Foreword he AONB Partnership T herein presents its Annual Review for the year 2013 to 2014 - a year in which we have had many highs, Brian and Val at Buckingham Palace despite the financial austerity measures bestowed upon us, and many of our partners.

To highlight success at a time of cutbacks reflecting credit also on the Solway Coast seems particularly appropriate within my AONB family. Brian left school early and foreword and pride of place goes to the ended up with a Ph.D - which tells its delivery of our largest project to date the own tale. £3,400,000 Solway Wetlands Project. Finally, the only way to deliver these days is This is a large Partnership project primarily partnership working allied to serious voluntary funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund sector inputs with less fascination on process through their Landscape Partnership and a greater understanding of the private Scheme and its first year is highlighted sector potential. has made good within the text. Most public bodies are progress on this front over the last three years now firmly focused on delivery after years though it has not been an easy journey for of visioning and we are no exception. some. With our tiny core staff on the AONB This year also saw the opening of the we had to learn all this long ago. I wish to Hadrian’s Cycle Route from to thank our many partners, volunteers, . A bespoke off-road route at a stakeholders, Cumbria County Council, cost of £800,000 has been achieved with City Council and particularly our host the cooperation of a range of landowners, authority Borough Council, for their funders and stakeholders. It is a multi-use support, enthusiasm and love of the Solway path for walkers, cyclists and the disabled. Coast. This enables us not just to survive but to deliver way beyond our paper potential. Our long serving AONB Manager, Dr Brian Irving, was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list for his contribution to Nature Conservation and Heritage in William (Bill) Jefferson O.B.E. Cumbria. A fantastic personal achievement Chairman for Brian and shared by his family and Solway Coast AONB friends and an award thoroughly deserved, Joint Advisory Committee

2 State of the AONB 3

19% 33%

7224 m 86,418 m 14,193 m 13 The total population of the AONB The list of habitats and species of principal importance in is The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. Special Historic Sites: The most famous heritage site within the AONB that Wall terminates at is Bowness-on- Hadrian’s Military Wall Zone was Hadrian’s Solway. designated as a World Heritage site in 1987 and Roman monuments can be found throughout the AONB from Maryport to Beaumont. the AONB In contains: summary, 423 Sites and Monument Records (SMR) 102 Listed Buildings (4 x grade I, 6 x II*, 92 x II) 51 Scheduled Monuments 7 Conservation Areas (containing 65 SMR sites, 48 listed buildings, 8 Scheduled Monuments). 0 parks & gardens Public Rights of within Way the AONB: Access within AONB the is approximately 3220. The population increases significantly over the summer months due to tourists. Number of Parishes: Planning Authorities: Cumbria County Council Allerdale Borough Council Carlisle City Council 1 2 Length of Public Rights of Way Source: National Framework Data © Natural England copyright 2013 © Crown Copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey 100022021. The National Cycle Network Route 72 passes through Cycleway) the Wall AONB (the Hadrian’s and part of the Cumbria Cycle Way. Three long distance footpaths pass through the AONB: the The Hadrian’s Cumbria Coastal Way, and Path Wall the National Allerdale Trail Ramble which extends northwards along the shore as far as Grune Point. There are also 11.4km of Easy Access walks. Population: Length of National trails Open access as % of AONB area Accessible natural environment Countryside Stewardship linear access published by Defra (2008) under Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006. At the time of writing, it contains 56 habitats and 943 species. Section 40 of the NERC Act places a duty on all public sector bodies to have to regard biodiversity in their work. Statutory Instrument No. 490 as amended by the 2012 amendment regulations (Statutory Instrument No. 1927).

1.2 0.5 13.6 17.2 55.2 12.4 % agricultural land 77 32 862 786 1095 3507 6358 Estuary and Marsh, Area (Ha) The majority of the AONB,

115km square, 59 km of shoreline

Traditional Orchards Traditional Coastal and Floodplain Grazing Marsh Coastal Saltmarsh Coastal Sand Dunes Coastal Shingle Vegetated Deciduous Woodland Good Quality Semi-improved Grassland (Non-priority Habitat) Lowland Dry Acid Grassland Lowland Fens Lowland Heathland Lowland Meadows Lowland Raised Bog Maritime Cliffs and Slope Mudflats

