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FinalEvaluationoftheHeartofExmoorScheme
ExmoorMoorlandLandscapePartnershipScheme2011-2015
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Contents
Foreword ii
ExecutiveSummary iii
1. Introduction 1Purposeofthisreport 1LandscapePartnershipSchemes 1Themethodologyfollowed 2
2. Background 6OriginandaimsoftheScheme 6Timelineandkeystages 10Administrationandstaffing 11Costsandfunding 11In-kindsupportbypartnersandvolunteers 12DistinctivefeaturesoftheScheme 13
3. ProjectsandOutputs 14Programme1:ReconnectingPeople 14Programme2:ReconnectingLivelihoods 20Programme3:ReconditioningMoorlandCharacter 24WhatwasnotcoveredbytheScheme 28OverallfindingsontheScheme’soutputs 29
4. Outcomesandimpacts 30Conservingorrestoringthebuiltheritageandnaturalfeatures 32Conservingandcelebratingculturalassociationsandactivities 36Encouragingaccess,learningandinvolvement 39Improvingunderstandingofcraftsandotherskillsthroughtraining 44OverallfindingsontheScheme’soutcomesandimpacts 46
5. UnderstandingwhathasmadetheSchemesuccessful 47Schemedesign 47Projectmonitoring 48Governanceandleadership 48Partnershipworking 49AdministrationandtheroleoftheNPA 50Schemestaff 52Resourcingandfinancialmanagement 53Timescales 55
6. ThefuturelegacyoftheScheme 56Continuationofactivityfromprojects 56NextstepsforExmoor’smoorlandheritage 59
7. Overallconclusionsandlessonsforthefuture 60AchievementsoftheHeartofExmoorScheme 60Lessonslearnt 62Lookingtothefuture 64
Photographs on the cover are as follows (clockwise from top left): JohnWibberley presenting ExmoorHorn breed prizes at Dunster Show © Jason P Ball; Accessible walk with off-road Trampers (mobilityscooters)©National Trust;Wartimeheritageon showatNorthHillBigAdventure©SteveGuscott; StDubricius School visit an archaeological dig © Jason P Ball; Education at an Exmoor Mires Projectrestorationsite©SteveGuscott;andExmoorPony©JasonPBall.
ReportpreparedbyRobertDeaneandLouiseTricklebank,February2016
RuralFocus(UK)Ltd.RegisteredinEnglandandWales(No.9533053).Shuffshayes,Langford,Cullompton,DevonEX151RQwww.rural-focus.co.uk
Versioncontrol:Finalreportsubmitted100316
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ForewordAsaTrusteeoftheExmoorSocietyIchairedtheExmoorMoorlandLandscapePartnership(HeartofExmoor)forfiveyears,whichhasnowcometoanend.ThisHeartofExmoorSchemewasoriginallyinformedandinspiredbytheExmoorSociety'sresearchdocumentcalled'MoorlandsataCrossroads'whichcameoutin2004.ItthentooksixyearsfortheSchemetocometofruition.ThesuccessfulfiveyearsoftheSchemeareduetotheenormousgenerosityandcommitmentoftheHeritageLotteryFundandweareverygratefultothem.Noneofthiswouldhavebeenpossiblewithoutthem.Theywereencouragingthroughouttheprocessandaboveall,understandingandflexible.IwouldliketoexpressmygratitudetoallmembersoftheLandscapePartnershipwhocontributedmatchedfunding,bothin-kindandwithfunds.Hugethankstootothethousandsofdedicatedvolunteerswhohelpedwithsomanyoftheprojects.TheSchemewasrunbyasmallbutdynamicteamwhopunchedwayabovetheirweightexceedingtheirtargetseveryquarter.Weareimmenselygratefultothem.Throughoutthefiveyearswehaveworkedhardtoensureanongoinglegacyforeveryproject,apledgethatwhentheschemecomestoanendtheprojectscouldcontinue,carriedforwardbylocalresidents,professionalsandvolunteers.Beingamemberofthisskilledandknowledgeablegroup,allcontributingwithsuchinspirationandenthusiasmtosuchasuccessfuloutcome,hasbeenanhonourandapleasureforme.Ihopethat,inthefuture,therewillbemorepartnershipsabletoachievesimilarpositiveresults.Thereissomuchmoretobedone!
ArabellaAmoryChair,ExmoorMoorlandLandscapePartnership
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ExecutiveSummary
TheHeartofExmoorScheme(officiallyknownastheExmoorMoorlandLandscapePartnershipScheme)wasaHeritageLotteryFundedLandscapePartnershipSchemethatsoughttoconserveandcelebrateExmoor’smoorlandheritagethroughafive-yearprogrammeofactivityfrom2011to2015.
TheSchemefocussedonthemoorlandlandscapeswithinExmoorNationalParkwhichcoveranareaof232km2.Itsoughttoinvolvepeoplelivingwithin25kmofExmoorinitsactivities(seethemaptotheright)
ThisevaluationreporttakesstockofalltheScheme’sactivitiesandobjectivelyassesseshowwellithasdelivereditsobjectives,achieveditsoutcomesandleftlong-lastinglegacies.
ObjectivesandstructureoftheScheme
TheScheme’sLandscapeStrategy,publishedin2007,identifiedthatExmoor’smoorlandwassufferingfromthreetypesofdisconnectionwhichpreventeditsheritageoflandscape,wildlifeandhistorybeingproperlyconservedandappreciated.Theseweredisconnectionsfrommodernlife,disconnectionsfromthepastandphysicalisolation.
TheSchemeaddressedtheseissuesthroughthreeprogrammes,containing19projects:
Programme1: ReconnectingPeople 11projects
Programme2: ReconnectingLivelihoods 4projects
Programme3: ReconditioningMoorlandCharacter 4projects
OperationandfundingoftheScheme
TheSchemewasrunbyaLandscapePartnershipof14locallyactiveorganisationsandemployedateamoffourprojectstaff,withmanyotherorganisationsbeinginvolvedinprojectactivities.TheSchemewashostedbytheNationalParkAuthority.
Ithadatotalbudgetof£1.2millionwhichwasraisedfromtheHeritageLotteryFund(55%),NationalParkAuthority(23%),RuralDevelopmentProgrammeforEngland(9%)andavarietyofothersourcesincludingtheExmoorSociety,ExmoorTrust,EnvironmentAgencyandHistoricEngland.
TheSchemewasunusualincomparisonwithmanyotherLandscapePartnershipSchemes.ThestartoftheSchemewasdelayedanditssizewasreducedduetocutsinthebudgetsofseveralpartnerorganisations.However,mid-waythroughitsplannedthreeyearsofoperationitwasextendedforafurthertwoyears,allowingsomeprojectstobereinstated.
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Projectactivitiesandoutputs
Thelargemajorityofthetargetoutputssetforeachoftheprojectsweremetandmanywereexceededbyalargemargin.ExamplesofthenumbersofpeoplewhoparticipatedindifferentpartsoftheSchemearegivenintheboxbelow.
ThemostsuccessfulelementsoftheSchemewerethoseinvolvingpeoplewhowerenotpreviouslyfamiliarwithmoorlandheritage,manyfromlocalcommunities,inactivelearningabout,andcelebratingin,thehistory,landscapeandwildlifeofExmoor’smoorland.
InnovativeapproachesthatweredevelopedduringtheSchemeincludedtheuseofvideos,digitalreconstructionimagery,historicalre-enactments,publicarchaeologyprojectsandweb-basededucationalresources.ThesegavetheSchemeafreshnessandenergythatwasdifferenttowhathadgonebefore.
Activitiesthatwerelesssuccessfulthananticipatedwerethosethatencouragedmoorlandmanagerstoengagemorewiththepublicortoreviewtheissuesfacingtheirareasofmoorland.
HeadlineexamplesofSchemeactivity
• Morethan7,000schoolchildrenvisitedmoorlandwiththeirteacherslearningaboutitsheritagethroughitshistory,science,geographyandothersubjects
• 4,350peopleattendedeventscelebratingExmoor’smoorlandwildlifeincludingattheannualBogstaticfestivalandaseriesofBigAdventureDaysandover3,000peopletookpartinthe2014ExmoorPonyFestival
• Over900peopleattended17communityarchaeologyevents,seeingfirsthandtheevidenceofprehistoricusesofmoorlandandover120peopleofallagestookuptrowelsorsurveytapestoundertakearchaeologicalexcavationsorsurveysonmoorland
• Morethan500agriculturalstudentsandmoorlandmanagersreceivedtrainingonmoorlandmanagement.AlargeproportionofExmoor’smoorlandownersandgrazierssharedknowledgeofmoorlandmanagementwitheachother
• Overall,volunteerscommittedmorethan5,000daystocelebratingorconservingExmoor’smoorlandheritage
TheScheme’simpactonExmoor’smoorlandheritage
IntermsofthedifferencethattheSchememade,comparedtothesituationthatexistedpreviously,themostsignificantimpactswere:• Theincreasedawarenessthatmanymembersofthepublicinthetowns
andvillagesaroundExmoorhadofExmooritselfandinparticulartheirlocalmoorlandheritage,especiallyitswildlifeandhistory.Forthesepeople,moorlandisn’ttheremoteandforbiddingplaceitmayhaveseemedbefore.
• Thewayinwhichvolunteerswereinvolvedinthecoredeliveryofmanyprojects,takingonnewskillsandresponsibilitiesthathelpedshapewhatisknownandunderstoodaboutthemoorland’secologyandhistory.Manyofthesepeoplenowfeeltheyhavemoreofapersonalstakeinthemoorlandanditsheritage.
Inanumberofareas,theSchemewasgenuinelyinnovative,pilotingapproachesthatwerenewtoExmoor.Theseincluded:• Developingpublicarchaeologyprojectsthatallowedlocalcommunities
touncoverevidenceofpastlivesandlandscapes• Usingdigitalreconstructionsofpastlandscapessothattheybecame
morerealandeasiertoimagine• Usingvideoandsoundrecordingstohelppeopleinterpretthenatural
environmentinnewways• Makinguseofthepracticalskillsandcontactsoflocal‘moorkeepers’to
co-ordinatemoorlandmanagement
InotherareasofitsactivitytheSchemesupported,andaddedvalueto,theactivitiesofitspartnersratherthanundertakeoriginalwork.Itprovidedtheresourcesandanindependentapproachthatincreasedjointworkingbetweendifferentgroups.
TheSchemefocussedontheareasofgreatestneedandthetopicswhereitcouldachievemost.Asintended,ithadrelativelyfewimpactsontheoveralllandscapecharacterofthemoorland(awayfromasmallnumberofhighprofilesiteswhereitimprovedlandscapequality).Italsohadfewdealingswithtourismandrecreationbusinessesandthereforedidnothaveasignificantimpactonthearea’svisitororheritageeconomies.
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LessonslearnedfromthewaytheSchemehasbeenrun
TheLandscapePartnershiphasbeeneffectiveatdevelopingaclearstrategyfortheSchemeandmanagingitsdelivery.Theinvolvementofthecharitablesector,includingsmalllocalcharities,hasbeennotable.TheNationalParkAuthorityhasplayedacriticalrole,providingthebackofficeadministrationandfinancialmanagementoftheScheme,whileenablingtheSchemetohaveanindependentidentityandwaysofworking.
ResponsibilityforrunningmostoftheprojectswasdelegatedfirmlytothefourSchemestaff(incomparisontomanyotherLandscapePartnershipSchemesinwhichprojectsarerunbypartners,supportedbythestaff).Thestaffwerehighlyregardedbypartnersandpeopleparticipatinginprojectsandtheywereabletousetheirskillsandenthusiasmtogoodeffect.However,thereisadangerthatwiththeirdeparture,theirknowledgeandmomentumwillbelost.
TheSchemehasovercomeand,insomeways,benefitedfromadelaytoitsstartandanextensiontoitsoperation.WhilesomeofitsobjectiveswerealreadybeingaddressedbythetimetheSchemestartedin2011(particularlydialoguewithownersandgraziersovermoorlandmanagement),itwasabletouseitssecondPhasetoenhancesuccessfulthemesofworkfromitsfirstPhase.
IncomparisonwithmostLandscapePartnershipSchemes,theHeartofExmoorSchemehasbeenrelativelysmall(the£662,500receivedfromHLFbeingatthelowerendofgrantsawardedtoLandscapePartnerships).Itbearsfavourablecomparisonwithotherlargerschemesandisjudgedtohavemadeeffectiveuseoftheresourcesithadavailabletoit.
TheScheme’slegacyforthefutureofExmoor’smoorlandheritage
Theevaluationreportidentifiesthemanylegacyactivitiesthatshouldbecontinuedandtheconditionsneededforthistohappen,providingachecklistfortheScheme’spartnerstoreview.
