Conf 2025 Accordians
June 23rd - 10am - 4pm
Oculus The Gateway Conference Centre, Gatehouse Rd, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF
We are pleased to announce our Conference for 2025 on the topic of Place Shaping. The concept of place shaping calls on us to shape our place, it’s an invitation to take charge of our local areas, to mould them into shapes that not only appeal to us, but also to those who visit or invest in our communities. It’s about re-imagining our surroundings and painting a new, vibrant picture of our area, it’s about creating spaces and environments that are better for everyone.
What’s Happening?
We will explore the narratives of ‘place’, the social and physical fabric of the communities in which people live, their collective experience of urban environments, high streets, town centres and rural areas. ‘Places’ are economies where we earn our living, communities where we relate to others, and the centrepiece of our identity and belonging.
What Is Place Shaping?
Shaping our Place Understanding your parish’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is vital in setting it apart from over 9,000 other alternatives. Our introduction to the concept of “Shaping your Place” underscores the necessity of identifying and effectively communicating what makes your parish exceptional. A compelling USP not only showcases the unique features and benefits of your parish but also aligns with the needs and desires of your residents, both existing and prospective. By emphasizing what makes your community special, from historical landmarks to vibrant local events, you can attract new families and strengthen the communal bond. Knowing your parish’s identity, offerings, and future direction enables you to share a cohesive and inspiring vision, fostering a thriving and unified community.
Shelter
The bones of our communities are intricately formed by a synergy of planning, design codes, economic or energy security, climate management, and biodiversity. Thoughtful urban planning ensures that spaces are functional, efficient, and conducive to social interaction. Design codes enforce aesthetic and structural standards that preserve a community’s character and safety. Economic and energy security provide the backbone for sustainable growth, ensuring that resources are managed wisely and communities are resilient against economic shocks and energy crises. Climate management is crucial in mitigating the adverse effects of global warming, with proactive measures to reduce carbon footprints and enhance environmental sustainability. Biodiversity enriches our ecosystems, promoting balance and resilience within natural habitats. Together, these elements create a robust framework that fosters thriving, sustainable, and harmonious communities.
Security
Security in place-shaping is a multifaceted concept that encompasses physical safety, economic stability, and structural integrity. At its core, it involves designing and managing environments in a way that mitigates risks and fosters a sense of safety and well-being among residents. Physical safety is addressed through measures such as effective urban planning, adequate lighting, surveillance systems, and emergency response strategies. Economic security is promoted by creating job opportunities, supporting local businesses, and ensuring access to essential services. Structural security ensures that buildings and infrastructure are resilient to natural disasters, wear and tear, and other potential hazards. By integrating these elements, place-shaping not only enhances the quality of life but also builds a resilient and thriving community.
Food
Food is a multifaceted entity, encompassing both physical sustenance and cultural significance. Its availability hinges on numerous factors, including geographical location, seasonal variations, and socio economic conditions. The concept of “food miles” highlights the distance food travels from production to consumer, influencing its environmental impact and freshness. Choices in food can range from mass-produced items to artisanal products, which often emphasise quality, tradition, and local ingredients. Affordability remains a critical aspect, as it determines access to nutritious options for diverse populations. Ultimately, food is a complex interplay of physical necessity and cultural identity, shaped by global and local dynamics.
Warmth
Warmth in our communities extends beyond the physical shelter that provides protection from the elements; it also encompasses the emotional and social support that fosters a sense of belonging and security. When we consider the concept of “place,” it is essential to think of it holistically, recognizing the community’s role in nurturing individuals from cradle to grave. A supportive community offers more than just a physical space; it provides a network of care, mutual aid, and shared values that enhance the quality of life for all its members. This sense of belonging and connection is crucial for personal development, mental health, and overall well-being, making the warmth of a community an invaluable aspect of a fulfilling life
Book Tickets
Members Tickets £25 per delegate
Non-members Tickets £50 per delegate
Book Workshops
At the conference there will be three workshops on during the afternoon session. These are for limited numbers of participants. All workshops are running simultaneously so please book onto your preferred workshop using the links below:
Bookings for the FREE workshops are only available to attendees of the conference with a valid event ticket.
BOOKING FOR WORKSHOPS WILL BE OPEN SOON
Programme
Countess Howe President of BMKALC
Mel Woof, CEO, BMKALC
Matthew Barber
The PCC’s role is to hold the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police to account for the performance of the Force, effectively making the police answerable to the communities they serve. The PCCs also has a wider role in promoting community safety and working with criminal justice partners to improve support for victims of crime.
Matthew is joint lead for Serious Violence at the Association of Police & Crime Commissioners and is also a Director of Blue Light Commercial and the National Business Crime Solution.
Matthew was raised and schooled in Oxfordshire before graduating from Brunel University. He still lives in Oxfordshire, is married to Katie and has two children, Emily and Lucy; and a labrador!
Matthew is Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Thames Valley, covering Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire. Elected to the role in May 2021 with a majority of nearly 80,000. He served as Deputy PCC from 2017 to 2021, during which time he took on the chairmanship of the Local Criminal Justice Board.
