funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with volunteer time and contributions from 19 financial partners, including the Chiltern Society, making up the balance.

The Commons Project funded practical work to restore Following a regional competition open to all ages, the valuable habitats on 11 commons including scrub Project exhibited 36 artworks inspired by Chiltern clearance, tree work, heathland restoration and pond commons during the autumn at Arts4every1 in High restoration. The Project also funded the restoration of Wycombe. the Victorian water filter in the common pond at In January, 130 people attended a history conference at Woodcote, and produced and installed new information which the results of new research into the social and boards on nine commons. cultural use of Chiltern commons was presented. A new Working in partnership with local experts, the Project book, Our Common Heritage, containing the research funded pond surveys on commons at Cadmore End and can be downloaded from the AONB website and is in Ibstone; a geological survey of Marlow common; every public library in and close to the Chilterns AONB. botanical surveys on the Five Knolls at Dunstable Downs, The Project also commissioned new research into ways and bryophyte and vascular plant surveys on Nettlebed that commons which are no longer in agricultural common. management can be used to serve the needs of their The Project ran 17 training workshops which provided local community. The research papers contain some 317 training places for those who own and/or manage inspirational ideas on options for new uses including: as commons in the Chilterns, usually on a voluntary basis. sites for outdoor education for all ages, as natural Topics ranged from the legislation which affects playgrounds and venues for a wide range of recreational commons to habitat management and species activities, as important habitat for our wildlife in a time identification. of changing climate. They are available in a new publication called Local Spaces : Open Minds. The Project provided £1,200 in small grants to enable friends groups to buy equipment (e.g. dormice scales, Volunteers contributed more than 110 days of their chest waders and bat boxes) and run events about their time, worth over £15,300, on projects instigated by the common for the local community. Commons Project. They researched local history and recorded oral histories; carried out practical work; During the summer term, children from Chorleywood devised and produced a series of seven new self-guided Primary School learned more about the history and circular walks across commons; took photos and much wildlife of Chorleywood Common. The children had more. guided walks, went pond dipping, made sculptures on the common out of natural objects, and created their own sketch books and maps. Common art at Chorleywood was facilitated by James Aldridge of Creative Ecology and Alistair Will of Outdoor Culture helped with the project.

School children on Chorleywood Common 5 Planning and Development

Major infrastructure projects continue to threaten the Chilterns, the most significant being the proposed High Speed 2 rail line. The Board submitted a petition on HS2 to Parliament seeking a full-length bored tunnel under the whole of the Chilterns AONB. Mounting pressures on local authorities to plan additional housing also led to an increase in major housing schemes both in the AONB and in its setting.

The overall winner of the Chilterns Buildings Design The Board submitted formal comments on 19 Awards, offered jointly with the Chiltern Society, was development plans and other documents. These ranged the restoration and extension of a listed house at 5 from local plan documents, to government consultations Windsor End, Beaconsfield. It was awarded for the on national policy, and to Luton airport proposals combination of delightful design, careful use of affecting flights over the Chilterns. 13 of the materials, the creation of an oasis within the centre of representations were on Local Plans or Transport Plans the building and the courage involved in taking on such a prepared by planning authorities within the Chilterns project. A highly commended award was given to the AONB. Four submissions related to Neighbourhood restoration of a farmhouse and conversion of attached Development Plans within the Chilterns, including, for buildings at Marchants Farm, Bovingdon, and a special the first time, neighbourhood plans containing significant award went to a new open fronted barn at Lower Farm, housing allocations, such as those for Henley and Britwell Salome. The Awards have been organised Harpsden and Sonning Common. annually for the last 16 years. The Board was consulted on 120 planning applications and submitted detailed comments on 20 of these. The majority were major residential schemes, others were solar farms, a crematorium and a waste transfer station. Of the 15 applications objected to, 10 have now been determined and of these 60% were decided in line with the Board's advice, a slight decrease on 68% from the previous year and something we will continue to monitor.

The Board was involved in the provision of training and advice for local authorities, professional and educational bodies. We organised two AONB Planning Forums, one in May and one in November.

We held the 12th annual Chilterns Planning Conference in Amersham, and it was attended by 40 delegates from 22 different organisations. The theme was 'Pressures on Protected Landscapes – How will the Chilterns Cope?'. Delegates considered a number of issues including the implications of developments in fracking for the Chilterns, good practice advice on planning from English Heritage and what impact the new Local Economic Partnerships may have on protected landscapes.

5 Windsor End, Beaconsfield, winner of the 2014 Chilterns Buildings Design Awards. 6 Activities and Learning

Wildlife and farming events once again proved popular this year, with a particular highlight being Open Farm Sunday at Field Farm, Lewknor.