ItishopedthatthatmanyofthehighprofilepublicactivitiesthatweresupportedbytheScheme,suchastheExmoorPonyFestival,Bogtasticevent,communityarchaeologyprojectsanduseofvolunteerswillbecontinuedbypartnerorganisations.MuchoftheknowledgeofmoorlandheritagegeneratedduringtheperiodoftheSchemewillremainaccessiblefromrecordsandpublications,manyofthemavailableonline,maintainedbytheNationalParkAuthority.However,thefutureofsomeactivities,suchasuseofmoorlandandteachingresourcesbylocalschoolsandtheprovisionof‘moorkeeper’posts,iscurrentlyuncertainpendingfundingdecisions.
ThiswasthefirstexperienceonExmooroftheHLF’sLandscapePartnershipProgramme.Confidencehasbeengainedofwhatcanbeachievedfromatime-limitedinjectionofexternalfunding.Newapproachestodeliveringdiscreteprojectsaspartofalargerlandscape-focussedoverallstrategyhaveprovedsuccessful.Arangeofpartnershaveseenthebenefitsofcontributingtheirownin-kindskillsandmanpowertoasharedendeavour.
ItwouldbeashameifthemomentumgainedfromtheHeartofExmoorSchemewaslostasaresultofthedissolvingoftheLandscapePartnership.TheopportunityexiststobuildontheachievementsoftheHeartofExmoorSchemeandaddressotherlandscapechallengesonExmoor.
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1. Introduction
Purposeofthisreport1.1. TheHeartofExmoorScheme(officiallyknownastheExmoor
MoorlandLandscapePartnershipScheme)wasaHeritageLotteryFunded(HLF)LandscapePartnershipScheme.Inanutshell,thisSchemehasaimedtoconserveandcelebrateExmoor’smoorlandheritagethroughafive-yearprogrammeofactivityfrom2011to2015.
1.2. AstheHeartofExmoorSchemecomestoaclose,thisfinalevaluationtakesstockofallitsactivitiesandobjectivelyassesseshowwellithasdelivereditsobjectives,achieveditsoutcomesandleftlong-lastinglegacies.TheHLF,asmajorityfunder,requiresthatafinalevaluationiscarriedoutandhasproducedguidanceonhowthisshouldbedone1.
1.3. Thefollowingchaptersofthisreportsetout:
• ThebackgroundtoLandscapePartnershipSchemesandtheevaluationprocessinChapter1;
• ThecontextandhistoryoftheSchemeinChapter2;• Asummaryoftheprojectsthatwereundertakenandofthe
targetoutputsachievedinChapter3;• TheoutcomesoftheSchemeandtheimpactthatithashadon
Exmoor’smoorlandheritageinChapter4;• FactorscontributingtotheScheme’ssuccessinChapter5;• ThelegacythattheSchemewillhaveonthefutureofExmoor’s
moorlandheritageinChapter6;• Overallconclusionsincludinglessonslearntandwhatthismeans
forthefutureoftheExmoor’smoorlandheritageinChapter7.
1HLFEvaluationGuidance:LandscapePartnerships(February2013–revisedJuly2014)
LandscapePartnershipSchemes1.4. TheLandscapePartnershipProgrammeisoneoftheHeritageLottery
Fund’sflagshipprogrammesfordistributingtheNationalLottery’smoneyforgoodcauses.ItisthemostsignificantgrantschemeavailableacrosstheUKforlandscape-scaleconservationprojectsandsince2003ithascommitted£177mto99LandscapePartnershipschemes.
1.5. TheProgrammeplaysanimportantroleinmeetingtheUK’sobligationsundertheEuropeanLandscapeConventiontorecogniselandscape“asanessentialcomponentofpeople’ssurroundings,anexpressionofthediversityoftheirsharedculturalandnatural
heritage,andafoundationoftheiridentity.”Thisemphasisesboththepeople-centrednatureoflandscapeasaconceptaswellasthewayitintegratesourappreciationandcareforothernaturalbenefitsoftheenvironmentsuchasbiodiversity,thehistoricenvironmentandculture.
1.6. LandscapePartnershipSchemesareexpectedtoprotectandimprovetheconditionofnaturalandculturalheritageand,atthesametime,givepeopleandcommunitiesnewanddeeperopportunitiestounderstand,enjoyandgetinvolvedinthisheritage.ThedetailedobjectivessetoutbytheHLFhaveevolvedoverthelast10years,butwhentheHeartofExmoorSchemewasawardeditsfunding,LandscapePartnershipSchemeswereexpectedtocontributeto,andleavealastinglegacy,infourareas.TheseareshowninFigure1.1.
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Figure1.1.TheaimsofLandscapePartnershipSchemes
TheHLF’sfouroutcomesforLandscapePartnershipSchemeswhentheHeartofExmoorSchemewasapprovedwereasfollows:
• Conservingorrestoringthebuiltheritageandnaturalfeaturesthatcreatethehistoriccharacterofthelandscape;
• Conservingandcelebratingtheculturalassociationsandactivitiesofthelandscapearea;
• Encouragingmorepeopletoaccess,learnabout,becomeinvolvedinandmakedecisionsontheirlandscapeheritage;
• Improvingunderstandingoflocalcraftandotherskillsbyprovidingtrainingopportunities.
HLFevaluationguidance
1.7. EvaluationiscentraltodeliveringLandscapePartnershipSchemes.ItshouldbeplannedattheoutsetandbepartoftheongoingreportingprocessratherthananafterthoughtattheendoftheScheme.
1.8. UndertakingafinalevaluationandsubmittingareportsettingoutthefindingsisarequirementbyHLFbeforeitsignsofftheScheme.HLF’sguidance2makesclearthattheevaluationreportshouldtellthestoryofthescheme.ItshouldhaveawidepotentialreadershipandbeaccessibletomembersoftheLandscapePartnership,beneficiariesandotherorganisationswhomightbeabletolearnfromthePartnership’sexperience.
1.9. Astheguidancestipulates,theevaluationreportshouldshowtheimpactofindividualprojectsandtheSchemeasawholeandisanopportunityto:
• DemonstratetoHLFthatLotterymoneyhasbeenwellspent(securingpaymentofthefinal10%oftheHLFgrant);
2HLFEvaluationGuidance:LandscapePartnerships(February2013–revisedJuly2014)
• ProvetotheLandscapePartnershipandothers(includingotherswhocontributedmatchfundingorgavetheirtimeandenergytothescheme)thatthisisthecase;and
• BeclearaboutitslastingbenefitssothatPartnershipmembersandotherswillbemotivatedtocontinuethework,andindicateitsweaknessessothatthey–andperhapsotherLandscapePartnershipSchemes–canavoidthem.
Themethodologyfollowed1.10. ThisfinalevaluationhasbeenundertakeninlinewithHLF’s
evaluationguidance,withtheSchemestaffandpartnersmakingsignificantinputs.ExternalconsultantshaveindependentlyreviewedandanalysedevidenceoftheScheme’sperformanceinordertoprovideabalancebetweentellingthestoryoftheSchemeaccuratelyandprovidingobjectivity.
1.11. Theevaluationdrawsonarangeofsourcesofevidence.SomeofthesearequantitativeandarecompareddirectlywiththenumericalobjectivessetoutintheDeliveryPlanagreedwiththeHLFinAugust2010.Additionalquantitativeinformationhasbeengeneratedfromasurveyofpeoplewhohaveparticipatedorbenefittedfromprojectactivities.Othersourcesofevidencearemorequalitative,drawnfromtheviewsandexperienceofprojectpartnersandstaff.
1.12. TheintegrityoftheevaluationisassuredbyusingalogicalpathwaythatdemonstrateshowtheinputsandactivitiesofeachoftheconstituentprojectshavecontributedtotheScheme’sresults,outcomesandlegacies.ThislogicchainisshowndiagrammaticallyinFigure1.2.
1.13. Thisreportmakesanimportantdistinctionbetweenoutputsandoutcomes.
• OutputsaretheactivitiesthatwereundertakendirectlybytheScheme(e.g.holdinganeventorproducingareport).TheyaredescribedinChapter3.
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• Outcomesarethechangesthathappenedasaresultoftheseactivities(e.g.improvingpeople’sknowledge).TheyaredescribedinChapter4.
Figure1.2.Diagrammaticrepresentationoftheevaluationcomponents
1.14. ThisEvaluationReportfollowstheHLF’sguidanceandisaccompanied
byanEvidenceReport(Appendix1)describingthefulldatasetofprojectoutputandoutcomemeasures.
1.15. Theevaluationhasbeenundertakeninthreemainstagesofwork,whichare:
1. Reviewofevidence2. Analysis3. Draftandfinalreporting
1.16. AsignificantamountofevidencehasbeencollatedthroughoutthefiveyearsoftheSchemeandreviewedduringtheevaluation.Thisincludes:
• Projectoutputdata• QuarterlySchemeReportssubmittedtoHLF• ExmoorMoorlandLandscapeStrategy(2007)• SchemeDeliveryPlan(2010)• ProjectImplementationPlans• Phase2bidtoHLF• ProjectsummariespreparedbytheSchemestaff• Projectevaluationreports(various)
1.17. WhilethisinformationsetsoutmuchoftheintentionfortheScheme,chartstheprogressoftheevolutionoftheSchemeandprovidesthequantitativedataneededtounderstandifoutputsweremet,itisimportantthatthisfinalevaluationdrawstogethermorequalitativeinformationabout,notonlyindividualprojects,buttheSchemeasawholeasitcomestoaclose.
1.18. Inordertodothis,amixtureofkeyinformantinterviews,postersandanonlinesurveyhavebeenusedtogatherinformationandopinionsfromthewiderangeofstakeholdersinvolvedintheScheme.ThesehaveincludedtheSchemestaff,Partnershipmembers,projectpartnersandstaffandthosewhohaveattendedandparticipatedinevents.Figure1.3summarisestheengagementexercisesundertakenaspartofthisevaluation.Someoftheinterviewswerecarriedoutbyindividualsoutsideoftheconsultants’evaluationteam.
1.19. Theinformationfromtheengagementexerciseswasthenanalysed,alongwiththeinformationthathadbeengeneratedbytheSchemestaff.
ExmoorponiesfeedingonHeatherMoorland©JasonPBall
Involvingprojectstaff,partnerorganisationsandvolunteers/participants
Projectactivities
Inputs Outputs Outcomes
Evaluationindicators: Mostlyquantitativemeasuresofimmediateresults
Evaluationindicators: Quantitativeandqualitativeassessmentsoflonger-termchangesarisingfromindividualprojects,programmesandthescheme asawhole
LegacyImpacts
Good thingsthatwillcarryonhappening afterthescheme hasfinished
Effects causedbytheScheme
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Figure1.3.SourcesofevidencegatheredduringtheevaluationExercise StakeholderstargetedInterviewswithPartnershipmembers–undertakenbyPhilipKiberd
• RepresentativesofbodiesontheLandscapePartnership
InterviewswithNationalParkAuthoritystaff-undertakenbyNaomiGriffiths(PrendConsulting)
• NationalParkAuthoritystaffwhohavesupportedandworkedalongsidetheSchemestaff
Schemestaffinterviews • TheSchemestaffOnlinesurvey(part1)withthoseorganisingandrunningprojects
• Projectpartners
Onlinesurvey(part2)withthoseparticipatinginprojects
• Individualswithdirectinvolvementinprojects
• Individualswithlessdirectinvolvementinprojects
Advisorypanelmeetings • A‘soundingboard’ofpeopleworkinglocallywhohaveobservedtheSchemeduringitsoperation
Celebrationevent-exercises • RepresentativesofbodiesontheLandscapePartnership
• Otherprojectpartners• Organisationswithlessdirect
involvementintheScheme
‘Keyinformant’Interviews
1.20. Aseriesofkeyinformantinterviewshavebeenundertakenaspartoftheevaluation.Somewerein-depth,one-to-oneinterviews,whilstotherswereamixtureofquestionsbeingposedandrespondedtoinwriting.
1.21. Theconsultants’evaluationteamcarriedoutindepthsemi-structuredinterviewswiththeSchemestaff(theSchemeManager,MoorlandEducationandOutreachOfficerandMoorlandHeritageOfficer)inearlyDecember2015.
1.22. RepresentativeofallorganisationsintheLandscapePartnershipattheendoftheSchemewereinterviewedbyPhilipKiberd,aconsultantwhohadhelpedwritethebidtoextendtheScheme.Themajorityofthesewereone-to-oneinterviews.InterviewquestionsweresenttoPartnershipmembersbeforetheinterviewsotheyhadtimetocollecttheirthoughts.ItwasnotpossibletofindasuitabletimetointerviewtheEnvironmentAgencyPartnershiprepresentativesandsoawrittenresponsetothequestionsposedwasreceived.NoresponsewasreceivedfromEnglishHeritage/HistoricEngland.Anumberofface-to-faceinterviewswerealsoconductedwithpeoplewhohadbeeninvolvedintheScheme,butnotasmembersoftheLandscapePartnership.
