Fellfoot Forward scheme tree planting

On 5 December, twelve volunteers, including six from Carlisle Youth Zone, joined North Pennines AONB staff at Clement Leazes farm, Hallbankgate for an enjoyable and rewarding time creating new hedgerows.

By the end of the day, over one thousand trees, including species such as hawthorn, holly, hornbeam, and blackthorn, had been planted. These hedgerows will play a crucial role in connecting existing woodland habitats in the Fellfoot Forward LPS area, while providing extra benefits such as natural flood management.

The Fellfoot Forward team extend their thanks to Ian and Rebecca at Hallbankgate Farm, who hosted the event and provided refreshments and food, and to all those who volunteered and took part in this valuable work.

As well as giving nature a helping hand, the new hedgerows and trees are investments in capturing carbon to mitigate against climate change and should put the farms in good stead for the government’s new Environmental Land Management scheme that is currently in development. Hedges also provide valuable shelter for stock, especially in severe cold, hot, or windy weather (such as the notorious Helm wind), an example of nature and farming working together.

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.

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/

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