Community Events
What makes your local area special? Are there things that could be improved? What does your community need?
A series of 'Drop-In' events are to take place in village halls in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. They will enable residents to express their views on a wide range of topics to representatives from a broad spectrum of organisations.
All sessions are to run from 3.00pm to 7.30pm and have a drop-in format so you pop in to talk about a specific issue for a short time or spend much longer with us filling in the maps and information gathering boards and chatting with a diverse range of advisors. The events will be held at Welburn Village Hall on Tuesday 13 May, Hovingham Village Hall on Monday 2 June, Barton- Le- Street on Monday 9 June and Ampleforth on Tuesday 17 June.
The events are free of charge and refreshments will be provided. They are open to all adults and children from villages in the AONB and the surrounding localities.
Advisors from Ryedale District Council, North Yorkshire Police, Fire & Rescue Service, Safer Ryedale, Ryedale Housing, Community Education Service, Yorkshire Rural Community Council, The Howardian Hills AONB, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and RyeCat as well as the Area Countryside Ranger will be there.
Advice will be available about how to take forward projects that will benefit your local area, including possible sources of funding, grants and further guidance. The scope is incredibly broad, our initial thoughts include; collating historical information, undertaking habitat conservation work, improving resources for children, writing walk leaflets, provision of adult education. What other ideas do you have?
The opinions and priorities of local people will be gathered on maps and comments sheets and through discussion with a range of advisors from charities and organisations. Local children have got off to an early start, they have been out taking photos of the things that matter to them in their local area, and these will be displayed at the events to provide inspiration to all who attend.
It is hoped that the events will result in some parishes in and around the Howardian Hills AONB creating parish plans, over 50 parishes within Ryedale have already completed or are currently working on one. These have proved to be very useful when looking for community project funding or influencing service providers. If you already have a Parish Plan then why not find out about taking it one stage further and working on a Village Design Statement? Parish Plan and Village Design Statement advisors from YRCC (who can offer on-going support) will be available for an informal chat at the events
For further information please contact Liz Bassindale (Assistant AONB Officer) or Maggie Farey (YRCC) on 01751 477130.
News Posted: 2 June 2008