1.23. The‘keyinformant’intervieweeswere:
• ArabellaAmory-PartnershipChair• RichardAndrews-NaturalEngland• HelenBooker-RSPB• VictoriaEveleigh-Moorlandponyherdowner• SiriFrost/Mary-RoseLane-EnvironmentAgency• SuaadGeorge-CentreforHumanRights• JulianGurney-NationalTrust• NickLapthorn-FieldStudiesCouncil• SandraMansell-ExmoorPonySociety• SusanMay-ExmoorTrust• RachelThomas-ExmoorSociety• ChristinaWilliams-MollandEstate
1.24. Inaddition,membersofstaffattheNationalParkAuthoritywhohadbeeninvolvedintheSchemewereinterviewedbyNaomiGriffithsfromPrendConsulting.
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Onlinesurvey
1.25. AshortonlinesurveyusingGoogleFormswasdevisedandthelinksenttoover250contactsheldontheScheme’sdatabase.Thesurveywaslivefrom11December2015until3February2016and62responseswerereceived.
1.26. Figure1.4showstheageofrespondentsandtheirbackground.Themajoritywereagedbetween36and65withfewerpeopleovertheretirementageorunder35.Nearly70%ofpeoplelivedinorclosetoExmoorandathirdlivedfurtherawaybuthadaprofessionalinvolvementinmoorlandorotheraspectsoftheScheme.
Figure1.4.Characteristicsofrespondentstothesurvey
1.27. Thereweretwopartstothesurveytargetingdifferentaudiences.
OnewasforthosewhohadattendedorheardaboutanyoftheScheme’seventsoractivitiestoidentifyhowunderstandingandexperienceofmoorlandhaschangedandhowpeoplemightvisitandenjoyitinfuture.Thiswascompletedby30people(48%ofrespondents).
1.28. Theotherpartofthesurveytargetedthosewhohavehelpedtoorganiseorhostaneventorotheractivity,inordertounderstandtheirexperienceofassistingtheSchemeandwhattheythinkithasachieved.Thiswascompletedby32people(52%ofrespondents).
1.29. AcopyofthesurveyquestionsandresultsisprovidedintheTechnicalAnnexthataccompaniesthisreport.
Celebrationevent
1.30. ACelebrationEventwasheldfortheSchemeon27November2015atLyntonTownHall.ItwasanopportunityforallthoseinvolvedintheScheme,inavarietyofcapacities,tocometogetherandshareinthesuccessoftheSchemeasitdrewtoaclose.Attendedbyaround95individuals,andcomingtwoweeksafterthestartofthefinalevaluation,theopportunitywastakentoadvertisethefactthatanevaluationwastakingplaceandthattheviewsandopinionsofthosewhohadbeeninvolved,inwhatevercapacity,werewelcomed.Opportunitiestocontributewereviatheonlinesurveyorbycontactingtheevaluationteamdirectly.Posterswerealsoondisplay,withaseriesofquestionsabouttheSchemeandattendeeswereencouragedtogivetheiropinionsthenandthere.
EvaluationAdvisoryPanel
1.31. AnAdvisoryPanelwassetuptoactasa‘soundingboard’forthefinalevaluationprocess.ThePanelwasmadeupof:
• JennyCarey-Wood–Ex-managerofNorthDevon+andcurrentmanageroftheNorthDevonAONB
• NaomiMarley–EditorandMDoftheExmoorMagazineandCEOofLighthouseCommunications
• GrahamWills–ExNPAofficer(ledonsubmittingtheoriginalapplicationfortheSchemetoHLF)
1.32. ThemembersoftheSoundingBoardhadnotbeendirectlyinvolvedinthedeliveryoftheScheme,butwereeitherheavilyinvolvedinitsinceptionorcloselyfollowedtheprogressoftheScheme,givingthemadistinctperspectiveonthesuccessoftheScheme.
AninitialmeetingoftheAdvisoryPanelwasheldonthe14December2015attheNationalParkAuthorityofficesinDulverton.Emergingfindingsfromtheevaluationwerediscussed.AsecondmeetingoftheAdvisoryPaneltookplaceon25February2016toreviewtheheadlinefindingsinthedraftEvaluationReportpriortothefinalisationoftheReportandpresentationtothePartners.
Under21,2%21to35,10%
36to50,24%
51to65,44%
66to80,19%
Noanswer,2%Ageofrespondents
Localresidents,69%
VisitorstoExmoor,6%
Professionalinvolvement,
35%
Other,5%
Backgroundofrespondents
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2. Background2.1. ThischapterprovidesashortnarrativeonhowtheSchemestarted
andtheissuesthatitsoughttoaddress.Itmapstheareasitcoveredandthekeyaudiencesithopedtoengagewith.Itsadministration,staffingandfundingaredescribed.
OriginandaimsoftheScheme2.2. TheoriginsoftheSchemelieinthedecisionbyExmoorNationalPark
Authorityin2004tocommemoratethe50thanniversaryofthedesignationoftheNationalParkwithafocusonthemoorlandlandscapethatliesatitsheart.Aseriesofpaperswereprepareddescribingtheconditionofthedifferentspecialqualitiesofthemoorland.ForemostamongthesewasareportcommissionedbytheExmoorSociety,thelocalcharitythatchampionsthepurposesoftheNationalParkdesignation.The‘MoorlandsataCrossroads’reportconcludedthatmoorlandwasneitherwellunderstoodnoringoodconditionanditmadeaseriesofrecommendationstoaddressthesepoints.
2.3. TheNationalParkAuthorityrespondedquicklytotheserecommendationsandproposedthecreationoftheExmoorMoorlandsLandscapePartnershipandabidtotheHeritageLotteryFund’s(HLF)LandscapePartnershipsProgramme.ThePartnershipwasformedfrom14locallyactiveorganisationscoveringstatutorybodies,businessesandthevoluntarysector(Figure2.1).WiththeexceptionofActiveExmoor(aninitiativewhichfinishedshortlyafterthePartnershipwasformed),allpartnershaveremainedinvolvedintheSchemealthough,aswillbedescribedlaterinthisreport,theyhavetakendifferentroles.ButterflyConservationandVisitExmoorwerenotpartnersduringSchemedeliverybutdidconnectwithprojectactivities.
2.4. DuringtheplanningphaseoftheSchemeextensiveconsultationswithpartners,stakeholders,usersandthepublicatlargewerecarriedout.TheseshapedtheunderstandingoftheissuesandopportunitiesthatExmoorfacedandinturnhelpedshapetheprioritiesthatindividualprojectswouldneedtoaddress.NinekeydocumentsunderpinnedtheapplicationtoHLFfortheHeartofExmoorScheme(Figure2.2).
Figure2.1.MembershipoftheLandscapePartnership• ActiveExmoor• EnglishHeritage• EnvironmentAgency• ExmoorNationalPark
Authority• ExmoorSociety• ExmoorTrust
• FieldStudiesCouncil• TheNationalTrust• NationalFarmersUnion• NaturalEngland• RoyalSocietyfortheProtectionofBirds
(RSPB)• WestSomersetCollege
Figure2.2ResearchunderpinningtheScheme
DocumentspreparedspecificallyfortheapplicationforHLFfunding:• AccessPlan,AudienceDevelopmentPlanandTrainingPlan(allFebruary
2007,LandUseConsultantsandResourcesforChange)• ConservationandRestorationPlan(February2007,ENPA)
OtherdocumentsthatinfluencedthedesignoftheScheme:• MoorlandsataCrossroads–theStateoftheMoorlandsofExmoor,2004.
AreporttotheExmoorSocietybyLandUseConsultants• ExmoorNationalParkLandscapeCharacterAssessment2007.ENPA• ExmoorNationalParkManagementPlan2007–2012.ENPA,July2007• GreaterExmoorSustainableEconomicDevelopmentStrategy2007.The
NewEconomicsFoundation,February2007• TheStateofFarmingonExmoor2004.CentreforRuralResearchatthe
UniversityofExeter.
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2.5. ThekeyconclusionsontheissuesfacingExmoor’smoorlandarisingfromthesedocumentsaresummarisedinFigure2.3.
Figure2.3.KeyconclusionsarisingfromthepreparatoryresearchfortheScheme
• LackofknowledgeaboutExmoor’smoorlandandpoortransportandaccessibilitywerekeybarrierspreventingpeoplelivinginthetownsandvillagesclosetoExmoorgainingthemanyphysical,educationalandspiritualbenefitsthatthemoorlandcanoffer.
• Therehadbeenalossofmoorlandmanagementskillsandknowledgeamongstfarmersandthereweregapsintheincentivesneededtomaintainthecharacteristicvegetationinagoodstate.
• TheconditionofsomeoftheiconicwildlifeofExmoor,includingtheExmoorpony,wasnotwellknown.Therewasaneedtoimproveanddisseminatethisknowledge,andtherewereopportunitiestoinvolvelocalcharitiesandvolunteersinthiswork.
• Therewaslittlepublicunderstandingoftherichculturalheritageofthemoorlandandtherewaslittlemonitoringoftheconditionofarchaeologicalsites.
2.6. ThefindingsofthepreparatoryresearchandconsultationswerebroughttogetherintheLandscapeStrategythatwaspublishedbytheNationalParkAuthorityinSeptember2007.ThissetouttherationaleandobjectivesoftheproposedSchemeonbehalfoftheLandscapePartnershipandoutlinedtheprojectsthatcouldbeusedtoaddresstheissuesraised3.TheoriginalaimsandobjectivesoftheSchemearesummarisedinthetexttakenfromtheLandscapeStrategyshowninFigure2.4.
3ExmoorMoorlandLandscapePartnership(2007).ExmoorMoorlandLandscapeStrategy.September2007.
Figure2.4.TheoriginalaimsandobjectivesoftheScheme
OurLandscapePartnershiphasbeenbroughttogethertoundertakeaseriesofinterlinkedprogrammestoconservethelandscapeheritageofthemoorlandofExmoor.
Wewanttoforgenewconnectionsbetweenthemoorlandandthepeoplewholivearoundandvisitit.Wewanttoensurethatthemoorlandlandscapeanditsheritageremaineconomicallyandsociallyrelevanttolocalcommunitiesandtovisitors.OurPartnershipisaboutshapingthefuturehistoryofthisuniquelandscapebyweavingitbackintothelivesoflocalcommunities.
OurPartnershipisunashamedlyaboutpeople-reconnectingthemtotheirmoorlandheritage-helpingthemaccess,understand,enjoyandcelebratetheirmoorlandheritageandsotogivethemconfidencetoparticipateinitsconservation.Inthiswaythefuturemanagementof,andsupportfor,thisremarkablelandscapeheritage-anislandoftranquillity,peace,opennessandwildnessinanotherwiseover-crowdedsouthernBritain-willbeassured.Itwillbecometreasuredinnewwaysandvitaltopeople'swell-beingandrecreation/re-creationandsobesafeguardedforposterity.
Coupledwiththisreconnectionisaprogrammeoflandscapereconditioning,enhancingthequalitiesthatmakeitspecialtopeople-itswildness,remoteness,andtranquillity-characteristicsveryrare,andveryvaluable,inourover-crowdedisland.
OurLandscapePartnershipaimstouseExmoor'smoorlandresourcestotellitsinspirationalstorytoanewgenerationofresidentsandvisitors.Itwillusethemoorland'swidehorizonstoexpandpeople'spersonalhorizons.Itwillbringanexperienceanddeeperunderstandingofourcountryside,landscapeandsocialhistory,andthenaturalprocessesthatcontinuetoshapeourenvironment.Itwillworkwiththelandowners,farmersandotherorganisationswhoarethestewardsofourmoorlandheritagetoaddressthechallengesofthefuture.
Source:LandscapeStrategypublishedSeptember2007
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2.7. ThecentralthesisdescribedintheLandscapeStrategywasthatExmoor’smoorlandsweresufferingfromdisconnectionwhichcouldbeseeninthreedimensions.AddressingthesechallengesbecametheobjectivesoftheScheme.• Disconnectionfrommodernlife.Localtraditionsofusingthe
moorlandsforwildfood(suchaswhortleberries)hadvirtuallydiedout,grazingofmoorlandwasincreasinglyperipheraltothemodernfarmingeconomyanddeclininglevelsofpublictransportmeantthatthemoorlandswereeffectivelyinaccessibletomanypeopleinnearbytowns.
• Disconnectionfromthepast.Despitetheemergenceofnewarchaeologicalevidenceoftheuseofthemoorlandsoverseveralmillennia,publicunderstandingoftheirculturalsignificancewasindecline.
• Disconnectedfromitself.Theincreasingfragmentationoftheremainingmoorlandblocks,surroundedbymodernfarmland,separatestheminthelandscapeandisolatespopulationsormoorlandwildlifespecies.
2.8. ThesethreeobjectiveswererelateddirectlytothethreeprogrammesaroundwhichtheSchemewasstructured:ReconnectingPeople;ReconnectingLivelihoods;andReconditioningMoorland.