Matthew also served as a councillor in the Vale of White Horse for nearly nineteen years. First elected to the Council in 2003 he served as Leader from 2011 to 2018 before standing down in March 2022. He has been a director of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership as well as founding Chairman of Vale4Business and a Board Member of Science Vale and is involved in various charitable organisations.
Check back later for details!
Check back later for details!
Bio: Bianca Rossetti is Centre for Ageing Better’s Strategic Partnership Manager, based in Greater Manchester. Bianca is a member of the Centre’s Localities team, which encourages and supports places to adopt approaches that focus on older people and ageing to improve population health, reduce inequality and benefit local economies. Having worked on programmes focused on older people for the past decade, Bianca is passionate about place-based, collaborative approaches to improving people’s experience of later life, and challenging myths around demographic ageing.
About Centre for Ageing Better: The Centre for Ageing Better is pioneering ways to make ageing better a reality for everyone. This includes challenging ageism and building an Age-friendly Movement, creating Age-friendly Employment and Age-friendly Homes. It is a charitable foundation funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and part of the government’s What Works Network.
Check back later for details!
Dan Purchese , Director, Breakthrough Communications
Breakthrough Communications, who provide local councils with advice, support and guidance relating to council communications and community engagement, as well as for council data protection and Freedom of Information. Their experienced team is ready to help your council communicate effectively and compliantly with your community.
Communications, community engagement and data protection services for parish and town councils
Breakthrough Communications’ community engagement services include creating communication and community engagement strategies, creating and managing neighbourhood plans and community surveys, and providing social media support and advice. They support councils with crisis communications situations. Breakthrough Communications data protection services include carrying out council-wide data map audits, data protection impact assessments, and creating and refreshing data protection policies and procedures.
Council Hive service for parish and town councils
Council Hive is a subscription service that empowers parish and town councils to communicate effectively and compliantly with their communities. Council Hive takes the stress out of local council communications and compliance, saving clerks and council officers time, effort and money. Council Hive provides Clerks and council officers access to expert communication and compliance advice, templates, resource packs, and masterclasses – all in one place. Discover more at https://breakthroughcomms.co.uk/hive.
Check back soon for speaker details!
Aubergine are one of the UK’s leading experts in providing fully compliant websites meeting both WCAG2.1AA (and WCAG2.2AA from October when the requirements change) alongside being authorised to register and manage.gov.uk domains.
We’re the official partner of SLCC for compliant websites and authors of the NALC Website Accessibility & Publishing Guidebook and are helping many parishes and towns migrate their websites over to a new, modern platform that’s easy to use, mobile friendly and fully compliant with Transparency Code and Accessibility requirements.
Full list of panellists to be published soon!
Every local council wants the best outcomes for their community, but knowing what that might look like and how to deliver them, can be a challenging task. ONH’s Brendan Talk O’Neill discusses how their approach to an understanding of place can provide a starting point for identifying and delivering opportunities for positive change.
Profile: Brendan is an architect with over thirty years’ experience in the industry.
Before founding ONH he held senior positions in several high profile architectural practices and was responsible for a range of award winning projects across the cultural, residential and commercial sectors.
An early advocate of low energy and environmentally sensitive design he helped develop a new model for the design of office buildings before moving into the residential sector and the masterplanning of settlements.
His experience provides a depth of understanding of the commercial realities of the development world which is important in supporting ONH in its work with Town and Parish Councils helping them figure out how to respond to the opportunities and challenges of planning for change.
ONH: Planning for Good is a small social enterprise working across most of England. The team consists of planners, architects and urban designers. ONH’s team has a strong bond with its social mission: to enable community supported, high-quality and sustainable development, engaging successfully with local communities along the way.
For Workshops 1, 2 and 3 leader and topic information please check back soon for details!
- There will be three workshops running during the afternoon session. These are for limited numbers of participants.
- All workshops are running simultaneously so please book onto your preferred workshop using the links at the top of the page (right hand side).
- Bookings for the FREE workshops are only available to attendees of the conference with a valid event ticket.
Bookings for the workshops will open soon, please check back for availability.
Tom Sykes, Director, Extended Studio
“Tom inspires people to understand design. He brings it to life by showing what it can give to a project – its value, its legacy and its long standing impact.”
Tom has always put people first, designing buildings and strategies that are based on a sensitivity to how people inhabit places.
From social housing projects that stitch into existing neighbourhoods, to transforming the culture of large organisations, his skill is in making aspirations believable and realisable.
Taking lessons from leadership roles on both client and architect side, Tom has built up an particular understanding of development and design. With Matt, Extended Studio draws these varied experiences together, balancing strategic thinking with attention to detail in a collaborative setting.
Now his passion is focussed on communities, and the ways that good design, from architecture to systems, can support them.
Advocacy:
Tom is a Design Expert for the Design Council and a Public Practice alumni
Teaching and research:
Tom leads an undergraduate design studio at the Welsh School of Architecture
‘How can public sector clients develop their design ambitions?’ – research for Public Practice
Designing a community learning kitchen, developing community housing, building a food-growing street garden, and many more.
Our projects always aim to promote community engagement, development and education, and are founded on sustainable practice.
Don’t wait to make your community project a reality.
