Where`s your green space?

Living in a rural county like Cumbria we’re lucky to be able to live and work in a place where the green, open countryside is never more than a few miles away. With so much of the beautiful Cumbrian landscape on our doorstep, however, our village greens and common lands often become a neglected part of our green space – but a one project is hoping to change all that.

The Our Green Space project is being run as a county wide project over three years, funded by the Heritage Lottery and managed by Friends of the Lake District in partnership with Voluntary Action Cumbria. 

The project is focusing on the restoration and development of village greens and open green space – areas that are often a neglected but a vital part of our culture and heritage, and places many of us take for granted.

Roe Baker of Friends of the Lake District said: “Green spaces are used by many for recreation, dog walking, relaxation, picnics and fetes, and are also home to the diverse flora and fauna of the Cumbria countryside.

“The communities involved in the Our Green Space project are equally as diverse. Burgh by Sands has a large open green space with plans for walks, a sports area, a pond and wetland area. 

“Newbiggin has two beautiful wells on natural springs in need of restoration, and hope to make the village green and springs a focal point for the village again. Barrow has created an urban community garden on a disused industrial rail site which is in the process of transforming and redefining the neighbourhood. 

“Great Asby in Westmorland are working closely with their local primary school on historical research into their village greens and the buildings surrounding them.“All the projects are involving volunteers of all ages, with special focus on local schools. 

“The project is enabling five communities to restore, protect, better manage and celebrate the green spaces where they live. What these communities learn about their green spaces, and about wider green space issues will be recorded, collected and used to help other communities with their green spaces."

For more information on the Our Green Space Project contact Roe Baker at roeb@ruralcumbria.org.uk