2.9. TheSchemewasdesignedtooperateintwogeographicalareas.TheextentofthemoorlandlandscapewhichtheSchemesoughttoenhancewasdefinedby20‘moorlandunits’thathadbeenagreedseparatelybytheMoorlandInitiativeBoardestablishedbytheNPA.Theseareasofmoorlandandassociatedhabitatcover232km2withinthe694km2ofExmoorNationalPark.ThetargetareaforparticipationandinfluenceoftheScheme(its‘audience’)wasdefinedasthetownsandvillageswithin25kmoftheNationalPark.TheseareasareshowninFigure2.5.
FarleyWateronBrendonCommon©JasonPBall
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Figure2.5.ThelocationandphysicalextentoftheScheme
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Timelineandkeystages2.10. ThestoryofthedevelopmentanddeliveryoftheSchemeisnot
altogetherstraightforwardandtheScheme’sevolutionhasinfluencedthewayithasdelivereditsobjectives.Figure2.6summarisesthekeystagesintheScheme’sdevelopmentanddelivery.
2.11. During2006and2007,theNationalParkAuthoritytooktheleadinformingthePartnershipanddrawinguptheLandscapeStrategyandotherdocumentstosupportthebidtoHLF’sLandscapePartnershipProgramme.ThePartnershipsoughtfundingof£1.2millionfromtheHLFtoaddressthesedisconnections.
2.12. HLFapprovedfundingin2008butin2009theNPAdecidedtoputplansfortheSchemeonhold.Thiswasaperiodofgreateconomic
uncertaintyfollowingthe‘bankingcrash’andcutsinpublicfunding.TheNPAhadreceivedacutinitscorebudgetandtherewasuncertaintyovertheavailabilityofothermatchedfunding.
2.13. AreducedrangeofprojectswereagreedwithHLFin2010andtheSchemewaslaunchedinJanuary2011for15projectsunderthreeprogrammesoverathree-yearperiod.
2.14. BythestartofthesecondyearoftheScheme,ithadbecomeclearthatthesuccessoftheSchemewarrantedanextension.InMay2013aproposalwasmadetoreinstatefiveprojectsthathadbeenomittedin2011.FundingforthesebeganinJanuary2014forafurthertwoyears.ProjectactivitiesstoppedinDecemberandtheSchemewascompletedinMarch2016.
Figure2.6.Schemetimeline
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Administrationandstaffing2.15. AdministrationoftheSchemewasundertakenbyExmoorNational
ParkAuthority.Itprovidedthe‘accountablebodystatus’(i.e.itlookedafterthemoney),officeaccommodationandlinemanagementfacilitiesforthreeofthestaff(seebelow).ItisworthnotingthatalthoughitprovidedtheseimportantservicestotheScheme,theAuthoritydiscouragedtheperceptionthatitwastheleadpartyinthePartnership(discussedmorefullyinChapter5).
2.16. AtthestartoftheScheme,thePartnershipappointedafull-timeSchemeManagertoleaddeliveryoftheprojects,reportingtothePartnership.DuringthefirstmonthsoftheScheme,threeothermembersofstaffwereappointed.TheSchemestaffwereasfollows:
• SchemeManager:JasonBall.Full-time.OverallresponsibilityforSchemeadministration.Managedeightprojects
• MoorlandEducationandOutreachOfficer:DavidRolls.Full-time.Managedsixprojects
• MoorlandHeritageOfficer:FayeBalmond.Initiallytwoandahalfdaysaweek,increasedtofourdaysaweekandthenfull-timeinthesecondphaseoftheScheme.Managedfiveprojects
• ExmoorPonyOfficer:LinziGreen.EmployedbyandbasedattheMoorlandMousieTrust’sExmoorPonyCentre.Workedpart-time(onedayaweekonaverage)
• Administrativesupport:TheNationalParkAuthorityprovidedfinancialmanagementsupportasrequiredduringthefiveyearsoftheScheme.Additionalpart-timeadminsupportwasprovidedtotheSchemeManagerforashortperiodin2012-2013withextrafinancesupportduringPhase2
Costsandfunding2.17. Theoverallcostoftheschemewas£1.17million,threequartersof
whichwasallocatedtothefirstphase(2011-2013)andtheremaindertothesecondphase(2014-2015).AsFigure2.7shows,corerunningcostsaccountedfor45%oftotalspending(staffsalariesof36%andsupportcostsof9%).Programme1(ReconnectingPeople)accountedfor21%ofcosts,Programme2(ReconnectingLivelihoods)for12%andProgramme3(ReconditioningMoorland)for18%.Acontingencyof4%wasavailableforunforeseencosts.FinalexpenditureagainstthesebudgetedamountsisreviewedinChapter5.
Figure2.7.Breakdownofbudgetedcosts
ComponentPhase12011-13
Phase22014-15 Overall Split
Programme1 £178,075 £70,200 £248,275 21%Programme2 £136,400 £0 £136,400 12%Programme3 £180,900 £32,350 £213,250 18%Salarycosts £263,828 £158,600 £422,428 36%Supportcosts £63,400 £36,400 £99,800 9%Contingency £41,130 £10,100 £51,230 4%Totalcost £863,733 £307,650 £1,171,383 100%
2.18. TheHeritageLotteryFundhasbeenthemajorityfunderoftheScheme(£662,500),supportedbytheNationalParkAuthorityanditsPartnershipFund(£282,398ofwhich£21,924wasin-kind),WesternSomersetLocalAction(£77,161)andLeader4TorridgeandNorthDevon(£26,807).ThelattertwowerepartoftheRuralDevelopmentProgrammeforEnglandandcontributingtoProgramme2inthefirstphaseoftheScheme.
2.19. Inaddition,individualprojectsweresupportedfinanciallybyavarietyofpartnerstothetuneof£88,565.TheHeathcoatandAmoryTrustscontributed£42,000viaTheExmoorSociety,andtheExmoorTrustcontributed£13,000.EnglishHeritagehadprovided£11,000tothe
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NationalParkAuthoritythroughitsMonumentManagementSchemeandthiswaschannelledthroughtheScheme.TheEnvironmentAgencycontributed£10,000andNaturalEnglandputin£1,000.SouthWestWaterprovided£4,035,mostthroughtheExmoorMiresProject.Buglifeprovided£2,240andtheMalcolmMacEwenTrust£2,000.
Figure2.8.SourcesofincometotheScheme
Seeparas.2.18to2.20fortheamountsofincomein£pounds.
In-kindsupportbypartnersandvolunteers2.20. TheSchemereliedheavilyonpartnersprovidingtheirtimetoattend
meetings,toadministerprojectsandprovideotherresourcesforwhichnofinancialchargewasmadetotheScheme.SomeoftheseinputswereallocatedafinancialvalueandincludedintheSchemebudgetsuchastheNationalParkAuthority’slogisticalandadministrativecontributions(£21,924)andtheEnvironmentAgency’ssupportforecologicalsurveytraining(£5,050).
2.21. Anelementofthetimecontributedbyvolunteerstothedeliveryofprojectswasincluded,calculatedusingratesagreedwithHLF(valuedat£51,550).Inadditionincome‘earned’ateventssuchasfromcateringandentryfeescontributed£4,800.TheseamountsareallincludedinFigure2.8.
2.22. However,manyofthein-kindcontributionsmadebypartnersandvolunteerswerenotvaluedfinancially.These‘uncosted’inputsincludethefollowing(thislistisnotexhaustive):
• TheNationalParkAuthority(memberandseniorstaffinvolvement)
• ExmoorSociety(chairingthePartnership)
• TheMoorlandMousieTrust(hostingtheExmoorPonyOfficer)
• NaturalEngland,RSPB,FieldStudiesCouncil,NationalTrustandExmoorMiresProject(allinvolvedinadvisingandcontributingtoevents)
• ThetotalamountofvolunteertimecontributedtotheSchemehasbeencalculatedatover5,000days(givingatheoreticalvalueusingtheHLFrates–notincludedinthebudget-ofover£400,000).
HeritageLotteryFund 55%
ENPA(cash)12%
WesternSomersetLocalAction 6%Leader4TorridgeandNorthDevon 2%ENPA(inkind) 2%
9%
5% 4% 1%
4%Projects23%
Matchedprojectfunding
ExmoorPartnership/SustainableDevt.Fund
Contributorstomatchedprojectfunding
ExmoorSociety(fromcharitabletrusts)Valueofinkindcontributions (various)
ExmoorTrust
Coreschemefunding
Others(includingSouthWestWater,EnvironmentAgencyand'earned'income)
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DistinctivefeaturesoftheScheme2.23. BeforedescribingtheSchemeindetailinthefollowingchapters,
attentionshouldbedrawntotwowaysinwhichithasbeendifferentfrommanyotherLandscapePartnershipSchemesthatwereawardedfundingatthesametimeastheHeartofExmoorScheme.
• Firstly,theSchemetookplaceoverfiveyearsintwophases.ThreeyearswastheexpectedtimespanforLandscapePartnershipSchemeswhentheHeartofExmoorSchemewasapproved(nowmostSchemesareapprovedforafiveyearprogramme).However,itsearlysuccesspromptedanextensionoftwoyears.ThismeantthattheHeartofExmoorSchemehadlongerthanexpectedtodeliveritsobjectivesbutincludedaperiodofreflectionandreviewhalfwaythrough.
• Secondly,adecisionwastakenaftertheLandscapeStrategyhadbeenpreparedbutbeforetheSchemestartedtodropthreelargelandscapeenhancementprojectsthathadbeenplanned.Thiswasforreasonsofcostandpotentialduplicationwithotherinitiatives.
2.24. ThesefactorsinfluencedmanyofthesubsequentimpactsoftheSchemeandareconsideredinmoredetaillaterinthereport.
Swaling(controlledheatherburning)onMollandMoor,2012©JasonPBall
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3. ProjectsandOutputs
3.1. TheSchemehasoperatedthroughthreemainprogrammeelements,eachofwhichhascontainedanumberofprojects.Theseprogrammeelementsareasfollows:
1.ReconnectingPeople
2.ReconnectingLivelihoods
3.ReconditioningMoorlandCharacter
3.2. Thischapterrunsthrougheachoftheseprogrammesinturn,describingtheiroriginalrationale(thereasonswhytheywereneeded)andsummarisingtheactivitiesandoutputsofindividualprojects.TheTechnicalAnnexthataccompaniesthisreportprovidesmoredetaileddescriptionsofalloftheprojects.
Programme1:ReconnectingPeople3.3. Thefirstofthethreeprogrammeswasthelargest,involvingoverhalf
oftheprojects(11of19)and42%oftheScheme’sprojectbudget(i.e.notincludingsalariesandotheroverheads).TheseprojectsarelistedinFigure3.1.EightoftheseprojectstookplaceinthefirstphaseoftheScheme(2011-2013),someofthem,suchasTheMoorlandClassroom,continuingduringthesecondphase(2014-15),withthefinalthreeinFigure3.1takingplaceonlyinthesecondphase.AdministrationoftheprojectsinthisprogrammewasundertakenbytheMoorlandEducationandOutreachOfficerandtheMoorlandHeritageOfficer.
Originalrationale
3.4. ThesupportingevidencefortheSchemeidentifiedagrowingdisconnectbetweenresidentsandvisitorstoExmooranditsmoorlandheritage.
3.5. Changingmarketsanddiminishingagriculturalsupportwasresultinginfarmersabandoningmoorlandgrazing,climatechangewasalteringthemoorlandenvironment,changinglifestylesresultedinlocalcommunitieslosingtheirlinkswiththemoorsandhavingaverylowawarenessofthemoorland,whilstvisitornumberstomanypartsofthemoorwereeitherstaticorfallingatatimewhenvisitordemandswerechanging.
3.6. TheLandscapeStrategy4setoutthedesirefortheLandscapePartnershipto“forgenewconnectionsbetweenthemoorlandandthepeoplewholivearoundandvisitit.Wewanttoensurethatthe
moorlandlandscapeanditsheritageremaineconomicallyandsocially
relevanttolocalcommunitiesandtovisitors.OurPartnershipis
aboutshapingthefuturehistoryofthisuniquelandscapebyweaving
itbackintothelivesoflocalcommunities.”
3.7. The‘ReconnectingPeople’programmeattemptedtoaddressthisdesirethroughthe11projectslistedinFigure3.1.ThelocationsofmanyoftheprojectsandtheiractivitiesareshowninFigure3.4.
3.8. AsummaryoftheissuesandopportunitiesthatrelatetothisprogrammeisgiveninFigure3.3below.Theprojectsummaries(seetheTechnicalAnnextothisReport)identifythespecifickeyissuesandopportunitiesthatthe11projectssoughttoaddressinturn.