Take the first step now and let’s get started.
Contact us: studio@extendedstudio.com
The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape Partnership Scheme has been running since 2019 and will wrap-up in November 2024. The Scheme was set up to face the challenges to the Central Chilterns of the day: the development of HS2; the loss and fragmentation of ancient woodland and other wildlife habitats through development; the disappearance of traditional orchards and hedgerows; and an increasing disconnect between people and their local landscape.
Funded primarily by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Scheme has worked across three themes – wildlife, heritage and people. Under these themes, a whole host of projects interweaving topics such as volunteering, engagement, research, restoration and enhancement in order to deliver tangible, on-the-ground benefits and a lasting legacy for our landscape. We have created a Farmer Cluster to bring people together to care for wildlife, increased and expanded wildlife monitoring, fostered partnership working, and helped people to take action for wildlife and heritage within the Chilterns, whether through volunteering, community planning, or simply enjoying the landscape through walks, talks and events.
As we celebrate the work we have done, achievements made and lessons learned, we’d like to take this chance to encourage you to keep taking action and don’t stop doing what you’re doing! We want our legacy and your input to continue far into the future. You may be a partner looking to take on aspects of our projects, a community group now up-and running and able to work independently, or you may just be interested in learning more about the nature around you and conserving your landscape. Whatever your motivation, wildlife and heritage need you! Read some ideas about how to get involved and what support is available at https://www.chilterns.org.uk/chalkcherrieschairs/ccc-legacy/
The Chilterns National Landscape is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – an area of land that is of national importance for its natural beauty and special qualities, including geology, wildlife, landscape features, and rich cultural history. National Landscapes have the same level of landscape quality and the same level of protection as National Parks.
The Chilterns National Landscape is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – an area of land that is of national importance for its natural beauty and special qualities, including geology, wildlife, landscape features, and rich cultural history. National Landscapes have the same level of landscape quality and the same level of protection as National Parks.
Wild Amersham @Sustainable Amersham aims to engage local people to appreciate, protect and restore local nature. We do this through organising events about nature, helping to manage three local sites for nature, and monitoring changes in biodiversity in Amersham and Chesham Bois. If you would like to know more, go to our website (https://sustainableamersham.org/wild-amersham/), check us out on instagram @sustainableamersham and #wildamersham, or come to one of our events. You can sign up for the Sustainable Amersham monthly email newsletter via https://sustainableamersham.org/join-sustainable-amersham/ and for the quarterly Wild Amersham email via: https://forms.gle/5rboVRQ3bp4znEdr6.
House Martin Conservation UK & Ireland is a newly formed conservation charity covering the UK and Ireland dedicated to the care and protection of the house martin.
House martin numbers have been in decline for many years with a UK & Ireland conservation status of ‘Red’. The charity aims to encourage as many people as possible to come together and raise awareness in communities that this special bird of the hirundine family needs our help, and encourage communities to take action to improve nesting opportunities for house martins. The aim is to halt and hopefully reverse their decline in numbers.
House Martin Conservation UK and Ireland
We are the Natural Environment Partnership, which is the Local Nature Partnership for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. We bring together a diverse range of individuals, businesses and organisations to drive positive change in the local natural environment.
The NEP promotes the value of the natural environment in decision making at all levels and takes a strategic view of the challenges and opportunities facing nature. The NEP is working alongside the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and the health and wellbeing boards to embed natural environment in growth, economic & health strategies, and develop interventions and programmes for delivery.
https://bucksmknep.co.uk/nature-strategy/
If you wish to be added to our mailing list, email us at – nep@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Community WildBelt is a project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to help nature recovery in Wendover and surrounding parishes. We want to connect people with nature where they live. Working with community groups, parish councils, schools and private landowners we can offer practical support, knowledge and small grants. Volunteering is at the heart of the project encouraging people to learn new skills and share with others how important our wildlife is.
https://chilternsociety.org.uk/community-wildbelt/
The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape Partnership Scheme has been running since 2019 and will wrap-up in November 2024. The Scheme was set up to face the challenges to the Central Chilterns of the day: the development of HS2; the loss and fragmentation of ancient woodland and other wildlife habitats through development; the disappearance of traditional orchards and hedgerows; and an increasing disconnect between people and their local landscape.
Funded primarily by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Scheme has worked across three themes – wildlife, heritage and people. Under these themes, a whole host of projects interweaving topics such as volunteering, engagement, research, restoration and enhancement in order to deliver tangible, on-the-ground benefits and a lasting legacy for our landscape. We have created a Farmer Cluster to bring people together to care for wildlife, increased and expanded wildlife monitoring, fostered partnership working, and helped people to take action for wildlife and heritage within the Chilterns, whether through volunteering, community planning, or simply enjoying the landscape through walks, talks and events.
As we celebrate the work we have done, achievements made and lessons learned, we’d like to take this chance to encourage you to keep taking action and don’t stop doing what you’re doing! We want our legacy and your input to continue far into the future. You may be a partner looking to take on aspects of our projects, a community group now up-and running and able to work independently, or you may just be interested in learning more about the nature around you and conserving your landscape. Whatever your motivation, wildlife and heritage need you! Read some ideas about how to get involved and what support is available at www.chilterns.org.uk/ccc-legacy
The Diocese of Oxford is committed to working towards net zero carbon by 2035 and, recognising that the climate change and biodiversity loss crises are intricately linked, to encouraging wildlife friendly land management practices on the land under its influence.
