Welcome...

Here we have the 50th Anniversary photographic competition winning and commended photographs. The winner was `Evening` (a shot of horseriders on the beach at Bamburgh) by Paul Willows. Highly Commended was Peter Sutrcliffe with `Pilgrim's Way`, Lindisfarne and commended were Dot Tindal with `Church Hill Alnmouth`, Glynis Frith with `Lindisfarne Castle`, and Paul Wiilow with `Bracing`. 

 

Plan launched at Meadow Haven
 
Launch of the Northumberland Coast AONB and Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast EMS Management Plan 2009-14
 
The Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership and Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast European Marine Site Management Group launched their joint Management Plan at 12.30pm on 22 October 2009. Over 60 representatives of various government, private, community and voluntary sector groups, each a key stakeholder in the management of these designated areas, gathered at Meadow Haven, Berwick-upon-Tweed. They raised their glasses to toast the Plan and begin the task of implementing it through until 2014.
 
In the spirit of integrated coastal management a joint management plan has been prepared for the Northumberland Coast AONB and Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast EMS.  The integration of management for these two designated sites connects the land and sea across the intertidal area and the border for the first time in the UK.  The Plan focuses on delivering an ecosystem approach, informed conservation, stakeholder and community engagement, climate change adaptation and mitigation and sustainable development.  The themes in the Plan cover the natural and historic environments, environmental quality, enjoyment, living and working and land use and marine planning within the sites.
 
Cllr Pat Scott, AONB Partnership Chair, opened the event saying: “This shared Management Plan is a milestone for both our organisations. We have always worked closely with our colleagues across the Border and believe this plan will deliver our shared goals and ambitions to conserve and enhance this most beautiful and spectacular coastline of Northumberland and Berwickshire with it’s great variety of colourful marine life and stunning coastal scenery
 
Natural England’s Chief Executive, Dr Helen Philips said:  “The Northumberland and Berwickshire coast is a nationally important environmental treasure and a uniquely important natural asset for northern England and the Borders.  I’m delighted to welcome this pioneering management plan, which is the first of its kind in the UK to take into account the future management of both the area’s coastline anditsinshore waters.  All the partners have worked closely together on this innovative project and I congratulate everyone involved on a ground-breaking approach to the future management of a beautiful coast.
 
“As well as being an amazingly beautiful part of the country in its own right, this coastline contributes to the regional economy by attracting thousands of visitors, creating employment, anddelivering many far reaching public benefits.  This new plan willensure that this superb natural asset remains well-managed for future generations to enjoy.”
 
Dr Ian Jardine, the Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage who also spoke at the launch said: “This is an important time for marine conservation with the Scottish Marine Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament.
 
“This management scheme combines a breadth of vision with focused activities and will help conserve and enhance our internationally important areas of coastline while providing sustainable recreation, access and enjoyment.” Dr Jardine also used the event to commit a further two year’s financial support for the EMS Officer.
 
Northumberland County Council has a statutory duty to conserve the AONB and EMS. The Executive Member for the Environment Cllr Alan Thompson, in a colourful speech interspersed with poetry, said: “The Council takes this duty very seriously. We are an active member of the governing bodies of both designations. We also help to fund and resource their management.” Cllr Thompson stressed the importance of sustainability and self-sufficiency. He also encouraged people to think positively about the coast to the south of the AONB: “while the launch is about the area from North Berwick to Amble I would like to have the very positive advances that have been made in areas like Newbiggin by the Sea recognised through extending protection status to the whole of the Northumberland coast from the border to Tynemouth.  He thanked Helen Phillips for the ongoing financial support provided by Natural England for managing the AONB and EMS.
 
Mel Nicholls, AONB Officer said: “This special place required a special Plan. There are two of everything to contend with: nations, designations, legislation, realms of land and sea and sets of stakeholders. It’s sometimes been a labour of love, with a lot of sweat and some pain, but it is great to have everyone along to celebrate the birth!”
 
