ORN Journals

Encouraging more people to enjoy and engage with the outdoors

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Outdoor Recreation Network > The new England Coast Path and connecting people with the coast

The new England Coast Path and connecting people with the coast

Theme: The new England Coast Path and connecting people with the coast – visit a good news example of partnership work along the coastal path

Location: Durham Heritage Coast – with overnight stay in Durham St Chads

Objectives:

  • To explore a section of the England Coast Path which has a success story to tell and how ORN members can jointly strengthen the use off the coastal path especially for economic development, recreation, awareness and developing communities.
    • Possibly explore the relevance of a future conference in partnership with NE Coast Path unit with European input
  • Bring together and strengthen the network by focusing on a particular issue that they could jointly add value too

Dates: 30rthJuly – 31st July

Background

The Durham Heritage Coast is a great example of how different organisations have worked together to transform an industrial landscape into a nationally recognised Heritage Coast landscape, providing a range of cultural, natural, and geological places of interest, stunning coastal views and beaches and opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The Heritage Coast partnership has recently been successful in securing the first HLF marine Landscape Partnership funding which will help to deliver 30 projects set to benefit our coastal heritage, the marine environment and local communities. Through the 30 projects, the Seascapes scheme will improve access to beaches, explore the shipwrecks and habitats beneath the waves, improve biological recording through citizen science, construct a coastal conservation centre, tackle marine litter and create opportunities for local people and visitors to enjoy being on and in the sea.

Programme

30th July – Arrive and stay in Durham – Dinner at Zizzis 19.45 – we can gather in St Chads at 19.30

31st July –

08.30 Minibus to leave St Chads to go to Durham station to pick up Martin, Andrew, Jo and Niall on Northbound side of the station

09.15 – Series of site visits to

The site visit will give participants the opportunity to meet those involved with the project from local community and the Heritage Coast partnership and hear about the challenges and successes as well as future vision for the area

13.00 – return to Seaham Harbour activity centre for lunch

13.45 – Introductions – Terry Robinson

14.00 – Seascapes Partnership Niall Benson, Durham Heritage Coast and Eric Wilton National Trust will talk about the heritage of the area, the future vision for engaging people in the coastal environment for recreation and enjoyment including the Vision for Nature and Coastal Connections

Questions

14.45 – Martin Shaw – Natural England – England Coast Path

  • Reprise of how we got to where we are
  • Challenges faced
  • Plans to complete the path
  • Benefits emerging

 

15.15 Tea Coffee break

15.30 Sarah Manning – Natural England. Living Coast. More than a path the next steps and legacy of the England Coast Path

15.50 Discussion and closing remarks

16.15 Depart for Durham station