A MEADOW RESTORATION project in the North Pennines has been completed thanks to National Lottery players – and has sown the seeds of future growth.

The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership’s Plugging the Gaps project worked with volunteers and groups to collect seed then grow and plant native wildflowers to expand the flower-rich grassland of the North Pennines. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project has engaged more than 300 volunteers through training and events, with a core of 107 active volunteers planting over 12,000 plug plants across 28 sites in the AONB, equalling 28.6 hectares.

Plugging the Gaps was designed to restore upland haymeadow habitats, using native wildflowers to ‘plug the gaps’ in the nectar source corridors and networks across the AONB. These networks for pollinators are vital for the bees and other insects that underpin our whole ecosystem. The project was also able to increase populations of rarer meadow plants such as wood crane’s-bill and globeflowers, which were once a significant feature of traditional haymeadows and flower-rich verges. Whilst the North Pennines is still a stronghold for these important plants, they are continuing to decline here and across the country.

The AONB Partnership also established a wildflower nursery in Allendale to provide a growing space for plug plants during the life of the project. Additional funding for planting materials and equipment came from Northumbrian Water’s Branch Out fund. At the nursery the project worked with vulnerable groups who gained therapeutic benefits through volunteering and engaging with nature. These included groups such as Natural Ability who provide opportunities for people with learning and other disabilities, and the Angelou Centre in Newcastle.

The nursery is now in the hands of an active group of volunteers and the group Higher Ground, a social enterprise using gardening to aid wellbeing. They will manage the space as a community based initiative to encourage the planting of wildflowers and other native plants in meadows, gardens, school grounds, verges and community spaces. Support will be available for anyone wanting to learn more about creating wild areas and using native plants in more formal settings as well as continuing to work on meadow restoration.  Proceeds from workshops and plant sales will be used to fund ongoing running of the nursery.

Ben Scotting, Project Officer at the North Pennines AONB Partnership, said: “The volunteer response to this project was amazing. Their efforts have helped to improve the diversity and numbers of wildflowers in places ranging from upland haymeadows to schools and community centres.

“We’re really pleased to see the volunteer group taking on the nursery and continuing to grow these North Pennines wildflowers into the future.”

To find out more about the Allendale wildflower nursery, including volunteering opportunities and plant sales, contact Ginny Swaile on pluggingthegaps@yahoo.com.

THE North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership is looking for outstanding people who have made a difference to the conservation of this special area.

Nominations are open for the Partnership’s annual Pendlebury Award, which recognises those who go the extra mile to look after the globally important North Pennines landscape. The award is open to groups and individuals involved in conservation in the area. This year will be the sixth time the award has been given, inspired by the late Bob Pendlebury, the first chair of the North Pennines AONB Partnership. He was also a local Councillor and a great campaigner for the area, promoting its beauty at every opportunity.

Chris Woodley-Stewart, Director of the North Pennines AONB Partnership, said: “Since the award’s inception in 2013, there have been some excellent recipients who have shown tremendous commitment to the North Pennines. The award is a way for the AONB Partnership to recognise those people who do so much for the area’s landscape, wildlife and heritage, either in their working lives or in their spare time.”

Previous winners of the award include botanist Dr Margaret Bradshaw OBE, Durham Countryside Ranger David Liddle, Ian Forbes MBE, who ran Killhope, North of England Lead Mining Museum, and Chris and Heather McCarty who worked side-by-side at Natural England’s Moor House – Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve.

Last year Sinderhope farmer, Robert Philipson won the award. His methods of farming in harmony with the natural environment have led to great numbers of upland wading birds breeding successfully on his farmland.

The Partnership would like to hear from anyone who wants to make a nomination, by the closing date of 1 May. The winner of the award will be announced at the AONB Partnership’s Annual Forum, which is being held on 22 May 2019 in Upper Teesdale.

To find out more, or for a nomination form, contact Simon Wilson simon@northpenninesaonb.org.uk, 01388 528801 or visit www.northpennines.org.uk

A new group has been launched that will exchange expertise across Europe to help in the fight against climate change and restore some of our most vital habitats.

