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Blackwater Valley Recreation and Countryside Management Service
Annual Report October 1995 - October 1996
PLANNING
The Service continues to receive weekly planning lists from the
districts, or is informally approached for advice and comment relating
to planning applications. We make comment in line with policy contained
within the Blackwater Valley Strategy 1993 - 8. Some of the key
applications commented on include:
Land at Ticehurst Meadow, Aldershot (RBC)
Church Farm, Sandhurst (BCC)
Land at Oxenden Road, Ash (GBC)
BVR Central Landscaping Details (SCC)
Linsford Farm, Mytchett (SHBC)
The Quays, Mytchett (SHBC)
In addition the Sevice has commented on the following:-
Hart District Council Local Plan
Hart District Council Leisure Strategy
Rushmoor Borough Council Local Plan
Bracknell Forest Borough Council Local Plan
This shows a blend of both important strategic issues (Local Plans)
with the seemingly very minor applications (i.e. Linsford Farm).
However it is often the latter which are most important, representing
attempts to constantly nibble away at the boundaries of the Valley.
This requires a lot of vigilance to keep at bay. The completion of
the BVR has led to a lot of speculative enquires concerning land just
outside the Valley boundary which offer a threat to the Valleys'
cohesiveness and aestethic qualities. It is important that these
applications are assessed with regard to their impact on the Valley.
The Service have met with Planning Officers from Waverley Borough
Council to progress improvements in the strategic gap around Farnham and
Badshot Lea. This will involve landscape assessment, the production of
strategies and the contact with landowners; sources of funding are being
researched. BVRCMS wil be taking the lead role in this process.
CONSERVATION ISSUES
New Ranger, Amanda Simpson, started in post in November 95
The "Recorder" system now has 173 sources of data and 27000 individual
records relating to ecological data in the Valley. This is in regular
use to provide data for planning issues, conservation management and
studies of the Valley. The system has proved invaluable for assisting
Hart, Surrey Heath, Guildford and Waverley with drawing up SNCI
designations. Many areas in the Valley are now protected through being
classified as SNCI or equivalent.
New Management Plans have been written and implemented on two crucial
sites - Hawley Meadows and Lakeside Park.
Part of this process has been the introduction of cattle to graze
Hawley Meadows - far more ecologically beneficial than horses. This
has been an aim for 6 years. Countryside Stewardship for this site
is being applied for.
Lakeside Park now has a plan taking into account the many
improvements carried out as part of the BVR contract and the
existing managment by Volunteers.This site is now one of the best in
the Valley with its mixture of meadowland, woodland and excellent
waterbodies, and is an excellent example of partnership management.
The Conservation Volunteers have continued to provide an excellent
standard of work, going on site every Tuesday and alternate Sundays.
Numbers fell slightly during the year because of a gap in Ranger staff,
but have now picked up in response to a promotional campaign. Almost 450
work days have been carried out on a variety of tasks and sites.
Investment in training of volunteers means work can be carried out using
power machinery (inc motor boat for lake work, strimmer and power
scythe) and many have been given First Aid training. The Group continues
as an excellent way of involving local people in the improvement of
their local area.
Moor Green Lakes has received improved fencing to allow grazing.
Regular maintenenace of the site and islands is carried out by the BV
Vols alongside the Moor Green Lakes Group. This site in Wokingham is
receiving more and more recognition as being of regional importance as a
bird reserve and is very popular with birders, walkers and families.
The former Farnborough STW filter beds have been re - landscaped and
named "Gerrys Copse" in honour of Gerry Stanley - a long serving
volunteer who died this year. The site will become a coppice woodland
with glades alongside the BVR with public access from the footpath. It
will become a future source of coppice material for work throughout the
Valley - a vision Gerry always had.
We have continued to work with local people at "Snaky Lane". The site
has been fenced and debris removed. Students from Merrist Wood College
helped with some of this work.
Coleford Farm alongside the BVR is now being managed by the Service as
part of an ongoing sponsorship deal with Mc Alpines
Three derelict fields in the Blackwater Valley SSSI have been cleared
of invasive scrub and fenced to allow grazing to take place and return
this valuable site to its desired state.
This period has seen the opening of the last section of the Blackwater
Valley Road
The Service have a contract to manage the landscaping and footpath
of the Northern Section from Hampshire County Council - this has a
seperate budget and a part time post of its own. This work is going
well with contracts overseen to clear litter, cut grass etc. Habitat
management work is carried out to maintain this site as a linear
nature area alongside the footpath. The area is very well used by
walkers and cyclists commuting along the BVR. It is being fully
integrated as a resource within the Blackwater Valley.