• Species Within the AONB there are 8 Cumbria BAP species: Songthrush, Barn Owl, Brown long-eared Bat, Pipistrelle Bat, Marsh Bat, Fritillary, Natterer’s and Newt Great-crested (also Natterjack known Toad as Newt) Warty as well as a number of English priority species; 6 EU Habitats Directive ‘Annex II’ Species – Common Porpoise, Common Seal, Grey Newt; Great-crested and Marsh Fritillary, Seal, Otter, 7 EU protected species - Brown long-eared Bat, Common porpoise, Natterers Bat, Pipistrelle Bat, and Newt. Great-crested Natterjack Toad Otter, Crops/bare fallow Crops/bare grass Temporary Permanent grass Rough grazing Woodland Other land farmed area Total 1a Priority Habitats are present within the AONB: • • • • • • • • • • • • • Habitats: The following Biodiversity 2020 outcome The Solway Coast AONB was designated in 1964 and is one of 46 the AONBs. UK’s Size: Landscape Character: including two sub types, intertidal flats and coastal marsh; Coastal Margins including dunes and beaches, coastal mosses and coastal plain; and Lowland including low farmland, rolling lowland and drained mosses. Area by Land Use: around 55%, is farmland. Raised mires cover a further 10% and the remaining 35% covers areas such as settlements, sand dunes, saltmarshes, rivers and highways. of Agricultural Land Types Use: Land Use from ‘State the of AONB the 2013 Facts Facts and Figures’ ‘ 4 Consultation and Policyand Planning Strategic • including: schemes many on returned recommendations and comments with reviewed been have applications planning of range wide a months 12 last the Over AONB. the in developments proposed of impact the on comments specialist authority,submit AONB the planning local relevant the of invitation the At • • • • including: consultations and documents • • • policy and planning strategic of variety a on attended, workshops or submitted, were comments Formal West. North the in Parks National and AONBs the within intrusive visually most being lines replace to project five-year £5.4m a of part forms work This . Nursery,Mill Bank near undergrounded were cable of 230m and removed were poles 4 Amenity.year Visual This for VoltagelinesLow and High undergrounding for locations potential for West, North Electricity- of behalf on surveys more out carried AONB the 2013-2014 During Council. BoroughAllerdale for 62 and Council County Cumbria for Applications Planning 4 State, of Secretary the to Notification Appeal turbines,1 to relating Information Further 1 Consultation, Amended 1 Council, City Carlisle for considered were Applications Planning 14 Overall,

Irish Sea Conservation Zones Conservation Sea Irish National Grid – North West Coast West North – Grid National Applications for wind turbines wind for Applications for housing for buildings agricultural of Demolishing Small and large housing developments housing large and Small Maryport Development, Museum Farm Camp Reroofing and general house extensions house general and Reroofing panels tracker and panels solar mounted Ground and conversions and

adjacent to the AONB. the to adjacent immediately and within proposals development future any towardsapproach careful a developing in Authorities Local respective the assist should JAC the that agreement was there Also documents policy government and legislative of range a to responses national in assist to Beauty Natural Outstanding of Areas for Association National the to submitted was input of range A • • • • • • •

achieved in February 2013. February in achieved was This parcels. land other and Interest Scientific Special of Sites owned Allerdale for Stewardship Level Higher obtaining of process the in England Natural with Consultation development in Allerdale. in development structure vertical and turbine wind on Council BoroughAllerdale and Council County Cumbria England, Natural with Consultation 11th April 2014 April 11th on opened which Path Coast England England), (Natural Maryport and Allonby between Access Coastal for Proposals the on Consultation Cumbria throughoutprojectstowards funding allocating Trust,Environment WasteManagement Cumbria for panel Grants the of member a is Unit, AONB the of Manager AONB Assistant The October 2013. October Hadrian’s21st Cycleway,on opened which for Plans Site – Council County Cumbria Strategy June 2012 June Strategy Core – Plan Local Allerdale on Consultation Plan Wasteand Minerals Cumbria the of content the on Consultation – Council County Cumbria Power Station in 2020) in Station Power Nuclear Moorclosefrom line Grid National the of preferredroutesthe on Report Options Strategic published a for and Cumbria in projects generation energy new connecting for proposals initial its on Consultation and Meetings GroupReference (Stakeholder Connections

