BLACKDOWN HILLS HEDGE ASSOCIATION
BLACKDOWN HILLS
The Association comprises an enthusiastic group of people working and living on the Blackdown Hills who are dedicated to preserving the craft of hedge laying and other allied skills in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The aim of the Association is to do their utmost to preserve rural skills associated with hedgerows. This is achieved by running the annual Hedge Event together with training events and workshops aimed at promoting and educating people about rural skills and crafts using materials from hedgerows. TheHedge Association has its own website, so please click on the link for up-to-date information about events and craft classes. In addition to running classes, the Hedge Association also promotes its aims by taking displays to local and national events, becoming involved with the Blackdown Woodlands Pilot, by sharing their coppicing skills with others and assisted with the creation of the Roe Deer Sculpture located on the side of the A303 to signify the gateway to the Blackdown Hills.
1. Farming and Woodland Group.
This is one such group working in partnership with Natural England. Its primary purpose is to link farmers to stakeholders in farming activities in the area.
They do this through capacity building and training in various concepts geared towards improving the citizen’s living standards.
Farming Woodland group uses the landscape approach to woo members to engage in agricultural activities.
During their training, they use workable skills that aim to improve agricultural yields. The extension officers attached to the group incorporate new food species that can withstand harsh weather conditions and take a shorter time to mature.
They hold events and demonstrations as practical exercises on what they expect from the farmers.
They use agricultural experts in their approaches. Other activities run by the group include
- Income-generating activities projects
- Women empowerment
- Reproductive health
- Promotion of environmentally-friendly solutions
- Water and sanitation programs
2. Blackdown Support Group
Social challenges are peculiar in Blackdown area. This support group reduces the gap between the rich and the poor and the skilled and unskilled labourers.
They aim to improve access to services such that there is minimal isolation. They identify an area of needs and link up with relevant stakeholders.
We connect the local volunteers to opportunities. Investors who have no link to get employees can liaise with this organization for a better chance and consultancy service.
If you are working in a budget, the volunteer program is cost-friendly to suit your limited budget allocation.
During Covid- 19, they supported shopping delivery and medical supplies to the most vulnerable communities.
Other services include
- Advocacy
- Mentorship program
- Bereavement support
- Soft loans
This is one of the most extensive support groups supporting local communities through their various programs.
Most of the positions are held by the local; the partners only provide technical support to help them achieve their goals.
The hand-on oriented organization uses the community approach for sustainability. Once the project comes to an end, there is a change in livelihoods and the [participants don’t feel “orphaned” they are strong enough to stand on their own.
3. Rural services partnerships
As the name suggests, there is an international organization focusing on improving rural communities’ livelihoods.
The organization uses the local community groups to deliver its development plan. Their mission is to identify the lies privileges in black down and get their most immediate needs.
They then link up with the communities dealing with the specific challenges for better implementation.