We are currently in negotiation with Surrey regarding contracts to
manage the landscaping along the BVR Central section. This will
require additional staff to be paid for from any contract fee.
Throughout the finishing off of the road we have been in regular
contact with staff from SCC and Mc Alpines over a range of
ecological issues and the routing of the footpath. The completion of
the river diversion in this area has seen the river vastly improved
and the return of anglers to its banks.
The main tree planting contract for this part of the road is to be
implemented by SCC over the winter.
Further river improvements and the creation of an off - stream pond
at Hollybush are complete following negotiations by BVRCMS over
restoration conditions at the adjacent borrow pit.
The borrow - pit at Shawfield Lane was restored following advice
from BVRCMS. This site is to be taken over by Guildford BC as new
public open space once pond complete and trees planted.
IMAGE, IDENTITY AND INFORMATION
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The results from last years Market Survey have proved invaluable in
targetting how we work and the type of information produced. This has
resulted in a range of new publications, the development of better
information at the Visitor Centre and with the mobile display, the
setting up of new clubs for biking and windsurfing, the development of
circular rambling routes and increased opportunities for volunteering.
The Discovery Centre will help us to further these aims even more so.
Publications
A new "Discover the Blackwater Valley" leaflet has been produced
and has proved very popular. It has a new house style which has been
adopted on all new publications and displays. This leaflet was
sponsored by Lloyds Bank to the tune of £1400.
A volunteering in the Blackwater Valley recruitment leaflet has
been produced and is now being distributed. Early returns look
encouraging with a good response from potential new volunteers.
A detailed booklet about the Blackwater Valley Footpath is
currently at the designers and should be ready for the Annual
meeting. There is great demand for this booklet, and we will be
selling it to cover costs.
An accompanying booklet to the above showing circular walks from
the Valley into the surrounding countryside and places of interest
is currently being researched and we would hope to have it ready by
the new year. Volunteers are carrying out excellent work researching
and developing new routes for walks.
Newsletter: We have continued to produce this in conjunction with
the Basingstoke Canal. It has worked well. However we feel there is
a need to increase our own identity with the opening of the
Discovery Centre. We are currently reviewing the Newsletter in light
of this. We would like to distribute a greater number of cheap yet
informative newsletters more widely via a medium such as the local
paper.
The Visitor Centre
The Centre now has a volunteer in attendance 7 days a week, and we
have developed an excellent core body to help keep it open. Their
local knowledge has proved really useful to visitors and allows the
Centre to keep in touch with local peoples needs and wants.
Manyother task at the Visitor Centre are carried out by volunteers
and we have had almost 550 days of help this year.
New displays have been created in the Centre with title panels etc.
which can be transferred to the Discovery Centre. This is
coordinated in design with a new portable display which changes
venue fortnightly.
The Visitor Centre has been dealing with approximately 120
enquiries a week over the Summer, which clearly demonstrates the
need for such a facility. A new visitors book has shown some very
encouraging comments.
Following a second advertisement, we were able to appoint Rosie
Skeffington to post in June 96 as Visitor Centre Manager. Tim Morton
left in August '95 and his original replacement left in January '96
to sail round the world.This meant that the Centre was, effectively,
without a manager from September to June. Alan Williams did an
excellent job keeping the Centre open on top of his normal job, and
we had wonderful support from volunteers. We have managed to open
the Centre everyday over the last year. With Rosie now well
established in post we are developing the services offered at the
Centre in preparation for the new Discovery Centre.
The Discovery Centre
This was unfortunately subject to another delay in March of this
year caused by the merger of Sandoz industries with Ciba Geigy.
Sandoz were due to buy back the lease of the old Visitor Centre for
£70,000 - a major contribution to the finances of the new Discovery
Centre. The merger meant they had to "reassess their estate needs" -
a process which took until early August. They have now announced
they are staying at Frimley Business Park and still wish to go ahead
as planned. A new schedule has been drawn up which kicks off with
the official turf cutting as part of the Annual Members Tour.
In the meantime the design has been finalised along with access
routes across Sainsburys land with their agreement. A new pedestrian
phase in the lights at the Sainsburys entrance is being investigated
as part of the scheme.
DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
The Service provided advice and assistance for the production of a
Coastal Recreation Strategy by the Sports Council, RYA and Hampshire CC.