We share the following resources relating to churchyards, cemeteries, and church gardens.
https://www.oxford.anglican.org/environment-and-social-justice/environmental-action/biodiversity/
https://www.oxford.anglican.org/xdb/ecohub/show/churchyard-management-plan-examples
We also work with the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust on Wilder Churches. https://www.bbowt.org.uk/team-wilder/team-wilder-churches
Do add pins for churchyards managed with wildlife in mind on the Team Wilder map. https://www.bbowt.org.uk/be-part-of-team-wilder
The national Church of England Environment Programme shares a number of land and nature resources. https://www.churchofengland.org/about/environment-and-climate-change/land-and-nature
North Bucks Bat Group (NBBG) exists to promote bat conservation in Aylesbury Vale, Milton Keynes and Chiltern Hills through recording, monitoring, education work, practical conservation and by advising the public. NBBG works in partnership with the Bat Conservation Trust and in collaboration with other bat groups.
https://www.northbucksbatgroup.org.uk/
The Upper Thames branch of Butterfly Conservation is a semi-autonomous group of volunteers working to conserve the habitats of butterflies and moths. We are part of that registered charity: England & Wales (254937) Scotland different but hardly relevant.
Founded in 1982, the Upper Thames Branch aims to protect butterflies, moths in the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. We do this through the following actions:
- Thorough recording of all resident and migrant species with both standardised and casual recording methodology
- The sharing of above records
- Habitat assessments and advice on management of sites
- Conservation tasks to assist with our advised management
- Training in survey methodology
- Training in identification of butterflies and moths
- Guided walks and moth trapping events to encourage communities to become aware of and to care for their butterflies and moths
https://www.upperthames-butterflies.org.uk/
A managed native hedgerow maintains land quality, aids the environment and provides food, shelter and corridors for wildlife. There is a huge opportunity for local councils to get a fast improvement in bio-diversity by properly managing native hedgerows in their public spaces and their community at large.
In early 2023, Chilterns Natural Landscape, through the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs landscape partnership and BBOWT, funded the creation of the Rough around the Hedges team of experienced volunteers. This team trained in hedge management, particularly the heritage art of hedge laying, rejuvenating leggy, gappy and over mature hedgerows to give better bushy and bio-diverse environment. This highly capable and dedicated volunteer group has already successfully delivered successful results on a number of conservation and farm sites.
As Chalk, Cherries and Chairs draws to a close, Rough around the Hedges is transferring to the Chiltern Society in order to continue supporting bio-diversity in the Chilterns and surrounding areas. The Chiltern Society provides the volunteer group with organisational and logistical support including insurance and ongoing training.
Rough around the Hedges is able to provide trained volunteers to lead hedge laying exercises on suitable native hedges and to offer training to local volunteers to enable good future maintenance. Volunteers are free and the incremental material cost is low. Local funding has proved straightforward for client sites to find.
Please direct any enquiry to Paul Heath, via the Chiltern Society at this address.
BBOWT is the only voluntary organisation in the region concerned with all aspects of nature conservation.
We give wildlife a helping hand to ensure it thrives in our three counties. As well as managing our nature reserves, this includes monitoring species and running special projects to support declining species such as water voles, or threatened habitats such as chalk grassland. We also advise other landowners about how to care for habitats and species.
Information about the Council’s ecology team can be found here: Ecology and biodiversity | Buckinghamshire Council
Information about Biodiversity Net Gain can be found here: Biodiversity net gain | Buckinghamshire Council
Information about recording wildlife and Bucks and Milton Keynes Environmental Record Centre (BMERC) can be found here: Wildlife Recording Tips | Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records (bucksmkerc.org.uk) and here: Make Your Wildlife Observations Count – Biological Recording
Buckinghamshire Council’s Community Boards have a range of priorities including those that champion the natural environment. To find out more and connect with your local Community Board, please visit Community Boards | Buckinghamshire Council
We are the Natural Environment Partnership, which is the Local Nature Partnership for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. We bring together a diverse range of individuals, businesses and organisations to drive positive change in the local natural environment.
The NEP promotes the value of the natural environment in decision making at all levels and takes a strategic view of the challenges and opportunities facing nature. The NEP is working alongside the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and the health and wellbeing boards to embed natural environment in growth, economic & health strategies, and develop interventions and programmes for delivery.
We work with our partners at a strategic, landscape-scale to champion the value of the environment. Some of our key publications include:
https://bucksmknep.co.uk/nature-strategy/
If you wish to be added to our mailing list, they can email us at – nep@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape Partnership Scheme has been running since 2019 and will wrap-up in November 2024. The Scheme was set up to face the challenges to the Central Chilterns of the day: the development of HS2; the loss and fragmentation of ancient woodland and other wildlife habitats through development; the disappearance of traditional orchards and hedgerows; and an increasing disconnect between people and their local landscape.
