Part 1         Information about your organisation

1.a.      Your group’s name:

BILLINGSHURST COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

1.b.      Your group’s address:

PO Box 28 Billingshurst

West Sussex

RH14 9FL

Phone 01403 785 393

Fax       01403 785 396

e-mail

osprey@btinternet.com

1.c.      Name of the main contact:

Patrick Perks

1.d.      Contact’s position in the organisation:

Chairman

1.e.      Address for correspondence if this is different from the details given in 1.b.:

1.f.       Does your group have a constitution or set of rules that meet all the requirements set out in the advice notes?      

Yes

1.g.      Name and details of the bank or building society account your group will use if you are successful:

 “The Billingshurst Community Partnership” Account number 66 00 77 55 Nat West Bank Billingshurst Sort Code 60-02-31.

1.h.      Is your group VAT-registered or a VAT exempt organisation?            

NO neither case

1. i.      Name and contact details of the person in your group who is responsible for

receiving cheques and for financial matters:

Mr K Johnson

Address:

            Billingshurst Community Partnership

            PO Box 28

            County

             West Sussex

            Full postcode  

             RH 14  9FL

Phone

             01403 782 754

            Contact number during office hours (if different from above)

             Same

            Fax     

             01403 785 396

e-mail

            kenjohnson2000.onetel.net.uk

Part 2         Information about your project

2.a.      Project title:

            Burnt Row Wood.

            Restoration and Conservation of an Ancient Woodland and Hedge Rows

            and its associated History and Archeology

2.b.      Project location or project area (including the nearest town):

            Land to the West of the Billingshurst Bypass  (Billingshurst West Sussex)

2.c.      Ordinance Survey grid reference

             08006 / 26139

2.d.      Project description

The community of Billingshurst has acquired some 34 Hectares of land via the 106 process.  The Village Appraisal carried out in 2000 and the ongoing Healthcheck and resulting Action Plan identified the wish of the Community to have an area set aside for Sports and Recreation.  Work has commenced with the laying down of an area for formal sports.  We are now turning to the more general use of this land for recreation such as Walking and other Countryside pursuits.  Part of the land in question is an ancient wooded area as well as a number of hedgerows and wildlife habitats.  We wish to retain these areas as a sustainable resource for future generations whilst using the existing infrastructure as an opportunity for training into various country side pursuits such as hedge laying and the re-establishment of wide-life areas for the observation of our natural heritage.

This project therefore addresses at least two, if not three, of the Action Plan projects.  That of Sports and Leisure – Walking – and Tourism. As well as an opportunity to offer training and development for our young people and it will address the desire of the community for a place of interest where one can go to relax and enjoy our local heritage.

Working in conjunction with the Weald school and the Wider Community the intention is to clear the overgrown woodland area so as to open an existing footpath through the wood and place along the path a picnic area.  To carry out an ecological survey of the area and put in place a land management plan. To replant where necessary and or clear away the undergrowth and plant out areas of natural flowering wild plants that is natural to the area as well as traditional to the countryside (such as a bed of bluebells).

There is an ancient well within the wood and this will be researched as to its origin, and use, and the area fenced off whilst providing for some form of information plaque regarding its history.

The further intent is to provide training and to research into the archaeology of the area (preliminary study shows a habitation of farm cottages or such like in or about the early 1800s). These disappear around the late 1800s and the area is then marked on the maps of the time as “Burnt Row”. AS students from the Weald School (History Group and Archaeology Students), along with the local History group and other interested people (parents for example), will research the area, determine what dwellings were there in the 1800s and conduct a test dig. The area will be mapped by digital means using ground radar and aerial photography.  Its history recorded and written up.  If the preliminary findings envisaged at this stage prove to be interesting then a more detailed dig is envisaged.

It is also the intent to research the ancient usage of the wider recreation area of land, to clear out ditches, and draw up longer term management plans for the area and record the wild life of the area in general  The area is rich in natural plants and animals such as Deer, Rabbits and many Birds and Insects.  It is the further intent to use this naturally occurring wild-life as an educational opportunity for our children.  The intent is to provide for two or more “information boards” around the area, but in particular at the woodland site, giving details of the natural habitat, the history, the wild-life, the possible type of buildings and their use and so on.  Also to put in place some picnic benches for ramblers or people to sit and enjoy the area.  (One part of the domain gives excellent views over the South Downs and it may be that an information board as to the distant areas of interest and buildings could be incorporated into the scheme.)