4TheExmoorMoorlandLandscapePartnershipLandscapeStrategy(2007)
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Figure3.1.Projectsinthe‘ReconnectingPeople’programmeProject Objective BudgetReachingOut Helpingpeoplefromlocal
communitiesconnectwithExmoor'smoorland
£22,900
VolunteersfortheMoor
Encouragingandsupportingvolunteers
£7,225
TheMoorlandClassroom
Supportingschoolvisitsandeducationalactivities
£55,600
AccessforAll Helpingpeoplewithdisabilities,accessormobilityissuestovisitmoorland
£11,600
MoortoSea Helpingcommunities'downstream'ofExmoorunderstandwhymoorlandisimportant
£10,000
Exmoor'sTreelessForest
Research,conservationandlearningabouttheformerRoyalForest
£11,750
DiscoveringPrehistory
Encouragingunderstandingofthemoorland’sprehistory
£16,500
ViewsoftheMoor
Recordinghowthemoorlandhaschangedoverthecenturies
£42,500
CommunityArchaeology
Supportingcommunitygroupstocarryoutarchaeologicalfieldworkandresearch
£42,000
NewEcologists Engagingpeopleofallagesinsurveyingandconservingmoorlandwildlife
£23,700
ManagingExmoor'smoorlandknowledge
Capturingandsharinggoodpracticebyprojectsandvolunteers
£4,500
Figure3.2.Examplesof‘ReconnectingPeople’projectlocations
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Figure3.3.IssuesandopportunitiesidentifiedpriortotheSchemethatthe‘ReconnectingPeople’programmesoughttoaddress
• LowawarenessofExmoor’smoorlandandalackofunderstandingofwhatitoffers.(AccessPlan)
• VisitornumberstoExmoor’smoorlandarestaticorfalling.(AccessPlan)
• Moorlandviewedasaremoteand‘threateningplace’.(AccessPlan)
• Difficultaccessforthosewithmobilityproblemsorwithoutaprivatecar.(AccessPlan)
• Engagingthoselivingwithin25kmofExmoorNationalParkprovidesthebiggestopportunitytoexpandtheaudience.(AudienceDevelopmentPlan)
• Limitednumberofvolunteers.(ConservationandRestorationPlan)
• Lackofco-ordinationofvolunteers(TrainingPlanandConservationandRestorationPlan)
• Volunteeringopportunitiesarelimitedbyflexibility,typeofopportunitiesandaccessibility.(TrainingPlan)
• Facilitiesforvisitingvolunteergroupsarelimited.(ConservationandRestorationPlan)
• Opportunitiesforvolunteertrainingidentifiedinclude:traditionalskillssuchashedgingandwalling,wildlifesurveyingandvisitorsurveys.(TrainingPlan)
• Ahighproportionofelderlyresidentswhoarelowusersbecauseofalackoftransport,mobilityissuesandlowincome.(AudienceDevelopmentPlan).
• Useofthemoorlandbyschoolsinthehinterlandisverylow.(AudienceDevelopmentPlan)
• Lackofunderstandingoftherelevanceofmoorlandheritagetothecurriculum.(TrainingPlan)
• Alreadyrelativelygoodcurriculum-basedmaterialsavailableonExmoor’snaturalheritage,includingmoorland.(TrainingPlan)
• FewyoungpeopleinHigherEducationintheareaaroundExmoorexperiencethemoorlandaspartoftheircourse.(TrainingPlan)
• OpportunitiestoincreasethenumberofinitiativestobringyoungpeopletoExmoorwholiverelativelyclose.(TrainingPlan)
• AdirectcorrelationbetweenthedistancefromtheNationalParktowherepeopleliveandtheirlevelofengagement.(AudienceDevelopmentPlan)
• Asignificantnumberofvisitorsvisitedthecoastasapreferenceoverthemoorland(AudienceDevelopmentPlan)
• AstrongeraffinityexistsbetweenthesettlementsandvisitorsaroundthecoastalmarginsoftheNationalParkthanmorecentrallywithinthearea.(AudienceDevelopmentPlan)
• Surveyandresearchisalowpriorityforfunding.(ConservationandRestorationPlan)
• Surveyworkisreliantonvolunteersandthereisashortageofpeopleskilledinidentifyingdifficultgroupssuchaslowerplantsandinvertebrates.(ConservationandRestorationPlan)
• Thereisinsufficientknowledgeoftheculturalheritageresource,especiallysiteswithpalaeo-environmentalsignificance.(ConservationandRestorationPlan)
• Keygapsincurrentknowledgeandunderstandingofthemoorlandinclude:earlyprehistoriclandscapesthatsurviveonthemoorlande.g.stonesettingswhichareuniquetoExmoor;theprocessofreclamationandagriimprovementonmoorland(Mesolithictopresent);theEnclosureoftheRoyalForestinthe19thcentury;theuseofthemoorlandsduringWorldWarII;understandingthemoorlandarchaeology,inparticularpastunsustainablepracticesandhistoricstockinglevelsandvegetationchange,particularlyonthecommonsandwidermoorland.(AccessPlan)
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Mainfocusofactivitiesandoutputs
3.9. Figure3.4providesasummaryofhowthetargetoutputsforthisProgrammethatwereagreedbetweentheLandscapePartnershipandtheHLFwereachieved.Thelargemajorityoftargetoutputswerecomfortablyachievedwithsome,suchasthenumbersofschoolandcommunitygroupsvisitsandarchaeologicalfieldworksessions,beingachievedbyalargemargin.
3.10. FulldetailsofalltheprojectsundertheReconnectingPeopleprogrammecanbefoundintheTechnicalAnnexthataccompaniesthisreportincludingasummaryofthepurposeoftheproject,keyissuestargeted,locationsandtargetaudiences,fundinganddeliverypartners,activitiesundertaken,achievementoftargets,outcomesachieved,lessonslearnedandlegacyactivity.
3.11. Theprogrammecontainedadiversemixtureofprojectsbothintermsofsubjectmatter(fromconservationtoculturalheritage)andvisibilityofprojects,withbothhighprofileprojectsandthosethatprovidedthefoundationsformanyotherprojectsintheprogrammeandtheSchemeasawhole.
3.12. Reachingout,VolunteersfortheMoorandManagingExmoor’sMoorlandKnowledgewerethreesuchcross-cuttingprojects.Underlyingmanyofthemoorland’sissues,andprovidingasignificantbarriertoreconnectingpeopletothem,wasthelowlevelofengagementandawarenessofmoorlandheritageamongstmanydifferentsectionsofsociety,particularlythoseincommunitiesimmediatelysurroundingtheNationalParkboundary.TheReachingOutprojectattemptedtoaddressthis.Bytargetingallagegroupsinsurroundingcommunitiesthroughanumberofdifferentmechanisms,itaimedtoraiseawarenessandengagepeoplewiththemoorland,openingthedoorformanyotherprojectsnotonlyinthisprogrammebuttheSchemeasawhole.Hostingandsupportingeventssuchascommunitygroupvisitstomoorlandandlargerfamilyeventssuchas‘GowildonGrabbist’formedthebasisofthisproject.
3.13. TheVolunteersfortheMoorprojectaddressedtheissueofengagementatadeeperlevel,whilstalsofullycapturingtheenthusiasmandenergyofthosecommunitiesthatalreadyhadsomelevelofappreciationandawarenessofthemoors.WhilstvolunteeringwasalreadytakingplacewithintheNationalParkandonmoorland,thisprojectplacedgreateremphasisonmatchingthetheskillsandknowledgeofvolunteerstothetasksavailable.Thisgavevolunteersaspecialroleininfluencingtheplanninganddeliveryofprojects.Volunteertrainingtookplace,alongsidesupportingandworkingwithotherprogrammesandinturn5,000volunteerdaysweresupportedbytheproject.
3.14. TheManagingExmoor’sMoorlandKnowledgeproject,whichwasbroughtintoPhase2,cutacrossnotonlytheReconnectingPeopleprogramme,buttheSchemeasawhole.ItsoughttoensurethattheknowledgebuiltupasaresultoftheoutputsfromeachprojectwascapturedalongwithgoodpracticeaboutdevisingandsettingupeventsandactivitiesundertakenaspartoftheScheme.Theoriginalideahadbeentoprovideadigitalcatalogueor‘routemap’ofalltheknowledgethatwasavailableonExmoor’smoorland.However,itbecameclearthatthiswouldduplicateothersourcesofinformation(suchastheHistoricEnvironmentRecordmaintainedbytheNationalParkAuthority).Asaresult,itwasagreedtofocusoncollatinginformationonspecifictopicsthroughaseriesofonlinecasestudiesandvideosandbysupportingcommunityknowledgesharingevents.
3.15. AnothergroupofprojectsunderthisprogrammeextendedtheworkoftheReachingOutprojectbytargetingspecificgroupsofpeopleandtryingtotacklethebarriersthatpreventedtheirengagementwithmoorlandheritage.AccessforAlltriedtotacklethebarrierstovisitingmoorland,particularlythosefacedbythedisabled.Tasterdays,newresourcesandtwonewaccessibleroutesdesignedforoff-roadmobilityscooters(Trampers)–oneatSimonsbathandtheotheratHeddonValley–werecreatedbyworkingwithdisabilitygroups,charitiesandorganisations.
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3.16. TheMoorlandClassroomprojectsupportedandencouragedschoolvisits,educationalactivitiesandlearningexperiencesbothintheclassroomandonthemoor.ItssuccessmeantthatitbecameoneoftheflagshipprojectsfortheSchemeasawhole,successfullyengagingmorethan7,000pupilsand,throughitsonlineresources5andteachertrainingprogramme,helpingtofosterlongertermenthusiasmandengagementwithmoorlandheritage.
3.17. TheMoortoSeaprojecttookaninnovativeapproachtoengagementtakingaspecificphysicalfeature–inthiscasetheRiverExe–asawaytoreachoutandengageoutlyingcommunitieswho,withdistancefromthemoor,wereinevitablylessengaged.Throughamixtureofevents(suchasBogtastic),outreachprojectsandroadshows(suchastheSpiritoftheExeFestival)andtheSoundsoftheExeartsproject6,theimportanceofconservingandrestoringExmoor’swetlandhabitatsandwaterresourcestodownstreamcommunitieshasbeenhighlighted.
3.18. AnotherinnovativeprojectunderthisprogrammewasNewEcologists.Focussingonresolvingbothuntappedenthusiasmforvolunteeringandalsotheneedforfurtherecologicalsurveyandresearchworktobeundertaken,thisprojectworkedwith21partnerstoproducenewonlineresources,undertakeoutreacheventsandsupportwildlifesurveysincludingthecitizensciencesurvey‘ExmoorWildWatch’.Throughtheseactivitiessome4,350individualswereinvolvedin38ecologyroadshows,29familyecologydays,52schoolandcollegevisits,52ecologysurveytrainingsessions,12Bioblitzeventsand28wildlifesurveys.AnannualExmoorWildlifeForumwasestablishedwhichisplannedtocontinuebeyondtheScheme.
3.19. Knowledgeofthemoorland’sculturalheritagewashighlightedasakeygapinunderstandingandfourprojectsintheprogrammesoughttoaddressthis.TheExmoor’sTreelessForestprojectandCommunityArchaeologyprojectbothfocussedonusingvolunteerstocarryoutconservationandsurveywork.Bothprojectsincluded
5Seehttp://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/learning/the-moorland-classroom6ForoutputsoftheSoundsoftheExeproject,seehttps://www.youtube.com/user/ExmoorNP
trainingvolunteersandinthecaseofCommunityArchaeologythisincludedfairlyadvancedtechniquesincludingphotographicandgeophysicalsurvey.Bothprojectsaddedsignificantlytocurrentknowledgeofthesitesthattheyfocussedonandthisinformationwassharedamongstcommunitygroups,schoolsandthelocalpopulation.
3.20. TheViewsoftheMoorprojectlookedathowpeoplehaveviewedExmoor’smoorlandheritage,particularlywithinlivingmemory,producingreconstructionsanddocumentingoralhistories.TheViewsofExmoorExhibitionhelpedtocelebrateandbringaliveExmoor’smoorlandheritageandbringawarenessofExmoor’sspecialqualitiestoawideraudience.
3.21. TheDiscoveringPrehistoryprojectfocussedonincreasingunderstandingofaparticulartimeperiodofmoorlandheritage–prehistory.Fieldtripsandeventswereorganisedanddeliveredtoawiderangeofgroups,includingschools,universities,localsocieties,youthgroupsandthegeneralpublicthroughcommunityarchaeologytoencouragepeopletoengagewithExmoor’smoorlandprehistory.