Funded primarily by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Scheme has worked across three themes – wildlife, heritage and people. Under these themes, a whole host of projects interweaving topics such as volunteering, engagement, research, restoration and enhancement in order to deliver tangible, on-the-ground benefits and a lasting legacy for our landscape. We have created a Farmer Cluster to bring people together to care for wildlife, increased and expanded wildlife monitoring, fostered partnership working, and helped people to take action for wildlife and heritage within the Chilterns, whether through volunteering, community planning, or simply enjoying the landscape through walks, talks and events.
As we celebrate the work we have done, achievements made and lessons learned, we’d like to take this chance to encourage you to keep taking action and don’t stop doing what you’re doing! We want our legacy and your input to continue far into the future. You may be a partner looking to take on aspects of our projects, a community group now up-and running and able to work independently, or you may just be interested in learning more about the nature around you and conserving your landscape. Whatever your motivation, wildlife and heritage need you! Read some ideas about how to get involved and what support is available at https://www.chilterns.org.uk/chalkcherrieschairs/ccc-legacy/
The Chilterns National Landscape is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – an area of land that is of national importance for its natural beauty and special qualities, including geology, wildlife, landscape features, and rich cultural history. National Landscapes have the same level of landscape quality and the same level of protection as National Parks.
The Chilterns National Landscape is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – an area of land that is of national importance for its natural beauty and special qualities, including geology, wildlife, landscape features, and rich cultural history. National Landscapes have the same level of landscape quality and the same level of protection as National Parks.
Wild Amersham @Sustainable Amersham aims to engage local people to appreciate, protect and restore local nature. We do this through organising events about nature, helping to manage three local sites for nature, and monitoring changes in biodiversity in Amersham and Chesham Bois. If you would like to know more, go to our website (https://sustainableamersham.org/wild-amersham/), check us out on instagram @sustainableamersham and #wildamersham, or come to one of our events. You can sign up for the Sustainable Amersham monthly email newsletter via https://sustainableamersham.org/join-sustainable-amersham/ and for the quarterly Wild Amersham email via: https://forms.gle/5rboVRQ3bp4znEdr6.
House Martin Conservation UK & Ireland is a newly formed conservation charity covering the UK and Ireland dedicated to the care and protection of the house martin.
House martin numbers have been in decline for many years with a UK & Ireland conservation status of ‘Red’. The charity aims to encourage as many people as possible to come together and raise awareness in communities that this special bird of the hirundine family needs our help, and encourage communities to take action to improve nesting opportunities for house martins. The aim is to halt and hopefully reverse their decline in numbers.
House Martin Conservation UK and Ireland
We are the Natural Environment Partnership, which is the Local Nature Partnership for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. We bring together a diverse range of individuals, businesses and organisations to drive positive change in the local natural environment.
The NEP promotes the value of the natural environment in decision making at all levels and takes a strategic view of the challenges and opportunities facing nature. The NEP is working alongside the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and the health and wellbeing boards to embed natural environment in growth, economic & health strategies, and develop interventions and programmes for delivery.
https://bucksmknep.co.uk/nature-strategy/
If you wish to be added to our mailing list, email us at – nep@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Community WildBelt is a project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to help nature recovery in Wendover and surrounding parishes. We want to connect people with nature where they live. Working with community groups, parish councils, schools and private landowners we can offer practical support, knowledge and small grants. Volunteering is at the heart of the project encouraging people to learn new skills and share with others how important our wildlife is.
https://chilternsociety.org.uk/community-wildbelt/
The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape Partnership Scheme has been running since 2019 and will wrap-up in November 2024. The Scheme was set up to face the challenges to the Central Chilterns of the day: the development of HS2; the loss and fragmentation of ancient woodland and other wildlife habitats through development; the disappearance of traditional orchards and hedgerows; and an increasing disconnect between people and their local landscape.
Funded primarily by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Scheme has worked across three themes – wildlife, heritage and people. Under these themes, a whole host of projects interweaving topics such as volunteering, engagement, research, restoration and enhancement in order to deliver tangible, on-the-ground benefits and a lasting legacy for our landscape. We have created a Farmer Cluster to bring people together to care for wildlife, increased and expanded wildlife monitoring, fostered partnership working, and helped people to take action for wildlife and heritage within the Chilterns, whether through volunteering, community planning, or simply enjoying the landscape through walks, talks and events.
As we celebrate the work we have done, achievements made and lessons learned, we’d like to take this chance to encourage you to keep taking action and don’t stop doing what you’re doing! We want our legacy and your input to continue far into the future. You may be a partner looking to take on aspects of our projects, a community group now up-and running and able to work independently, or you may just be interested in learning more about the nature around you and conserving your landscape. Whatever your motivation, wildlife and heritage need you! Read some ideas about how to get involved and what support is available at www.chilterns.org.uk/ccc-legacy
The Diocese of Oxford is committed to working towards net zero carbon by 2035 and, recognising that the climate change and biodiversity loss crises are intricately linked, to encouraging wildlife friendly land management practices on the land under its influence.