From this a Windsurfing Development Strategy for the Southern region was
produced. Three areas for the promotion and development of windsurfing
are identified - two on the coast and the Blackwater Valley. This shows
the regional importance of the Valleys facilities. Support and finance
(£500) have been made available from HCC and RYA to develop facilities
and participation (see below)
Water time and storage space has been negotiated at Horseshoe Lake
to enable a Blackwater Valley Junior Windsurfing Club to be set up.
This has run successfully over the summer. Adult volunteer helpers
are being trained to become assistant instructors to give the club
some independance. Solent sailboards are also sponsoring this club.
A series of windsurfing "Try it" days for local schools have been
organised at Willow Park, Ash, with keen pupils moving on to join
the Windsurfing Club in their own time.6 pupils have been put
through their RYA Level 1 Award.
A junior Mountain Bike Club now operates all year round on summer
evenings and winter weekends. The emphasis is on safety, enjoyment and
consideration for other people. As with windsurfing, volunteer adult
leaders have been put through a recognised Mountain Bike leaders course.
A womens Mountain Bike Club has just got off the ground following a
demand for non competitive, group riding for women.Volunteer Rachel
Blake is taking a lead in this group following her attending a leaders
course and dissemination of information and contacts through the
newsletter.
This years Crazy Coot Challenge Triathlon proved successful once more,
and was particularly notable for the involvement of some 40 volunteers
throughout the day. Many of these came from local clubs and
organisations we work with throughout the Valley. Whilst being an
excellent event attended by people from all over the country, it is also
a chance for local people to demonstrate - with pride - local clubs and
facilities and the resources of the Blackwater Valley. The event ran
from the Canal Centre and used the BV Footpath, Hollybush Hill and Park,
Lakeside Park, and the Canal. 150 people took part in the even, and with
their friends and family in attendance plus other spectators
approximately 1000 people witnessed the Valleys premier event.
The Kite and Juggling Festival saw 4000 people turn out to see
spectacular kites and a range of skills on display. Importantly they had
the opportunity to join in. The Festival provides a platform for the
Service to take displays and information about the Valley out to a well
attended, high profile event - which is the underlying purpose. Local
history features at the Festival, alongside the Cody Society and
Farnborough Air Science Trust, representing important links with the
local area, culture and industry.
Footpath:
A new 1.5 km section from Aldershot Road under the canal and
linking with the towpath has been completed. This means there is now
an unbroken link from Rowhill to Sandhurst
Church Farm, Sandhurst now under restoration and a 1km stretch of
path should be installed here during 1997, although one field of
approx 200 metres is outstanding.
Two new footbridges at Lynchford Road and Lakeside park have been
provided to improve accessibility - particularly for people with
mobility difficulties - and to make a road crossing safer.
Bike Route: The upgrade of many sections of the footpath to permissable
bike route has received an enthusiastic response and much promise of
help. Many contacts and links have been made and the Blackwater Valley
Bike Route has massive potential. With many individuals and
organisations promising to carry out various tasks it is hard to assess
the current situation.The Service have been trying to hone the various
enthusiasms of officers involved to ensure the paths in partner
authorities link together and form part of a bigger overall picture. We
will endeavour to have a status report and some idea of completion dates
of initial sections in time for the members meeting.
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PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE VALLEY COMMUNITY
The Service continue to build new contacts and work with a wide variety
of local clubs, organisations and business. This is an essential role
for the Service and one that can only be carried out person to person to
maximise the Valleys potential for the people that live here.
A particularly good new contact has been with the Royal Logistic
Corps of the Army. They are keen to work with the local community
and we have had assistance with the Crazy Coot Challenge, the Kite
Festival and Chefs for the Volunteers BBQ. We hope to build on this
relationship. In return we are providing advice on the ecological
management of the grounds around their (St Omer) barracks
Some key organisations (not including Local Authorities) worked
with include: Halls Aggregates, Leisure Sport Angling, Sports
Council, BBONT, Surrey Wildlife Trust, Hants Wildlife Trust,Cody
Society, Farnborough Air Science Trust, Environment Agency, Mc
Alpines, Rushmoor Lifeguards, BV Canoe Club, Basingstoke Canal Canoe
Club, RYA, Hawley UB40, Sainsburys Plc, various local landowners.
Volunteers continue to be a great strength, and we have recruited new
members over the summer, following a concerted campaign. As well as
conservation volunteers, water walkers and visitor centre volunteers, we
have helpers with the windsurfing and 2 bike clubs, major events,
newsletter delivery, establishing walk routes and a whole variety of
tasks. We are planning to set up a network of volunteers who can
regularly visit local facilities to top up newsletter and leaflet
holders and another group who can take the display to events and fetes
throughout the year.