Schoolchildreninthemoorlandclassroom,PinkeryBog©SteveGuscott
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Figure3.4.Achievementoftargetoutputs–Programme1:ReconnectingPeople
0% 50% 100% 150% 200% 250% 300%
500people attendinganeventorfieldtrip
30field trips
10talkstolocalgroups
10guidedwalks
20volunteers trainedinwallingtechniques
5volunteersengagedinsurvey andresearch
15businesses engaged
9visits byschool/community groups
30communities contacted
30schools contactedalongtherivercorridors
90people benefitingfromimproved access
12guidedwalksforwheelchairusers
12outreacheventsfordisability groups
15morevolunteersworkingregularly
15visits touniversities orcolleges
15presentationstoyouthgroups
36community groupscontacted
100schools receiveresourcepacks
3summerschools (15students attending)
108term-timeeducationdays
30schools engagedeachyear
24tasterevents(30attendeesperevent)
30groupvisitstomoorland
150community/youth groupscontacted
Discover-
ing
Prehistory
Exmoor’sTreeless
Forest
MoortoSe
aAccessfo
rAll
Volunteersfo
rthe
Moor
TheMoorla
nd
Classroom
ReachingOut
Proportionoftargetachieved
513%
386%
344%
1,289%
150%
0% 50% 100% 150% 200% 250% 300%
DelivertrainingonKMStostaff&volunteers
KMSprocesses andprotocols agreed.
TransferinformationtotheMoorlandKMS
DeviseMoorlandKnowledgeMan.System
10wildlife groupsofferedmentoringtraining
4wildlife surveys
2Bioblitzevents
24Identificationandsurveytrainingworkshops
20school andcollegevisits
2educationresources
12familyecologydays
12ecologyroadshows
1cross-community conference
2loans boxescreated
6community heritageopendays
10school visits; inc.summerfieldwork
24volunteertrainingsessions
2summerfieldwork sessions
20visits tositesandmonuments
250people attendingroadshows
12roadshowsheld
3exhibitions held
Digitalarchivedeveloped
30schools andcommunity groupvisits
6reconstructions prepared
ManagingExmoor's
Moorla
nd
Know
ledge
NewEcologists
CommunityArchaeology
View
softheM
oor
Proportionoftargetachieved
300%
850%
700%
350%
Thefocus oftheprojectchanged(producing casestudies ratherthancataloguedrecords)andthesetargetswerenolongerappropriate
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Programme2:ReconnectingLivelihoods3.22. Thesecondprogrammeinvolvedfourprojectsandaccountedfor23%
oftheScheme’sprojectbudget(thesmallestofthethreeprogrammes).ThefourprojectsareshowninFigure3.5andlocationsofkeyactivitiesareshowninFigure3.6.
3.23. AlloftheseprojectstookplaceinthefirstphaseoftheScheme(2011-2013)usingsignificantmatchedfundingfromtheRuralDevelopmentProgrammeforEngland(WesternSomersetLocalActionandLeader4TorridgeandNorthDevon).SeveralofthemcontinuedintoPhase2usingfundingfromPhase2projects.
3.24. AlloftheprojectsinthisprogrammewereadministeredbytheSchemeManager.
FIgure3.5.Projectsinthe‘ReconnectingLivelihoods’programme
Project Objective Budget
Moorkeepers Employinglocalpeopleaspart-time'moorkeepers'
£65,800
EmpoweringMoorlandManagers
Helpingmoorlandmanagerstoworktogether
£12,300
MoorSkills Providingapprenticeshipsandatrainingprogramme
£47,500
DemonstrationMoors
Runningaprogrammeofdemonstrationevents
£10,800
Figure3.6.Examplesof‘ReconnectingLivelihoods’projectlocations
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Originalrationale
3.25. TheLandscapeStrategyidentifiedthatthemoorlandhadbecomeeconomicallydisconnectedfrommostofthefarmsthatsurroundedit,makingitdifficulttoachievetherightlevelsoflivestockgrazingneededtomaintainthemoorlandheritage.TheresearchundertakentopreparefortheSchemehadidentifiedarangeofissuesandopportunities(Figure3.7).Toaddressthese,thePartnershipsoughttousethisProgrammetoworkwiththepeoplewhoearnalivingfrommoorlandto:• Conserveandcelebrateculturalassociationsandactivities;• Encouragemorepeopletoaccess,learnabout,becomeinvolved
inandmakedecisionsontheirlandscapeheritage;and• Improveunderstandingoflocalcraftandotherskillsby
providingtrainingopportunities.
3.26. Theprincipaltargetaudienceforthisprogrammewastheownersandgraziersofmoorland.Partnersindeliveringtheprogrammeincludedlocalcollegesprovidingland-basedtrainingqualifications,theExmoorHillFarmingNetworkandtheNationalParkAuthority’srangerservice.
Mainfocusofactivitiesandoutputs
3.27. Alloftheprojectsinthisprogrammeweredirectedatprovidingmoorlandownersandmanagerswiththeknowledgeandskillstoundertakemoorlandmanagementpracticesthatbothmaintainedthemoorlandheritageandalsometpracticalfarmingrequirements.Incontrast,fundingofpracticalconservationworktookplaceinProgramme3.
3.28. AsnotedinFigure3.7,keyissuesfacingmoorlandmanagerswerethelackoflabour,lackofskillsandlackofknowledge.Labourisaparticularconstrainttothepracticeofmoorlandswaling(controlledburningtostimulateregrowthofheather)becauseitcoincideswithlambingonfarms.Manymoorlandmanagersareover60andthere
wasfelttobeaneedtopassonskillsandknowledgeofmoorlandlivestockmanagementtoyoungpeople.
Figure3.7.IssuesandopportunitiesidentifiedpriortotheSchemethatthe‘ReconnectingLivelihoods’programmesoughttoaddress
• Labouronfarmsislimitedandtodelivermoorlandmanagementistimeconsuming.(ConservationandRestorationPlan)
• ThereisashortageofskilledwallersinNorthDevonwheremostofthewallsonExmoormoorlandarefound.(ConservationandRestorationPlan)
• Noincentivesexisttoreplacefencesbyrebuildingwallsorstone-facedbanksasthedifferencebetweenthecostandthegrantaidistoogreat.(ConservationandRestorationPlan)
• Knowledgeoftechniquesforrestorationofimprovedgrasslandtouplandheathlandislimited.(ConservationandRestorationPlan)
• Thecessationorlimitedavailabilityoftrainingforyoungpeopleonland-basedmanagement.(TrainingPlan)
• Barrierstotrainingbyfarmersincludethecostoftrainingincludinginsuranceandassessmentfees,thetimeawayfromthefarmincludingthecostofrelieflabour,andtheneedfortrainingtoberelevanttoeconomicandpracticalrealities.(TrainingPlan)
3.29. Therewerealsoseentobeopportunitiestoenhanceknowledgeandexchangebestpracticebetweencurrentmoorlandmanagersandconservationbodies.Topicssuitableforthisknowledgeexchangeincludedthenumbersandtypesoflivestockbestsuitedtodifferentmoorlandareas,newmachineryavailabletocontrolscrubandequipmentneededtosafelyundertakemoorlandswaling.
3.30. Asetoftargetsfortheoutputstobeachievedwasagreedforeachoftheprojects,involvingeitherthenumbersofpeoplewhowouldbeinvolvedorthenumbersofmeetingsoreventsthatwouldtakeplace.TheseareshowninFigure3.8.Thelargemajorityofthesetargets
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wereachieved,withafewbeingachievedearlyintheprogrammeandgoingontobeexceededverysignificantly.
3.31. Twooftheprojects–MoorkeepersandMoorSkills–involvedfocussedactivityonafewspecificindividuals.TheconceptofemployingMoorkeeperstogivefarmersdirectresponsibilityandresourcestoco-ordinategrazing,swaling,recreationalmanagementandenvironmentalmonitoringhadbeendiscussedonExmoorforseveraldecades.TheSchemeprovidedtheopportunitytotestanddeveloptheconceptwithfundingtoemploythreepart-timepostsonthreeareasofmoorland,initiallyduringPhase1butsubsequentlycontinuedinPhase2withfundingfromtheChangingMoorlandproject(are-instatedprojectinProgramme3).Thejobdescriptionforthemoorkeepersandtheirresponsibilitiesneededtobedefinedthroughdialoguewithmoorlandowners(distinguishingtherolefromNationalParkrangersandNationalTrustrangersforinstance)andthisprocesstooklongerthananticipated,leadingtoadelaytomakingtheappointments.Eventuallythreepeoplewereappointedononedayaweekcontracts:OneontheMineheadMoorlands(alocalfarmcontractor),MollandMoor(anexistinggrazingtenant)andHoldstoneDown(aNationalTrusttenantandco-owner).
3.32. TheMoorkeeperpostswerealsosupportedfromtheprojectbythepurchaseofmachineryandequipmentthatwassharedbetweenthemsuchas‘brackenbruisers’,swalingequipment,personalprotectiveequipment(PPE)andherbicidesprayingequipment.
Figure3.8.Achievementoftargetoutputs–Programme2:ReconnectingLivelihoods
3.33. TheMoorSkillsprojectwasdesignedtoprovidethreeyoungpeople
withapprenticeshipsinmoorlandmanagement(includingsupervisedfarmworkanddayreleaseclassroomtraining)leadingtoaqualificationthatwouldhelpthemgetsubsequentemployment.WestSomersetCollegeinMineheadagreedtohelpdevelopadistinctivemoorlandmanagementcurriculumandbetheaccreditedtrainingprovider,part-fundedbythescheme.However,thischangedwhenthethreestudentsidentifiedfortheapprenticeshipsmovedtoBridgwaterCollegeatCannington.OneofthestudentssubsequentlydroppedoutandwasreplacedbyastudentfromDevon.These
0% 100% 200% 300%
3eventsforstudents onlandmanagement
3demonstrations bycontractors&equipmentmanufacturers
18demonstration events
20moorlandmanagersattendingtrainingonmoorlandmanagement
12meetings(8moorlandmanagerspermeeting)
30students developingmoorskills
15Localmoorlandmanagerstoreceivetrainingtobe“MoorlandTutors”
3local18-19yearolds receive18monthstraining
20guidedwalksrunbyMoorkeepers
6trainingdaysattendedbyMoorkeepersandMoorSkills apprentices
3Moorkeepersemployed
Demonstratio
nMoors
Empowering
Moorla
nd
Managers
MoorS
kills
Moorkeepers
Proportionoftargetachieved
1,667%
3moorkeepers employed
6trainingdaysattendedbymoorkeepers andmoorskills apprentices
20guidedwalksrunbymoorkeepers
3local18-19yearoldswillreceive18monthstrainingas“MoorKeepersApprentices”
15LocalMoorlandManagerstoreceivetrainingtobe“MoorlandTutors”
30students developingmoorskills
12meetings(8MoorlandManagerspermeeting)
20MoorlandManagersattendingtrainingonmoorlandmanagement
18demonstration event
3demonstrations bymoorland contractorsandmanufacturersofspecialist equipment
3eventsforstudentsonlandmanagement
Moorland
managers
viewinga
demonstration
ofabracken
‘biobaler’
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changesrequiredconsiderableunexpectedworkbytheSchemeManager.
3.34. AnothertargetoutputoftheMoorSkillsprojectwasprovidingon-sitetrainingforfarmstudentsonmoorlandmanagement.ThiswasdeliveredbythefarmunitatWestSomersetCollege.Againsttheoriginaltargetof30students,over500studentsreceivedthetraining.
3.35. IthasbeenanticipatedthattherewouldbeastronglinkbetweentheMoorkeepersandMoorSkillsprojects,withtheMoorkeepersprovidingon-the-jobexperiencefortheapprentices.Althoughanumberoftrainingdaysdidtakeplace,meetingthetarget,thispartoftheMoorkeepers’rolewasnotfullydeveloped.
3.36. TheexperienceoftheMoorSkillsprojectshowsthechallengesofarrangingday-releaseapprenticeshipsinremoteruralareaswhereissuesoftransportandthelimitedavailabilityofhostemployerscanbesignificantbarriers.Toacertaindegree,theprojectadaptedtothesechallengesbymovingfromprovidinghighlevelsoftrainingtoafewstudentstolowerlevelsoftrainingtomanymorestudents.
3.37. AnoverallaspirationfortheMoorSkillsprojecthadbeentocreateaself-sustainingprogrammeofmoorlandtrainingatWestSomersetCollege,withinitialpumpprimingbytheprojecttodevelopthecurriculumbeingmaintainedbystudents’tuitionpayments.However,themomentumofmoorlandtraininghasnotbeenmaintainedbythecollegeandtheprogrammehasceased.