Partnerships 5

Over the past 12 months the AONB has maintained and developed links with the following local partnerships and initiatives: Irish Sea Conservation Zones Project Wetlands SolwayLandscape Partnership Scheme (SWLPS) Lakes College Trust West House Cumbria Trust Probation Archaeological West Cumbria Society Partnership and Members Cumbria Action Biodiversity Plan Partnership Way Cycle Hadrian’s Access Coastal Forum and Access AllonbyCoastal between and Whitehaven; as part of Natural Proposal for England’s the England Coastal Path. Scottish Natural Heritage Wath Sule Cross-border Project Interpretation Trust, Wall Hadrian’s Framework The UK Salt Atlantis, Ecosal Network: Ecotourism in Atlantic the Salt-marshes. West Lakes Research UCLAN, Centre for Wetlands Day World Conference West Fisheries North Action Local Group (FLAG)

Local Partnerships The Solway Coast AONB works alongside a wide variety of organisations, community groups, local landowners and volunteers advising on policy and undertaking activity that furthers the interest of the AONB and without whom the delivery of the Management Plan could not take place. Partnerships include: the Solway Coast AONB Joint Advisory Committee, a partnership of public, private and other organisations, which acts as a forum to advise and guide activity on a range of issues in the AONB and is important in monitoring, implementing, reviewing and producing the AONB Management Plans; the Solway Firth Partnership; Marine Conservation Society; Local Access Cumbria Tourism; Trust; Wall Forums; Hadrian’s Western Partnership; Lake Friends District Tourism of the ; Cumbria Cycle Coordination Group; Sustrans; Cumbria Management Waste Action with Environment Communities Trust; in Cumbria; Cumbria Service; Voluntary Scottish Natural Heritage; Cumbria County Council Cumulative Structures in Vertical Cumbria Study; Cumbria Access Forum; Local Enterprise Partnership; Heritage Skills Initiative; Coastal Learning Network; University of Cumbria; Countryside Network; University Volunteer of York; Coastnet; Pisces; North West Coastal Forum; and Action Group; Amphibian Tourism and Reptile Conservation; Dumfries and Galloway District Council; Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust; United Utilities; National Grid; Electricity North West; Age Concern; the Solway Wetlands Landscape Partnership Project (HLF funded), comprising the Royal Society for the Protection of Cumbria Wildlife Birds, Environment Agency, Trust, Natural England, the Western Lake District, The Diocese of House Carlisle, Museum. and Tullie

Working Working Together Partnerships Partnerships

Regionally of all the 46 AONBs in England, Wales and The Solway Coast AONB has attended 2 Northern Ireland. Some of the important meetings held by the Northern Group of AONBs, NAAONB activity has included: one in Arnside and Silverdale AONB and the • Securing continued central other in Howardian Hills AONB. government support and funding The AONB has been represented at meetings • Fostering a good understanding including the Historic Seascape Character for the Irish Sea (NE), Coastal Planning for the Marine and support for the AONB Family and Access Bill (Defra), Scottish Government • Working to develop national Rural Affairs and Environment Committee, identity for the AONB family Undergrounding for Visual Amenity, North West Coast Connections, the National Grid’s • Working on collaboration and consultation on initial proposals for connecting communications as an AONB Family new energy generation projects in Cumbria. • Lobbying and influencing Ministers and other senior figures in Government National Partnerships and Opposition parties The AONB team has regularly participated in • Commenting on national strategies. a number of events organised through the National Association for AONBs (NAAONB) to One important piece of work was to share skills and training opportunities with our coordinate the reconfirmation of AONBs colleagues from other AONBs. These include as internationally recognized and protected National AONB meetings for Lead Officers landscapes under the International Union and Chairmen, Management Skills for Nature Conservation (IUCN) Category Development and National Communications. V classification. Every AONB partnership, During July the NAAONB with Dedham Vale, including the Solway Coast, provided Norfolk Coast, Suffolk Coast and Heaths further evidence to demonstrate that they AONB Partnerships and the Broads Authority continue to meet high standards hosted the Landscapes for Life – Conference demanded by the IUCN. 2013. The theme was water. Management of water is one of the most important challenges A major focus for the NAAONB has been that the global economy will face over the to develop a national identity for the next decade. The conference considered the AONB family alongside the individual local part that the UK’s Protected Landscape approach to awareness raising. This will Family has in ensuring that our water systems add strength to the common national objectives, also being developed. are well managed and our environment is safeguarded for future generations. The NAAONB’s electronic Basecamp Forum continues to be widely used and The Solway Coast AONB Partnership has is proving invaluable for exploring current supported and endorsed the NAAONB on a issues with other AONB teams to wide range of initiatives undertaken on behalf circulate good practice.

