Managing a Masterpiece Overview

M anaging a Masterpiece was awarded £910,000 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund to deliver 62 projects within three programmes over a three year period, as a Stage 2 pass. The delivery of these projects began on 1 June 2010.  Further information on the Heritage Lottery Funds Landscape Partnership Scheme is available at: http://www.hlf.org.uk/HowToApply/programmes/Pages/landscapepartnerships.aspx 

The scheme will be overseen by a board made up of representatives from: Babergh District Council, Braintree District Council, Colchester Borough Council, Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project, Diocese of Chelmsford; Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, English Heritage, Environment Agency, Essex County Council, Flatford Mill Field Studies Council, National Trust, Natural England, Otley College, River Stour Trust, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, Suffolk County Council, Tendring District Council, University Campus Suffolk and the University of Essex.

The Stour Valley lies on the Essex/Suffolk border, between Ipswich, Colchester, Haverhill and Newmarket.  Its lowland beauty has inspired generations of artists, most famously Thomas Gainsborough, John Constable, Sir Alfred Munnings and John Nash. It includes the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) .  Further information on the AONB at: http://www.dedhamvalestourvalley.org/

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage. From our great museums and historic buildings, to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our nation’s heritage for everyone to enjoy. HLF has supported more than 26,000 projects, allocating over £4 billion across the UK, including including £250 million in the East of England alone.

The Dedham Vale AONB is one of Britain’s finest landscapes.  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are part of the “family” of UK protected areas that include our National Parks and Heritage Coasts.  All receive special protection because of their outstanding landscape quality.

For further information on Managing a Masterpiece: The Stour Valley Landscape Partnership contact Chris Burton on 01473 264239.

Managing a Masterpiece – The Stour Valley Landscape Partnership

 

The first projects connected with the £910,000 Heritage Lottery funded Landscape Partnership scheme got underway in June 2010.  The aim of the three year ‘Managing a Masterpiece’ scheme is to conserve, celebrate and improve understanding of the Stour Valley, including the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).  The scheme, the first Landscape Partnership awarded in the East of England, includes 62 individual projects.  These cover such diverse topics as wildlife, landscape, archaeology, art, recreation, conservation of built and natural features and transport.  Some of the highlights include  public archaeological projects re-introduction of the Dedham Vale hopper bus, , the restoration of a Stour lighter (a barge), tree and hedgerow planting, exhibitions, traditional building workshops, 360 degree panoramic photographs from church towers, walking and cycling guides and much much more.

The three year scheme has been developed over 4 years and led by the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project in conjunction with the Archaeological Service of Suffolk County Council and the Historic Environment Branch of Essex County Council.  The scheme is a partnership with landowners, site owners and the local community including those with an historical; educational; recreational; environmental; archaeological interest.  In addition to the Heritage Lottery Fund, funding for the scheme has been awarded from seven local authorities, Natural England and English Heritage.

Chris Burton Project Manager:

"this is a fantastic opportunity for people to get involved in a wide range of activities in the Stour Valley there really is something for everybody, whether you want to get your boots on and get muddy or attend a course on vernacular architecture we have something to offer"

To find out more about what’s happening and when over the next few months or to book onto the exciting range of courses visit the web site at www.managingamasterpiece.org