We share the following resources relating to churchyards, cemeteries, and church gardens.
https://www.oxford.anglican.org/environment-and-social-justice/environmental-action/biodiversity/
https://www.oxford.anglican.org/xdb/ecohub/show/churchyard-management-plan-examples
We also work with the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust on Wilder Churches. https://www.bbowt.org.uk/team-wilder/team-wilder-churches
Do add pins for churchyards managed with wildlife in mind on the Team Wilder map. https://www.bbowt.org.uk/be-part-of-team-wilder
The national Church of England Environment Programme shares a number of land and nature resources. https://www.churchofengland.org/about/environment-and-climate-change/land-and-nature
North Bucks Bat Group (NBBG) exists to promote bat conservation in Aylesbury Vale, Milton Keynes and Chiltern Hills through recording, monitoring, education work, practical conservation and by advising the public. NBBG works in partnership with the Bat Conservation Trust and in collaboration with other bat groups.
https://www.northbucksbatgroup.org.uk/
The Upper Thames branch of Butterfly Conservation is a semi-autonomous group of volunteers working to conserve the habitats of butterflies and moths. We are part of that registered charity: England & Wales (254937) Scotland different but hardly relevant.
Founded in 1982, the Upper Thames Branch aims to protect butterflies, moths in the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. We do this through the following actions:
- Thorough recording of all resident and migrant species with both standardised and casual recording methodology
- The sharing of above records
- Habitat assessments and advice on management of sites
- Conservation tasks to assist with our advised management
- Training in survey methodology
- Training in identification of butterflies and moths
- Guided walks and moth trapping events to encourage communities to become aware of and to care for their butterflies and moths
https://www.upperthames-butterflies.org.uk/
A managed native hedgerow maintains land quality, aids the environment and provides food, shelter and corridors for wildlife. There is a huge opportunity for local councils to get a fast improvement in bio-diversity by properly managing native hedgerows in their public spaces and their community at large.
In early 2023, Chilterns Natural Landscape, through the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs landscape partnership and BBOWT, funded the creation of the Rough around the Hedges team of experienced volunteers. This team trained in hedge management, particularly the heritage art of hedge laying, rejuvenating leggy, gappy and over mature hedgerows to give better bushy and bio-diverse environment. This highly capable and dedicated volunteer group has already successfully delivered successful results on a number of conservation and farm sites.
As Chalk, Cherries and Chairs draws to a close, Rough around the Hedges is transferring to the Chiltern Society in order to continue supporting bio-diversity in the Chilterns and surrounding areas. The Chiltern Society provides the volunteer group with organisational and logistical support including insurance and ongoing training.
Rough around the Hedges is able to provide trained volunteers to lead hedge laying exercises on suitable native hedges and to offer training to local volunteers to enable good future maintenance. Volunteers are free and the incremental material cost is low. Local funding has proved straightforward for client sites to find.
Please direct any enquiry to Paul Heath, via the Chiltern Society at this address.
BBOWT is the only voluntary organisation in the region concerned with all aspects of nature conservation.
We give wildlife a helping hand to ensure it thrives in our three counties. As well as managing our nature reserves, this includes monitoring species and running special projects to support declining species such as water voles, or threatened habitats such as chalk grassland. We also advise other landowners about how to care for habitats and species.
Information about the Council’s ecology team can be found here: Ecology and biodiversity | Buckinghamshire Council
Information about Biodiversity Net Gain can be found here: Biodiversity net gain | Buckinghamshire Council
Information about recording wildlife and Bucks and Milton Keynes Environmental Record Centre (BMERC) can be found here: Wildlife Recording Tips | Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records (bucksmkerc.org.uk) and here: Make Your Wildlife Observations Count – Biological Recording
Buckinghamshire Council’s Community Boards have a range of priorities including those that champion the natural environment. To find out more and connect with your local Community Board, please visit Community Boards | Buckinghamshire Council
We are the Natural Environment Partnership, which is the Local Nature Partnership for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. We bring together a diverse range of individuals, businesses and organisations to drive positive change in the local natural environment.
The NEP promotes the value of the natural environment in decision making at all levels and takes a strategic view of the challenges and opportunities facing nature. The NEP is working alongside the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and the health and wellbeing boards to embed natural environment in growth, economic & health strategies, and develop interventions and programmes for delivery.
We work with our partners at a strategic, landscape-scale to champion the value of the environment. Some of our key publications include:
https://bucksmknep.co.uk/nature-strategy/
If you wish to be added to our mailing list, they can email us at – nep@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape Partnership Scheme has been running since 2019 and will wrap-up in November 2024. The Scheme was set up to face the challenges to the Central Chilterns of the day: the development of HS2; the loss and fragmentation of ancient woodland and other wildlife habitats through development; the disappearance of traditional orchards and hedgerows; and an increasing disconnect between people and their local landscape.
Funded primarily by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Scheme has worked across three themes – wildlife, heritage and people. Under these themes, a whole host of projects interweaving topics such as volunteering, engagement, research, restoration and enhancement in order to deliver tangible, on-the-ground benefits and a lasting legacy for our landscape. We have created a Farmer Cluster to bring people together to care for wildlife, increased and expanded wildlife monitoring, fostered partnership working, and helped people to take action for wildlife and heritage within the Chilterns, whether through volunteering, community planning, or simply enjoying the landscape through walks, talks and events.
