Our Coast, Our Sea - Partnership working behind the wire

25 November 2010

The Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership held its fifth Annual Forum on Tuesday 16th November 2010 at RAF Boulmer. Over seventy participants from the local community, interest groups and local and central government came along to hear about past and present work of the AONB Partnership and to get a glimpse of the RAF’s operations “behind the wire”.

After a warm welcome to RAF Boulmer from Wing Commander Alan Clark, Cllr Pat Scott spoke about the excellent work of the AONB Partnership and the Partnership Staff to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Northumberland Coast and the many achievements that have been made. Cllr Scott highlighted the magnificent job the Young Rangers on the Coast did and how proud she was to hand three of them their John Muir Conserver awards.

AONB Officer, Mel Nicholls, then talked about the launch of the Integrated Management Plan for the AONB and the European Marine Site in 2009 and how it would guide the management of this protected landscape over the nest four years. Mel then spoke about the many projects and initiatives the Partnership had delivered or supported over the year.

Looking to the future, Mel warned that the Partnership’s funding, along with other protected landscapes, is facing severe cuts this year and beyond. It would be increasingly difficult to fund much of the work the Partnership needs to undertake to continue to conserve and enhance the wonderful landscape of the Northumberland Coast. “Now, more than ever, we will all have to work together in Partnership, if we are to conserve and enhance the landscape of the AONB”.

The audiences were then treated to interesting presentations about the work of the MoD in Protected Landscapes, the historical environment of RAF Boulmer and the improvements that have been made to the natural environment of the base and the sustainability measures that have been put in place.

Before lunch, delegates heard about the great success of the AONBs Sustainable Development Fund and how it had funded 58 projects over the last five years, handing out £342,000, which in turn delivered projects to the value of £1.5 million.

The audience was then entertained by Margaret and Andy Watchorn playing traditional Northumbrian Music, the Watchorns have been recipients of SDF funding, enabling them to deliver a series of traditional music workshops.

After lunch, delegates had the opportunity to take tours of RAF Boulmer to see first hand the work of the base.

Cllr Pat Scott, Chair of the Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership said afterwards “I was delighted to see so many people coming along to our annual forum, it just shows how committed people are to making sure this wonderful landscape is protected now and for future generations. I must also sincerely thank RAF Boulmer for hosting the event, the Officers and staff did a marvelous job to ensure the day went smoothly and I must especially thank them for the fascinating tours, which gave people the opportunity to see the work of the base at close hand.”