Above: New AONB Gateway Sign, Crayke RECREATION AND ACCESS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Following completion of the major 5-year programme of A major new initiative in 2005/06 was the launch by refurbishment work to path furniture on Rights of Way DEFRA of a Sustainable Development Fund for AONBs. in the AONB, 2005/06 saw a number of smaller issues Initially for one year only, it was subsequently extended being tackled. Minor works were completed over the for a further two years. £73,000 was distributed in whole path network; more complex path routing issues the Howardian Hills, allowing us to assist a variety of put to one side during the main programme of work projects addressing environmental, social and economic have been re-examined; and we have developed a objectives. This is an important new grant fund, volunteer group to assist with path condition surveying. complementing the work we carry out on improvements to the natural beauty of the AONB landscape. In 2005/06: In 2005/06 the Sustainable Development Fund • New fi ngerpost signs and gates were installed at assisted: Above: Orchard restoration course at Slingsby various locations throughout the AONB, continuing the improvement programme Above: New gates, Colley Broach Road, Ampleforth • The installation of a new waterwheel and • The upgrade of a footpath to bridleway status has PUBLICITY generating equipment at Howsham Mill AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN been negotiated for the majority of a path between • The creation of a wildlife garden at Welburn Gilling and Ampleforth In preparation for the NAAONB Conference, we took Following publication of the Management Plan in July Primary School 2004, an important role of the AONB Unit is to promote • Legal Orders were placed to resolve a route issue the opportunity to develop a range of new publicity • Repairs to Swinton Band Room the Plan to other organisations and ensure that their near Westow material. Eight new display panels were produced, for use either singly or in combination. These describe • Advice to farmers on re-cycling waste plastic work programmes help in achieving AONB objectives. • 8 volunteers have been recruited to survey the the AONB, its national context, the work of the AONB condition of Rights of Way in the AONB • An eco-renovation survey of Bulmer Village Hall Committee and examples of grant-aided work. A In 2005/06, AONB staff linked the Management • Architect’s fees in designing a new Village Hall for • New handgates were installed on a gated road general leafl et about the AONB was also published and Plan into many other strategies, including: Welburn between Ampleforth and Newburgh subsequently distributed to Tourist Information Centres • Litter was removed from at least 12 sites in the and accommodation providers. • A hydro-power survey of mill sites in the AONB • Ryedale District Council Local Development AONB, on a regular basis • An orchard restoration training day Framework In 2005/06, we: • A business plan for apple juice - cider - brandy • Hambleton District Council Local Development production Framework SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION • Maintained the 14 AONB Gateway Signs • North Yorkshire County Council Minerals and • Obtained at least 48 known press mentions for Waste Local Development Framework 2005/06 was the second year of our AONB Discovery projects/AONB, equivalent to at least £44,000 of • North Yorkshire County Council Rights of Way Project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. It advertising space HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB Improvement Plan is a 5-year programme of educational work with local • Commissioned a new set of display boards FACT FILE primary schools. Each year 6 schools spend a day • North Yorkshire Renewable Energy Study learning about the AONB, both in the classroom and • Published and distributed a new general • The Howardian Hills covers 204 sq. km (79 sq. miles). • Yorkshire and Humber Assembly Regional Spatial out on-site. A Young Ranger Club in the school holidays information leafl et about the AONB • The area was confi rmed as an AONB in 1987. Strategy shows children features of the natural world and local • Published and distributed our annual Newsletter • About 5,800 people live in the area. • Environmental Stewardship Scheme development culture that can be found all around them. (AONB News) in October 2005 • Over 15% of the area is wooded. • English Woodland Grant Scheme development • Published and distributed our Annual Report in • A64 improvement studies In 2005/06, the programme consisted of: December 2005 • North Yorkshire and York Cycle Tourism Strategy • Maintained the AONB website, which received AONB CONTACTS Discovery Days x hits during 2005/06 AONB Offi cer • Welburn CP – 21 pupils • Attended Ryedale Show, with our new display Paul Jackson • Slingsby – 21 pupils boards [email protected] • Foston CE – 12 pupils Assistant AONB Offi cer • Husthwaite – 28 pupils Liz Bassindale • Terrington Hall Prep – 27 pupils [email protected] • St Benedict’s RC, Ampleforth – 26 pupils AONB Administrative Assistant