Dr Julie Attard
Charnwood Forest Programme Manager
CHARNWOOD FOREST GEOPARK
Who we are
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INFORMATION
Governance
Partners are fully represented throughout the governance structure of Charnwood Forest Geopark.
The Charnwood Forest Regional Park Board is the strategic body working together on the big issues which impact the future of the area.
The Steering Group has collective responsibility for the delivery of the Landscape Partnership Scheme projects keeping the programme on schedule and managing any amendments to scope and budget. It’s here that the individual work of partners gets woven into the projects to increase the impact and secure integrated care for the area, and opportunities for match funding – real partnership in practice.
The Stakeholder Forum is a huge asset to the Geopark. More than 150 people who in a paid or volunteer role are committed to the area and to helping others explore, understand and care for Charnwood Forest.
OUR HISTORY
OUR HISTORY
History
The distinctive nature of Charnwood Forest was recognised as far back as the 1930s when it was considered as a National Park, but without official designation the area is under threat.
In 2007 an Officer Steering Group and Stakeholder Group were established to look at ways to manage and promote the area. In 2012 the Charnwood Forest Regional Park Board met for the first time and one of the actions agreed was a bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund Landscape Partnership Scheme.
After an initial National Lottery Heritage Fund bid in 2013, a successful first round application for funding was made in 2017 and the project plans were developed over 18 months to write a round two submission in October 2019.
National Lottery confirmed the grant award in March 2020 but the Covid Pandemic meant the start date was deferred until July 2020 with much ingenuity required to deliver the projects in the early months.
By spring 2021 the full delivery team for the Landscape Partnership Scheme had been recruited and the Regional Park Board had approved the first stages of an application to UNESCO – Charnwood Forest is now an Aspiring Geopark.
Meet the team
Dr Jack Matthews
Geoheritage Conservation and Interpretation Officer
Dr Susan Kilby
Heritage Education Officer
Alison Brand-Barker
Community Engagement Officer
Nicola Middler
Community Arts and Partnerships Manager (based at Charnwood Arts)
Helen Smith
Finance and Administration Officer
Dr Julie Attard
Charnwood Forest Programme Manager
Dr Jack Matthews
Geoheritage Conservation and Interpretation Officer
Dr Susan Kilby
Heritage Education Officer
Alison Brand-Barker
Community Engagement Officer
Nicola Middler
Community Arts and Partnerships Manager (based at Charnwood Arts)
Helen Smith
Finance and Administration Officer
Committee
Representatives of partner organisations make up the Steering Group responsible for managing the delivery of the Landscape Partnership Scheme.
Ben Devine
Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust
Emily Wood
National Farmers Union
Martin Peters
Leicestershire Promotions Ltd
James O’Brien
Leicestershire County Council
Shirley Novak
Charnwood Arts
Sam Lattaway
National Forest Company
James Dymond
Bradgate Park Trust
Roy Denney
Representing walkers and ramblers
Dave Cliffe
Voluntary Action Leicestershire
Matt Bradford
Charnwood Borough Council
Atul Patel
Independent Chair
Dr Julie Attard
Charnwood Forest Programme Manager
Helen Smith
Finance and Administration Officer
Regional Park Board
The strategic body for Charnwood Forest is the Regional Park Board which includes local authority elected members and senior officers from partner organisations. The following organisations and sectors are currently represented:
Bradgate Park Trust
Charnwood Borough Council
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council
Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust
Leicestershire County Council
Leicestershire Local Access Forum
Leicestershire Promotions Ltd
Mineral companies
National Forest Company
Natural England
North West Leicestershire District Council
Ramblers Association
Expert Advisory Panel
As we prepare our application to become a UNESCO Global Geopark, it is essential that everything we do, from interpretation to the production of educational resources, is rooted in research and science. Our Expert Advisory Panel provides advice to the Geopark on a diverse range of topics, ensuring all our projects and endeavours meet the very highest standards.
NEWS
- Geopark News
- 22nd October 2022
Charnwood Forest Chosen To Host ProGEO 2023
Read Article
- Geopark News
- 21st July 2021
More Complex Than Previously Thought: Study Reveals New Insights into Charnwood Forest’s Ancient Animal Fossils
Read Article
- Geopark News
- 30th September 2023