3.38. Theothertwoprojectsinthisprogramme–EmpoweringMoorlandManagersandDemonstrationMoors–tookplacethroughthefacilitationofmeetingsandeventsinvolvingmoorlandowners,managersandenvironmentalbodiessuchasNaturalEngland.Inpractice,therefewdifferencesbetweentheactivitiesofthetwoprojects,sothateventsorganisedunderoneprojecttendedtocontributetooutputtargetsintheother.Examplesincluded:
• AworkshoponscrubmanagementonBrendonCommonorganisedbytheBrendonCommonersAssociation
• AdemonstrationofswalingequipmentandtechniquesonNorthHill,publicisedbytheExmoorHillFarmingNetwork
• Annualmeetingstomonitorprogressandplanformoorlandswaling,organisedbytheNationalParkAuthority
• AmeetingtoreviewevidenceondifferentgrazingregimesonMollandMoororganisedbytheGrazetheMoorProject
3.39. Lesssuccessfulaspectsoftheprogrammeweretheattemptstoencouragemoorlandownersandgrazierstointeractmorewiththepublic,leadingguidedwalksandactingas‘moorlandtutors’.Mostmoorlandownersandgraziersdon’tseethisastheirrole,beinghappytoleaveittotheNationalParkrangersandNationalTrustwardensandorganisationssuchastheExmoorSociety.Asaresultthetargetoutputof15moorlandmanagersreceivingtrainingtobe‘moorlandtutors’wasnotmet.
FarmersandothershearingaboutthearchaeologyofBrendonCommon©JasonPBall
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Programme3:ReconditioningMoorlandCharacter3.40. Thefinalprogrammeinvolvedfourprojectsandaccountedfor36%of
theScheme’sprojectbudget.TheseprojectsareshowninFigure3.9andlocationsofkeyactivitiesareshowninFigure3.10.
3.41. ThefirstthreeprojectstookplaceinPhase1oftheSchemeandthefourth,TheChangingMoorland,wasaddedinPhase2.TheseprojectswereadministeredbytheSchemeManager(thefirst,thirdandfourthprojectsinFigure3.9)andtheMoorlandHeritageOfficer(thesecond).
Figure3.9.Projectsinthe‘ReconditioningMoorlandCharacter’programme
Project Objective Budget
ReconditioningMoorlandCharacter
Restorationoflandscapesandheritagelandmarks
£100,000
ConservingtheMoorlandPast
Fundingconservationworkatmoorlandarchaeologicalsites
£32,500
PromotingExmoorPonies
Helpingponyownerssupportthebreed
£48,400
TheChangingMoorland
Undertakingconservationworkonmoorlandwherechangeisoccurring
£32,350
Figure3.10.Examplesof‘ReconditioningMoorlandCharacter’projectlocations
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Originalrationale
3.42. TheLandscapeStrategypublishedinSeptember2007summarisedthepurposeofthisprogrammeas“tobringExmoor’smoorlandsintomorefavourablecondition–recreating‘showroomcondition’and
makingitfitterforpurpose”.Itdistinguishedreconditioningexistingareasofmoorlandfromtherestorationofformermoorland.Althoughitmadeclearthatlargescalemoorlandrestorationwasnotanobjectiveofthescheme,itdidsetoutanobjectiveto‘roughenup’thelandscapecharacteroffarmlandsurroundingmoorlandtoprovidehabitatandvisuallinksbetweenmoorland.
3.43. TheissuesandopportunitiesthathadbeenidentifiedduringtheresearchpriortodevelopingtheschemearesummarisedinFigure3.11.Aswellastheseissues,thisprogrammealsorespondedtomanyoftheissuesidentifiedintheothertwoprogrammes.
Figure3.11.IssuesandopportunitiesidentifiedpriortotheSchemethatthe‘ReconditioningMoorlandCharacter’programmesoughttoaddress
• Therearecurrentlynofundingstreamsavailableforprojectswherevisualimprovementofthelandscapeinordertoenhancepublicenjoymentistheoverridingaim.(ConservationandRestorationPlan)
• Thereisashortageoffundingforculturalheritageconservationwork
• ThereisnomarketforyoungExmoorponiessolittleincentivetokeepthem
3.44. TheoriginalproposalfortheschemesubmittedtoHLFin2007andapprovedforfundinginApril2008containedsixprojectsbutthreeofthesewereomittedfromtheschemewaswasstartedin2011.Thesethreeomittedprojectsinvolvedmappingtranquillityonmoorland,theestablishmentofnaturallinksonfarmlandbetweenmoorlandblocksanddevisingandevaluatingmoorlandrestorationtechniques.Thedecisiontodroptheseprojectswaspartlyduetocost,partlyduetoanassessmentofalternativewaysofdeliveringthem(thenatural
linksprojectpotentiallybeingdeliverablethroughagri-environmentschemefunding)andpartlyduetoanassessmentofpriorities(leadingtotheomissionofthetranquillitymappingproject).
3.45. TheopportunitytoreinstateprojectsinthesecondphaseoftheschemeledtotheChangingMoorlandprojectbeingincluded.Thistooksomeofitsinspirationfromtheoriginalideatoexaminemoorlandrestorationtechniques(butfocussingmoreonaddressingchangingconditionsonmoorland)andalsoallowedcontinuedfundingtosuccessfulprojectsfromPhase1suchasMoorkeepers.
3.46. Thetargetaudiencesforthisprogrammewerewide,includingmoorlandownersandgraziersandthecommunitieswithinthedefinedlandscapepartnershiparea.ThekeypartnersinvolvedindeliveringthefourprojectsincludedtheNationalParkAuthority,theMoorlandMousieTrust(whichemployedtheExmoorPonyOfficer),ExmoorPonySociety,theExmoorSocietyandLyntonandLynmouthTownCouncil(thelattertwocontributingsignificantmatchedfundingforpartsoftheReconditioningMoorlandCharacterproject).
Mainfocusofactivitiesandoutputs
3.47. Thisprogrammeisdifferentfromtheothersinthatitprovidedtheresourcestomakephysicalimprovementstomoorlandandtoconserveimportantheritagefeaturesofthemoorland(suchastheExmoorponyherds).LikeProgramme1italsoprovidedwaysofpromotingbetterpublicunderstandingof,andinvolvementin,theseactivities.ItalsoincludedelementsofProgramme2incloseworkingwithmoorlandownersandgraziers.
3.48. Aswiththeotherprogrammes,anumberofoutputtargetswereagreedsothatprogressoftheprojectscouldbemonitored.Theseincludedthenumberofsitesandfeaturesonwhichreconditioningworkhadtakenplace,thenumberofpeopleinvolvedinconservation,monitoringortrainingandthenumberofmeetingsandothereventsheld.ThesetargetsandtheirachievementareshowninFigure3.12.
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Figure3.12.Achievementoftargetoutputs–Programme3:ReconditioningMoorlandCharacter
3.49. Eachofthefourprojectsinthisprogrammeaddressedadifferentaspectofmoorlandreconditioning.TheReconditioningMoorlandCharacterprojectsupportedconservationworkthroughfivemajorprojects(below)andprovidedsmallergrantstomoorlandownerstoenhancethelandscape.Thesesmallergrants,typicallyofbetween£1,000and£5,000each,coveredactivitiessuchashedgebankrepairalonghistoricallysignificantmoorlandboundariesandfencingofhighbiodiversityvaluegrasslandtofacilitategrazing.
3.50. Thefivemajorlandscapereconditioningprojectswereasfollows:
• TheundergroundingofelectricitypowerlinesatHawkcombeHead,removingamajorvisualintrusioninthelandscape.ThemaincapitalfundingcamefromWesternPowerandtheschemeprovidedfundingtoenhancethequalityofthenecessaryarchaeologicalsurveyingandmitigationwork
• ThereplacementoftheroofanddoorstotheWorldWarIIRadarStationonNorthHill.ThisprovidedthesettingforaWWIIinterpretiveexhibitionwithcostumedre-enactors
• TheconsolidationandconservationofHoarOakCottage,anabandonedhouseinaremotemoorlandlocation.TheprojectwasundertakenwiththeFriendsofHoarOakCottage,communityactiongroupExmoorUprisingandtheExmoorSociety
• TheredesignandlandscapingofthecarparkattheValleyofRocks.Thepreviouscarparkingwaspoorlydesignedandvisuallyintrusiveinthispopularvisitordestination.ThecostwassharedbetweenLyntonandLynmouthTownCouncil,theExmoorPartnershipFundandtheScheme
• TheundergroundingofpowerandtelecomscablesattheValleyofRocks
3.51. AsignificantproportionofthefundingforthisprojectcamefromtheHeathcoatandAmoryTruststhroughtheExmoorSociety.
0% 50% 100% 150% 200%
40people benefitfrompracticalmoorlandskillstraining
40people involved inthemoorlandmanagementchallenges
3moorlandmanagementchallenges
6practicalmoorlandmanagementdemonstrations
8farmer-ledactivities/workshops
10practicaltrainingsessions
20practicalconservationsessions
20MoorlandUnitmeetings
15events/fetesattended
2newherdscreated
2herdssafeguarded
30Exmoorponydays
30primaryschool visited
8landowners engagedinmonitoringandconserving activities
20volunteers involvedinmonitoringandconserving activities
10additional featuresareidentified andimpactsmitigated
3prioritysitesrestoredTheChangingM
oorla
ndProm
otingExmoorP
onies
Conservin
gthe
Moorla
ndPast
Reconditioning
Moorla
nd
Character
Proportionoftargetachieved
443%
3prioritysitesrestored
10additional featuresorelementsareidentified andtheimpactmitigated
20volunteers involved inmonitoring andconserving activities
8landowners engagedinmonitoringandconserving activities
40people involved inthemoorlandmanagementchallenges
40people benefitfrompracticalmoorlandskills training
Involvingsurveyand interviews
465%
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3.52. TheConservingtheMoorlandPastprojectsoughttoaddressthreatstoScheduledAncientMonumentsandotherarchaeologicalsitesonmoorland.Itincludedfourelements:
• PracticalconservationworkwasundertakenbyspecialistcontractorsonScheduledMonuments(suchasthesprayingofbrackentopreventrootdamagetoburiedstructures)andusedfundingfromEnglishHeritage’sMonumentManagementSchemewhichhadbeendelegatedtotheNationalParkAuthority.Thisworkwouldhavebeenundertakenanyway.
• Geophysicalsurveyswereundertaken(byspecialistcontractorswhoweresupportedbyvolunteers)onthreePrincipalArchaeologicalLandscapesonmoorland:PorlockAllotments,CheritonRidgeandBradimoor.Thesesurveysleadtonewdiscoveriessuchasamedievalsettlementandhavebeenwrittenupandpublished.
• Archaeologicalsurveysandreportswerecommissionedandpublishedcoveringvalleymires,theSimonsbathtower,theHoaroakcottage/sheepfold,peatcuttingonPorlockAllotmentandtheNorthHillRadarStation.
• TheconservationofthedoorsonWWIINorthHillRadarStation.
3.53. ExmoorPonieshaveaspecialplaceonExmoor,the21free-livingherdsonmoorlandbeingpopularattractionswithlocalpeopleandvisitors.Theyalsohavedistinctiveandancientgeneticcharacteristicsandcontinuetobevaluablemoorlandgrazinganimals.ThePromotingExmoorPoniesprojectsoughttocelebrateandimproveunderstandingofthisculturalimportanceandsecuretheirfuturebyholdingpubliceventsandworkingwithherdowners.Itemployedapart-timeExmoorPonyOfficer,hostedbytheMoorlandMousieTrustwhichisalocalcharitythatrunstheExmoorPonyCentre.
3.54. TheprojectfacedsignificantbarriersasaresultoffrictionsbetweenindividualsandorganisationsthatsupportExmoorPoniesaswellascontroversyoverclaimsofthepony’sgeneticorigins.Diplomacywasrequiredtoaddressthesebeforetheaimsoftheprojectcouldbe
addressed.Dialoguebetweenorganisations,facilitatedbytheExmoorPonyOfficerandSchemeManager,wassuccessfulinachievingjointworkingbetweentheMoorlandMousieTrustandExmoorPonySociety,leadingdirectlytotheExmoorPonyFestivalheldin2012.TheFestivalhasbeenrepeatedannuallysincethenwithagrowingattendance(3,000peopletookpartinninedaysofeventsin2014).TheFestivalin2015wasrunbythenewlyformedExmoorPonyFestivalTrust.ArangeofotherschoolvisitsandpubliceventstopromotethebreedtookplaceinPhase1oftheScheme.
3.55. Aseparatestrandoftheprojectinvolvedworkingwithherdownerstosupporttheconservationofthebreed.Areportwascommissionedfromlocalvet,PeterGreen,intothepracticalissuesfacingfree-livingponies.Thereportprovedcontroversialamongstsomepeoplebecauseitreviewedstudiesonthegeneticstatusofthebreedbutithassupportedjointworkingbetweenherdowners(anewrepresentativegrouphassubsequentlybeenestablishedandtwonewherdshavebeenregisteredwiththeExmoorPonySociety).
3.56. TheoriginalSchemesubmittedto,andapprovedby,HLFin2008hadinvolvedthreelargeprojectsthatsoughttoaddressthelandscape-scalethreatsandopportunitiesonmoorland.ThereviewoftheSchemeundertakenin2009/10haddroppedtheseprojectsbecauseoftheircostandtheavailabilityofalternativefundingfromagri-environmentschemes(seebelow).However,whentheLandscapePartnershipsubmittedaproposalforPhase2oftheSchemein2013,elementsoftheoriginalthreeprojectswereincludedinanewChangingMoorlandproject.Thisfocussedonareasofmoorlandthatwerefacingsignificantenvironmentalthreats(suchasencroachmentofscrub)oropportunities(suchastherewettingofmirehabitats).