The Board's work (under contract to Natural England) to 23 'Wildlife on the Move' events were held in conjunction provide educational events at Aston Rowant National with Hobbs of Henley Ltd and Chinnor and Princes Nature Reserve continued. 16 schools enjoyed joint Risborough Railway. One new volunteer guide was visits to the Nature Reserve and Field Farm, Lewknor. trained. This generated £900 for the Board. The 25th anniversary of the reintroduction of red kites Night-time wildlife-related events were once again to the Chilterns generated much media coverage. The popular: three summer evening glow worm walks and range of red kite-themed merchandise generated a net the October lantern walk attracted over 300 people and income of over £1,500 which was invested in wildlife raised over £670 for the Board. awareness-raising work. Volunteer talks on red kites raised over £800. Education activities were delivered at whole-day school events. (One day each at Englefield Estate near Reading and Ewelme Park Estate near Henley). Education consultancy work with primary schools and further / higher education establishments brought the Board a total of £380.

The eighth Chilterns Countryside Festival at the Ashridge Estate, jointly organised by the Board and the National Trust, had over 110 stands promoting locally-produced food and crafts and local environmental organisations. Around 5,000 visitors attended, and a net income of over £7,000 was generated.

The Board helped to organise an Open Farm Sunday event in partnership with Field Farm, Lewknor and Natural England. This was the first event of its kind at this venue. More than 850 people attended. Open Farm Sunday at Field Farm, Lewknor

Historic Environment

A second conference on the hillforts of the Chilterns was A grant of £250 from the Chilterns AONB Special Projects held in October 2014, which attracted 90 delegates and Fund to Chinnor Parish Council supported a project to raised over £1,100 for the Board. plant trees to commemorate the war dead of Chinnor and surrounding villages. 35 volunteers were trained to survey hillforts for the national Atlas of Hillforts in Britain and Ireland project The Chilterns Commons Project supported work to (led by Oxford and Edinburgh Universities). research, protect and promote historic features on many commons. A conference on the history of commons The Board published two editions of Chilternsaetna, the attracted 130 attendees. newsletter about the historic environment of the Chilterns. A commemorative WWI edition was produced in August 2014 and a second edition in January 2015.

152 copies of the booklet Famous People of the Chilterns were sold, raising £600 income.

Six Famous People of the Chilterns talks were given to local groups by staff and volunteers.

Volunteers at Ivinghoe Beacon being trained in surveying hillforts 7 Recreation and Access

The Ridgeway National Trail received a boost with the development of a new Ridgeway Trail Partnership and the creation of a new Ridgeway Officer post. It is hoped this will help secure more investment in the future, to improve facilities along the Ridgeway corridor and increase its usage.

The Cycle Chilterns project achieved the following: The Board played a leading role in the formation of The Ridgeway Partnership, which came into being on 1st A Bike Hire hub was established in Great Missenden in April 2015, and also helped to secure funding and partnership with the Bicycle Workshop. There are 12 support for a new Ridgeway Officer post. The Chilterns' bikes available for hire, including two electric bikes. own Ridgeway marketing programme has progressed, Guided bikes rides for beginners and ladies took place with new web pages on the Chilterns AONB website and around Great Missenden regularly during the summer two new Ridgeway walking short breaks. and encouraged approximately 40 riders who haven't A study commissioned by the Board, on behalf of a ridden for many years to get back on their bikes. number of parish councils and local community groups, The Project helped to secure a stage of the Tour of found that tourism activity in the part of the AONB that Britain professional cycle race, which passed through would be affected by the building and operation of the the Chilterns to finish in Hemel Hempstead on HS2 rail line generates around £80 million annually. This September 12th. In total, the stage had around 220,000 provides a clear indication of the scale of loss to the spectators, was watched live on ITV4 by 500,000 people local economy that may occur if HS2 goes ahead. and had an economic impact of over £3 million. Around A number of Chilterns Country Walks were updated and 30% of spectators surveyed said it had encouraged them reprinted, including the Chinnor Circular Walk and the to ride more. Views of the Thames Walk. Cycle route guide leaflets and web pages were produced for some Gateway towns including Great Missenden.

140 children took part in summer cycle training courses and another 40 took part in basic mountain bike skills training sessions at the Aston Hill bike park.

The Cycle Chilterns website had over 22,000 visitors and contains around 60 cycling articles including information and maps for 20 cycle routes.

The Project was extended to September 2015 to complete Great Missenden cycle parking improvements, off-road trail into Wendover Woods and cycle guides for all Gateway towns.