Aisling Lannin, previously EMS Implementation Officer, now with Natural England, added: “This has been a very exciting process to be involved with. Although having no template was a challenge, what has been produced is a new way of working together for the overall benefit of the sea and land, historic and natural, and of course for people as custodians of the environment around us.” 
 
Unfortunately, Miranda Krestovnikoff of the BBC Coast programme and The One Show, andthe EMS Patron, who was to be one of the keynote speakers at the launch, was unable to make the event through succumbing to the flu a day before. In a message related by John Elliot, Chair of the EMS Management Group, she congratulated the AONB and EMS staff and governing bodies on their commitment to managing the designated sites in a pro-active, dynamic and integrated way especially by forming partnerships that contributed so much to management. She also encouraged them to keep up the good work and wished all those responsible the best of luck in implementing the plan.
 
The Plan is available in printed form and as a CD. It can also be viewed to on-line at the link on the side bar on this page and www.xbordercurrents.com. Copies of the Plan will be available to view in Berwick, Amble and Seahouses, Eyemouth libraries, and various other public buildings throughout north Northumberland and Berwickshire. 
 
If any organisation feels it would benefit from a discussion on the Plan then they are invited to contact Mel Nicholls to arrange a meeting.
 
The event also saw the formal launch of Our Coast Our Sea – a new website packed with free downloadable activities and information sheets for visitors to use. These detail ideas for games, historic exploration, natural history learning, make and do and general learning about the coast.  
 
 
 
A dedicated section for teachers and lecturers planning coastal trips includes information about venues, accommodation, learning providers, safety, activity ideas, information sheets with curriculum links and contact details for local experts is also on the website.
 
There is something for all individuals, families, organised groups or schools at www.ourcoastoursea.org.uk 

 

 

 

A NEW WAY TO EXPLORE, LEARN AND GET INVOLVED WITH THE BERWICKSHIRE AND NORTHUMBERLAND COAST
 
The Berwickshire and Northumberland ‘Our Coast Our Sea’ partnership has launched an information-packed new website to provide local people and holidaymakers with fun and stimulating information about this special coastline.
 
This coast is teeming with wildlife, castles and historic sites, nature reserves and activity trails.  Information about these sites and many more is now available with the click of a mouse on the new Our Coast Our Sea website – click on the link in the side bar
 
Each location includes things to do, visitor information, special ‘Inspire me’ sections and links to related websites. There are loads of photographs to view and a chance to add your own posts from the coast.  You can even play Coast Bingo! 
 
The website is packed with free downloadable activities and information sheets for visitors to use. These detail ideas for games, historic exploration, natural history learning, make and do and general learning about the coast.
 
Welcoming the Our Coast Our Sea website, Miranda Krestovnikoff, presenter of the BBC Coast programme said: “Our Coast Our Sea allows people of all interests and abilities to explore this coast for themselves and understand the value of our coastal heritage. It is a really inspiring project.”
 
Some of the activities and topics described are storytelling walks in popular places, castle trails, information about the area’s coastal icons including puffins and Grace Darling, and encourages discussion of topical issues such as climate change.
 
A calendar of events is updated regularly to help anyone planning a visit to the coast. There are 33 great events in August alone! There is also a section on ways to get involved in conservation efforts or management of the coast through volunteering.
 
A dedicated section for teachers and lecturers planning coastal trips includes information about venues, accommodation, learning providers, safety, activity ideas, information sheets with curriculum links and contact details for local experts is also on the website.
 
The head teacher of Seahouses First School said “The Our Coast Our Sea website was absolutely brilliant for the school and particularly for progressing the family learning and outdoor learning programmes.”
 
The Berwickshire and Northumberland coast is full of exciting spots where you can get more from your visit.  Whether you are a local or visiting from afar, an individual or a family, an organised group or a school there is something for everyone at www.ourcoastoursea.org.uk  
The Our Coast Our Sea partnership includes the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast European Marine Site, Natural England, English Heritage, the National Trust, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve and Northumberland County Council’s Learning Landscapes.

 

 

 

This past year has been very special for the Northumberland Coast AONB as it was 1958 when it was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

  

 
 AONB Highways Design Guide
 AONB Design Guide for the Built Environment