In conjunction with such provision, of map boards and points of interest, we would take note of the needs of the less ambulant and provide for an observation point that is more easily accessible.

The whole area has some established footpaths.  The intent is to mark these with direction signs giving information on the destination, time and distance for example.

Adjacent to the area, but not in the parish, is a canal (The Wey and Arun Canal) this can be incorporated in to the footpath directions and information on the canal incorporated into the general descriptive matter envisaged.

To that end (descriptive material) it is the intent to draw up a “Trail Map” of the area for use by our walking groups or as a general tourist info guide.  This would also contain descriptive matter of the history and ancient wooded area and so on.

All of the work to be carried out will be recorded, photographed and a video made.  The general photography thus produced along with descriptive material and drawings will be drawn together to be used as an exhibition of the work and opportunities that the area offers.  The Students will also use this material, video and so on, to show various disadvantaged groups, including the local retirement and old peoples homes, what the project was all about and to share with them its history and current use.

Any work carried out will take cognizance of the long term sustainability of the area as well as the need for conservation.

We will involve our local Walking groups, History and Nature Group, as well as local Artists to assist and join with us in with the work envisaged.

2.e.      Project timetable

            This year for all initial work extending to a completion sometime in 2004

2.f.       Does your group have its own website or are you featured on a website

that will report on and record this project?    

Yes

If ‘Yes’, please give the website address:

            http://www.billingshurst.org.uk/ (see Partnership Action Plan for project item

referred to above).  Once the project is underway and details available a

separate section, for this project, will be developed.

2.g.      Have you taken advice from any specialist organisations or

support agencies while developing your project?       

Yes

            If ‘Yes’, please give details:

Ms Chrissie Morris of LHI

Brinsbury College of Further Education

The History department The Weald School Billingshurst

The GNVQ Estate Management course Tutor The Weald School

The Maths department The Weald School

The Head of Sixth Form The Weald School

Local Historians and Artists

2.h.      Is there anything special about your project that you want to tell us about?

This project will give a unique opportunity to preserve and build a sustainable

future for an area of ancient woodland, and surrounding area, that would

otherwise be inaccessible to the general population of our community.  It

offers an opportunity for a wide range of individual involvement and the

recording of un-researched use, and habitation, of an area of the community

that would otherwise be lost.

It will allow archeological research into the use of land in the middle ages up

to the 1800s.

It will preserve hedgerows, footpaths and land given to the community in

perpetuity as well the conservation of existing wild life habitat and flora.

And result in a long term land management plan.

Part 3         Information about how local people are involved

3.a.      Describe the community support and involvement for your project leading up

             to this application:

A Village Appraisal in 2000, a Growth in the Community project in 2001 and

the resulting Healthcheck process and Community Partnership work

including some 20 or so of our local organizations, youth organizations and

in particular local History and Horticulture Groups as well as the Weald

School and Brinsbury College of Further Education.

3.b.      If your application is successful, how do you propose to involve the wider         community directly in your project’s activities?

In the land management schemes as well as a possible more elaborate dig to be arranged. In helping with the detail of the scheme and plans. In planting out the wider area and in recording what we have in terms of wildlife and so on. Understanding and the recording of the History of the area.  This project is a subproject of the intent to form an area of interest and recreation for the whole community.  The design of information boards and a Web site as well as photographical and graphical input to the design and production of signs and maps and other descriptive material.  Help with the selection and planting of replacement trees and or wild flowers.  The physical work of restoring the footpath and helping with the restoration of the hedgerows. We trust that we can get the young people to take an interest in the project and take ownership of looking after the land and its environment.  Our prime interest groups would therefore be the Horticultural and History groups, local Artists and Photographers, Teachers and Leaders in the Community.

3.c.      How many people do you expect to be directly involved in your project?

             c 50

3.d.      How many people could possibly benefit from your project?

            c 7500 (the wider community given the location and intent of the greater area)

Part 4         Information about your local heritage

4.a.      How does this project relate to your local heritage and how will the project raise awareness of this heritage?

