Flower-Filled Summer in Bowland

Funders, Hyper Local Press, Regional Press & Papers, Community and Regional Radio, Regional Magazines, Miscellaneous & Freelancers

 

Forest of Bowland AONB Partnership News Release

Wednesday 17^th May 2023

 

Welcome to a Flower-Filled Summer in Bowland

A riot of colour and buzzing with life, Bowland’s traditional hay meadows are true havens during the summer months – and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy them this season.

The Forest of Bowland AONB Partnership and Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust are joining forces once again to offer a host of events designed to get people exploring and appreciating this rare and valuable habitat.

Bowland Hay Time Project Officer, Carol Edmondson, said: “With these events we want to give people the chance to immerse themselves in the wonderful world of wildflowers; whether that’s through experiencing a meadow at the height of the season, seeing traditional scything in action, getting creative with arts and crafts, or learning how to grow their own wildflower plants.”

The series of events begins on 9^th June with a meadow inspiration walk at Gisburn Forest and continues throughout the summer, including National Meadows Day and the Northern Scythe Festival over the first weekend of July, plus a second meadow walk and BioBlitz at the Crook o’ Lune, Lancaster later that week.

A textile workshop, photography walk, plug plant event and online mini-meadow tutorial are also being planned as part of the programme, with information coming soon.

Continued Carol: “Here in Bowland we’re lucky to have some of the last remaining upland hay meadows in the country, thanks to the traditional practices being carried out on the farms where they’re found. Helping people to discover such special places is a really enjoyable part of my role.”

Full details and booking information for the Bowland Hay Time summer events will be available on the Festival Bowland calendar at Festival Bowland Events | Forest of Bowland AONB.

The Hay Time project is being supported by the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.

For more details please email carol.edmondson@lancashire.gov.uk or sandra.silk@lancashire.gov.uk

Contact Mike Appleton at YDMT on 015242 51002 or email media@ydmt.org

The Forest of Bowland AONB

 

• The Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is one of 46 AONBs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• https://landscapesforlife.org.uk/
• The Forest of Bowland was designated as an AONB in 1964.  The AONB legislation (National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) was designed to protect areas of unspoiled natural beauty for future generations.
• 13% of the AONB is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its extensive habitats of wet and dry heathland, particularly heather moor and blanket bog.
• A major part of the AONB’s fells is designated as a Special Protection Area under the European Birds Directive.
• The Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) – informally the Forest of Bowland Partnership – guides the management of the AONB.  Lancashire County Council acts as the lead authority alongside County, District, Parish, land owning and farming community, environmental and recreational partners.

 

AONBs – Core Messages

• People are passionate about Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and care deeply about their future.
• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are some of the most beautiful and cherished landscapes in Britain. They need to be cared for, now and in the future.
• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are dynamic, living landscapes that underpin the economy and the health and wellbeing of society.
• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are vibrant landscapes. They offer a wealth of opportunities for everyone to enjoy them and help look after them.
• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are designated landscapes which provide a range of benefits for people and wildlife.

About Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust:

Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) is a small charity doing big things to support the people, landscape and wildlife of the Dales.

To date the charity has helped to deliver inspiring projects in the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas. These projects cover areas as diverse as countryside apprenticeships, supporting local communities, education and outreach, restoring woodlands and wildlife habitats, and improving access and understanding of this special place.

The Trust has recruited more than 65,000 supporters to date. Find out more at www.ydmt.org