3.57. Theprojectincludedareviewoftheissuesaffectingallareasofmoorlandbasedonthedescriptionsforthe20MoorlandUnitsthathadbeenpreparedbytheNationalParkAuthorityin2011.ThereviewwasoriginallyintendedtobedonethroughmeetingswithmoorlandownersandgraziersineachoftheUnits.Howeverlowattendanceatthesemeetingsmeantthatanonline/papersurvey
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wasusedtocollectinformationbackedupbytelephonecalls.TheresultsofthereviewhavebeenpassedtotheAuthority.
3.58. Theprojectalsoinvolvedsupportingpartnersbyaddingvaluetoexistingactivities,suchas:
• TheMoorlandBirdSurveyundertakenbytheRSPB(helpingtopayforequipmentanddisseminationoftheresults)
• Conservationworkontheheathland/woodlandinterfaceonGrabbistHillledbytheNationalTrustandCrownEstate(payingformeetingandtrainingtoreviewchange)
• ControlofinvasivescrubintheHeddonValleybytheNationalTrust(supportingtraining,providingequipmentandfacilitatingco-ordinationwithneighbouringlandowners)
WhatwasnotcoveredbytheScheme3.59. Therewereanumberoftopicsthatmighthavebeenincludedinthe
Scheme’sactivitiesbutwereeitherdeliberatelyexcludedorwerelessevidentthanhadoriginallybeenintended.Thereasonsbehindthesegapsinprojectactivityareexaminedingreaterdetailinthefollowingchapter.Insummary,thesegapswereasfollows:
Landscape-scaleenhancement
3.60. Oneofthethreefacetsofthemoorland’sdisconnectionthathadbeenidentifiedbythepreparatoryresearchwasthephysicalseparationbetweenmanyofthemoorlandblocksandthesharplandscapeandecologicalboundarythatoccurredwheremoorlandabuttedfarmland.However,thethreeprojectsthatweredesignedtoaddresstheseissuesweredroppedfromtheSchemewhenitwasreviewedin2008.Thereasonsbehindthisareexaminedinthefollowingchapter(Figure4.2).
Livingculture
3.61. Theculturaldisconnectionidentifiedinthepreparatoryresearchdrewattentiontothedeclininglocaltraditionsofmoorlandusebylocalcommunities.However,therewasrelativelylittleactivityonthesetopicscomparedtothegreateremphasisonunderstandingthemoorland’sprehistory(anexceptionbeingthephotographiccompetitionincludedintheViewsoftheMoorproject).Thereasonsbehindthisareconsideredinthefollowingchapter(Figure4.7).
Theheritageeconomy
3.62. Finally,theSchemehadrelativelylittleinteractionwiththebusinessesthattakeadvantageofthemoorland’sheritagesuchasthetourism,hospitality,recreationandspecialityfoodssectors.Thereasonsbehindthisareexaminedinthefollowingchapter(Figure4.9).
TheExmoorPonyOfficerandchildrenattheGetWildonGrabbistevent©JasonPBall
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OverallfindingsontheScheme’soutputs3.63. Overitsfiveyearsofactivity,theSchemehasdeliveredabroadrange
ofactivitiesacrossitsthreeprogrammesand19projects.ThelargemajorityofthetargetoutputsthatweresetbytheLandscapePartnershipandHLFweremetandmanywereexceededbyalargemargin.SomeoftheheadlinefiguresontheoutputsachievedbytheSchemearelistedinFigure3.13.
Figure3.13.HeadlineresultsofSchemeactivity
• Morethan7,000schoolchildrenvisitedmoorlandwiththeirteacherslearningaboutitsheritagethroughitshistory,science,geographyandothersubjects
• 4,350peopleattendedeventscelebratingExmoor’smoorlandwildlifeincludingattheannualBogstaticfestivalandaseriesofBigAdventureDays
• Over3,000peopletookpartinninedaysofeventsinthe2014ExmoorPonyFestival
• Over900peopleattended17communityarchaeologyevents,seeingfirsthandtheevidenceofprehistoricusesofmoorland
• Over120peopleofallagestookuptrowelsorsurveytapestoundertakearchaeologicalexcavationsorsurveysonmoorland
• Morethan500agriculturalstudentsandmoorlandmanagersreceivedtrainingonmoorlandmanagement
• AlargeproportionofExmoor’smoorlandownersandgrazierssharedtheirknowledgeofmoorlandmanagementwitheachother
• Overall,volunteerscommittedmorethan5,000daystocelebratingorconservingExmoor’smoorlandheritage
3.64. ThemostsuccessfulelementsoftheSchemewerethoseinvolvingpeoplewhowerenotpreviouslyfamiliarwithmoorlandheritage,manyfromlocalcommunities,inactivelearningabout,andcelebratingin,thehistory,landscapeandwildlifeofExmoor’smoorland.
3.65. InnovativeapproachesthatweredevelopedduringtheScheme(andwereoftennotplannedfromtheoutset)includedtheuseofvideos,digitalreconstructionimagery,historicalre-enactments,publicarchaeologyprojects,archaeologyloanboxesandweb-basededucationalresources.ThesegavethewholeSchemeafreshnessandenergythatmarkeditoutfrompreviousactivitiesonmoorland.
3.66. Activitiesthatwerelesssuccessfulthananticipatedwerethosethatencouragedmoorlandmanagerstoengagemorewiththepublic(asleadersofwalksoras‘moorlandtutors’)ortoreviewtheissuesfacingtheirareasofmoorland(withpoorattendanceatmeetings).
3.67. ActivitieswhichwerenotablebytheirabsencefromtheSchemewerecelebrationsofthelivingculturalassociatedwithmoorland;largescaleenhancementofhabitatsorlandscapecharacter;andanysignificantlevelsofengagementwithtourismandrecreationbusinesses.
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4. Outcomesandimpacts
4.1. AssetoutinChapter3,thelargemajorityofthequantifiabletargetoutputsforeachofthe19projectshavebeensuccessfullymetorexceeded.Whilstthesetargetoutputshavebeenhelpfulasawayofmonitoringprogress,theyareonlypartofthepictureandarenotnecessarilythebestwayofmeasuringtheoverallbenefitsoftheprogrammesorSchemeasawhole.
4.2. ThemostimportantresultiswhetherachievingthesetargetoutputshasledtosuccessfulSchemeoutcomesandinturnhadanimpactontheissuesthattheSchemewasdesignedtoaddressinthefirstplace.
4.3. TheHLFEvaluationGuidance(2014)statesthat:“OutcomesarethedifferenceyourSchemehasmade;itsimpactsonthelandscapeand
heritagefeatures,anditsbenefitsforthepeoplewholiveorwork
thereorenjoyitasvisitors.”
4.4. WhentheSchemewasapproved,LandscapePartnershipSchemeswererequiredtoaddressfouroutcomes.Thesewere:
• Conservingorrestoringthebuiltheritageandnaturalfeaturesthatcreatethehistoriccharacterofthelandscape;
• Conservingandcelebratingtheculturalassociationsandactivitiesofthelandscapearea;
• Encouragingmorepeopletoaccess,learnabout,becomeinvolvedinandmakedecisionsontheirlandscapeheritage;
• Improvingunderstandingoflocalcraftandotherskillsbyprovidingtrainingopportunities.
4.5. InthisChapter,theseoutcomesaretakeninturnandanassessmentismadeofwhethertheSchemehassuccessfullyachievedthemandaddressedtheissuesidentifiedwhentheSchemewassetup.Aseriesofchartsshowtheviewsofprojectpartnerswhorespondedtotheonlinesurveyundertakenforthisevaluation.
Attributingprojectsandactivitiestothefouroutcomes
4.6. TheLandscapeStrategypreparedin2008showedhoweachoftheprojectsinPhase1oftheSchemehelpedtodeliverthefouroutcomesandthisprocesswasrepeatedforthePhase2projectsinthebiddocumentpreparedfortheHLFinMay2013.ThisisshownbytheticksinFigure4.1(ticksinbracketsshowingpartialdeliveryofthatoutcome).Thecolouredfillshowstheprimaryoutcome(s)foreachproject,asselectedbythisevaluation.
Figure4.1.MatchingprojectswithHLFoutcomes
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4.7. Figure4.1showsthatalloftheprojectsaimedtoaddressmorethanoneoutcome(manysoughttoaddressthreeandsomefouroutcomes).Variousprojectsoftencontributeddifferentelementstothesamesite-basedinitiativeortoworkundertakenbypartners(forinstancesupporttomoorlandownersandgrazierstookplacethroughseveralprojectsinProgrammes2and3).ThismeantthatthestructureoftheSchemewasrelativelycomplexwithahighlevelofintegration(whichcanberegardedasapositivething)butwithariskofduplicationanddoublecounting(whichisnot).
4.8. AbroaderpatternisevidentfromFigure4.1,suggestingthattheReconnectingPeopleprogrammesoughtparticularlytoaddressthesecondandthirdHLFoutcomeswhereastheReconnectingLivelihoodsprogrammefocussedonthefourthHLFoutcomeandtheReconditioningProgrammefocussedonthefirstHLFoutcome.
Digitalreconstruction,imagining
thestonesettingatLanacombe
(nowopenmoorland)duringthe
lateNeolithic/earlyBronzeage,
preparedfortheScheme
©PeterLorimer
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Conservingorrestoringthebuiltheritageandnaturalfeatures
Theissuesthatneededtobeaddressed
4.10. ThisoutcomeaddressestheconditionofExmoor’smoorlandheritage,coveringboththenaturalheritage(e.g.landscapecharacter,biodiversityandnaturalresources)andarchaeologicalheritage(e.g.buildings,boundaries,man-madelandformsandthehistoriclandscapeasawhole).Itfocussesmainlyonimprovingthephysicalstatusofthisheritagebutalsoincludesresearchandmonitoringinformationsupportingitsconservation.
4.11. ThereweretwomainissuesfacingthisoutcomeatthestartoftheScheme.Firstlymoorlandmanagementwasconstrainedbypoorcommunicationbetweenfarmersandconservationbodiesandbyalackofmanpowerandskills.Andsecondly,protectionofmoorlandarchaeologyandthehistoriclandscapewasconstrainedbylimitedknowledgeofwhatwasthereandbyissuesaffectingmoorlandmanagement.
4.12. ThisoutcomeandtheseissueswereatthecentreofalloffourprojectsintheReconditioningMoorlandsprogrammesandwerealsoaddressedbytheMoorkeepersprojectintheReconnectingLivelihoodsprogrammeandtheCommunityArchaeologyprojectintheReconnectingPeopleprogramme(andotherstoalesserextentasshownbyticksinFigure4.1).
Whatwasachieved
4.13. ThechangestothephysicalconditionofExmoor’smoorlandheritagebroughtaboutbytheSchemearelimited.OverthelargemajorityofthemoorlandareaitwouldbedifficulttoidentifyanyphysicalchangesinthelandscapeorhabitatsthatweretheresultoftheScheme.Thereareseveralreasonsforthis.
• Firstly,theissuesfacingagriculturalmanagementbygrazingandswaling(controlledheatherburning)aredeep-seatedeconomic
issueswhichaSchemelastingfouryearswasneverlikelytobeabletosolve(andwhichtheSchemeneverclaimedtodo).
• Secondly,thedecisiontodropthreelargeprojectsfromtheReconditioningProgrammewhentheSchemewasreviewedin2009/10meantthattheresourcesavailabletotheSchemeinthisareawererelativelysmall(seeFigure4.2).
• Thirdly(andlinkedtothedecisiontodroptheprojectsfromtheScheme),otherlargerandlonger-standingpolicyinterventionssuchasSSSIdesignationsandagri-environmentschemesaremuchmoresignificantinfluencesontheconditionofnaturalheritage.
• Finally,intheperiodbetweenthepreparationoftheLandscapeStrategyin2008andthestartoftheSchemein2011,significantprogresshadbeenmadeinimprovingdialoguewithfarmersonExmoorthroughtheExmoorHillFarmProject(latterlytheHillFarmingNetwork)andtheworkoftheMoorlandInitiativeBoard.Thismeantthatimprovedcommunicationwasalreadytakingplace,leavinglessfortheSchemetodo.
Controllingtrafficduringmoorlandswaling©JasonPBall
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Figure4.2.ImpactoftheSchemeonlandscape-scaleenhancement
Oneofthethreefacetsofthemoorland’sdisconnectionthathadbeenidentifiedbythepreparatoryresearchandwhichformedastrandintheLandscapeStrategywasthephysicalseparationbetweenmanyofthemoorlandblocksandthesharplandscapeandecologicalboundarythatoccurredwheremoorlandabutt