North Pennines AONB Partnership and the Farmer Network provide farming with nature information sessions helping farmers to prepare for changes

The North Pennines AONB Partnership, in partnership with the Farmer Network, held a farmer information session within the Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme (LPS) area in July. The event aimed to help farmers prepare for the changes in farming support, from the Basic Payment Scheme to payments for Public Goods, as well as to look at opportunities available through the North Pennines AONB Partnership and other organisations.

The Fellfoot Forward LPS, led by the North Pennines AONB Partnership and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is a major project to conserve, enhance and celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of a special part of the North West of England, which stretches from the Cumbrian fellside of the North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark to the River Eden, and runs north from Melmerby to Hallbankgate.

The farmer information event was hosted at Clowsgill Holme, within the RSPB Geltsdale Reserve near Hallbankgate, by Ian Bell and Rebecca Dickens, and Ian Ryding from RSPB Geltsdale. The representatives providing information included: Tim Jacobs, North Pennines AONB Partnership, with details of the new Farming in Protected Landscapes (FIPL) funding; Jim O’Neill, Forestry Commission, with information on applying for the new Woodland Creation Planning Grant; Kate Gascoyne, the Farmer Network, provided details of The Prince’s Farm Resilience Programme, which helps farming families to assess their business figures and consider options for replacing some or all of their Basic Payment and also the Farmer Network Farming Ambition Programme, which helps young people with business planning and development. Nancy Tweddell, Farming Community Network, and David Newlove, Cumbria Agricultural Chaplaincy, also attended to get up to date with the changes that are affecting farming families and to raise awareness that they are available when farming people need to talk to a sympathetic person who understands farmers and rural life.

The event included a farm walk to show hedges managed for bird habitat and wild plants as well as livestock shelter, and shallow scrapes created in one field to encourage birds to breed there. The issue of trees, hedges, and public footpaths reducing the success of some breeding wader birds was discussed, with the emphasis on planting the right tree in the right place. The outcome of careful winter and early-spring grazing was evident in the many wildflowers on the limestone banks which are providing food for insects and birds.

Ian Bell took on the tenancy for part of the RSPB Geltsdale reserve five years ago and he, and partner Rebecca, prefer pedigree Luings, Sim Luings and other Highland and Beef Shorthorn crosses for grazing the rough ground. All of these are put to the family’s renowned pedigree Charolais bulls and the Charolais herd is based at their own Hallbankgate farm, which they run in parallel with the RSPB land.

Kate Gascoyne, who co-ordinated the event, said: “The effective working relationship between Ian and Rebecca and the RSPB showed what can be achieved when farming knowledge and skills are combined with conservation skills and there is interest from both parties in the different subjects. Regular communications and understanding between the people involved are key to improved environmental outcomes and good land and livestock productivity. This is true at the RSPB, and also on other farms which are part of stewardship schemes but where the farmers don’t usually have the benefit of regular communications with conservationists. Where both parties can monitor changes and look at issues together as they occur, it’s more likely that they will both appreciate the complexity and benefits of farming in tune with nature”.

The visiting farmers discussed how they might utilise their own farms natural assets and adapt grazing management to enhance habitats for wildlife, sequester more carbon, improve soil health, and reduce flooding alongside good livestock health management and food production. They welcomed the idea that the new Environmental Land Management Scheme will be more outcome focussed and that the FiPL grants, Countryside Stewardship agreements, and the Woodland Creation Planning Grant may be able to help their business to prepare for the future schemes and payments.

Tim Jacobs said that “Support is available for farmers in National Parks and AONBs for projects that support nature recovery, mitigate climate change, engage people about the landscape & cultural heritage and support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses. FiPL funding is only available to farmers in AONBs and National Parks in England, and locally in the Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme area that adjoins the North Pennines AONB.”

The North Pennines AONB have run a webinar about FiPL for farmers and land managers, which can be viewed here: https://northpennines.org.uk/what_we_do/farming-in-protected-landscapes/ Tim Jacobs can be contacted about FiPL and potential applications by email: tjacobs@northpenninesaonb.org.uk

For more information about the other support at the event, contact Kate Gascoyne by email: Kate@thefarmernetwork.co.uk or on 07548 934282.

ENDS

Notes for editors

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk. Since The National Lottery began in 1994, National Lottery players have raised over £43 billion for projects and more than 635,000 grants have been awarded across the UK. More than £30 million raised each week goes to good causes across the UK.

Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme – Led by the North Pennines AONB Partnership, the Fellfoot Forward LPS is a major project to conserve, enhance and celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of a special part of the North West of England, which stretches from the Cumbrian fellside of the North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark to the River Eden, and runs north from Melmerby to Hallbankgate. Fellfoot Forward will bring together management and restoration of habitats, such as woodland, peatland and grasslands, with community archaeology, conservation of historic buildings, community arts and education, and is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. For more information about the Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership scheme visit https://northpennines.org.uk/what_we_do/fellfoot-forward/

The North Pennines is one of England’s most special places – a peaceful, unspoilt landscape with a rich history and vibrant natural beauty. It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988. The purpose of this nationally recognised designation is the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the area. At almost 2,000 sq. kilometres the North Pennines is the second largest of the 46 AONBs (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and is one of the most peaceful and unspoilt places in England. Visit www.landscapesforlife.org.uk for information about the AONB Family.

The North Pennines AONB Partnership is an alliance of 24 public, statutory and voluntary sector bodies with an interest in the future of the AONB. The work of the Partnership is carried out by its Staff Unit which takes action to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, to raise awareness of its special qualities and to improve the quality of life for local people.

 UNESCO Global Geopark – As well as being an AONB the North Pennines is a UNESCO Global Geopark. This puts the area’s Geopark status in the same UNESCO family as World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves. UNESCO Global Geoparks are places with outstanding geology where special effort is made to make the most of geological heritage to support community and economy. Locally this includes producing geo-trails, developing projects with school and community groups, producing displays for visitor attractions and holding geology festivals and events. Funding has been secured for a new programme of activities for 2018 – 2021 that includes new downloadable trails, interactive facilities at Bowlees Visitor Centre and a range of community and school projects.

The Farmer Network Ltd is an independent, non-profit, farmer-led organisation that provides help and support to farmers and their businesses across Cumbria and The Yorkshire Dales, whatever the challenge or opportunity. For further information about the Farmer Network Ltd, please contact Donna Gough on 01768 868615 or email admin@thefarmernetwork.co.uk

For media enquiries about the Fellfoot Forward LPS contact Kate Stacey at North Pennines AONB Partnership – katestacey@northpenninesaonb.org.uk, Phone: 07970020648