DEDHAM VALE & STOUR VALLEY NEWS News and Visitor Information for the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Free Spring/Summer 2017 . 3 1 e g a p e e s - r u o t S r e p p u e h t n i s e t a r b e t r e v n i d n a h s Could your i f r o f s t a t passion for the i b a h r e v i r environment g n i c n a h become a n e f f a t s y c career in n e g A t n e conservation? m n o r i v n E Meet those who’ve d n a s r done just that e e t n u l o V Pages 7-9 y e l l a V r u o t S Rural skills and crafts Communities at work Getting to grips with nature at Assington Mill in the Hedge laying in Steeple Bumpstead The Stour Valley Educational Network heart of the Stour Valley Page 4 Page 14 (SVEN) shares ideas Page 5 DEDHAM VALE & STOUR VALLEY NEWS www.dedhamvalestourvalley.org 1 Your AONB The future of the natural Messages from the Chairmen environment n the wake of the EU Referendum, the House of Commons Environmental Committee has Iproduced a lengthy report entitled The Future of the Natural Environment. Post-Brexit, the environment’s future will be determined by Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) and DexEU (Department for Exiting the European Union). The report’s authors emphasise that Defra Councillor Nigel Chapman Robert Erith TD DL must ensure that the links between agriculture On the front cover: Braintree MP James Cleverly; Councillor and the environment are given sufficient James Finch, Suffolk County Council; Robert Erith, AONB Chairman, Dedham Vale Chairman, Dedham Vale prominence within DexEU. Recommendations Partnership Chair; Councillor Nigel Chapman AONB JAC Chair; Simon Amstutz, AONB Manager; South Suffolk MP AONB and Stour Valley Joint AONB & Stour Valley include: James Cartlidge. Advisory Committee (JAC) Partnership • The Government to commit to legislation for a new Environmental Protection Act, ensuring that the UK has an equivalent or better level Blueprint for beauty and he value of tourism in the Stour Valley in ord Gardiner has been appointed of environmental protection as in the EU 2015 was £96m, a significant balance as the Defra Minister responsible for • The Government to assess resources contribution to its economy and, as landscapes, which include Areas of T L necessary to replace existing EU environmental he Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley the AONB Team, we are proud to contribute Outstanding Natural Beauty such as the funding to ensure that farm businesses remain Management Plan for 2016-21 was to that. A metaphor I sometimes use for the Dedham Vale. He is a hardworking and viable, and that animal welfare, food security launched at Flatford in late 2016. At the valley is that of a swan swimming serenely effective countryman and knows Suffolk T and food safety are protected launch, attended by a wide range of partners, on the river itself. It is a thing of natural well. He will be principal guest speaker • That the EU negotiations address the impact James Cleverly, Braintree MP, said he saw the beauty but under the surface much hard at our Annual Forum at Shrubs Farm of international issues, including future trade Plan as a “good springboard for collaborative work goes on to maintain it! Barn, Lamarsh on Friday 16th June 2017. arrangements, on the UK environment and working,” and James Cartlidge, South Suffolk Book early as we expect a high level of agriculture Much of that work is undertaken by MP, said: “It is incredibly important for future interest. • That Government establishes the volunteers, which I was pleased to recognise generations that we look after… the best parts environmental objectives and governance at a recent event for our own group. I was of our countryside.” The Project recently organised a meeting model to be used for any future land also privileged to see the sterling work with local MPs to ask Lord Gardiner why management payments The Plan guides the work of the fifteen undertaken by locals at the archaeological reviews to AONB boundaries were taking • That Defra ensures that plans for post-EU organisations who make up the AONB dig in Nayland in the autumn. so long to determine. The Minister asked environmental co-ordination between the Partnership, and seeks to balance the need how they knew whether large numbers countries of the UK see funding allocated fairly of the different sectors, ensuring that the A wonderful example of what we do well is wanted the extension. A brief survey and transparently. AONB and Stour Valley remains an example of the combination of volunteers with external was circulated to people living in and the finest landscape in the country. It sets out a funding from Essex & Suffolk Water that will working in the valley, asking if they want In the AONBs we have many sites that have vision for the area and strategic topics offer see over 500 trees planted throughout the the Dedham Vale AONB extended up the EU designations to help conserve their special guidance on how the area should be managed: valley this winter. Stour valley towards Sudbury. A large qualities. These designations recognise their Countryside; Residents and Villages; Enjoying number responded, almost all entirely value, not just locally, but as internationally In addition to our core funders, District and the Area; The River & Its Tributaries; Climate in agreement. This response in favour recognised habitats. Continued legislation County Councils and Defra, we receive Change; and Working Together. of a boundary review will be forwarded is essential for the future of the UKs generous donations from a number of parish to Natural England to encourage them environment. In 2015 Suffolk’s Nature Strategy councils and from our two stalwart amenity It is an aspiration of the Partnership to work to look at the application at the earliest was produced, setting out the vision for the societies for specific projects which this year together to secure a high quality landscape in opportunity. future where it’s “intrinsic value, as well as will go towards further river enhancement. the Dedham Vale its importance to our economic growth, is and Stour Valley The Project’s new five year Management increasingly understood, whilst the people of I recently attended an interesting underpinned Plan was launched last December and it Suffolk and our visitors are able to gain better conference in London on Landscape post by sustainable has been reviewed very positively by the access to enhanced enjoyment and a deeper Brexit. We were told that legislation regarding economic growth. East Anglian Daily Times and other media. understanding of its unique qualities.” the historic environment is largely enshrined It sets out the aims and objectives of the Copies of in UK law but a lot of that relating to the Project, how they will be achieved, and the Plan are natural environment will need to be certain policy initiatives which will ensure Outstanding Landscapes – available from repatriated. the whole Stour valley is managed in a way the AONB which will maintain and enhance its invitation to 2017 Forum website or The future of the UK’s Agricultural Policy natural beauty and special qualities. is the challenge and quite how the he Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley office. Government will shape that waits to be Examples of this are the river restoration Forum is our annual celebration, where seen. However, there is no doubt that ‘natural projects which will benefit wildlife and Twe discuss issues affecting the area and capital’ will be a key concept as far as the restore some aspects of the river which showcase AONB Project achievements. This future management of our countryside is have been neglected in recent years. There year it is titled Outstanding Landscapes: Good concerned - this may disturb those tranquil is also emphasis on the importance of for the environment, health and economy. waters! sensitive use of land by farmers, aided by a high proportion of the area currently in Leading the day of discussions will be Lord The Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Julie Countryside Stewardship and Higher Level Gardiner (Minister responsible for AONBs) and Young, and I invite you to join us on 22nd Stewardship. We must hope that the the CEO of the National Association for AONBs, April for a sponsored walk along the Stour replacement to these schemes after Brexit Howard Davies. The Forum is held in Lamarsh Valley across the Ward I represent on will be as environmentally attractive. on Friday 16th June 2017. Email dedhamvale. Colchester Borough Council. I’ll be [email protected] to book your place. accompanied by Councillor Tim Young, the The plan also stresses the importance of Flatford views revealed Mayor’s Escort. We are raising money for her flourishing rural communities and supports charities (Beacon House, Open Road, Signpost, the establishment of community owned One of the most famous landscapes The Rob George Trust and The Invicta facilities such as pubs and shops. immortalised by artist John Constable has been Foundation) and for our own Stour Valley Tranquillity and dark night skies are also improved thanks to a £180,000 project by UK Environment Fund. Full details are on the key aspects to be treasured and preserved. Power Networks to remove 1.5km of overhead AONB website. power lines. More on this in the next edition.