Community
Community Organisations & Programmes
A number of community and rural initiatives are taking place within the AONB:
The Community Council of Devon works in partnership with statutory bodies and voluntary organisations to support the institutions of rural life and to develop imaginative solutions to the new and changing needs of rural people in Devon. For further information and advice about village halls, rural services, local distinctiveness projects and community enterprise visit www.devonrcc.org.uk
A rural housing enabler operates within East Devon District through the Community Council for Devon . For further information visit www.devonrcc.org.uk
'Parish Plans', 'Vital Villages' www.countryside.gov.uk/VitalVillages/Index.asp and rural development initiatives play an important role in community development.
The Market and Coastal Town www.southwesttowns.net and District wide Community Planning process www.eastdevon.gov.uk/community/community_plan.htm are still at an early stage of development within the District.
A number of initiatives are serving to promote active engagement and encourage healthy and creative communities:
Britain in Bloom www.rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom/index.asp
CPRE Best Kept Village www.cpre.org.uk
The Parish Paths Partnership (P3) community initiative www.devon.gov.uk/prow/parish_partner.html is helping to maintain and promote the footpath network alongside the activities of local amenity groups in the Axe, Sid and Otter valleys.
The Environmental Training Network provides a comprehensive training programme for supporting community work and initiatives.
Local amenity groups such as the Sid Vale Association, Otter Valley Association and Axe Valley & District Conservation Society are active within the AONB and are represented on the AONB Partnership:
The Axe Vale and District Conservation Society exists to encourage an informed and active interest in the local environment and to work for the conservation of the area and the protection of its wildlife. For further information click here
The Sid Vale Association was formed to protect the beauty and amenities of the neighbourhood and to promote and aid its cultural development. For further information telephone 01395 516982
The Otter Valley Association was formed as an amenity society to interest residents and visitors in the history, geography, natural history, present architecture and future planning of this area of Devon . For further information visit www.ova.org.uk