Celebrating the White Cliffs countryside

An exciting partnership project is holding a special open day at Dover Discovery Centre on Saturday 18 February, along with a range of activities for all the family, to update people on its plans for the countryside and heritage around Dover and Folkestone.

The White Cliffs Landscape Partnership Scheme has been earmarked for £2.3m for conservation and community projects across the area, following major funding news from the Heritage Lottery Fund. HLF funding is subject to approval of detailed plans, and following work with communities, the partnership has identified a range of projects, including restoring chalk grassland, getting community groups involved in recording the history of local sites, and film-making for young people.

On Saturday 18 February, staff from the partnership will be at Dover Discovery Centre from 10am-3pm (rooms 111/112) to talk to local people about the plans. There will also be the chance to have a go at the country craft of felting, using wool from Kent sheep, and children can learn about the area's wildlife by making 'boingy butterflies' and lizard key rings. The event is free and everyone is welcome.

This is one of a series of activities taking place over the weekend to raise awareness of the scheme, and to celebrate the different aspects of our landscape.

The Landscape Partnership Scheme currently includes Dover District Council, Shepway District Council, Kent County Council, Kent Downs AONB Unit, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, Kent Wildlife Trust, National Trust, Eurotunnel and Natural England. The scheme is being hosted by DDC. The HLF has provisionally allocated £1.6m for the scheme, with £700K to be match funded/resourced locally.

Richard Haynes, Scheme Manager, said: "We want to keep the conversation going with people about the area we live in. Our project is about connecting people with the landscape and history that's around us, and it's important that everyone is involved."

For more information, contact Richard Haynes, White Cliffs Landscape Partnership Scheme Manager on 01304 872130, email Richard.haynes@dover.gov.uk or see the DDC website at www.dover.gov.uk/landscape.