Ouse Washes The Heart of the Fens Landscape

Ouse Washes: The Heart of the Fens Landscape Partnership scheme (OWLP) Image: Kite Aerial Photography by Bill Blake Heritage Documentation

OWLP: The area we cover Left: 5 Districts covered by scheme Right: Topography Images by Sheils Flynn, for OWLP

OWLP: The area’s multiple layers of heritage Images: Bill Blake Heritage Documentation; Cambridgeshire ACRE; Cambridgeshire Archives; Valence House Museum; Pete Johnstone; flickriver. com; Norfolk Our World Ltd; RSPB

OWLP: The area’s multiple layers of heritage Engineering History Natural Assets Historic Assets Cultural Heritage Images: Bill Blake Heritage Documentation; Cambridgeshire ACRE; Cambridgeshire Archives; Valence House Museum; Pete Johnstone; flickriver. com; Norfolk Our World Ltd; RSPB

What makes the OWLP area special? Word cloud, showing what makes this area distinct and special

About Landscape Partnership schemes • Overarching aim: to provide grants for the conservation and enjoyment of areas of distinctive landscape character throughout UK Image: Patricia Kreyer

About Landscape Partnership schemes • Partnership working: local, regional and national organisations with a range of interests in the area • Portfolio of projects, each delivering multiple benefits Images: Norfolk Our World Ltd; The Field Theatre Group Littleport; Google images

About Landscape Partnership schemes • Delivery across all 4 HLF Programmes Conservation Training 25 Projects Access & Learning Community Participation

OWLP scheme: 26 Key Partners [+ Wider Forum] Rosmini Centre Diocese of Ely Fen Skating Association Manea & Welney District Drainage Commissioners Cambridge Archaeological Unit Fen Museum Partnership Mike Petty Cambridgeshire Association for Local History

OWLP: Where we are 2011/2012: stage 1 bid 2013: Project Development March 2014: Stage 2 bid granted April 2014 – March 2017: Delivery

OWLP: Addressing the area’s needs Key needs/issues identified: • Divided management • Lack of Tourism Promotion • Low levels of Engagement “A Mapp of ye Great Levell of ye Fenns extending into ye countyes of Northampton, Norfolk, Suffolke, Lyncolne, Cambridge and Huntingdon and the Isle of Ely as it is now drained. ’ By Jonas Moore. Plan of the Bedford Level showing the principal drainage channels built by the Bedford Corporation and the location of Adventurers’ land [c. 1700]. Courtesy of Wisbech and Fenland Museum (© Cambridgeshire Archives).

OWLP: Addressing the area’s needs • Divided management ØStrengthen Partnership Working - across all land Agriculture use interests Water Management OWLP Landscape Community & Recreation Conservation

OWLP: Addressing the area’s needs • Divided management ØStrengthen Partnership Working – liaise with related partnership initiatives Fens for the Future Partnership & Great Ouse Wetland Vision. Image by Sheils Flynn, for OWLP

OWLP: Addressing the area’s needs • Divided management • Lack of Tourism Promotion ØPromote Area as a Visitor Destination Image: Kite Aerial Photography by Bill Blake Heritage Documentation

OWLP: Addressing the area’s needs • Divided management • Lack of Tourism Promotion • Low levels of Engagement ØLeave a legacy of community engagement

OWLP scheme: Our Target Audiences People who are uninspired by the landscape Incomers and new communities Farmers and land owners Deprived communities Heritage supporters Young people and families & Migrant communities Visitors

OWLP scheme: Our Themes Water Everywhere Hidden heritage Migration stories • Water defines the Ouse Washes landscape • The heritage of the Ouse Washes landscape is largely unknown or ‘hidden’ • Movement and migration are key elements of the landscape Famed Figures • The landscape is full of fascinating stories about real and imaginary people Future Heritage • The future of the landscape is uncertain, with increasing demands on its resources

OWLP scheme: The partnership’s 25 Projects Great Ouse Wetland Engagement Species Identification & Monitoring Community Warden Scheme Barn Owl Recovery Ditch Management to the East of the Ouse Washes Image by Sheils Flynn, for OWLP Wildlife Friendly Farming in the Fens Giving Nature a Home at Fen Drayton Lakes

OWLP scheme: The partnership’s 25 Projects Ouse Washes Community Archaeology Ouse Community Murals Improvements to Denver Sluice Hidden Story Trails Complex Fen Folk, Legends and Heroes Manea Community Conservation Project Wind, Steam and Diesel for the Ouse Washes Image by Sheils Flynn, for OWLP Tales of Water, Wildfowl and Water Migrant Links Skating around the Fens Community Kite Aerial Photography

OWLP scheme: The partnership’s 25 Projects Ouse Washes Festival Fortnight Opening up the Ouse Washes to All Managing the Ouse Washes in the Future Ouse Washes Annual Conference Ouse Washes Tourism Promotion Community Heritage Fund – Small Grants Image by Sheils Flynn, for OWLP Ouse Washes Volunteer Training & Marketplace

Find out more: Blog: http: //ousewasheslps. wordpress. com/ twitter. com/ousewasheslp Dedicated OWLP website: July 2014 Or contact the OWLP Programme Manager: mark. nokkert@cambsacre. org. uk Tel 01353 865030