As we celebrate the work we have done, achievements made and lessons learned, we’d like to take this chance to encourage you to keep taking action and don’t stop doing what you’re doing! We want our legacy and your input to continue far into the future. You may be a partner looking to take on aspects of our projects, a community group now up-and running and able to work independently, or you may just be interested in learning more about the nature around you and conserving your landscape. Whatever your motivation, wildlife and heritage need you! Read some ideas about how to get involved and what support is available at https://www.chilterns.org.uk/chalkcherrieschairs/ccc-legacy/
The Chilterns National Landscape is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – an area of land that is of national importance for its natural beauty and special qualities, including geology, wildlife, landscape features, and rich cultural history. National Landscapes have the same level of landscape quality and the same level of protection as National Parks.
The Chilterns National Landscape is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – an area of land that is of national importance for its natural beauty and special qualities, including geology, wildlife, landscape features, and rich cultural history. National Landscapes have the same level of landscape quality and the same level of protection as National Parks.
Wild Amersham @Sustainable Amersham aims to engage local people to appreciate, protect and restore local nature. We do this through organising events about nature, helping to manage three local sites for nature, and monitoring changes in biodiversity in Amersham and Chesham Bois. If you would like to know more, go to our website (https://sustainableamersham.org/wild-amersham/), check us out on instagram @sustainableamersham and #wildamersham, or come to one of our events. You can sign up for the Sustainable Amersham monthly email newsletter via https://sustainableamersham.org/join-sustainable-amersham/ and for the quarterly Wild Amersham email via: https://forms.gle/5rboVRQ3bp4znEdr6.
House Martin Conservation UK & Ireland is a newly formed conservation charity covering the UK and Ireland dedicated to the care and protection of the house martin.
House martin numbers have been in decline for many years with a UK & Ireland conservation status of ‘Red’. The charity aims to encourage as many people as possible to come together and raise awareness in communities that this special bird of the hirundine family needs our help, and encourage communities to take action to improve nesting opportunities for house martins. The aim is to halt and hopefully reverse their decline in numbers.
House Martin Conservation UK and Ireland
We are the Natural Environment Partnership, which is the Local Nature Partnership for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. We bring together a diverse range of individuals, businesses and organisations to drive positive change in the local natural environment.
The NEP promotes the value of the natural environment in decision making at all levels and takes a strategic view of the challenges and opportunities facing nature. The NEP is working alongside the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and the health and wellbeing boards to embed natural environment in growth, economic & health strategies, and develop interventions and programmes for delivery.
https://bucksmknep.co.uk/nature-strategy/
If you wish to be added to our mailing list, email us at – nep@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Community WildBelt is a project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to help nature recovery in Wendover and surrounding parishes. We want to connect people with nature where they live. Working with community groups, parish councils, schools and private landowners we can offer practical support, knowledge and small grants. Volunteering is at the heart of the project encouraging people to learn new skills and share with others how important our wildlife is.
https://chilternsociety.org.uk/community-wildbelt/
The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape Partnership Scheme has been running since 2019 and will wrap-up in November 2024. The Scheme was set up to face the challenges to the Central Chilterns of the day: the development of HS2; the loss and fragmentation of ancient woodland and other wildlife habitats through development; the disappearance of traditional orchards and hedgerows; and an increasing disconnect between people and their local landscape.
Funded primarily by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Scheme has worked across three themes – wildlife, heritage and people. Under these themes, a whole host of projects interweaving topics such as volunteering, engagement, research, restoration and enhancement in order to deliver tangible, on-the-ground benefits and a lasting legacy for our landscape. We have created a Farmer Cluster to bring people together to care for wildlife, increased and expanded wildlife monitoring, fostered partnership working, and helped people to take action for wildlife and heritage within the Chilterns, whether through volunteering, community planning, or simply enjoying the landscape through walks, talks and events.
As we celebrate the work we have done, achievements made and lessons learned, we’d like to take this chance to encourage you to keep taking action and don’t stop doing what you’re doing! We want our legacy and your input to continue far into the future. You may be a partner looking to take on aspects of our projects, a community group now up-and running and able to work independently, or you may just be interested in learning more about the nature around you and conserving your landscape. Whatever your motivation, wildlife and heritage need you! Read some ideas about how to get involved and what support is available at www.chilterns.org.uk/ccc-legacy
The Diocese of Oxford is committed to working towards net zero carbon by 2035 and, recognising that the climate change and biodiversity loss crises are intricately linked, to encouraging wildlife friendly land management practices on the land under its influence.
