May 2008

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has today earmarked* almost £2million to conserve two historic English landscapes. Exmoor moorland in North Devon and West Somerset, and the Stour Valley on the border of Essex and Suffolk which is closely associated with landscape painter John Constable, are set to receive just under £1million each.

Carole Souter, Chief Executive at the Heritage Lottery Fund, said:

“The English countryside is famous around the world and the Stour Valley and Exmoor are some of its finest examples. Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s support, local groups and communities will be able to work together to make a real, long-term impact on protecting these wonderful landscapes.”

The Stour Valley – Constable Country
The Stour Valley’s rich past has shaped the gentle lowland character of this area. Picturesque villages, rolling farmland, rivers, meadows, ancient woodlands and a wide variety of local wildlife combine to create what many describe as the quintessential English lowland landscape. Archaeological features from ancient times, such as crop marks, are a silent witness to thousands of years worth of history. The area has also inspired generations of writers and artists. The Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which is within the scheme area, was immortalised in numerous works by John Constable, arguably Britain’s most iconic landscape painter.

The £992,000 HLF award will enable professional and community groups to develop 15 individual projects delivered mainly in five clusters across the 120 km2 scheme. They include projects to increase awareness of the Stour Valley’s past, such as oral histories, restoration of a Stour Lighter river barge, landscape art and research into historic houses and farm buildings.

Further activities include the use of churches as exhibition spaces, visitor centres and viewing points for the valley, archaeological projects such as training digs and fieldwalking, and projects to improve meadows, field boundaries and riverside trees. In keeping with the artistic legacy of this landscape, new works of art exploring the heritage of the area will also be created.

Simon Amstutz, Operations Manager for the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project, said:

“This is the first Landscape Partnership award in the East of England, and will be of enormous benefit to those who live and work in the Stour Valley. We are thrilled that our partners are putting in a further £100,000, which together with in-kind contributions from volunteers, brings the funding to £1.1million.”

Utilising Exmoor’s wild ponies
Nestling on the West Somerset and North Devon border, Exmoor National Park is special because of the undisturbed tranquillity of its heather-clad moorlands, not to mention a breathtaking coastline of plunging cliffs and sheltered bays.

Exmoor is rich in hidden haunts, deep valleys, ancient oak woodland, England’s highest sea-cliffs, sparkling rivers and waterfalls. Its landscapes and seascapes are dotted with medieval towns, villages, and harbours. It is also home to exquisite natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife, including the rare native Exmoor Pony and wild red deer.

The Exmoor moorland scheme has been earmarked an HLF grant of £982,200 to conduct 23 projects across 287 km2. Giving people the opportunity and confidence to participate in conservation is at the heart of these plans. It will focus on helping people to understand, get involved in and celebrate the unique past of the scenery. Additionally, it will help support a thriving and sustainable local economy and restore and conserve the area’s wild and open character.

Much of the scheme includes innovative approaches to restoring the condition of the moorland habitats, including the promotion of the semi-wild Exmoor Pony for grazing as an integral part of the management of the moors. Herds of this iconic breed still roam free and they are one of the world’s oldest and rarest breeds of pony. Restoring the habitat of Heath Fritillary, a small butterfly found on Exmoor, is also among the 23 projects planned.

Kate Mitchell, Moorland Partnership Assistant at Exmoor National Park Authority, said:

“The overarching theme for the projects is reconnection, we want to forge new connections between the moorland and the people who live around and visit it. The projects include: a local schools project to discover how the moorland was used in the Second World War, a volunteer activity programme with ambitious target of involving 250 volunteers over the 3 years and an apprentice scheme to train up our moorland managers of the future.”

Notes to Editors
• A ‘Stage One Pass’ means that money has been earmarked by HLF for the project in question. Competition at this stage is tough, and while a Stage One Pass does not guarantee funding, it is an indication of positive support, and money for the scheme is set aside. The applicant can then progress to Stage Two and submit a further, fully developed application to secure the full grant.  On occasion, at Stage One, funding will also be awarded towards the development of the scheme.  The Stour Valley LP has been awarded a Stage One Pass of £925,000 and £67,000 of development funding. Exmoor Moorland LP has been awarded a Stage One Pass of £912,500 and £69,700 of development funding.

• Images of both landscapes are available on request.

• Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage.  HLF has supported more than 26,000 projects, allocating over £4billion across the UK. 
Website: www.hlf.org.uk

• HLF is one of the biggest groups supporting the UK’s natural heritage, with more than £730 million awarded to help safeguard our landscapes and parks, countryside and creatures. £248million has been awarded to help sustain over 2,040 nature conservation projects in the UK. This sum includes £168million for over 1,640 biodiversity projects, and £79.8million for over 400 land acquisition projects