` The Chilterns Tourism Network (CTN) has increased its membership to over 170 tourism businesses. The Visit Chilterns website had 72,000 visits, a 109% growth compared to the previous year. The CTN's activities included:

Organised the Chilterns Big Weekend in March 2015 in collaboration with Visit Bucks, with over 15 businesses participating.

Organised an on-line Bucks and Chilterns Christmas Promotion in December 2014 in partnership with Bucks Business First.

Two networking events for tourism businesses took place providing updates on various tourism initiatives. The first included a social media training session and attracted 30 attendees. The second focused on Chilterns food and drink, with 26 attendees.

The Tour of Britain races towards Saunderton on September 12th 2014 8 Information and Interpretation

The Chilterns AONB’s 50th anniversary year in 2015 is a wonderful opportunity to promote this special landscape and everything that goes on to protect it. Publicity for the anniversary began in January 2015 and will continue over the following months with many activities and events planned.

There were 212,561 visits to the AONB website during Nine electronic Board newsletters were circulated. the year, an average of 17,713 per month which was 16% The Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2014-2019 was up on the previous year. Over 60,000 leaflets and other published in May 2014. publications were downloaded. The Board had a stand at two major events during the The AONB Twitter and Facebook accounts were summer. frequently updated and increased in popularity by over 40%. A booklet on Famous People of the Chilterns was promoted and six talks on the theme of famous people 13,000 each of two editions of the Board's magazine were given to groups around the Chilterns. Chalk and Trees were distributed. The Our Land regional sustainable tourism project 88 delegates representing 35 organisations attended the developed an online Landscape Ambassador training quiz Chilterns Annual Forum in November 2014 at the Kings for the protected landscapes of the south east. Church in Amersham. The Board continued to support the National Association Over 25,000 walking, cycling and general information of AONBs and attended the Association’s national leaflets were distributed via libraries, information conference in July. centres, visitor attractions and at events. The Board supported interpretation projects at Naphill 28 press releases were sent to the local media, near High Wycombe and Yoesden Bank near Stokenchurch. generating at least 100 press articles and mentions, 11 radio interviews and three TV interviews. 17 articles written by the Board were published in local and national media.

In the bluebells at Cowleaze Wood 9 FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2014/2015

This report is based on the Financial Statement approved by the Board on 25th June 2015. The Audit Commission had not completed its audit at the time of publication of this Annual Review. A copy of the auditor's report will be available from the Board when it is published and will be posted on the Board's website.

Expenditure Income

Countryside Management £341,261 Defra £412,868 Recreation and Access £ 41,798 Local Authorities(3) £106,291 Planning and Development £ 95,086 Other(4) £261,268 Promotion and Awareness £140,674 Governance(1) £ 34,891 Management and Administration(2) £140,531 Other costs £ 2,702

Total £796,943 Total £780,427

Excess of expenditure over income £ 16,516 Notes From Earmarked Reserves £ 16,516 (1) Includes members' allowances, personnel and legal costs (2) Includes premises, office costs, IT, and finance charges (3) Local authority contributions to core costs The expenditure includes VAT which the Board is not able to (4) Includes local authority and others contributions to project reclaim.

SMALL GRANTS

The Conservation Board is keen to support high quality projects which enhance the Chilterns and people's enjoyment and understanding of the area. It gives out a number of small grants every year to individuals, community groups, charities and other organisations.

Examples of projects that received grants in 2014/2015 include:

£3,000 to the Berks Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust for two interpretation boards and a sign at their new Yoesden Bank Nature Reserve near High Wycombe.

£1,500 to a project led by the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Natural Environment Partnership to identify ways of getting more people involved in conservation volunteering and to build links between organisations and volunteers.

£300 to Chinnor Parish Council for a project to commemorate the 36 men from Chinnor and Henton who lost their lives during WW1. Nine specimen trees were planted in various spots around the villages and a map board installed by the war memorial to show their locations.

£725 to The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust for work to conserve Nowers near Tring and Alpine Meadow near Berkhamsted, two of the finest chalk grassland sites in Hertfordshire.

