Stroud Valleys ProjectAnnual Report 2007–2008

1 . annual report 2007 – 2008

Mature willows on the banks of the River Frome at Eastington

Our visionThe aim of Stroud Valleys Project (SVP) is to protect and enhance the local environment by working with local communities to embrace sustainable development and biodiversity, and so to make Stroud and its surrounding area a better, healthier place in which to live for both present and future generations. Originally founded in 1988 to help protect the industrial heritage of Stroud and its five valleys, SVP has established its reputation since then for its work with local community groups and volunteers: helping, inspiring and training them to discover and nurture the wildlife and green spaces on their doorsteps. In this way, it is opening up opportunities for a much wider group of people to become involved in environmental improvement, reaching out to young and old, as well as to those previously cut off from such activities by disadvantage or disability.

Our strategy in pursuing these aims and objectives is to continue to:• Forgeagreaterawarenessofenvironmentalandbiodiversityissuesso

that local people are able to influence local planning and policy-makers to ensure sustainability is at the heart of the local agenda.

• Engageasmanypeopleaspossibleintheworkofsustainabledevelopmentby working with local partner agencies and health providers.

• Providealivelylearningresourceforlocalpeopleofallages.

2. annual report 2007 – 2008

Summertime walk to Ebley Meadows

ForewordThis has been a year of contradictions, the best of years and the worst of years, a year when our work throughout the Stroud district and into the Severn Vale has fruitfully delivered on all the aims set out above – and yet which ended with all that work in danger. It was a year when, in the Severn Vale in particular, our work in partnership with farmers, landowners, schools and local councils was perfectly in step with all the national rhetoric about the environment and probably ahead of it. And yet by March there was no sign or news of any more money from government agencies for what was supposed to be a 10-year project in the Severn Vale. In spite of all our work leading local groups and nurturing biodiversity in green spaces around Stroud, with the welcome support of the district council, this has been a serious financial setback for Stroud Valleys Project. Just as world leaders and all our political parties are finally facing up to global warning, funding to the groups delivering on green issues on the ground is drying up. Nature works long-term but, for all the government rhetoric, neither quangos nor the national lottery takes account of the effect of on-off policies. Forusthishasmeantredundanciesinanalreadysmallstaff,amajorfunding appeal and many warm expressions of local support (including cash) which have helped us to feel more optimistic about the future than we could at the turn of the financial year. And, as the rest of this report demonstrates, this year past has also seen some really useful work to celebrate, which has not only reclaimed many green spaces for local people to enjoy and restored some dwindling species to their rightful place in the natural order, but involved many more groups in the process. The good news is that many more young people have become closer to their local environment in the past year, both through our work with schools and with scouts and brownies, and so have many groups with disadvantages or disabilities, for whom the link with SVP has proved particularly valuable. We have also been working with adult education, developing useful routes to literacy through wildlife, and extending our links with further education students at Ruskin Mill. And over in the Severn Vale, the collaboration with farmers has been a very positive two-way process – as well as delivering on government farmland policies. So the year has delivered much to celebrate, but also the sadness of redundancies. Two people have accepted redundancy at the end of the year when the financial situation became clear: Caroline Aistrop, our joint Director of Projects who has been at the heart and soul of SVP for over 12 years, and Richard Lewis, who developed the Severn Vale project so successfullywithNadine.Everyoneelsehascutbacktheirhoursseverelyand are working harder than ever: Clare Mahdiyone now as Director of

3 . annual report 2007 – 2008

Spring bird identification workshop

Projects after her job-share with Caroline; Deb Coleman keeping finances under strict control, Carolyn Buckley running the office on a few hours a week, Nadine Smykatz-Kloss and Ivi Szabo’ova Baxendale leading thriving projects out in the field. It is very difficult to think of Caroline and SVP apart (and happily she has been back volunteering since her departure) and the trustees are deeply grateful to her for all that she has done to create and shape the project over the years. Thank you too to Clare and the rest of the team who are putting in superhuman efforts to carry us through to the next year and a better funding future.

Patricia RowanChair of Trustees

4. annual report 2007 – 2008

Planting native trees to create traditional woodland

Severn Vale ProjectThe Severn Vale Biodiversity Project is a partnership between three environmental organisations – Stroud Valleys Project, the Severnside ProjectandtheFarmingandWildlifeAdvisoryGroup.Thepartnershipbrought together community, farming and environmental experience in 12 parishes in the Severn Vale to promote understanding between the different groups and to ensure all parties were committed to a 10-year project. It builds on SVP’s well-established model of good practice in helping communities to look after their environment. The project has worked towards creating a healthy farmland mosaic in the Severn Vale, where wildlife can thrive and healthy populations can be established, where species-rich and ancient hedgerows are retained and where farmland birds are able to thrive. This was the second year of thisprojecttobesupportedbyNaturalEngland’sCountdown2010andthe Tubney Charitable Trust grants. Both grants were awarded to help threatened UK priority habitats and species.

Habitat improvementsThissecondyearofNaturalEnglandCountdown2010hasenabledustocomplete more landscape-scale habitat improvements, including:• planting765mofnewhedgingandlaying200mofexistinghedges• creatingtwopondsandbringingtwoexistingpondsintoappropriate

management• plantingoneneworchardandhelpingtorestorefivetraditionalorchards• plantingonehectareofnewwoodland• improvingfourkilometresoffootpathsbyreplacing17stileswith

kissing gates and building six new bridges• workingwithfarmersandlandownerscoveringapproximately630

hectares of land

Community, volunteers and parish councilsCommunity members and volunteers have continued to contribute an invaluable amount to this project – indeed it would not have been possible without them. In addition to the habitat improvement work, volunteers have also been involved in improving public footpaths by installing kissing gates and building bridges and have surveyed 13 square kilometresinEastingtonandSlimbridgeforthePhaseIHabitatSurvey–a general survey where volunteers have walked the land to identify how itisbeingused,andwhathabitatsexistthere.Morethan50communityand training events have taken place over the year.

5 . annualreport2007–2008

Stiles have been replaced with kissing gates to improve footpath access between Leonard Stanley and Frocester

The project has continued to develop and build on its working relationships with local landowners, parish councils and all members of the community across the project area. InpartnershipwithSVP,CamWildlifeGrouphasachievedallitsgoalsundertheLocalHeritageInitiative,athree-yearproject,whichcame to an end in March 2008. The parish has seen the restoration of some of its historic stone stiles, access improvements to footpaths and the publication of local walks leaflets. The hedgerow survey in the parish has been continued and a biodiversity map has been completed for Cam Parish Council, which records the results of all habitat surveys undertaken intheparishtodate.EventshavebeenorganisedtopubliciseWildlifeWarden schemes to support and continue the work we have started. ThestrengthenedpartnershipwiththeGloucestershireCountyCouncil Rights of Way Department has also made numerous footpath improvementspossible,especiallyinCam,FrocesterandEastingtonandmany walks have been organised in celebration of this work.

Work with young people and schoolsThe project has continued to work with young people, both in a longstanding relationship with Ruskin Mill College and with primary schools at Slimbridge, Whitminster, Cam and Longney, creating practical educational workshops linked to the national Science and Citizenship curriculum. This has been delivered through sessions with nature clubs, planting hedges in schools and organising family events at local wildlife sites.

Farmers and landownersWe have continued to build good relationships with local farmers and landowners, and have further assisted some in accessing funding through DepartmentofEnvironment,FarmingandRuralAffairs(DEFRA)schemes aimed at enhancing biodiversity. We have assisted a further five farmerstoenterDEFRA’sEntryLevelStewardship(ELS)andonemorefarmertoenterthemorecompetitiveHigherLevelStewardshipscheme(HLS).Overatwoyearperiod,thistotals18farmersjoiningoneoftheschemes–andasaresultofthisweanticipatethatover1600hectaresoffarmland will be improved for wildlife.

6. annualreport2007–2008

Pond-dipping at Cashes Green Primary School

Cainscross GreenspacesThis is the second year of this project, funded by Biffaward, which aims to encourage more local people to get out, about and active in their community greenspaces. The project is focussed around two sites in the parish – HamwellLeazeandFinn’sWay(formerlyknownasHumphrey’sClose).

Habitat improvementsThroughout the project we have run very successful wildlife surveys and habitat workshops which have helped to increase biodiversity as well as getting local people more involved in looking after these greenspaces on their doorsteps. This year, the workshops have included planting native bulbs and wildflowers, clearing bramble and planting hedges, all of which has helped create new habitats for insects, small mammals and songbirds. We have also organised bird-box making workshops and run bird identification sessions; the sight of a kingfisher feeding at one of the sites has confirmed that the water quality of the local brook is improving. WithCainscrossWildlifeGroup,weworkedonaparish-widebirdsurveyduringRSPB’sBigGardenBirdwatch–andwehavealsorunbirdidentification workshops for primary schools and scouts. Together with games about ecosystems and foodchains, these have helped the children put all their wildlife knowledge into context. WithfundingfromtheLocalNetworkFund,wehavebeenabletoextend our work with children in Cainscross. With this funding we haveconcentratedonimprovingbiodiversityatFinn’sWay,byplantingwildflowersandbulbs,andcreatinganewhedgerowatCashesGreenPrimary School. We have subsequently undertaken further hedge-planting workshops at the school. Teachers recognise that pupils can benefit enormously from spending time away from the classroom, and that this type of non-curriculum based learning can still be drawn on inside the classroom during subsequent science lessons. Involving children in these types of workshops not only builds their confidence now, but will also help to ensure that future generations value and appreciate these wildlife havens.

Healthy walks programme The second part of this project is the healthy walking programme. Walks from the two sites in Cainscross are run regularly to encourage people to incorporate exercise into their daily lives. We have introduced use of the Warwick-EdinburghMentalWell-beingScalebeforeandafterthewalksto monitor the effects of walking in the countryside and results show that the walk can change people’s sense of mental well-being and self-esteem, sometimes quite dramatically. Participants even recognise increases in

7. annual report 2007 – 2008

Visit to Betty Dawes Nature Reserve to see the famous wild daffodils

perceived energy levels before and after a walk in the countryside. Walks this year have explored the hidden valleys around Whiteshill, admired bluebells in Randwick Woods and observed spring changes at DoverowHillandStandishWoods,aswellasaSolsticewalkandapost-Christmas walk to take advantage of the stunning views from Selsley and Rodborough Commons. We were also involved in the Strolling in Stroud walking festival organised by Stroud Town Council. This included not just a walk for the community but also a walk into Randwick Woods for theentireyearthreeandfourgroupsatCashesGreenPrimarySchool.This gave a further opportunity to learn about woodland habitats and their importance to wildlife, as well as to learn to recognise trees.

LearningWithcontinuedsupportfromAdultEducationinGloucestershireandanumber of trust funds, SVP has continued its work with specific sectors of the community who may need a little extra support to enable them to get out into the countryside. ThesegroupsincludestudentsfromRuskinMillCollege,ParkHouse(day centre for people experiencing mental health difficulties) and a group of people with visual impairment. All these groups have benefited from targeted courses, enabling them to undertake a variety of activities, from healthy walks to conservation sessions, learning about the local environment along the way. Ruskin Mill students have continued to work regularly with SVP staff throughout the year on sites across the whole district. Their contribution to habitat management and conservation is invaluable, and in return they have learned more about their local environment and its wildlife, as well as enjoying interacting with other volunteers and local people. Similarly,peoplefromParkHousehaveenjoyedtwoshortcoursesinvolving conservation work in Stroud, giving them a regular opportunity to get out and about. Our events for people with visual impairments have offered another selection of walks around interesting local sites, allowing them to experience more of the district’s special countryside and wildlife. This year, the group has admired the magnolias’ burst of colour at Westonbirt Arboretum, the sea of sunshine yellow wild daffodils at Betty Dawes Nature Reserve in Dymock as well as visiting the pond system at HawkwoodCollege. GoWildFLLN(FamilyLearningLiteracyandNumeracy)courses,

8. annual report 2007 – 2008

200m of new species-rich hedgerow was planted at Pinnell’s End Farm

fundedbyAdultEducationinGloucestershire,areaimedatadultswith basic skills needs and their families. We have run a series of very successfulcoursesthisyearatCashesGreenPrimarySchoolandCamEverlandsSchool,wherewehaveusedtheirwildlifeareastoteachfamilies about wildlife through fun outdoor activities. Children are nearly always very keen to learn about nature, so it is a good way of getting adults to participate in learning activities. The literacy and numeracy skills for adults are embedded in the wildlife learning. What has been most rewarding has been to see the motivation it has given the adults to study for Basic Skills qualifications, with seven of our adult studentsatCamEverlandsgoingontotaketheNationalLiteracytestsat levels one and two. The programmes benefit the schools by increasing parental involvement in their children’s learning, raising parents’ own achievements and creating a culture of learning which extends through the school, community and homes. In addition it takes absolutely vital environmental education out into the wider community, enabling SVP to reach a wider audience with this important work. ThisyearwehavealsointroducedaverysuccessfulFamilyLearningWeekProgrammeatCamEverlandsSchoolandParliamentChildren’sCentrecalled‘GreenResolutions’,whichexploredthewaysfamiliescan‘GoGreenonaBudget’.Thecoursecoveredglobalwarming,carbonemissions,recycling, waste and composting. We know from our course evaluations that these have lead to positive changes in students’ attitudes and behaviour, and increased their confidence in talking about the environment. One student wrote ‘the course has made me think more about what I put in the bin, and how different packaging affects the environment’.

VolunteeringVolunteers are crucial to everything SVP does. They help to run projects from the office and on the ground, as well as supporting fundraising activities.Thisyearvolunteershavecontributedatotalof7,285hourstoourwork,whichaddsavalueof£61,807totheorganisation.Volunteersgain valuable skills, they have fun, and for some, volunteering provides an anchor in the week and opens up a new social network. SVP tries to further support this, and show their appreciation through regular volunteer lunches where staff and volunteers have a chance to relax together. We cannot thank our volunteers enough for the support they have given us, and for their involvement in the project’s work in the district over the past year.

9. annual report 2007 – 2008

Bulb planting with children from Cashes Green Primary School

EventsWith support from Stroud District Council, SVP runs a year-round programme of wildlife events. Accompanied by local experts, these range from the hugely popular summertime badger sett visits, to a tour of the localundergroundstonemine.Highlightsthisyearhaveincludedthe‘Big Cat Debate’ and a walk with a local apothecary to learn about the medicinal properties of wild flowers.

PartnershipsStroud Community Land TrustInadditiontothecontinuedworkatFinn’sWayonbehalfoftheCommunity Land Trust, SVP has embarked on consultation about the Lake at the Lawns site in Cainscross. This site, next to Cainscross roundabout, is all that remains of a large country house that existed here untilthe1960s.Thelake,smallareaofwoodlandandmoreformallawnarea is one of only three sites in Cainscross parish where residents have unrestricted access for walking, picnicking and getting close to wildlife. The consultation will inform the Land Trust on how the local community would like the site to be managed; we hope to support the Land Trust in forming a group of local people who want to help us carry out the work necessary to care for this site.

Hawkwood CollegeThisyear,HawkwoodCollegeexpandeditssuccessfulFestivalofHealingtoincorporatea‘GreenFair’inpartnershipwithSVP.TheFestivalofHealing&theEnvironmentcoincidedwiththeStrollinginStroudfestival and SVP was able to organise walks around the grounds as well as coordinating stalls and presentations from other local environmental organisations and projects. The expanded event succeeded in promoting both organisations to new sections of the community.

Gloucestershire BAP PartnershipSVP continues to be a member of this partnership. Through recording and reporting survey results and habitat improvements, we make a measurable contribution to national Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) targets.

10. annual report 2007 – 2008

Restoration of oak and ash woodland, typical of Arlingham

Friends of SVPIf you would like to contribute towards the work of Stroud Valleys Project, oneofthewaysyoucandosoistobecomeaFriend.Weruntwoschemes– one for individuals and one for companies. As an individual, the cost ofbecomingaFriendstartsfromaslittleas£10ayear–youwillreceiveregular newsletters, events programmes and reduced rates at events. CompaniesbecomeFriendsforavarietyofreasons:becausetheycare about the environment; to promote staff volunteering; to look after a piece of land that matters to them. Very often, the company genuinely cares about the local community and wants to demonstrate its commitment to local involvement. WearegratefultoalltheFriendswhoalreadysupportus,andlookforward to extending our community to new individuals and companies.

Future plansWe are constantly seeking new project opportunities, and plan to further extend our work with children and adult learners across the district, with the support of our existing partners. During the coming year, however, three key funding streams come to an end: Countdown 2010, the Tubney Charitable Trust and Biffaward. WearedelightedtohavesecuredfundingfromtheGloucestershireEnvironmentalTrustCompany(GETCo)toexpandtheCainscrossproject and with their support will extend the work across a further four sites in Stroud. By April 2008, we have not been able to secure adequate funding for the continuation of the Severn Vale Biodiversity Project. Three and a half years in, we are actively seeking funds to continue the planned 10-year project. In the meantime, we are very grateful for the support we have received from local partners and from charitable trusts which is enabling us to continue with some smaller habitat improvement projects and maintain some momentum. With this backdrop, we are expanding our fund-raising activities and areplanningtheformallaunchoftheCompanyFriendsschemeandasponsored bike-ride. We are also looking to increase our work for local authorities through service level agreements and tendering. This approach has already secured us some footpath work for the county Rights of Way department for the coming year. If you would like to support our work, suggest a local project or sponsor an event, we would be delighted to hear from you.

1 1 . annual report 2007 – 2008

Autumn walk through woodland at Whiteshill

Friends of SVPMary AlexanderJane BagshawJohn BaleMike BlanchSheila BrockwellNigel Brooke SmithTony BurtonCainscross Parish CouncilSheila CarruthersMr&MrsVChaineySusan ChildsPeter CornishNeil&ColetteCuddihyJean DabinettHelenDallowD DavisRichard DayDiana DunningDursley Town CouncilSueEllisSheilaElyJanetEverdellDeniseGibbonsJulianGouldPeteGouldRonnieHardingSueHazeldineJennyHeslopPeter&WennaHillsJessicaHodgeS IllingworthCarol KambitesNorahKennedy&-ErikWilkinsonJoan KinghamBetty KnightsVernon LidstoneJane MaceMike McDowellAlan&LizMilesTim Mugford

Mary OramHelenParsonsJohn&MyraPetersGCPhillipsMerci RebatiGerryRobbinsBetty SeabrookPaul SheppardMartin SherrardJenny SlaterRoy&MurielSmartSue SmithMichael StottJoy StrongJHTaylorJanet TaylorMargaret TemplerJadwiga TuckerPenny WaitJoy WayMary Wright

12 . annual report 2007 – 2008

Hedgelaying with students from Ruskin Mill

The peopleStaff and volunteersSVP operates with a small, hard-working staff who provide the leadership for all the volunteers working in the field on community projects and in the office on project organisation.

StaffDIreCtor oF proJeCtSCaroline Aistrop / Clare MahdiyoneoperatIonS ManaGerDeb ColemanproJeCt oFFICe ManaGerCarolyn BuckleySeVern Vale proJeCt oFFICerSRichard LewisNadine Smykatz-KlossCoMMunItY Green SpaCeS oFFICerIvi Szabo’oba-BaxendaleFaMIlY learnInG tutorSTamsin BentHelenPitel

Regular freelance workersFunDraISerIsla PearsonJulie WickhamBooK-KeeperSallyGoodwin

Volunteers assisting in the officeDave ArcherDaryl CarpenterAnthony CawthrawNynthiFeareposmDeniseGibbonsPeterGoodwinDaveGreensweigPhil MorrisJohn OckhamAudrey ParkerMarcus TurnerKevin Wilkinson Barbara Wood

Board membersPatricia Rowan CHaIrSteve Watson treaSurerJohn Bridges CoMpanY SeCretarYGeoffBeckerlegJane MaceLiz PetersPeter SeccombeJoy Way

FundersAdultEducationinGloucestershireArlingham Parish CouncilBiffawardCainscross Parish CouncilCam Parish CouncilCamWildlifeGroupCotswold Conservation BoardDursley BirdersEastingtonParishCouncilFramptonCourtEstateGloucesterPrimaryCareTrustGloucestershireCountyCouncilGloucestershireCommunityFoundationLinleyWightmanShawFoundationNaturalEnglandStroud Community Land TrustStroud District CouncilStroud Town CouncilThe Tubney Charitable Trust

SponsorsSVP gratefully acknowledges the support of Softlink Computer Systems.

13 . annual report 2007 – 2008

Facts and figuresVolunteer hoursCommunityGreenspacesProject 240Severn Vale Biodiversity Project 4,202CamWildlifeGroup 574GreenspacesinStroud* 141Educationandevents 465In the office 1,321Trustees 342

Totalvolunteerhours 7,285

Externalfundingattractedintothedistrict £103,262

Valueofvolunteerwork £61,807

Financial reportThe audited accounts for this year show that total donations received in the year total £170,803). Of this total, £146,108wasdesignatedbythedonorsforspecificpurposesand£32,695could be used at the discretion of the trustees.Expenditurerelatingtothespecific funds totalled approximately £94,561andexpenditureofunrestrictedfundswas£24,080(including£5,031offundraising costs).

The independently examined accounts were approved by the trustees on 24th July 2008 and have been sent to the Charity Commission and to the Registrar of Companies. The Trustees’ Report and audited accounts are available from the SVP office.

*TrinityPocketPark,StratfordMill,TheLeazes,FromeBanks

SVP is funded by

Stroud Valleys Project 8 Threadneedle Street Stroud GloucestershireGl51aF

Telephone 01453753358Fax01453755641Emailinfo@stroudvalleysproject.org Website www.stroudvalleysproject.org

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