The Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has announced that, after a successful Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Bid, £2.8 million will be allocated to heritage projects in the 'Overlooking the Wye' Landscape Partnership Scheme. Forty projects will improve and promote historic sites throughout the Lower Wye Valley area. This unique three-year scheme involves communities and organisations across three counties and over two countries. The bid has involved partners including Herefordshire Council, Gloucestershire County Council , Monmouthshire County Council, the Woodland Trust, Forestry Commission, Forest of Dean District Council, local Parish and Community Councils and individual landowners. "We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has enabled this work to take place" said Andrew Blake, Wye Valley AONB Officer. "We are looking forward to working with all the partners and community groups who helped develop the scheme, and will be involved in getting the projects off the ground as soon as the formalities are finalised". The range and variety of the projects covers themes of industrial heritage, the Picturesque movement and viewpoints, river corridors and hillfort archaeology. Individual projects include a restoration of Abbey Mill Waterwheel at Tintern, community arts projects at Monmouth Quay, restoration of Little Doward hillfort views, archaeological investigation at New Weir Forge, improvement of access to Devils Pulpit viewpoint and the refurbishment of Tintern Old Station. Explaining the importance of the award Anne Jenkins HLF Regional Manager for the West Midlands said, "It is really interesting for us to be supporting such a wide-ranging project that will enhance the diverse heritage of the area. This really shows that heritage can be anything from landscape conservation to an interpretive art project, and that the community both on a local and wider level will stand to benefit". Individual schemes aim to involve local people in their area's heritage by encouraging them to take part in a range of education, participation and training opportunities. Activities for children such as the Rock and Fossil Show have been organised and an Open Heritage weekend, at Goodrich Castle for the general public to view projects, has been arranged on the 13th/14th September. lleyaonb.org.uk" http://www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk">www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk Designated in 1971, Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is one of our most treasured landscapes and is one of 49 AONBs throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It contains three Special Areas of Conservation, over 40 Sites of Special Scientific Interest and four National Nature Reserves and is unique in the fact that it straddles both England and Wales. It stretches 45 miles along the lower reaches of the Wye and covers 128 sq miles. This area has a significant industrial and archaeological heritage and is also the source of the Picturesque movement and the foundation of modern tourism. David Cummings Chairman of Monmouth and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce (MDCTC) commented "Congratulations to all those at Wye Valley AONB for mounting a successful application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Overlooking the Wye project. "MDCTC welcomed its inclusion on a local level at each stage of the bid preparation. "The three year period of reconstruction and restoration at the forty sites along the Wye will reinforce locally and nationally, through press statements, the Wye Valley brand to visitors. The completion of works will not only provide the facility for local people to become more involved in the area's heritage, but will create an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the landscape and atmosphere of the famous Wye Tour of the late 18th century".
