Sustainable Communities: Living and Working in Scilly

Scilly takes part in Big Star Count 2012

Headed nationally by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), Big Star Count 2012 ran from 20th-27th January. This event allowed the community in Scilly to become involved in observing and recording their local dark night skies.The community in Scilly were asked to count the number of stars, visible with the naked eye, in the constellation of Orion.

On Thursday 26th January the AONB Unit, in partnership with the Council of the Isles of Scilly's Lifelong Learning team, organised a Star Count Walk. We were joined by local astronomers and a group of interested local enthusiasts, who braved the cold to view Scilly's dark night skies.

The group walked to Buzza Tower, a well known landmark that sits above Hugh Town, St Mary's. Here we admired the planets Jupiter and Venus, and observed hundreds of stars made visible through telescopes and binoculars.

The group managed to count 27 stars, with the naked eye, within Orion, which is a fantastic result. Elsewhere in Scilly we recieved a record of over 30 stars!

The results for Big Star Count 2012 will be available on CPRE's website soon where a national map will be published. Look out for these results in the next AONB e-newsletter.

Thanks to all who took part in the Big Star Count 2012

New projects gain funding through the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) 2011-2012

The AONB Partnership is delighted to announce that SDF grant-aid has been awarded to a further two projects in Scilly.

Bryher Information

This project, developed by the Bryher Community Centre Committee, seeks to develop interpretation panels on Bryher for visitors to the Island. Interpretation boards will be set up at both the Bryher quays, enabling visitors to gain knowledge of Bryher's landscape, including its important wildlife, historical and cultural features, as well as the Island's businesses and catering outlets.

This project also includes the development of a Bryher website.

This project is also being funded through the Isles of Scilly Local Action Group (LAG).

SDF Grant Offer £3,545

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Environmental Education Equipment

The Council of the Isles of Scilly's Children's Services Department is purchasing a wide range of environmental education equipment to enhance the delivery of environmental education projects within the AONB. Equipment includes sweep nets, ID pots and field identification guides, all of which will enable children and young people in Scilly to have a 'hands on' experience, whilst at the same time having lots of fun!

SDF Grant Offer £663.85

The Isles of Scilly Local Action Group (LAG) Celebrates 2nd Birthday

The Isles of Scilly AONB Partnership is represented among the 25 members of the Isles of Scilly Local Action Group (LAG). LAG  is a community-led partnership which, in association with the Council of the Isles of Scilly, successfully bid for £2.25m from the Rural Development Programme for England to invest in projects that benefit the community, economy and environment of the Islands.

During the two years that the Isles of Scilly LAG has been in operation, the AONB Sustainable Development Fund has match-funded 9 LAG projects delivering a wide range of benefits to the Isles of Scilly. These projects have levered a total of £361,847 into the Isles of Scilly community!

Please click here to download the new LAG programme for more information.

Pond Clearance and Beach Cleans in Scilly

The AONB Unit has joined forces with the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust to carry out important conservation work. With the help of volunteers, a small pond has been cleared at Porth Hellick, St Mary's. It is hoped, in time, that this area will provide perfect conditions to host a range of wildlife, including plants, insects and birds.

The Wildlife Trust staff and local voluneers also helped the AONB Unit in its regular clearence of litter from Porth Hellick beach, as part of the Marine Conservation Society's (MCS) 'Adopt a Beach' programme. Despite the cold winds, volunteers and staff came together to clean and survey Porth Hellick beach. We collected 10 bags of rubbish in total, which included vast quantities of fishing net and line, plastic bottles, food containers and wrapping and even a BBQ! These results will be sent to MCS for monitoring and researching the affects of marine litter on our shores.

If you would like to know more about 'The Adopt a Beach' programme or about the work of the Marine Conservation Society, please click here.

Launch of New Isles of Scilly Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) Website

The Isles of Scilly Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority website is now up and running!

The Isles of Scilly IFCA aims to manage fisheries in a sustainable way, balancing the social, environmental and economical benefits of the sea and its resources.

If you want to take a look at the new website, please click here.

What to look out for in February.......

*The Island Festival of Lights*

Organised by the Council of the Isles of Scilly Children's Services Department, the Island Festival of Lights will bring the community of Scilly together in creating lanterns and a giant centrepiece to celebrate the Islands' maritime and cultural heritage.

When: Monday 20th- Friday 24th February

Lantern workshops will be held at Carn Thomas Hall Monday-Wednesday, with a session on St Agnes on Thursday. Friday evening will see the grand parade through Hugh Town before relaxing with food and story telling. 

If you would like to find out more, or to book a place, please contact the Isles of Scilly Children's Centre and Early Years Office on 01720 423680, or email earlyyears@scilly.gov.uk