About Chalk, Cherries and Chairs
Chalk, Cherries and Chairs was conceived to address urgent challenges facing the Central Chilterns.
The Scheme used three themes – wildlife, heritage and people – to deliver solutions to challenges such as habitat fragmentation, development, and an increasing disconnect between people and their local landscape, through a range of partners, with threads such as such as volunteering, engagement, research and restoration, running through them in order to deliver tangible, on-the-ground benefits and a lasting legacy.
All the projects shared common threads, such as volunteering, learning and skills acquisition for young people. They also provide hands-on experience of historical research, traditional crafts, digital communications and environmental conservation. The scheme provides small grants to encourage community initiatives and traineeships for young enthusiasts.
A journey through the Central Chilterns - our legacy film
Background
The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs area covered 278 km2 of the Central Chilterns, an area that covers approximately one third of the Chilterns National Landscape. It was recognised whilst developing the scheme that the combination of many heritage assets, a rich history of adaptation and change, shaped by the landscape, made the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs area a significant and unique place.
The Scheme was a coming together of a number of different organisations and communities in the Central Chilterns with the intention to work towards a vision of: “A healthy, resilient, connected landscape; with its unique natural, historical, and cultural heritage cherished by present and future generations.”
What we set out to achieve
The partnership worked closely to better improve its understanding of the natural and cultural heritage of the Central Chilterns landscape, the physical and perceived barriers to access, and the opportunities for visitors and local people. To develop the Scheme, the partnership engaged with communities that live and work in the landscape, spoke to people and encouraged ideas and opinions, to better understand local need. 18 different yet interrelated projects were planned around three strategic aims that would help to work towards the vision for the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs area.
Aim 1) To restore, enhance and record wildlife habitats, landscape features and the cultural heritage of the Central Chilterns landscape.
Aim 2) Create new opportunities for people to investigate and celebrate the cultural and natural heritage of the Chilterns, inspiring more people to become stewards for their local heritage.
Aim 3) Strengthen the capacity of local communities to take action for their local landscapes and natural heritage.
Our Achievements
The Scheme’s independent evaluation stated ‘the scheme has delivered a wide range of heritage activity that has met the National Lottery Heritage Fund approved purposes and in many instances exceeded what was intended at the outset’. Highlights of the scheme include:
- Habitat Restoration and Biodiversity Enhancement: Over 3000 hectares of vital chalk grassland, woodland, and hedgerows restored, improving habitats for a range of species, including the iconic chalk hill blue butterfly, barn owls, and pyramidal orchid. Conservation efforts focused on enhancing biodiversity, promoting native flora, and providing wildlife corridors, which are crucial for species adaptation and resilience.
- Reviving Cultural Heritage: The scheme celebrated and revived the region’s cultural heritage, including traditional orchards, lace making, strawplaiting and chair-making. Through workshops, festivals, and demonstrations, local artisans and residents were invited to connect with the region’s cultural history, while local schools and youth groups participated in educational programmes designed to pass down these traditions to new generations.
- Community Engagement and Volunteering: Over the five years, the scheme was supported by a volunteering effort equivalent to 21 full time working years, with volunteers working on habitat restoration, species monitoring, research, and heritage. Through training and hands-on activities, the initiative empowered local people to become stewards of the central Chilterns landscape, equipping them with skills that will benefit the region for years to come.
- Environmental Education and Outreach: The scheme’s programmes reached over 16,000 people, including schoolchildren, local families, and residents, through festivals, guided walks, and interactive learning experiences. These programmes fostered a deeper understanding of the importance of conservation and heritage, helping to build a community committed to the sustainable care of the local landscape.
Our Funders and Partners
We are grateful to our primary funder, The National Lottery Heritage Fund as well as more than 80 partners, groups, organisations, landowners and event go-ers for donating matched funding to the scheme, making Chalk, Cherries and Chairs possible. Our independent evaluation stated what good value for money the scheme delivered, boosted by in-kind support as well as over £600,000 worth of volunteer effort. In addition, our work on the wildlife strand alone has leveraged £3.5 million through additional grants and agri environment schemes.
The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape Partnership Scheme was the coming together of a number of different organisations and communities in the Central Chilterns with the intention to work towards a vision of a more connected landscape. Our fantastic group of partners as can be seen below, hosted by the Chilterns National Landscape, has been an incredible force and delivered a fantastic amount for the scheme. The road has not always been smooth and there have been many lessons learned along the way; the addition of a series of ‘Cross Themed Working Groups’ set up in the summer of 2023 allowed the Steering Group, Delivery Partners, Chilterns National Landscape Team and the Project Management team to come together and focus on areas of the scheme which needed a boost in the final 18 months. “The Partnership XTWG has increased and improved partnership working, by getting everyone in a room and talking about the lessons learned and where we want to go post Chalk, Cherries and Chairs”. Read more in our Evaluation Summary and End of Scheme Report, above.
We are delighted that despite Chalk, Cherries and Chairs coming to an official close in November 2024, the Partnership will continue to work together, to explore new opportunities for the Central Chilterns and beyond, as well as oversee a piece of delivery work focused on young people. Read more on our legacy page.
Steering Group: Eliza Alqassar – Buckinghamshire Council (Chair 2022-24), Nicola Thomas – Bucks & MK Natural Environment Partnership (Chair 2020-22), Elaine King – Chilterns National Landscape, John Shaw – Chiltern Rangers, Roz Currie – Wycombe Museum, Briony Hudson – Amersham Museum, Helena Chance – Bucks New University, Gavin Johnson – Chiltern Society, Kate Sheard / Liz Shearer – Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to achieve the expectations of the project.
Our Volunteers
Volunteering was a central pillar of Chalk, Cherries and Chairs, and our independent evaluation stated ‘the programme of volunteering was hugely impressive both in the number and range of people involved, the time they have spent volunteering, and the breadth of skills that they have acquired’.
Volunteers undertook a series of roles such as surveying plants, birds and butterflies, researching heritage crafts, capturing oral histories, mapping ancient routeways and restoring habitats. This volunteer effort is equivalent to 21 full time working years, worth over £600,000!
“… just wanted to let you know I secured the apprenticeship with the Cumbria Wildlife Trust! I’m so happy I’m going into something I really want to do after University. Thank you for setting up New Shoots. I would never have got the job without the experience, or known it was something I wanted to do.” Amelie ~ one of the New Shoots who has secured her first role in her conservation career
Our Projects
We delivered our Scheme outcomes through a range of different projects across Wildlife, Heritage and People.
Read our past Newsletters
The Scheme sent regular newsletters throughout the programme which will give you a flavour of what was delivered.
These newsletters are an archive and as such you are unable to join the mailing list. However, subscribe to the Chilterns National Landscape e-newsletter if you are interested!
Further Information
If you have any questions about the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape Partnership, or would like further information on their projects or resources, please email ccc@chilterns.org.uk.
Chilterns Rural Industries and Crafts
Chilterns Neighbourhood Planning Toolkit
Chilterns Heritage and Archaeology Partnership
Chilterns Chalk Streams Project
