As we reach the turning of the year with the main harvest in, crops drilled, sugar beet being lifted, thoughts turn to the traditional winter activities of hedging, tree planting and form filling…..
The AONB Project Officers agreed to teach a hedgelaying training day in mid November – the weather was perfect, the hedge a great one to teach on and the bacon rolls and jacket potatoes spot on!!
A selection of traditional tools were available to try … yet many trainees wanted to use the Yorkshire billhook belonging to one of the Project Officers.
A great day, with no injuries, and most importantly the community now have basic skills to tackle the rest of the hedges in the village!!
New hedges are being planted – the ideal time in the Lincolnshire Wolds is late December through to early February – and this year, we are grateful for the support from the Woodland Trust in helping provide 3km of new hedging for the AONB.
We look forward to seeing gaps filled, new hedgerow trees planted and traditional coppicing and replanting of hedgerows taking place across the Wolds over the coming months.
Farming in Protected Landscapes
Over the next 2-3 years the Lincolnshire Wolds has a programme of funding for farmers and land managers in the AONB. Available for one-off projects that will deliver at least one of the outcomes listed below, under four themes.
• Support nature recovery
• Mitigate the impacts of climate change
• Provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and its cultural heritage
• Support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses
The programme has been developed by Defra with the support of a group of AONB and National Park staff from across the country and delivered and managed here by the Lincolnshire Wolds team and an independent local assessment panel.
We are pleased to announce that Steve Scoffin, the Farming in Protected Landscape Programme Officer is now in post. Steve has worked with us before, getting to the know the Wolds very well and he brings with him many years of experience in land management and working in protected landscapes. Joining Steve is Sarah Weller, who will be fulfilling the important role of Admin Officer for the duration of the programme. Welcome Steve and Sarah!!
Farming in Protected Landscapes
