CMA Events & Training

Seminar and AGM 2007
Thursday 9th and Friday 10th August 2007
Stowe Mansion, Buckinghamshire

The Cost of the Countryside:
Is it worth it?

Many of us are having to “pay for our green spaces” in some way and even the rest of the countryside isn’t free, and so this is the focus on the CMA seminar for 2007.

You have a unique opportunity to stay at Stowe Mansion in Buckinghamshire. The nationally renowned mansion is set in 300 hectares (750 acres) of historic parkland. Since the 18th century, Stowe has welcomed monarchs, poets, politicians and high society to delight in the largest, most completely realised, private neo-classical building and landscape, now it’s your turn!

Outline Provisional Programme

Wednesday 8th August
Optional early arrival for those travelling long distances.
Optional guided tour of Stowe Mansion grounds.

Thursday 9th August
9.00 a.m. – 9.30 a.m. Arrivals and coffee, plus room registration
9.30 a.m. – 9.45 a.m. Welcome and presentation.
Mike Woods, Chairman of the CMA and Conference Chair
9.45 a.m. – 11.15 a.m. Guest Speakers (To be confirmed)
Dr Ian Rotherham, CRN & Sheffield Hallam University – “Countryside management: if you want the benefits you should pay the price”
plus other speakers from National Countryside Organisations who will give an overview to this key area.
11.15 a.m. – 11.45 a.m. Tea/Coffee break
11.45 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. Questions to the panel
12.30 p.m. – 12.45 p.m. Morning summary and introduction to the afternoon
12.45 p.m. – 1.30 p.m. Buffet Lunch
1.30 p.m. – 2.30 p.m. Workshop Session – one choice
Short presentations followed by questions & discussion
Alexis Pym - Marston Vale Trust: More effective partnership working
Ted Talbot – Sheffield City Council: Creative solutions for sustainable woodland management
2.30 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. Tea/Coffee
3.00 p.m. – 3.15 p.m. Summary and conclusions
Seminar Chairman/CMA chair
3.15 p.m. – 4.15 p.m. Facilitated discussion: Future Directions for the CMA
With Janice Burley, Losehill Hall
4.15 p.m. – 4.45 p.m. A quick update about current SCRA and IRF activities.
4.45 p.m. – 6.00 p.m. CMA AGM – Tea and Coffee available
7.00 p.m. Three Course Gala Dinner, with after dinner guest speaker - Richard Wheeler, Regional Advisor for the National Trust on Historic Parks and Gardens

Friday 10th August
8.00 a.m. – 8.30 a.m. Buffet breakfast
9.00 a.m. – 9.15 a.m. Briefing for site visits
9.30 a.m. Depart for sites
(Packed lunch provided)
Either
Milton Keynes Parks Trust, with Briony Serginson, then Nene Valley Regional Park, with Chris Park
or
Black Park Country Park (within the Colne Valley Regional Park),
and stopping off in the Chilterns AONB, with Steve Rodrick
3.30 p.m. Return to Stowe. Collect luggage and leave.

For a Booking Form please contact Sue Field, Losehill Hall, Peak District National Park Centre, Castleton, Hope Valley, S33 8WB.

Thursday 26th July

Location - Lower Moor Farm, Oaksey near Cotswold Water Park, Wiltshire

10.30 - 16.00

Before the busy summer holidays really gets into full swing join us for a free training day looking at environmental games for children.

Come and be a big kid for a day! Participation will be all important as we physically try out the ways countryside staff can inspire and involve people in fun and informative activities.

The day will be led by John Porter (Sutton Park Manager) and Phil Armshaw (Cannock Council
Countryside Service) who have both a wealth of experience and enthusiasium on the subject.

The venue is Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's recently aquired nature reserve, Lower Moor Farm complete with a newly built visitor centre. The site features an small area created especially for children to explore nature. A tour of this feature is also planned.

Please bring a packed lunch.

To book a place please contact Sarah Gibbs -

sarahgibbs3@hotmail.com (preferred)
or call 01453 758956

Free to CMA members. Non members £30 (You will recieve free membership)

A minimum of 12 people are required to run the day so please book as soon as possible.

The International Rangers’ Federation and Romanian Rangers Association organize, in 2007, first European Rangers` training seminar, which will be hosted by The Retezat National Park, Hunedoara – Romania.

The goals of the seminar are:
- to share experiences and to learn from each other - to inspire and gather motivation in the protection of nature - to offer the opportunity to experience the natural and cultural heritage of Romania

Find out more here