The area is of interest, as research shows, had in the 1800s a small community located at this location.  There is a well and evidence of foundations.  We know that between 1879 and 1895 something happened to the buildings – but what? – Labels on old maps state “Burnt Row”.  As part of this area is now to be laid out for sports and recreation the preservation of the ancient woodland and the history of the area is important to maintain and sustain for future generations.  This as well as giving interest to our people in the community at this time.  The wood is a haven for wild life and flora and with the opening up of the footpath allows our ramblers and in fact any one to enjoy this part of our community.  With as wider involvement as is possible people will take ownership of the area.  The information boards and signage envisage will raise awareness on site.  The literature developed in the course of the project and  following on with the envisaged exhibition, as well as visits to the older generation, will all contribute to what this community has been given and what has to be maintained and sustained for future generations.

4.b.      Is your project area or site in a designated and/or protected area as listed in the

advice notes?

NO

4.c.      If your project is based on a particular site, or if you plan to put up any plaques,  

             boards or structures, will you need any of the following consents?

            Please tick against the appropriate category or categories.

Scheduled monument 

            Listed building consent          

            Conservation area

            Site of Special Scientific Interest         

            Planning permission

            Permission of the landowner

            Other (please give details)

4.d.      Will your project need any other consents or licenses (for example, public     performances)?

None

4.e.      What effect could your project have on the environment?

Conservation and Sustainability

4.f.       Have you received the consent you need for 4.b., 4.c. and 4.d?                     

            Not applicable as land belongs to the Parish and planning for the items and work is

            not required.

Part 5         Measuring the outcomes of your project

5.a.      What are the outputs that your project will produce?

·       Information boards

·       Footpath signage

·       Information booklet

·       Trail maps

·       Web site information

·       Video and Photographical records

·       Public exhibition

·      Land Management scheme (Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation  methodology).

·       Woodland and Hedgerow regeneration and management.

·      Archaeological history record and perhaps historical evidence of 1800 methods of farming

·       Possible preservation of foundations of old buildings

·       Record of flora woodland and wild life

5.b.      What other benefits or outcomes will your project produce for your local     heritage and community?

·        Preservation of ancient woodland and hedgerows

·        Restoration of footpaths

·        Aid to the enjoyment of the countryside

·        General recreation

·        Community awareness of the heritage of the area in question

·        Young people working in the community

·        Assistance to young people in their GNVQ and AS course work

·        Understanding of what the community have to do to preserve and sustain the wild life of the area

·        A long term land management plan with a clear understanding of replacement requirements

·        Preservation of woodland and wild life

5.c.      What skills will be learnt or improved by those taking part in your project?

·        Traditional Country Crafts (such as hedging and ditching)

·        Sustainable environmental management techniques

·        Photography

·        IT skills

·        Project management skills

·        Horticultural skills

·        Wildlife sustainability

·        Archeology and Math’s AS level

·        Historical research AS level

·        Land management to GNVQ

·        Drawing and Sketching

·        Publicity development (Brochures and Signs and Maps)

·        Budgetary skills

·        Video Editing

Part 6         How you will look after your project now and in the future

6.a.      If your project includes restoring a heritage feature, how will you make sure that this work is properly maintained and funded for at least ten years and that there is public access to it?

The project will develop a land management plan.  The land in question is public land (owned by the Parish Council and developed as a sports and recreation area) and hence any future maintenance costs will be against precept).  Public access is guaranteed as this is an open area and accessed via road, footpaths as well as a pedestrian bridge linking the urban area of Billingshurst to this area.

6.b.      Where will the information produced by the project be kept and how will the public have access to it?

Information will be produced either by a local printing firm or by a professional producer of signs and map boards.  The design work will be carried out by the project whilst art work will be produced as “camera ready” by a volunteer expert.  Most of the photographical work and the video work will be undertaken by the students working on the project.  The resulting exhibition will be held in the Village Hall and Library both accessible to all of the community.  Long term records and resulting work will be archived at the Village Hall (as part of the partnership actions all records are to placed in the Public Library as well as the Village Hall).  We will also post our work on our web site. We would also like to create a Virtual Tour in conjunction with the facilities offered on the LHI website.

6.c.      How will you make sure that good-quality work will be achieved in project management and practical work?

The Partnership has a Steering Group who will oversee the entire Project work arising from the Action Plan.  In this particular case the work will be managed by the senior teachers from the Weald School, in each discipline, as well as those experts in land management and related topics from Brinsbury Collage.  Local experts in History and Project Management, Publicity and IT skills will also be involved.

Part 7   Costing and funding your project

7.a.<