Friends of Bowland

Activities

The 2018 Festival Bowland programme has now come to an end. Almost 70 events took place between February and the middle of October covering everything from moorland bird walks, bat nights and wildflower days to clog dancing, star gazing and stone carving. 

Many thanks to all those who organised or led events as part of the programme and who are, even now, planning events for next year's Festival calendar!

23rd October 2018

The Friends of Bowland organised an Apple Day at Ribchester Village Hall on Saturday 6th September. The day was supported by the National Landscape Unit through staff time, financial assistance and publicity via the Festival Bowland events programme.

6th October 2018

As in previous years, the Friends of Bowland practical conservation group raked the vegetation off the SI verges at Newton in August/September 2018. The cutting was done by P Blackwell with the Allen scythe and cutter bar which he looks after.

The SI verge at Tinklers Lane was cut and collected by D Higham.

The bid mentioned in previous updates was not successful, and so the challenges of verge management continue.

9th April 2018

Plans have been produced for Greater Butterfly orchid, Globeflower and Juniper.

All three plans are underway.

6th January 2016

During the summer of 2014 & 2015, large amounts of Himalayan Balsam were pulled from the hedges and edges of Clear Beck Meadow. It was reported that less was in evidence in 2015 than in 2014, but the location of the site next to a water course mewans that this needs to be an ongoing management action. The work was undertaken by National Landscape, LCC & NE staff together with members of Friends of Bowland.

An assessment is needed as to the next steps of restoration - soil compaction has been identified as a problem.

1st May 2014 to 1st May 2019

Working group re-established in April 2014.

Will meet approx twice per year and direct biodiversity delivery through the development of annual delivery plans, made up from work across the delivery group.

1st April 2014

Actions

1.1 Landscape
Action Targets and Timescales Partners
1.1C Continue to support the 'Traditional Boundaries' programme, managing and restoring hedgerows, dry stone walls and railing fences
Develop at least 3 traditional boundary restoration projects per year
Annually
Hold 3 training events/competitions per year
Annually
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1.3 Habitats
Action Targets and Timescales Partners
1.3I Liaise with local authorities to maintain or enhance the biodiversity of roadside verges, through maintenance of appropriate and timely cutting regimes
Extend Ribble Valley pilot 'Roadside Verges' project to other local authority areas in the National Landscape
2015
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1.4 Species
Action Targets and Timescales Partners
1.4F Play an active role in county-wide Invasive Non-native Species (INNS) projects such as 'Lancashire Invasives', to help manage and eradicate Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed and Giant hogweed in the National Landscape
Organise 15 volunteer days per year
Annually
Complete INNS Strategy and Action Plan
2014
Secure funding for continuation of county-wide INNS project for Lancashire
2014
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1.6 Historic Environment
Action Targets and Timescales Partners
1.6B Develop bid to Heritage Lottery Fund 'Landscape Partnership Scheme' for a landscape restoration programme for Pendle Hill area
Complete Stage 1 Bid planning
2015
Submit Stage 1 bid
2015
If successful:
2016
Commence development phase
2017
Submit Stage 2 bid
2017-18
Commence LPS delivery
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1.7 Planning and Development
Action Targets and Timescales Partners
1.7G Investigate potential development of National Landscape 'Dark Skies' position statement seeking to address light pollution within and surrounding the National Landscape
Hold meeting for interested organisations to develop position statement
2016
If agreed, position statement published
2017
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2.3 Community Engagement
Action Targets and Timescales Partners
2.3B Support communities in undertaking projects and activities which help to conserve, enhance, celebrate and interpret the local environment within the National Landscape landscape
Support at least 6 community projects per year
Annually
Support 2 'Networks for Nectar' community engagement projects
2015
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2.3G Support the development of ' Friends of Bowland' group as a focus for volunteering activity with the National Landscape
Attend meetings, where appropriate
Annually
Hold 3 joint training activities/events per year
Annually
Promote events and activities via website and local press
Annually
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3.2 Public Rights of Way and Access Land
Action Targets and Timescales Partners
3.2D Continue the development of involving local volunteers to help maintain and enhance the PRoW network, particularly on National Landscape 'promoted routes'
Recruit 2 new 'Promoted Routes' monitoring volunteers annually
Annually
Organise an annual event to support and provide feedback to 'Promoted Routes' monitoring volunteers
Annually
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3.6 Audience Development
Action Targets and Timescales Partners
3.6A Support and promote an annual Festival Bowland programme of partner-led events for both visitors and local communities
Produce a 'Festival Bowland' events calendar
Annually
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