Projects
10 very special projects…
The Tamara Landscape Partnership Scheme is a five-year project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other partners and aims to:
- bring local communities together, historically connected but physically divided by the rivers of the valley
- strengthen and conserve the landscape character and natural beauty, from heritage orchards to broadleaf, woodland-lined, steep-sided river banks, of this unique part of South West England
- prepare the area for the challenges ahead
There are 10 projects that make up our Tamara Landscape Partnership Scheme within an area which covers 295km2
A new vision for a new era
1: Small Detail, Big Difference
We will support local communities to identify, research and protect the unique heritage of the Tamar Valley that matters to them. This may include physical work restoring heritage buildings, recording our unique oral history projects and identifying and protecting the little things that make the Tamar Valley so special.
2: Heritage of Innovation
We’ll be exploring the pioneering innovation of this unique area which includes groundbreaking mining technology, the market gardening industry and inventive forestry techniques. We’ll develop a variety of creative media and activities to raise awareness and strengthen understanding of the evolution of the Tamar Valley. We’ll also look at how the challenges of tomorrow will be met to ensure a more sustainable future.
3: New Approaches/Making Connections
Working with farmers, landowners and communities, we will mitigate for climate change and improve water quality and the surrounding water environment. We’ll increase targeted tree and orchard planting along with the restoration of hedgerows. We’ll help provide farmer/landowner support in the post-Brexit world and support the introduction of the new Environment Land Management Scheme (ELMS) agri-environment schemes.
4: Accessible Tamar
The project will improve sustainable and integrated transport and access into and through the Scheme area, including establishing a coast to coast, long-distance walking route. We’ll explore the feasibility of re-instating the Calstock Ferry Crossing for walkers and also develop options for a combined rail/ferry ticket for day trippers.
5: Come Visit and Stay Awhile
The Tamar Valley has a huge amount to offer visitors and tourists, but both locally, (with the communities on its borders) and nationally, it is not as popular as it could be. Working with Visit Tamar Valley CIC we will create VisitTamarValley.co.uk a destination website that will stimulate an increase in visitor numbers and opportunities for local business. We will support local businesses to develop their digital presence and work toward the Tamar Valley becoming a sustainable tourism hub.
6: Celebrating Tamara
We’ll create fun and fascinating events for both individuals and families designed to connect communities, engage new audiences and provide great experiences for people enlightening them about their local heritage. Events will be based on themes unique to this beautiful place, including art, the seasons, local produce, special wildlife and water-based activities.
Your support is vital to our plans for the future of this region
7: Tamara Trainees
This project will increase the opportunities for employment and meet the heritage skills need in the Scheme area. Foundation, internship and apprenticeship training opportunities will offer access to training and link the rural and urban populations of the Tamar Valley. Barriers to participation will be removed through tailored bursaries and pastoral care, supporting anyone from any background to participate.
8: River Explorers
We want to address the disconnection between people and their local waterways by re-engaging individuals, communities and schools. Trained volunteers will adopt their local waterway and protect it by monitoring its biodiversity, pollution and sediment levels. Schools will take part in fun workshops and learn how to care for their local rivers, ponds and streams.
9: Natural Connections
This project will help people to engage with the landscape creatively and therapeutically. It will aim to improve people’s physical health and mental well-being by helping them to reconnect with nature and heritage and to overcome social isolation. We’ll be partnering with link workers, the social prescribing network and other specialist organisations working with groups people from those who just want a walk and a chat to veterans and young people not in education, employment or training. Events will include walk and talk, art therapy, bushcraft and tree planting.
10: Promoting Our Produce
The importance of local food and varieties has increased in recent years, and awareness of the importance of buying local continues to grow. This project will support market gardening enterprises, community allotments and includes training programmes for new plot holders. It will also look at the feasibility of establishing new markets through promoting heritage varieties using new branding to give added value.