Young Ranger Club Sue Wright (part-time) [email protected] • Minibeast Safari – 27 children, 4 parents • Wet & Wild – 30 children, 8 parents The Mews, Wath Court Hovingham, York • Time Travel – 13 children, 5 parents YO62 4NN • Rocking with Geology – 32 children, 4 parents Supported by Telephone (01653) 627164 • Weather & Kites – 26 children, 6 parents Fax (01653) 627167 www.howardianhills.org.uk Photos: AONB Unit, except Front Cover (Whitfi eld Benson) Annual Report 2005/06 Above: Discovery Project day at Hovingham 5 6 1 5391_HHAONB_Report_revC.indd 1-3 23/5/06 8:57:40 am In addition to initiating and grant aiding work itself, Officer Steering Groups CONSERVING AND ENHANCING CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD NATIONAL ACTIVITY the AONB Unit also gives advice to applicants and/or NATURAL BEAUTY The Core Funders Group convened on its regular The Howardian Hills AONB is part of the national ‘family’ comments on applications submitted to the two main quarterly cycle, whilst the AONB Partnership Group I have great pleasure in welcoming you to the 2005/06 Review of the work of the AONB Joint of 49 AONBs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This is the primary objective of AONB designation and national grant schemes: met in March 2006 to review progress made with The National Association for AONBs (NAAONB) is an much time and effort is spent on working towards this Advisory Committee. implementing the Objectives of the AONB Management important umbrella body that co-ordinates lobbying on aim. The JAC attaches great importance to carrying out • 17 farmers/landowners advised about Entry Level Plan over the last year. behalf of all AONBs, responds to national consultations work on the ground in the AONB, working in partnership After the considerable time and effort put in during previous years to produce the new AONB Management or Higher Level Stewardship and organises training events. Support and participation with local farmers, landowners and communities. Plan, this year was the first one dedicated solely to putting the Plan into action. It is heartening to see The AONB Unit in NAAONB activities brings many benefits for the • 3 Farm Environment Plans prepared that the expenditure on practical countryside management projects was double that of the previous year. Howardian Hills and is important for staff development. • 2 Environmental Stewardship application In 2005/06 the Unit comprised: Work funded or faciltated by the JAC in 2005/06 Distributing nearly £75,000 in seven months from our new Sustainable Development Fund was also a included: consultations appraised remarkable feat. These achievements have only been possible from the fortunate position of having a AONB Officer Paul Jackson In 2005/06: • 3 EWGS applications submitted dedicated and settled AONB Unit during the year. • 1.1km of new hedge planting and gapping-up Assistant AONB Liz Bassindale • 12 EWGS application consultations appraised • Paul Jackson continued on the Management Board Officer • Repairs/maintenance to 500m of roadside walls for impact on the AONB; comments submitted on The new Single Payment and Environmental Stewardship Schemes were introduced during this last of the NAAONB and attended 6 Board meetings • Planting 5.8ha (14.3 acres) of new native woodland 3 schemes year. Both are vital to the continuation of sustainable agriculture and land management in the AONB and AONB Administrative Sue Wright • The NAAONB Conference in Durham, entitled at Brandsby it is unfortunate that both have been dogged by teething troubles that are causing real difficulties for the Assistant ‘Wildlife, Wild Places’, was co-hosted and • Planting 85 individual trees, to conserve or enhance agricultural sector. Farmers and land managers are responding to the change in emphasis being placed on (15 hrs/wk Apr - Sept ‘05; organised by the Howardian Hills AONB. Paul 13ha (32 acres) of wood pasture at Oulston and 25 hrs/wk Oct ‘05 - Mar ‘06) Jackson and Liz Bassindale attended and the them and it is to be hoped that the administrative arrangements for these schemes will run more smoothly Ampleforth Planning Issues JAC Chairman William Worsley gave one of the during the forthcoming year. The AONB Management Plan is important in helping guide land managers The Joint Advisory Committee is consulted by the presentations • Propagation of cuttings from the only remaining and, having recently been elected as national Vice-President of the Country Land and Business Association, black poplar tree in the AONB local planning authorities on major developments in • AONB Unit staff attended 2 Northern AONB Group the AONB, in line with an agreed protocol. The AONB I hope this will enable me to increase the profile of the work that AONB partnerships carry out. • Surveys of 12 potential SINCs. Also heathland meetings, at Forest of Bowland and Lincolnshire Officer also monitors the Weekly List of planning restoration feasibility on Grimston and Yearsley Wolds AONBs, as well as hosting a meeting in the applications and calls-up details of any smaller schemes Moors Howardian Hills which might potentially have an impact on the AONB.