6 Raising Awareness & Understanding & Awareness Raising

Media Coverage and Publicity Guided Walks, The AONB continues to work closely with national, regional, local press and publications Events & Shows to help promote the AONB on behalf of a wider partnership. The Solway Coast AONB has continued This has resulted in 1 television interview, to maintain a high 2 radio interviews, 2 articles in the Solway Firth public profile by Partnership magazine ‘Tidelines’, 1 article in attending a number ‘Allerdale Outlook, 85 local press articles, of events, where bi-monthly Volunteers Newsletter and the people from all ages Spring/Summer ‘AONB Coaster’ magazine. and backgrounds The AONB and Discovery Centre leaflet were able to source has also been distributed widely. information. These included: Attending the opening ‘The Solway Coaster’ of the Hadrian’s Wall and Volunteer Newsletter Cycleway on 21st The Solway Coaster October; attending 2 magazine continues to be Cumbria Volunteer Service meetings to published and gives an recruit volunteers; Allonby Ploughing Match to promote the AONB and the Solway overview of the work Wetlands Landscape Partnership Scheme; undertaken by the AONB attending and organising the World Wetlands unit, partners, volunteers Day Conference at West Lakes Science and the community. Park; attending the opening of Silloth Green; It highlights the 6 Ranger given talks to various groups; varied achievements organising the 11th Annual AONB North of all involved in Style Hedgelaying Competition; projects within the attending the North West Coastal Forum AONB and includes Conference in Fleetwood. an events diary. The Solway Wetlands Landscape Partnership Scheme staff also held many events The Volunteer including: a Marsh Fritillary day; a ‘Bioblitz’; Newsletter is produced every a landscape photography course, a night two months by Rose Wolfe time ‘Bogsploration’, and a Mediaeval Fair and Graeme Proud, and promotes news at Holme Cultram Abbey. and volunteer events to all Solway Coast The public also enjoyed some fascinating Community Volunteers and the wider public Volunteer Coordinator led walks including via Tourist Information Centres between Bird Watching walks on Grune Point, history Workington and Carlisle. All events are also walks around Bowness on Solway, Port posted on the Solway Coast AONB website. Carlisle and Allonby, wildlife watching on Campfield Marsh, and many more.

7 HWC-M.03.02.03 Allonby South 840 x 594 (A1) DRAFT 4 HWC-IP.14.03 Salt Pans Scale 1:1 840mm x 594 mm Radius corners 20mm - Vault

A7 A74(M) 5 A47(M) A7 A 5 Hadrian’s Wall Hadrian’s Wall A7 7 Gretna H adrian’s Wall Bowness on Solway Hadrian’s Wall Newcastle Newcastle rth Fi Drumburgh ay Silloth Carlisle Carlisle lw Silloth Carlisle o Carlisle A S 96 7 B5300 5 Allonby A6 A 95 Salt Pans A5 M6 Maryport A595 M6 W e l co m e t o the Allonby Welcome to the Allonby A596 Maryport Fron t iers of the F r on t i e r s of t h e Saltpans Roman Empire Cockermouth Roman Empire Maryport 6 A6 Ravenglass Ravenglass World Heritage Site Keswick World Heritage Site Cockermouth