A tree being planted near Chinnor to commemorate local men killed in WW1 10 A Board Members walk through Sarratt, July 2014

CONSERVATION BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2014/2015

Cllr Mr I Reay Chairman Appointed by the Secretary of State Mrs Helen Tuffs Vice Chairman Dr H Barrett-Mold* Dr S Mortimer Mrs A Doggett Mrs H Tuffs+* Nominated by Local Authorities Mrs Gill Gowing+ Mr I Waller Cllr Mr B Bendyshe-Brown Buckinghamshire C C Mr R Payne* Mrs E Wilson+ Cllr Mr I Reay* Hertfordshire C C Cllr Mr D Nimmo-Smith* Oxfordshire C C Elected by Parish Councils County Cllr Mr C Richards+ D C Mrs M Goldsmith Bedfordshire Cllr Mr J Ryman+* Chiltern D C Mr A Penn+ Buckinghamshire Cllr Mr D Collins+ B C Mrs B Wallis+ Buckinghamshire Cllr Mr D Taylor Luton B C Mr S Deacon Hertfordshire Cllr Mr D Barnard+ North Herts D C Mr J Griffin* Oxfordshire Cllr Mrs M Mustoe* Central Bedfordshire C Mrs J Wells* Oxfordshire Cllr Mr A Walters* South Bucks D C Cllr Mrs L Lloyd South Oxfordshire D C Executive Committee Cllr Mrs W Jordan Three Rivers D C Board members marked with an asterisk * Cllr Mr R Metcalfe Wycombe D C Planning Committee Board members marked with a +

OFFICERS Acting Chief Officer Kath Daly Chalk Streams Officer Allen Beechey Finance Officer Chris Smith Commons Project Officer Rachel Sanderson Planning Officer Colin White Box Woodland Project Officer Sarah Wright Acting Countryside Officer Neil Jackson Administration Officer Donna Webb Activities and Learning Officer Cathy Rose H R Advisor Sally Chapman Information and Interpretation Officer Claire Forrest Clerk to the Board Deirdre Hansen Access Officer Annette Venters

11 CONSERVATION BOARD Caring for the Chilterns Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in South East England MILTON Banbury KEYNES London and the South East Region

National Parks

Cotswolds Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Aylesbury Main Urban Areas OXFORD Chilterns Amersham Abingdon High Wycombe GREATER 0 50km North SLOUGH LONDON READING Gravesend Margate Wessex

Downs Bracknell Chatham Newbury Canterbury Kent Downs Woking Aldershot Sevenoaks Maidstone Deal Reigate Basingstoke Guildford Andover Surrey Hills Crawley Royal Ashford DOVER Tunbridge Cranbourne Wells Chase Folkstone Winchester and High Weald West Wiltshire Downs South Downs

New Southampton Hastings Forest Chichester BRIGHTON Bognor Worthing Eastbourne PORTSMOUTH Regis Chichester This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised Harbour reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. ©The Countryside Agency 2003 Licence No. 100018881 Isle of Wight

There are 46 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK and they show huge diversity, from the Isles of Scilly to the extensive moors of the North Pennines. The National Association for AONBs is an independent body which promotes the family of AONBs in England and Wales.

BARTON-LE-CLAY THE CHILTERNS - AN AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY M1 Hexton The Chilterns was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1965, in Lilley HITCHIN

recognition of its beautiful landscape which is amongst the finest in the country. DUNSTABLE LUTON The Chilterns AONB covers 833 sq kms and stretches from Goring in south Oxfordshire through Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire to Hitchin in Hertfordshire. It has a Whipsnade population of 80,000. Ver Grand Union Canal Markyate HARPENDEN

Aldbury TRING Gade Gaddesden The primary duties of the Chilterns Conservation Board are to conserve and AYLESBURY HEMEL HEMPSTEAD enhance the natural beauty of the AONB and, in so doing, to increase the WENDOVER BERKHAMSTED M1 Bulbourne understanding and enjoyment by the public of its special PRINCES RISBOROUGH CHESHAM M25

qualities and to foster the economic and social well-being CHINNOR Gt. Missenden M40 PRESTWOOD

of local communities. Colne Hughenden Chess STOKENCHURCH Stream AMERSHAM WATLINGTON Misbourne River Thames HIGH CHORLEYWOOD BENSON WYCOMBE BEACONSFIELD

Hambleden CONSERVATION BOARD WALLINGFORD Brook Wye MARLOW M40 Chilterns Conservation Board office River Thames HENLEY-ON-THAMES M25 The Lodge, 90 Station Road, Chinnor Oxon OX39 4HA GORING M4 Tel: 01844 355500 Fax: 01844 355501 Email: [email protected] M4 READING N 0 5 10 Kilometeres Website: www.chilternsaonb.org 0 6 Miles

Download copies of this report from the website www.chilternsaonb.org Acknowledgements The Board would like to thank all the Photos supplied by: c Conservation Board, Chris Smith, and John Morris. volunteers that contributed to its Cover photos (front) - Walkers at Dunstable Downs. Tine harrow at Goldhill Common. The Tour of Britain cycle race. work during 2014/2015. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty