Access to the Countryside - Success Stories
Forest Enterprise - Holsworthy Wood Community Access Project
A partnership with £12,500 to spend has been set up to deliver some exciting woodland based developments in the Holsworthy area. Before next spring countryside lovers will have new parking facilities and an all-ability trail in their woodland on the edge of Holsworthy. Improved walks and new seats are also included in the works programme now due to begin at the 81 hectare site.The project is being delivered by the Forestry Commission, Holsworthy Market & Coastal Tows Initiative (HMCTI) and North West Devon LEADER+. The HMCTI community agent, Rachel Marsh, said: "We felt it should be the people of Holsworthy who decided how the money was spent. We were delighted that so many of them came forward with their ideas during our public meetings".
North West Devon LEADER+ grants administrator Lisa Downie said "pupils from Holsworthy Primary School" would play a key role by helping to design a special seating feature for the wood. Our goal is to make the countryside accessible to everyone regardless of their abilities or age. Involving the children is a great way to help them feel that the wood belongs to them too".
Beat Forester Martin Webb added that the current scheme was just the beginning. He said "that he hoped the project's second phase would include putting extra walks into Holsworthy Wood. There would also be walks linking it to other woodlands".
Lower Campscott Farm - Margaret Cowell
Mr & Mrs Cowell are the proprietors of Lower Campscott a small working farm, which offers visitors an ideal base to explore the diversity of North Devon. As well as a working farm they also have eight holiday cottages and camping caravan facilities. As part of their farm diversification, from October 2004 they will also provide residential craft courses such as photography, patchwork and painting.
Lower Campscott Farm covers approximately 35 acres of land that includes two nature trails. The trails have ponds, flora and fauna, birds, rabbits, foxes, badgers and deers have been spotted, not forgetting the farm animals!! Mr & Mrs Cowell has been awarded a North West Devon LEADER+ Access to the Countryside Grant to enhance the farm trails, by improving the permissve and public footpath and environmental features. The trails will be open to locals and visitors, as well as community groups and schools for educational visits.
Wings South West - Wings Roundhouse
Wings South West was successful in obtaining a North West Devon LEADER+ Access to the Countryside Grant to sensitively develop the Instow Picnic Meadow on the Tarka Trail.
The main focus of the work would be the construction of a 15ft diameter, cob and thatched Roundhouse. The Roundhouse would be a sustainable and innovative method of signposting, interpreting and advertising - specifically for the Tarka Trail itself, as well as the whole of North Devon and Torridge Districts.
There will be a strong element of community participation in the construction of the Roundhouse particularly through the inclusion of "disaffected" students from Bideford School and those who are Not in Education, Employment or Training. The project will create an opportunity for the families of students, including locals and visitors who have little or no access to the countryside, through lack of interest or knowledge, to visit the Tarka Trail and surrounds.