Tides and Curre nt s Oystercatchers Allonby Bay and Ringed Plover Saltpans Mostly gently shelving, Please consider the breeding it can mean a long walk and roosting birds which The wide bay lies between the towns of Maryport and to the sea at low tide, nest in the strandline Before the invention of refrigeration, meat and fish were preserved although the top of the vegitation from April using salt. Vast quantities were required in Anglo-Saxon times Silloth and is popular with families, walkers, cyclists, and beach rises more steeply. to June. They are easily disturbed. kite and windsurfers. The beaches are a when salt extraction was the third biggest industry after farming St John’s Church Crosscanonby mixture of sand and and fishing. In the church of St John in Crosscannonby pebbles with some is the tomb of local Salt Tax Officer, John The dunes are important for breeding and roosting birds such as large boulders sprinkled Smith, who died in 1730. The tomb has an around the bay, unusual panel showing the Salt Officer Oystercatcher, Curlew and Ringed Plover. Many wild flowers thrive which should be Salt was extracted by collecting sea water in tanks on the foreshore working at his desk. in the dunes including restharrow, wild thyme, bloody cranesbill, noted and avoided where it was left to settle. It was then pumped into the upper tank as the tide moves. before flowing into the pan-houses. In large iron pans the saltwater yellow rattle, and birds foot trefoil. The rare Natterjack toad may Help us look after the AONB There is a cross-shore was then boiled, evaporating the water to produce salt crystals. also be found in the dune system. This is a protected species and current running about We hope you enjoy your visit to Allonby, please consider others and follow 400-800 metres off these guidelines so everyone can enjoy this special place. permission is needed to handle it. In common with all shorelines, shore, following the tide. For the safest wind • Please do not throw stones, logs or litter into the beck beyond the car park You can still see two circular stone-lined tanks amongst the sand the bay has its share of problems regarding erosion from storms - this is a flood risk. surfing, it is sensible to dunes with mounds of the waste made of burnt clay, brick, clinker and and the action of wind, waves, tides and currents. When enjoying sail only on a rising tide. • Be safe, plan ahead and check the tide times. Let someone know where you Saltpans this special area please take care not to cause further damage to The prevailing South are and supervise children. cinders. At low tide you can also see two timber structures which were The Crosscanonby saltpans Westerlies coming off the • Leave property as you find it and take your litter home. are the best preserved probably part of a seawater collection system. direct-boiling saltworks the fragile dune grassland or shingle shoreline. Irish Sea provide most of • Keep dogs under control and clean up after them. in England. the wind for windsurfing • Always obey flags and notices for your own safety and be aware of soft in Allonby Bay. Natterjack Toad sands/muds exposed at low tide. Look or listen out for the rare • No motor vehicles, fires or barbeques on the beach, grass or dunes. and protected Natterjack Toad, The Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is The forts, milefortlets and signal stations Drawing The Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is The Solway Coast is also part of the recognisable by the yellow stripe • No overnight camping or caravanning on the coastal car parks or dunes. an internationally important landscape, containing a variety along the Cumbrian coast are part of the The Crosscanonby saltpans an internationally important landscape, containing a variety Frontiers of the Roman Empire World on its back or loud rasping call. of fragile habitats and many Sites of Special Scientific Frontiers of the Roman Empire World were built in 1634 and of fragile habitats and many Sites of Special Scientific Heritage Site. Forts, milefortlets and signal • Help protect plants and animals; do not disturb nesting birds in the shingle Interest. It has a unique character that is treasured by visitors Heritage Site. They are testimony to one probably closed in the late Interest. It has a unique character that is treasured by visitors stations can be found along the coast from and dune grasses and do not remove spawn or tadpoles from ponds. and those who live and work here. Sustainable management of the World’s greatest civilizations whose 1 7 0 0 s . and those who live and work here. Sustainable management Bowness on Solway to Ravenglass. Allonby South RESCUE - To contact the nearest Coastguard dial 999 and ask for ‘Coastguard’ is essential to ensure this character endures. legacy continues to be seen and felt today. is essential to ensure this character endures. © Countryside Agency/Charlie Hedley

www.visithadrianswall.co.uk www.visithadrianswall.co.uk The Hadrian’s Cycleway Project: connecting Maryport and The interpretation panel has been funded by Natural England, Allonby was funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Hadrian’s Wall Heritage and Allerdale Borough Council, with the Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas and is Frontiers of the Roman Empire advice and support of Cumbria County Council and English Heritage supported by the Rural Development Programme for England for which Defra is the managing authority.

New Signage and Interpretation Panels

Hadrian’s Wall Trust working in partnership At the same time new Hadrian’s Cycleway signs with the AONB have produced new signage to were produced with the same partnership. promote the AONB, Hadrian’s Wall and All the new panels have been carefully designed Hadrian’s Wall Country. All the previous AONB and located along the Cycleway to give boundary signs and information signs have information about the Roman history of the area been replaced with new branding and and local history of places along the route. improved information.

Solway Coast AONB Annual Conference

The Annual Solway Coast AONB Mark Graham – Conference which was held in Beaumont Grampus Heritage Village Hall, on Friday 7th June 2013. and Training, The theme was ‘A New Future for Solway presented Landscapes’. Duncan Fairburn, Vice Chair ‘Community and Bill Jefferson, Chair of the JAC, Archaeology: welcomed and introduced the speakers. researching the impact These included, Alex Sijpesteijn - Solway of the Cistercian Monks Wetlands LPS Project Manager, David on the ’, Tallentire - Solway Wetlands LPS Wetlands talking about the Officer and Naomi Hewitt - Solway Wetlands various digs at Wolsty

Raising Awareness & Understanding LPS Education Officer, talking about the and Holme Cultram. entire project including habitats work on the Katie Read – Destination Manager West Solway Wetlands and public engagement on Cumbria Tourism, presented ‘Growing Natural the Solway Wetlands. Tourism’ talking about the importance of our Norman Holton - RSPB Senior Sites Manager, environment on Tourism. Cumbria Coast Reserves, presented the Following the presentations there were a series ‘Solway Wetland Centre – building for the of questions and answers, then a buffet lunch future’, talking about the development of followed in glorious sunshine! Campfield Barn.

