Chalk, Cherries and Chairs: the end of an era

We are pleased to report that Chalk, Cherries and Chairs independent evaluation said “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 were restored, improving habitats for a range of species, including the iconic chalk hill blue butterfly, barn owl, 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 project celebrated and revived the region’s cultural heritage, including traditional orchards, lace making, straw plaiting 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 project 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 project’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.

Launched in 2019, the project was created to celebrate the central Chilterns, revitalise local heritage, restore vital habitats, and deepen connections to the area to ensure that this unique landscape will be enjoyed by generations to come. The project was made possible by a £1,996,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund as well as a number of other funders.

We are proud of everything the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs team – and dedicated supporters, funders and volunteers – has achieved. 

Read more about the project’s achievements in its Independent Evaluation Summary and End of Scheme Report.

Despite the project officially coming to an end, a small amount of underspend is allowing the partnership to continue for a further year. This means partners will continue to meet quarterly to explore new opportunities for the central Chilterns and beyond, as well as oversee a piece of delivery work focused on young people, led by the current Project Manager.

A key success of Chalk, Cherries and Chairs has been the link established between heritage and nature, both in delivery work and between partners. Earlier this year, the project commissioned arts consultancy INSTAR to investigate how young people in and around High Wycombe feel about their local landscape and how they want to interact with it. The year-long project will be used to further explore and implement the recommendations from this research, aiming to increase partners’ knowledge of working with young people, encourage more young people to get involved in conservation and heritage activities, and engage more in their local landscape.

To follow this project’s progress see www.chilterns.org.uk/chalkcherrieschairs.

We encourage you to follow Chalk, Cherries and Chairs’ fantastic partners on social media and sign up to their newsletters to keep up to date with their work and volunteer opportunities, as well as the Forward Plan project. Click on their logos below to sign up.