£24k funding to rejuvenate nature in Peterborough parishes

The money has been allocated to 16 areas through the John Clare Countryside project which aims to “turn the tide” in the fight against a decline in nature.

The grants follow the submission of Parish Nature Recovery Plans, with the budgets then reviewed by organisations including the Peterborough Environment City Trust and Natural England.

The project is being run by Natural Cambridgeshire, a local nature partnership made up of key organisations, businesses and communities which believes “nature-based solutions will play a crucial role in addressing the challenges of our climate emergency and in the post Covid-19 recovery”.

Its projects include ambitious plans to improve and protect the ‘John Clare Countryside’ - land on the west of the city, south of the Welland, north of the Nene and east of the A1 - and the Nene Valley.

Last July it unveiled a plan which included making sure land managed for nature in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough rises from 8.5 per cent to 17 per cent.

Richard Astle, chair of the Langdyke Countryside Trust, which is part of Natural Cambridgeshire, said: “The John Clare Countryside project is all about local people taking action to help nature on their doorstep.

“The funding announced this week means that the passion and enthusiasm of the parish teams is now matched by the resources needed to make these projects happen. Huge thanks to our funders!

“In total, there are over 40 projects ready to start as soon as Covid restrictions allow. When we can, we will have teams of volunteers in each of the villages out planting hedges, creating ponds and wildflower strips – helping nature recover and helping people enjoy nature.

“The whole project is driven by local people showing just what can be done when communities get behind an idea.”

The funding is coming from the John Clare Countryside project (£7,300), third party grants (£9,600) and from the parishes themselves (£7,250).

To get involved in the project, contact Richard at [email protected].

For more information, visit: https://langdyke.org.uk/projects/john-clare-vision/.

The projects

Ailsworth: (Linked to Castor)

Bainton and Ashton: Washdyke stream, tree planting, Asthon verges, swift boxes - £1,250

Barnack: Wildlife questionnaire and videos, bug hotels, wildflowers and enhancement trail - £450

Castor: Tree/hedge planting, information board, improve public access - £8,500

Deeping Gate: Otter holt (prices to be confirmed) - £500

Etton: Wildflower strips, shelter belt and hedgerow for road paddocks, churchyard management plan - £1,250

Glinton: Wildflower plating and insect banks at Glinton roundabout road verge, tree planting (location tbc) - £1,000

Helpston: John Clare School, swift boxes, wildflower and tree planting at Cuckoo Close - £1,900

Marholm: Bat and bird boxes, bug house, wildflower strips at village hall - £300

Maxey: Hedging, tree planting at churchyard, nature trail and wildflower strips on village field - £2,150

Northborough: Tree/hedge planting, pond and wildflower strips on school grounds - £1,250

Peakirk: Community orchard, wildflower enhancement at recreation ground, and village hall - £1,700

Stamford: Improve access points for Burghley Estate at Torpel Way/Welland. Funding to be secured - £2,500

Sutton: (Linked to Castor) - £400

Thornhaugh: (In development) £ 500

Ufford: Tree planting, reinstate car park at Southey Woods, clear footpaths, bat/bird boxes - £500

Werrington: School grounds - £-

Wittering: Whitewater valley pond - £-