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Have you visited the new Chilterns AONB website?
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Our new website is here! Have you visited and taken a look yet? There's plenty of new visitor information to enjoy, along with brand new microsites where you can find out more about each of our flagship projects.
| Take a look at the site to explore and enjoy the Chilterns countryside and discover new exciting places to visit. |
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| Learn about the Chilterns landscape; from its hillforts and precious chalk streams to the nature and wildlife that live in it. |
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Discover how we care for the Chilterns AONB through our work and partnerships and be inspired to get involved.
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New report and conference celebrates 25 years of the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project
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2022 marks 25 years of the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project (CCSP), a flagship partnership of organisations dedicated to protecting the nine rare and valuable chalk streams in the Chilterns. The CCSP has published a major report reviewing the achievements and progress of the partnership over the last 25 years, and reflecting on the role the CCSP should play in shaping the future for the Chilterns chalk streams.
To launch the report, a conference took place on 28th September at St Michael's Manor in St Albans.
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Our wildlife surveying project – Tracking the Impact – scoops prestigious Marsh Award!
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Volunteers from Tracking the Impact – a Chilterns Conservation Board project that helps local people improve their knowledge of local birds, plants and butterflies – were delighted to receive the prestigious Marsh Award for Local Ornithology.
Organised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), the awards celebrated the outstanding work of conservation scientists and volunteers in an annual awards ceremony at the Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA) Natural Eye exhibition at London’s Mall Galleries.
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Volunteering Blog Series #4; Hazel Boundy, 'Tracking the Impact' wildlife survey volunteer
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Citizen science volunteer Hazel Boundy is an inspiration. At the age of 73, with no previous science training, she dedicated a year to learning about bird and plant identification and survey methodology as part of Chalk, Cherries and Chairs' National Heritage Lottery funded 'Tracking the Impact' project.
Hazel's now taken on her own kilometre square area where she's carrying out regular bird, butterfly and plant life surveys.
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Read Hazel's story below and get swept up by her boundless enthusiasm for Chilterns birds and wildlife and lifelong learning. Who knows, perhaps you could be next to get involved in 'Tracking the Impact'?
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Chilterns Chalk Streams Project launches three fantastic new videos and a brand new website
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The Chilterns Chalks Streams Project has commissioned a series of three beautiful videos about chalks streams, for their brand new Chilterns Chalk Streams project website: www.chilternstreams.org
The videos combine gorgeous footage of the streams, animations of the wildlife and well-worded information. They're a fantastic resource for learning about the wildlife of the streams and the underwater springs that feed them, and an inspiring call to action to protect the streams against the multiple threats they're facing.
The three videos include:
- What is a chalk stream?
- How do chalk streams work?
- Chalk streams in crisis?
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Celebrating four years of the Beacons of the Past Chilterns hillforts project
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Beacons of the Past, our Flagship archaeology project focussing on developing our knowledge of hillforts of the Chilterns, is drawing to a close after four and a half years.
Project Manager Dr Wendy Morrison reflects on the project's achievements and discoveries around 'Chilforts', including the largest bespoke LiDAR survey ever commissioned at such high resolution in the UK, the thousands of dedicated volunteers who got involved, a new augmented reality app now under development at Seven Ways Plain hillfort, winning a Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society award and more. Read Wendy's full article below.
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Exciting events to celebrate the Chilterns Landscape in literature
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Chilterns Stories is a new collection of ten tales inspired by the diverse cultural and natural heritage of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The collection has been commissioned by the CCB's Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape Partnership, to provide new ways for people living and working in the area to appreciate the value of the landscape all around them.
The collection includes Fantastic Mr Fox, which was inspired by the wildlife and farmlands around Roald Dahl's home in Great Missenden, and Metroland by Julian Barnes. Eight newly published original stories will also accompany the collection with associated events happening from November 2022.
The complete collection will be gifted to schools, public libraries and other community groups across the region, as well as to independent book clubs, museum collections, local history groups and conservation societies. To submit your interest in your group receiving the books, please email ccc@chilternsaonb.org
There are a number of exciting events coming up to support the launch of the stories collection, including:
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A return to Metroland, Julian Barnes in Conversation
SOLD OUT, but live stream tickets available.
13th Nov, 4 - 5.30pm, Amersham Museum.
Booker Prize winning writer Julian Barnes, Sebastian Groes and Geeta Ludhra join Sean Keegan in conversation about the echoes of Britain’s changing identity and the sense of place in modern literary fiction: >> Find out more
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The Ballad of Bodger's Wood, family workshop and walk.
27th Nov, 4 - 6pm, Roahl Dahl Museum & Story Centre.
Together we will explore the nearby woods which inspired so many of Roald Dahl’s stories, as well as our very own ‘The Ballad of Bodgers Wood’, before children settle down to hear a live reading of ‘The Ballad of Bodgers Wood’ by the author, followed by a self led activity. >> Find out more
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Sour Cherry Soup Drama Workshop
18th Jan 2023, 7 - 9pm, Wycombe Arts Centre
Join playwright Sara Clifford for an interactive creative writing workshop creating a community play from your impressions of the sights and sounds of the Chilterns AONB, your memories and stories from the past, present and future. >> Find out more
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Watch again: Professor Kate Heppell of the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project on ITV Meridian News
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If you missed it, here’s a chance to watch Professor Kate Heppell of the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project talking on ITV Meridian News about the effects of this year’s drought on chalk streams.
Alongside this important environmental story, there is some fantastic historic footage of watercress production at Ewelme Brook to enjoy.
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Visit Bucks launches new online Accessibility Hub
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The Visit Buckinghamshire website now has a new Accessibility Hub with information on attractions, eateries and cultural venues in Bucks. You can filter the information by mobility impairments, visual impairments, hearing impairments and neurodiversity, to find information specific to these needs.
The website is a growing resource and Visit Buckinghamshire is looking to attract new entries. If your business can welcome visitors with accessibility needs, you can add this information to your profile on the Visit Buckinghamshire website, along with a link to your accessibility guide.
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