In all we have received over 4500 days of help. Adopting the
nationally recognised figure of £60 per day as a "cash value" for a
days volunteering, we come to the figure of some £270,000 worth of
support from the community! This means that for every pound paid to
the BVRCMS, the local community puts in £2 worth of support.
A series of regular social events has been organised for volunteers
as well as the production of their own newsletter. This followed
consultation with regular volunteers over what they wanted to gain
from volunteering.
Staff have attended "Customer Focus" training. In response an initial
policy has been drawn up and implemented to cover such things as
response time to letters and phone calls, provision of information,
dealing with visitors to the Centre etc. We are encouraging volunteers
at the Centre to adhere to this policy as well, as they are very often
the "first port of call" with the public. This policy will be monitored,
improved and expanded - within practicable limits - to ensure the best
possible standards at the new Discovery Centre.
Talks and presentations have been given to a variety of local groups
and organisations including Rotary, Aldershot Probus, Fleet Wives Group,
German Students on exchange, Farnham Town Council AGM, Civil Service
Association., Camberley Church Group, Covebrook Greenway Group. The
presentation to Farnham Town Council was particularly satisfying with an
excellent turnout from the public and the presentation to us of a cheque
at the end. We increasingly encourage groups to visit us at the Visitor
Centre where there is much more information for them.
The Water Walkers continue to carry out an excellent job monitoring the
river. Over 60 members now exist, putting in an average of 1 "working
day" per week (approx 7 hours), this equates to some 3000 days per year
The Service commented on the Environment Agency (NRA) proposals for new
Statutory Water Quality Objectives in the Blackwater. The comments were
circulated to all EHO's in the partner districts accompanied by much
phone calling to encourage a response to this document.
The Service spent much time with EA staff producing the Annual Review
of the Catchment Management Plan in February '96.
It is hoped that a new Blackwater Valley Liaison forum of partner
Districts which is being set up to discuss mutual issues on transport,
planning, air quality etc. will take an active role in promoting
improved water quality in the river.
The Service met with reps from the NRA, Waverley and Guildford EHO's to
look into water safety issues, particularly around lakes in the Valley
and surrounding areas. The need for a well publicised safety campaign
was identified and we hope to work on this for next summer.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Halls Aggregates continue to support the funding of our minibus to the
tune of £4,700 per year. The ongoing sponsorship deal with Mc Alpines
brings in £1600 per year. We wish to attract funding to the Discovery
Centre, but this has had to be put on hold until we have something on
the ground to show. We are particularly keen to attract funding for an
educational post at the centre, and to get sponsorship for changing
exhibitions. We are thinking of approaching Sainsburys with the idea of
their staff helping to open the centre on a rota as a business in the
community initiative. This may be able to be extended to other firms as
as well.
The setting up of a charitable Trust to support the work of the Service
and the Discovery Centre is being investigated by HCC Legal Division.
This has the potential to provide a big income generating vehicle for
the Valley - allowing access to sources of funding currently closed to
the Service due to its lack of legal "status". The existence of a
charitable body may also be more appealing to potential business
sponsors. The establishment of the Trust could provide a new way forward
for the Service and the Valley.
STAFF SUPPORT AND ACCOMMODATION
Similar funding levels to last year mean we have not been able to
reinstate the post of Visitor Centre Assistant.
In addition to Health and Safety training mentioned elsewhere in the
report, training has taken place in: NVC Grassland and Wetlands
(Countryside Manager and Ranger) Information Technology (Ranger),
Customer Focus (all Managers). The Team Manager is undertaking an MBA
which is largely self funded with support from HCC and the BVRCMS (as
agreed by Officers). The Countryside Manager is undertaking an M.Phil
based on dragonfly populations in the Valley. The Sport and Recreation
Manager is undertaking the Assn. of British Cycle Coaches Coaching
award.
We continue to work to standards within our Health and Safety Policy,
and are currently embarking on site risk assessments.
Staff and volunteers have attended courses in small boat handling,
use of strimmers, first aid, use of fire extinguishers and the Open
Country Award.
Following a series of break ins, security grilles (sliding) have
been fitted at Ash Lock Cottage.
Following re-organisation within Hampshire County Council, BVRCMS Staff
are now employees of the Countryside Service in the Planning Department,
within a wider Environment Grouping alongside the County Surveyors.
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