Launched by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership in collaboration with environmental network Eurosite, the group will bring together peatland restoration experts to share the science and practice behind the work they do on sites across Europe.

As lead partner of the EU funded Pennine PeatLIFE project, staff from the North Pennines AONB Partnership will chair the new Peatland Restoration Working Group. Setting up the group is one of the objectives of Pennine PeatLIFE, and will allow experts to share scientific research and expertise as well as the practical restoration and monitoring techniques which have been developed across the EU.

Damaged peatlands release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, but once restored they act as a carbon sink. Emissions from damaged peat contribute to about 10% of the EU’s total carbon dioxide emissions and as such their restoration and sustainable management are an important tool to help mitigate climate change. Restored and healthy peatlands are also important habitats for plants and animals, and mitigate against flooding by slowing the flow of water to lowland areas.

Kristijan Čivić, Network Development Manager of Eurosite said: “Our members have been sharing knowledge between similar sites for more than 30 years. We are now looking at a different approach where we work together on a topic of joint interest.

“Peatland restoration is a topic that has gained a lot of importance in the light of the climate change discussions and is gaining importance with countries in the North-West Europe, both among Eurosite members and beyond.”

Paul Leadbitter from the North Pennines AONB Partnership, explained: “As part of our European funded Pennine PeatLIFE project we will be working with our European partner Eurosite to bring together past and current peatland restoration projects to learn from what has gone before, share research and practice and coordinate the future efforts of peatland restoration.”

Any organisations involved in peatland restoration or with relevant research experience can contact Paul Leadbitter, Peatland Programme Manager at the North Pennines AONB Partnership for further information (pleadbitter@northpenninesaonb.org.uk).

PUPILS in local schools are exploring the secret world of creepy crawlies, as part of a project from the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership to record and celebrate invertebrates.

During May, June and July the AONB Partnership is taking its Cold-blooded and Spineless project into schools throughout Weardale, and children will learn more about the insects that are so important to the North Pennines and beyond. Younger children have been looking at invertebrates and other living things in a series of educational sessions, and each school has had the chance to see and take part in ‘Six Legs’, a lively and engaging play which brings to life the secret stories of the insects all around us. Small groups involving older children will then take part in sessions with artists, to produce materials for an invertebrate trail that will be installed in a community space later in the year.

‘Six Legs’ is an original and imaginative theatre show that was developed by Cap-a-Pie Theatre Company and insect scientist Dr Vivek Nityananda from Newcastle University. Cap-a-Pie has now been commissioned by the AONB Partnership to produce a new version of ‘Six Legs,’ which features insects local to the North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark. There will be four performances in Weardale, attended by children from six Weardale primary schools and one Teesdale school.

Samantha Tranter, the North Pennines AONB Partnership’s Cold-blooded and Spineless Project Officer, said: “We’re excited to have Cap-a-Pie here to perform ‘Six Legs’ and help bring the stories of these valuable insects to life. We hope that the children who take part in the sessions will be inspired by insects and mini-beasts and want to learn more about the important role they play, both locally and in the wider ecosystem.”

Cap-a-Pie’s Artistic Director Brad McCormick said: “Six Legs is a really imaginative and inspiring show for children. We hope the audience leave wanting to find and see insects, as well as having an understanding of what makes the North Pennines such an important and unique place for insects.”

There are 30,000 different species of invertebrate in the UK. According to the State of Nature report, 66% of invertebrates studied in the uplands have declined in the last 50 years. Yet for many species there is insufficient data to predict population health. Invertebrates are underappreciated for their contribution to the function of our ecosystems, from soil nutrient cycling to pest control and pollination. Many invertebrates are a vital food source for all types of birds, fish and mammals.

The education sessions are being delivered on behalf of the AONB Partnership by Jill Essam from the Harehope Quarry Project. Groups from Wolsingham School, and from Wolsingham, Frosterley, Stanhope Barrington, St John’s Chapel, Rookhope, Wearhead and Forest of Teesdale Primary Schools will be taking part. Cold-blooded and Spineless has been funded by the National Lottery, through the Heritage Lottery Fund, and runs until 2019. The Cap-a-Pie performances were supported using public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.