8 Working with the Community the with Working

Solway Coast Community Volunteer Group Tasks and events lead by Graeme Proud, the Volunteer Coordinator, have included:

• 8 guided walks, including 1 on RSPB • Christmas social with guest speaker Reserves, ranging from coastal walks, • 26 tasks on and Wolsty Banks history walks, to bird and wildflower SSSI, removing scrub, gorse and walks invasive weeds, management of the • 33 workday events at Crosscanonby dune infrastructure including boardwalk Carr Reserve, continuing the removal and repair, signage painting, management and improvements on site, dogs teeth installation, and removal of including boardwalk repair and rewiring old fencing and palings. the bridge, cutting and baling the • Natterjack toad pond liner maintained on meadow grass, weed control, coppicing, Mawbray Banks and work on Grune flood damage repairs, clearing the beck Point working in partnership with the and removal of fallen trees. Amphibian and Reptile Trust • 2 volunteer recruitment sessions and • Annual Hedgelaying Competition, slide shows organising, stewarding and marshalling • 10 beach litter picks in partnership • Attendance at 2 Northern Group with other volunteers including Silloth Meetings of AONBs, and meetings with School, BTCV and business groups, Hadrian’s Wall Volunteers and 5 surveys, including birds and Countryside Volunteers Network Natterjack toads (some volunteers have undertaken independent toad surveys for the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust • 4 working days at the historic Saltpans site, removing overgrown vegetation and opening up the site for visitor interpretation. • 10 events to clear and maintain the Milefortlet 21 pathway

9 • 3 workdays strimming and maintaining Beckfoot Burial Ground (old Quaker burial ground) • 2 days painting the AONB signs around the coastal car parks • 17 days working on partnership sites with Natural England, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and RSPB Reserves • Various activities were also carried out with Brampton School, Caldew School and Silloth School, including weed removal and litter picks • 5 days with Cumbria Probation Trust erecting a fence round Allonby Green

Causewayhead Women’s Institute continue to improve and upgrade the garden in front of the Discovery Centre with mulch provided by Allerdale Borough Council. There have been many other opportunities for the wider community to be involved in and there are at present over 160 volunteers on the database. The AONB Partnership expresses its gratitude to the volunteers for giving their own time to help us protect the AONB landscape and wildlife for all to enjoy. Over 2432 volunteer hours have been most generously provided over the last year. Graeme Proud, Volunteer Coordinator, has worked full time with the Community Volunteers during the year. Working Working with the Community

10 Projects Solway Wetlands Landscape Partnership Scheme

Having started in January 2013 with the appointment of staff, the period April 2013 to March 2014 has been a busy one for the Solway Wetlands Partnership.