We share the following resources relating to churchyards, cemeteries, and church gardens.
https://www.oxford.anglican.org/environment-and-social-justice/environmental-action/biodiversity/
https://www.oxford.anglican.org/xdb/ecohub/show/churchyard-management-plan-examples
We also work with the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust on Wilder Churches. https://www.bbowt.org.uk/team-wilder/team-wilder-churches
Do add pins for churchyards managed with wildlife in mind on the Team Wilder map. https://www.bbowt.org.uk/be-part-of-team-wilder
The national Church of England Environment Programme shares a number of land and nature resources. https://www.churchofengland.org/about/environment-and-climate-change/land-and-nature
North Bucks Bat Group (NBBG) exists to promote bat conservation in Aylesbury Vale, Milton Keynes and Chiltern Hills through recording, monitoring, education work, practical conservation and by advising the public. NBBG works in partnership with the Bat Conservation Trust and in collaboration with other bat groups.
https://www.northbucksbatgroup.org.uk/
The Upper Thames branch of Butterfly Conservation is a semi-autonomous group of volunteers working to conserve the habitats of butterflies and moths. We are part of that registered charity: England & Wales (254937) Scotland different but hardly relevant.
Founded in 1982, the Upper Thames Branch aims to protect butterflies, moths in the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. We do this through the following actions:
- Thorough recording of all resident and migrant species with both standardised and casual recording methodology
- The sharing of above records
- Habitat assessments and advice on management of sites
- Conservation tasks to assist with our advised management
- Training in survey methodology
- Training in identification of butterflies and moths
- Guided walks and moth trapping events to encourage communities to become aware of and to care for their butterflies and moths
https://www.upperthames-butterflies.org.uk/
A managed native hedgerow maintains land quality, aids the environment and provides food, shelter and corridors for wildlife. There is a huge opportunity for local councils to get a fast improvement in bio-diversity by properly managing native hedgerows in their public spaces and their community at large.
In early 2023, Chilterns Natural Landscape, through the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs landscape partnership and BBOWT, funded the creation of the Rough around the Hedges team of experienced volunteers. This team trained in hedge management, particularly the heritage art of hedge laying, rejuvenating leggy, gappy and over mature hedgerows to give better bushy and bio-diverse environment. This highly capable and dedicated volunteer group has already successfully delivered successful results on a number of conservation and farm sites.
As Chalk, Cherries and Chairs draws to a close, Rough around the Hedges is transferring to the Chiltern Society in order to continue supporting bio-diversity in the Chilterns and surrounding areas. The Chiltern Society provides the volunteer group with organisational and logistical support including insurance and ongoing training.
Rough around the Hedges is able to provide trained volunteers to lead hedge laying exercises on suitable native hedges and to offer training to local volunteers to enable good future maintenance. Volunteers are free and the incremental material cost is low. Local funding has proved straightforward for client sites to find.
Please direct any enquiry to Paul Heath, via the Chiltern Society at this address.
BBOWT is the only voluntary organisation in the region concerned with all aspects of nature conservation.
We give wildlife a helping hand to ensure it thrives in our three counties. As well as managing our nature reserves, this includes monitoring species and running special projects to support declining species such as water voles, or threatened habitats such as chalk grassland. We also advise other landowners about how to care for habitats and species.
Information about the Council’s ecology team can be found here: Ecology and biodiversity | Buckinghamshire Council
Information about Biodiversity Net Gain can be found here: Biodiversity net gain | Buckinghamshire Council
Information about recording wildlife and Bucks and Milton Keynes Environmental Record Centre (BMERC) can be found here: Wildlife Recording Tips | Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records (bucksmkerc.org.uk) and here: Make Your Wildlife Observations Count – Biological Recording
Buckinghamshire Council’s Community Boards have a range of priorities including those that champion the natural environment. To find out more and connect with your local Community Board, please visit Community Boards | Buckinghamshire Council
We are the Natural Environment Partnership, which is the Local Nature Partnership for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. We bring together a diverse range of individuals, businesses and organisations to drive positive change in the local natural environment.
The NEP promotes the value of the natural environment in decision making at all levels and takes a strategic view of the challenges and opportunities facing nature. The NEP is working alongside the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and the health and wellbeing boards to embed natural environment in growth, economic & health strategies, and develop interventions and programmes for delivery.
We work with our partners at a strategic, landscape-scale to champion the value of the environment. Some of our key publications include:
https://bucksmknep.co.uk/nature-strategy/
If you wish to be added to our mailing list, they can email us at – nep@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Sponsors
Chalk, Cherries and Chairs (CCC) is an ambitious Landscape Partnership that aims to connect local people to the wildlife and cultural heritage of the Central Chilterns. Its work focuses on three themes – wildlife, heritage and people. A whole host of interweaving projects fall under these three themes, designed with the Chilterns’ landscape in mind and sharing common threads, such as volunteering, learning and digital media. CCC is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund with match funding from a range of sources including the HS2 Community & Environment Fund, and is hosted by the Chilterns National Landscape.
The Chilterns National Landscape is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – an area of land that is of national importance for its natural beauty and special qualities, including geology, wildlife, landscape features, and rich cultural history. National Landscapes have the same level of landscape quality and the same level of protection as National Parks.
The Chilterns National Landscape is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – an area of land that is of national importance for its natural beauty and special qualities, including geology, wildlife, landscape features, and rich cultural history. National Landscapes have the same level of landscape quality and the same level of protection as National Parks.
We fund projects of all sizes that connect people to the UK’s heritage with grants from £10,000 up to £10million.
Find all the information you need to apply or check out examples of projects we’ve already funded below.
https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/