Current ALSF projects
Applications were made earlier in 2009 to Natural England through the Defra's ALSF fund for seven projects to take place in the Cotswold Water Park.
Key Facts
ALSF funded projects for 2009/10
- Gravel is Great
- Willow Lantern Pageant
- Biodiversity Data Officer
- Cleveland Lakes Visitor Infrastructure and Active Interpretation Strategy
- Cleveland Lakes - securing the future
2009/10
News that five out of the seven applications have been successful came in early September so work has begun in earnest on all these projects, which have very wide ranging remits - from the proposed land purchase at Cleveland Lakes to a Gravel is Great outreach programme for primary schools.
ALSF Project summaries
Gravel is Great
The CWP Society has been delivering education programmes for many years, but this project will enable us to take the story of the Cotswold Water Park out into local primary schools. Gravel is Great will be an exciting, interactive outreach programme for primary schools, with sessions involving rocks, fossils, archaeology, industry, restoration, biodiversity, recreation and the future.
Latest News - March 2010
The Gravel is Great roadshow is gathering momentum, with more than 15 sessions delivered so far. Feedback has been very positive - comments on the lines of :
" I never knew gravel could be so much fun",
" That was the best lesson ever"
" Thank you we all had a great time today and learnt so much about the local area"
We were lucky to have Redrow Homes come along with us to Cirencester Juniors last week so the children were able to hear about house building and some of the jobs involved. In the classroom sessions afterwards they were able to build theri own mini brick walls, using real mini brocks and mortar.
Hayley Zaple from Redrow Homes and Jill Bewley from Cotswold Water Park Trust with some Year 5 pupils from Cirencester Juniors.
If anyone is interested in finding out how to book Gravel is Great for your school, please contact Jill Bewley, Events and Education Officer on 01793 752413, jill.bewley@waterpark.org
Willow Lantern Pageant
Following the success of last year's Willow Lantern Pageant, In our Element has received funding from ALSF and Big Lottery Awards for All to hold a bigger better and bolder event in February 2010. Local artists and community groups will work together to create spectacular willow lanterns, using the wildlife of the area to inspire them.
Latest news - March 2010
The second willow lantern pageant took place on February 19th and has already been hailed a huge glowing success, mainly because of the huge glowing lanterns on parade.
The artists and groups really pulled out the creative stops this year in celebration of the diversity of wildlife to be found here in the Cotswold Water Park. From giant bats, to woolly mammoths, from pliosaur to merganzer the range of wildlife was wonderful to behold - all those who took part on the cold but calm February night thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
More photos of the event will be published shortly.
Woolly mammoth made by John Charles Kimberley and pupils from Ann Edwards School, South Cerney
Biodiversity Data Officer
This 12 month post will enable the Society to improve the collection and reporting of biological data in the CWP, a vital element of the current work of the Society. This work will also provide benefits for fundraising, BAP reporting, biodiversity enhancement through the planning system etc. Leonie Washington Campbell has been appointed as the new Data Officer. If anyone would like any further information about this project please contact Gareth Harris on gareth.harris@waterpark.org or leoniew@waterpark.org
Cleveland Lakes Visitor Infrastructure and Active Interpretation Strategy
The Ammonite Pools feasibility project completed in April 2009, raised various questions and issues. In response to community interest in and concern about the infrastructure required to sustain the Cleveland Lakes restoration project, this project will:
- Commission a specialist consultant (JDD Consulting) to produce a visitor infrastructure strategy
- In partnership with XOR, a digital interpretation company, to work with professionals including geologists, historians, ecologists, artists and also the community to develop an ’active’ interpretation strategy,
Cleveland Lakes - securing the future
Part of the long term development plan for Cleveland Lakes will include:
Visitor/discovery centre – aimed at engaging visitors and informing them about the area and the changes that have resulted from gravel extraction
Changing rooms showers and toilets
Meeting room / Office accommodation for resident staff / Cafe and room for event spectators
Car parking / Boat storage
The business model for the site proposes that in addition to use by rowers, canoeists and dragon boat racers a key part of the plan would be to encourage use of the site by local communities and visitors to the area.
Aggregate Industries has recently decided that it would sell off all its potential sites in the UK; the Society pre-emption land is part of one of the sites. In order to realise its vision for Cleveland Lakes, the Society must purchase a parcel of land from Aggregate Industries and failure to do so will force a complete re-design of the scheme.
This project covers the costs of land purchase and associated legal fees.
