Active Mendip » News & Events

In Active Mendip we want more people to try different outdoor adventures. This will be a great opportunity for people to try different activities across Mendip at a reduced rate and get discounts from the Active Mendip members.

Individual membership will be at the following rates for a year; £20 per individual, £15 per U16 and £30 per family. You will get your own Active Mendip card that you can use for example to try caving for £10, archery for only £13 or an evening with the Search and Rescue Team for £10 >>click here for more information.

A leaflet of events taking place during the Mendip Hills Festival of Archaeology Saturday 17 July to Sunday 1 August 2010 is now available.

The events across the Mendip Hills offer a variety of activities for all the family. Jane Hill, Mendip Hills Festival of Archaeology Coordinator said ‘We are pleased to have a fortnight packed with all kinds of events ranging from guided walks, talks, open days, finds identification, excavations and the opportunity to join local experts out in the field. If you are interested in archaeology, this will be the perfect opportunity to find out more about the past on your doorstep.’

The Festival will be launched at Wells & Mendip Museum on Saturday 17 July by Dr Jodie Lewis, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at University of Worcester and editor of the forthcoming ‘The Archaeology of Mendip, 500,000 Years of Continuity and Change’ publication. Jodie will be releasing 200 balloons on Cathedral Green for a balloon race to promote the fortnight..

Organisers, the Wells & Mendip Museum and the Mendip Hills AONB are delighted with the range of events and hope to build on this next year and beyond . The coordinator post and leaflet and has been funded with a grant from the Mendip Hills AONB Sustainable Development Fund. It is part of the Festival of British Archaeology, the annual extravaganza of heritage events coordinated by the Council for British Archaeology.

Illegal off-road driving – a number of key sites are being damaged by this illegal activity. The police have been out on Black Down and booked a number of vehicles. Following AONB media articles on the issue reports to the Police and AONB unit have increased. It is intended to place barriers and boulders at key access points to stop off- road vehicles. This will not affect access for appropriate users of public rights of way. To report illegal vehicles ring the Police control center on 01275 818181.

• Ride in control at all times. This preserves you, other users and the environment. • Respect the rights of others. Take pride in sharing the outdoors with people enjoying other forms of recreation. • Be considerate towards walkers. A speeding bike can frighten walkers. Use a bell or call out to announce your presence. Give them right of way. Pass at no more than twice their walking speed. • Always give way to horses. Horses are easily frightened by bikes. A spooked horse can endanger you and its rider. Announce your presence, stop and talk to the rider as the horse passes. Be alert for signs of horses on the track (hoof prints or droppings). • Avoid skidding. Skidding leads to ruts, erosion and increased trail damage. • Do not cut corners, stay on the track. • Do not ride where cycling is not permitted or where public access is prohibited. • Wash your bike tyres before riding in a different area. This will reduce the chance of spreading plant diseases. • Avoid introducing road rage to the trails. • Be an ambassador for your sport, tell other people about this code.

Folly Farm - 20% discount on all adult day courses at Folly Farm. Children of members get 20% off summer programmes like Bush Craft and Viking Days.

Lakewood Centre - 20% off our Day Delegate Rate which is £40.00 per person + VAT

Vobster Quay Dive Centre - 20% off entry (to non-members) but you’d need to be fully qualified divers to be able to use this offer, and would require a buddy to dive with

1) Keen volunteers from RSA insurance group, on a residential management course at Swallet Farm, have given considerable assistance (both financial and manpower) to the Burrington Conservators. A new gravel path has been constructed from the toilet block in Burrington Combe, down towards the Café. This was done with assistance from Sir David Wills, and Les Davies MBE the local ‘Westcountryman’.

2) The key/lock on the gate that controls the access for vehicles to Split Rock Quarry, Milton Hill near Wells, has temporarily been removed by the land owner. Please respect the wishes of the land owner, and we are confident of a successful outcome in due course.

15 young people from local schools have joined the third Mendip Hills AONB Young Ranger Programme. This two-year scheme gives Young Rangers opportunities to gain experience of countryside management and related life skills. On 15 September Young Rangers and their families met the AONB staff and volunteers who deliver the programme. The first session on 19 September involved team building activities and a ramble around Blackmoor including practical work. To find out more see www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/young-rangers.php

Project Officer Andy Mallender is working with the AONB Volunteer Rangers to set up patrols of key AONB sites and routes. The Volunteer Rangers have been surveying the routes promoted in the Wild Walks Publication to gather information to be used in future patrols. Contact amallender@somerset.gov.uk

The AONB Unit had an information stand at the event at Woodford Lodge on 29th August. Staff, Volunteer Rangers and Advanced Young Rangers provided AONB information and promoted the Wild Walks book and other leaflets. For AONB publications see www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/publications.php

At the recent SDF meeting applications were approved from the Bristol Children’s Help Society for their Nature Trail at Barton Camp and also for maintenance and interpretive work at the Parish Acre, Loxton. The deadline for the final round of 2009/2010 funding applications is 27 November 2009. For further information on the fund and how to apply, see www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/sdf.php

North Somerset Council have contacted the AONB regarding their proposal to erect an illuminated sign in Burrington Combe. Due to the number of road traffic accidents recorded on a stretch of road in the Combe the Council need to warn drivers to the hazardous bends. The AONB is being consulted over the style and position of signage. North Somerset have to show they have tried such methods before they are able to apply for national funding to undertake road re-grading, surfacing and other improvement works along this section. For further information contact jrichards@somerset.gov.uk

There are plenty of volunteering opportunities available on the Mendip Hills through the People & Places Project – see www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/volunteering.php . The Mendip Hills AONB are seeking volunteers for a Path Watch Scheme on Black Down and a Walking the Way to Health Initiative which requires walk leaders. If you are interested in either of these contact the Mendip Hills AONB on 01761 462338 or email mendiphills@somerset.gov.uk

As one of the actions in the Partnership Delivery Plan, AONB staff have been contacting parish councils to talk about the Management Plan and hear how parish councils wish to be involved in its delivery. If your parish council would like an officer to attend a parish council meeting contact the Mendip Hills AONB on 01761 462338 or email mendiphills@somerset.gov.uk

Somerset Wildlife Trusts, Mendip Conservation Volunteers have completed a year’s programme of work. Undertaking fortnightly tasks, missing only one session due to rain, they have completed 25 days and have tallied up a fantastic 661 volunteer hours! There are 17 Somerset Wildlife Trust Reserves in the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty most of which are Sites of Special Scientific Interest, meaning that they have rare or important features of biodiversity or habitat. With only two paid members of staff in the area the Trust has a fantastic resource in all these dedicated people enhancing the reserves so they are in the best possible condition for wildlife to thrive, something that simply couldn’t be achieved to the same standard without them. The Mendip Conservation Volunteer group actually reformed last year after over 12 years of curtailment! The original group disbanded when Ray, the previous volunteer leader, retired from the job after 15 years, although he is now back working with the new group. The rejuvenated group have completed a fantastic 1st year and is “looking forward to running for longer than the original 15 year term!” said Chris Billinghurst, Volunteer leader. If you would like to help to keep reserves in the Mendip Hills in good condition and learn new conservation skills please see the programme of volunteering for the People & Places Project on www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk see Volunteering. Or call Merryn Nisbet on 01761 462338.