Friends of the Pang, Kennet & Lambourn Valleys Countryside Projects
The Friends were formed in 1998 to represent all the people who care for the countryside of this beautiful area in which we are so privileged to live. The main aim of the group is to support the work of Pang, Kennet and Lambourn Valleys Countryside Projects – project officers employed by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), part of the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The primary objective of the project officers is to work with local communities in the three river valleys to enhance their natural beauty and to help people appreciate the countryside. They also work with farmers and landowners to encourage them to operate in a more environmentally responsible fashion and, in return, help them apply for grants under schemes such as the Countryside Stewardship.
Over time, the Friends has become something of an “umbrella group” to include:
The Pang Valley Conservation Volunteers who undertake practical tasks such as hedge-laying, footpath clearing, planting hedges and wildflowers, and removing undesirable plants such as Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed and Ragwort.
Bucklebury Heathlands Conservation Group who have slowly been removing the silver birch, Scots pine and other trees from Bucklebury Common to enable the re-establishment of heather, bringing with it species such as nightjars, glow-worms and lizards.
The Friends also organise a programme of walks and talks throughout the year (most of which are free), and a variety of social evenings. You can see more on their Website at www.pangandkennetvalleys.org.uk and, for the very modest sum of £15 per household per year, you can join the Friends and receive their quarterly publication “Upstream” with articles and details of all of their activities. If you would like to know more contact Colin Layton on 200766 or colin_layton@lineone.net
