Farming in a designated area such as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) can bring many opportunities that are not always realised. Not only is the landscape recognised as special and hence attracts people to it with the benefits of their tourist pounds but these special areas often have special wildlife too with their associated habitats.

It is the management of these habitats and the links to them that the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) Cymru and the officers of the Clwydian Range AONB demonstrated with a farm walk at Hafod Isa, Cadole by kind permission of Mrs Jo Owen.

Over 40 farmers and representatives of both Anglesey & Llyn Peninsula AONBs came to Hafod Isa to hear how the small grant scheme administered by FWAG Cymru/Clwydian AONB via the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) is helping to enhance the farmed environment.

Mrs Owen explained how Hafod Isa had originally been part of the old Environmental Sensitive Area (ESA) scheme from which a number of boundary restoration projects had emanated but at its demise, a number of hedges and drystone walls had been left unfinished. It was here that the AONB small grant had stepped in.

"The small grant has been a godsend." Said Mrs Owen. "When the ESA finished, I didn't enter Tir Gofal or Tir Cynnal but I had a couple of sections of wall that I wanted to restore, a hedge that needed replanting and some hedge laying that needed doing. Through the small grant scheme, I am now well on the way to doing this."

Trefor Thompson of FWAG Cymru explained his role. "I come out to the farm and discuss what the farmer wants to do. I then evaluate the project and if there is money in the grant budget, I am in the happy position of making an offer. It is a contribution to the capital cost of the project and we make our offer based on standard costs."

"We recognise the contribution farmers and land managers make to the AONB landscape," said Howard Sutcliffe, Principal Countryside Officer of Denbighshire County Council, "and are delighted to support them in this way. We are also there to help with the erection of styles, way markers and other issues concerning Public Rights of Way or with the smooth running of the AONB in general."

After looking at a number of restored traditional boundaries, work in progress and a discussion on bracken and woodland management, Dr Glenda Thomas, Director FWAG Cymru summarised the day:

"Part farm grants such as this one are absolutely key in delivering so much more than the initial cost as by restoring boundaries, wildlife can move along these corridors from habitat to habitat. FWAG Cymru is delighted to work so closely with the Clwydian AONB now and in the future."

For further details of the small grant scheme and the range of projects that it supports, please contact Howard Sutcliffe, David Shiel or Glyn Williams at Loggerheads County Park on 01352 810614