We were delighted to open the Solway Wetlands Centre at RSPB Campfield Marsh, just west of Bowness-on-Solway. This is a fantastic site with a whole range of wetland habitats, fantastic view of the Solway, an energetic team of staff and volunteers, but until the Project came about, there were no facilities to allow the public to enjoy and monitoring bird populations. Much work has discover the wildlife of this important site and been carried out this year by the Project Team, the wider Solway. This small visitor centre was Natural England, Butterfly Conservation and sensitively and environmentally converted local communities improving habitat for the from a disused barn and boasts an exhibition, marsh fritillary butterfly, a species that is learning room, tea and coffee making gradually being reintroduced after going extinct facilities, toilets and car park, including from Cumbria several years ago. We are starting disabled access. It is open every day and at to see these beautiful butterflies around the weekends is staffed by volunteers. Finglandrigg area, and there are plans to Forthcoming work on site includes a wildlife extend this next year. discovery area, two new circular trails, new Lots of activities have taken place across the waymarking and new boardwalks across the Solway Plain aiming to get more people bog, allowing more people to access and involved in discovering the natural and cultural explore the landscape. heritage of the Solway and to encourage them With similar objectives, October 2013 saw the to explore the wider wetland landscapes and start of work to improve the visitor experience places on the Solway. at Holme Cultram Abbey in A programme of events have taken Abbeytown. This 800 year old UK place in many locations, the national monument was the centre highlight being Medieval Christmas of cultural life of the Solway, and the at Holme Cultram Abbey which was Cistercian monks had a huge a wonderful event organised by the impact on the landscape and how hard working community of people used it. Central to this Abbeytown. Our Learning Officer project is the construction of an has involved schools in a series of exhibition introducing the history of workshops at RSPB Campfield the Abbey and its landscape, as Marsh, Finglandrigg Wood NNR well as the conversion of a row of and Tullie House Museum and Art cottages into an accessible building, Gallery. Volunteers have carried out with a tea room and toilets. Good progress is tasks with many partner organisations in the being made, and the complex will be project area, along with our two apprentices. complete later in 2014. The Hidden Heritage archaeology project has Central to the Solway Wetlands Landscape proved to be a very exciting year, with lots to Partnership Scheme is working with farmers get involved in - archive research, geophysics, to support them in improving their land for fieldwalking and a summer excavation at wetland wildlife through higher level Wolsty Castle, south of Silloth. stewardship schemes, and our Wetlands Officer has carried out a variety of projects across the Solway Plain supporting farmers, carrying out bog restoration projects and To find out more about the project, visit www.solwaywetlands.org.uk or contact us at [email protected] and 016973 33055. Naomi Hewitt: Project Manager

11 The Eleventh Annual North Cumberland Style Hedgelaying Competition and Training Event

Held on Saturday 15th February, at Southerfield House, Southerfield near Abbeytown, by kind permission of Mr and The event succeeded in discussion and Mrs G Wilson and Sons, the event proved exchange of ideas, improvement of skills, to be popular and spectators gathered to excellent performance of competitors with watch the fine skills of the competitors in a wide age range and promotion of the this traditional craft. style of hedgerows in the Solway area. Projects This year the judge, Mr Gordon Wilson, A training event was also held on the same commented that the standard of the day with 13 trainees being taught the skills competition remains excellent and the by National Hedgelayer, Jasper Prachek trainees produced a very well laid hedge and and they produced a very well layed hedge hedgebank. The competition keeps alive the and hedgebank, despite the persistent tradition of the North Cumberland Style of rainy conditions. hedgelaying which provides a unique feature Prizes were presented by Allerdale of the field boundaries of the Solway Plain Councillor Mark Fryer. landscape. Volunteers from the Solway Coast Today's hedgelayers are as much concerned Community Volunteer Group acted as with conserving our countryside as with stewards for the day and also in the setting making stock proof hedges. We now have a up of the event. much greater knowledge of wildlife and how, well-managed hedges are essential both to The Solway Coast Area of Outstanding the appearance and the well-being of the Natural Beauty, who organised the countryside. competition would like to thank the following funders and sponsors for their This event aims to maintain the traditional generosity to make the event possible: skills of the North Cumberland style of hedgelaying, maintain the distinctive hedge Solway Wetlands Landscape Partnership structure of the Solway Plain, improve Scheme (part Heritage Lottery Fund), biodiversity and move towards species rich Rickerby Ltd, WM Plant, Dryden Ward hedgerows, train and educate young people Fencing from Brayton, , Cumbrian in the skills and promote traditional hedge Newspapers Ltd, Aspatria Farmers Ltd, maintenance to a wider community. Mr R Wills and landowner Mr G Wilson.

12 Projects

Undergrounding for Visual Amenity

A £20k project to remove electricity Mike Dugdale, programme powerlines and restore the coastline delivery manager for Electricity near Mawbray on the Solway Coast to North West, said: its original beauty has been “We’re delighted to have removed successfully completed. these overhead powerlines in this Electricity North West, the company that beautiful area of Cumbria to help manages and owns the region’s power further enhance the area’s natural network, has permanently removed four beauty. electricity poles and replaced 230m of overhead lines with underground cable. “We understand that powerlines can The company, which last year also removed stand out and we work with AONBs 1km of overhead power lines in the area, and National Park Authorities to worked alongside the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and consider schemes that will Natural England to successfully replace the successfully improve the visual powerlines with 240m of underground cable appearance of an area. to improve views. The work forms part of a £5.4m five-year “By removing overhead lines and project to replace lines identified as being placing it underground we are also most visually intrusive within the National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural providing the local area with a more Beauty in the North West. reliable and efficient supply of Throughout the project the AONB has electricity as the new cables will not worked very closely with Electricity North be susceptible to bad weather and West and are delighted that they were also able to work to ensure the protection of strong winds.” the local Natterjack toads.

