We hope you are all managing OK with the trials of the pandemic and its knock-on effects.  This time has proved how thoughtful and considerate the majority of people are.  It has affected us all in different ways, and we must remain mindful of this. 

The ‘partnership’ essence of what we do has never been more important, and a big thank you to all our partners!  The AONB team have been working throughout, mostly at home but also out and about as restrictions ease.

We are aware that fewer face to face meetings brings challenges and a change to partnership working.  Online meetings are efficient in terms of time and travel but can lack some of the really valuable human connection that comes from meeting in person. The vigorous one to one or small group discussions that often happen at the start/end of meetings isn’t possible in video meetings.

Many people have described an inevitable retreat into their closer networks and groups over this year, so our role to bring different interest groups together remains really important.  We will continue to work on new ways of doing this, as well as gradually restoring more of our normal ways of working.

Encouraging responsible behaviour when out and about in the Shropshire Hills

Many of the new visitors we are seeing this year are accessing information mostly on-line.  Our website stats soared as lock down eased with people searching for information on outdoor activities.  To help we developed visitor FAQ page and produced our own video based on the Countryside Code, pinned on our Facebook page.

We are also conducting a visitor survey in Church Stretton and Carding Mill Valley during August.  We are asking visitors a series of short questions to find out whether they've been before, where they have traveled from, why they chose to come and what they plan to do during their visit.  It is hoped this 'snap-shot' will help us, businesses and local attractions to plan for and provide suitable visitor information.

Helping to ease car parking issues in Church Stretton

Since we can’t run the normal Shuttle bus service this year, we have worked with Church Stretton Town Council and the National Trust to operate a temporary Park & Ride Shuttle linking the overflow car park, the town and Carding Mill Valley.

This was set us to address the severe visitor pressures affecting Church Stretton and Carding Mill Valley.  The service started mid- July and runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until the end of August.  Further information at Church Stretton Park & Ride.

Online meetings & virtual elevenses

The AONB staff team continue to work from home in line with Shropshire Council guidance. Lock-down catapulted us into embracing new ways of working. We've got to grips with online meetings, virtual elevenses and new temporary work roles. 

Supporting the Council's Covid-19 emergency response

Our local knowledge and community links enabled us to take the lead in the Council’s SW Community Reassurance Team, signposting people towards the many excellent new and existing local groups set up in response to Covid-19, Town and Parish Councils and other organisations.

Getting in touch - our phone numbers operate through our laptops, so you can ring us and email as usual.  Not sure who to contact? Meet the team.

Shropshire Hills AONB Trust distributes £12,000 to local conservation projects

The Conservation Fund supports practical projects that help to conserve, enhance and raise awareness of the Shropshire Hills landscape. In March, grants were awarded to a variety of community projects including restoring roadside verges, conserving curlew and involving young people in outdoor activities. Not all the projects were able to go ahead this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, and will roll forward to next year. Project summaries and the 2019-20 project reports can be viewed on our website at Conservation Fund Projects.

Stepping Stones to link wildlife friendly places

You may have seen this project featured on Countryfile in July.  Earlier this year we held a series of community meetings about Stepping Stones, attended by over 160 people.  The discussion from these events helped to shape community projects around verge restoration, meadow creation, hedgerow management and species recording.  Following a pause, the project is now back on track creating and linking wildlife-friendly spaces between the Stretton hills, Long Mynd and Stiperstones. There are lots of ways to get involved, from joining the volunteer task force, to turning your garden into a stepping stone.  Find out more at Stepping Stones.

Young Rangers in the Shropshire Hills

We made a successful bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to set up new Young Ranger groups in the Shropshire Hills.  We will be working with South Shropshire Youth Forum to help young people (12-16 year olds) connect with and care for special heritage of the Shropshire Hills.

We hope to start activities in the autumn and will focus on setting up groups four areas; the Clee hills, Bishop's Castle & Clun, Church Stretton & Craven Arms and the Stiperstones & Pontesbury area.  Please get in touch if you would like to go onto a mailing list for further information, email Joy.Howells@shropshire.gov.uk.

Catching up with Catchment work

Winter floods and the Coronavirus lock down has meant much of the practical work planned through our Unmuddying the Waters project was put on hold earlier this year.  Online mapping became an invaluable tool for planning work.  As the Covid-19 restrictions have eased, contractors are able to access sites once again and continue work to improve the water quality in the Clun catchment.  Follow the link below to read the 2019-20 project activity report on our webpage Unmuddying the Waters.

The TOC Project has also restarted recently.  If you farm in the Teme, Onny or Clun Catchments, advisors can visit the farm, offer advice, soil testing and develop water and soil management plans.  Further information is on our webpage Water Environment Grant.