13 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS APRIL 2013 - MARCH 2014 Solway Coast AONB Solway Coast AONB Financial Summary Financial Summary Income 2013-2014 Expenditure 2013-2014

£7,000 £9,358 £900 £500 £1,620 £4,090 £15,000 £2,910 £3,269

Finance £15,000 £21,931

£25,000 £119,511 £45,947

£15,195 £135,513

£4,600 DEFRA (CORE) £10,150 Local Authorities (CORE) DEFRA Solway Wetlands Landscape Partnership (Project) Solway Wetlands Landscape Partnership Scheme - Salaries, PAYE, NIC Pension & Travel Holme Cultram Abbey Project Accommodation/Office Equipment Solway Wetlands Landscape Partnership Scheme - Partnership Budget PR, Events & Research Management Plan Review Central Support - Allerdale Borough Council Income brought forward 2012/13 Solway Wetlands Landscape Partnership Project (SWLPS) SWLPS Holme Cultram Abbey Project Higher Level Stewardship 10 Year Programme Management Plan Review For Allerdale Owned Land Parcels Solway Coaster Summer 2013 income eXPENDITURE Office Equipment £11,176 £2,750 Contribution - UCLAN Conference c/fwd 2014/2015 - Management Plan Review Balance c/fwd into 2014/15: £8,426 c/fwd 2014/15 - Misc.

Solway Wetlands Landscape Solway Wetlands Landscape Partnership Scheme Partnership Scheme Committed Income Expenditure Oct 2012 - Mar 2016 Apr 2013 - Mar 2014

£3,006.84 £589,900 £22,853.63 £144,200 £5,795.78 £94,494.02 £126,858

£75,000 £50,000 £15,000 £1,883,200 £237,922.46 £1,400 £168,000 £347,473 £21,000

Inkind time RDPE Salary costs Volunteer time RSPB Projects HLF CWMET Travel & Training Management and Maintenance AONB Office Costs HLS TBC and subject Promotional Materials Water Framework Directive to change

14 JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS JAC APRIL 2013 - MARCH 2014

STATUTORY BODIES (2) Steve Lund/Simon Humphries Natural England Steve Garner Environment Agency

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTED MEMBERS (5) * (subject to local government elections) Cllr. Duncan Fairbairn Cumbria County Council Cllr. Val Tarbitt/Cllr. Tony Markley Cumbria County Council Cllr. Peter Kendall Allerdale Borough Council Cllr. Bill Bacon Allerdale Borough Council Cllr. Les Tickner Carlisle City Council

PARISH COUNCIL REPRESENTATION (4) LEAD GROUPS Mike Bacon West One John Molyneux West Two Cllr. Vaughan Hodgson East One Phil Rowland East Two

TOWN COUNCIL REPRESENTATION (2) Cllr. Bill Jefferson Silloth Town Council No representative Maryport Town Council

COMMUNITY (4) Sue Gallagher Port Carlisle Community Group Barry Maxwell Lakes Area of Ramblers Hellen Aitken ACTion with Communities in Cumbria No representative Bowness on Solway Community Group

LOCAL LAND OWNERSHIP & MANAGEMENT ISSUES (4) No representative Country Land & Business Association Jack Ellerby Friends of the Lake District Jane Lasky Senhouse Roman Museum Norman Holton RSPB

TOURISM & COMMUNITY SECTOR (2) Richard Greenwood / Katie Read Cumbria Tourism Jim Worsnop Solway Coast Community Volunteer Group

15 Produced by: Acknowledgements: Photographs by: Brian Irving (HELM images), Solway Coast AONB Partnership Rose Wolfe, Graeme Proud, Charlie Hedley, Liddell Street copyright Countryside Agency, FWAG, Land Use Consultants, Naomi Hewitt, Silloth on Solway David Tallentire, West Cumbria Archaeological Cumbria CA7 4DD Society, Electricity-North West, Royal Society Tel: 016973 33055 for the Protection of Birds, Danny Moores, Fax: 016973 33013 Natural England, Nikki Wingfield, Sustrans. www.solwaycoastaonb.org.uk Solway Coast AONB Partnership is a member of the National Association of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NAAONB). The Association is an independent organisation acting on behalf of AONBs and their partners to promote, conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the 46 areas designated as AONBs in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. The NAAONB is funded by Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales and partner membership subscriptions.

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