For info: Cornish Woodmeet Lanivet February 23rd, 2017, 18.00 – 20.00

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

Dear Woodmeet Member

 

Happy New Year to you all.

 

At a time of continuing uncertainty we thought it would be useful to provide some certainty. And so I am pleased to tell you that the next Woodmeet will be held at:

 

Lakeview, Lanivet on Thursday February 23rd, 2017, 18.00 – 20.00

 

As always this will be an opportunity to network as well as catch up with current issues. We thought that this meeting would not concentrate on ‘funding opportunities’ (although it may still crop up!).

 

· We are inviting a senior member of the John Clegg & Co team to give a UK perspective on the woodland/forestry economy and especially how management can improve the value of woodlands.

 

· Kate Tobin will be providing an update on the revision of the South West Directory of Woodland Products and Services (South West Directory of Woodland Products and Services - South West Directory of Woodland Products and Services) and how it can help your business.

 

· Royal Cornwall Show – An opportunity to showcase Cornish Forestry and wood sector (Geraint Richards)

 

· Fowey Valley Resilient Treescape Project (Woodland Trust)

 

· Tree Health – a brief update

 

· Open Session – For ideas on the future of Woodmeet and information for other members

 

As if that wasn’t sufficient reason to attend, the Forestry Commission have kindly agreed to sponsor the evening and will provide a pasty (each) and coffee. To help with catering it would be helpful if you could let me know whether you are attending and require a meat or vegetarian pasty: [email protected]

 

Other News:

 

LEADER funding opportunities:

 

All of the LEADER Areas in Cornwall have allocated funds to help forestry businesses as we have previously heard. There has been little or no take up of these funds so far and they may be re-allocated. If you are interested in accessing this funding please contact the Project Co-ordinators via their website as soon as possible (Local Action Cornwall | LEADER funding) .

 

USE IT OR LOSE IT!

 

Countryside Stewardship - 2017 offer

 

Woodland Creation

 

The Woodland Creation guidance including the manual; application form and annex 2 are now available on GOV.UK, the window for initial applications will open on 3 January 2017. There are no significant changes to the scheme so please get in touch with your local Woodland Officer to talk to us about submitting good proposals to help get the most from your scoring. We are offering a webinar for customers on 20 December 2016 from 10:00-11:30, covering Countryside Stewardship capital grants 2017, woodland creation and woodland planning grant. Please register for this event.

 

Woodland Planning

 

A new application form and associated guidance for Countryside Stewardship Woodland Planning Grant will be available on GOV.UK, week beginning 19 December 2016. This forms part of a new streamlined process, with applications being sent to Natural England Technical Services (NE TS). There are no significant changes to the grant, although an online application route will be available in early 2017. Processing new applications for 2017 will begin on 3 January 2017; however, you will be able to submit your application to Natural England Technical Services as soon as the form is available on GOV.UK.

 

Once you have an approved Woodland Planning Grant you can then begin field surveys and draft your Management Plan. The Forestry Commission will continue to support agreement holders producing a UK Forestry Standard - compliant management plan for their woodland. You have up to two calendar years to complete your plan (the year in which your grant was approved is the first calendar year) and submit it to the Forestry Commission. Please submit your plan for approval as soon as it is completed or at the very latest by 31 December of the second calendar year.

 

Woodland Tree Health, applications are still open

 

You can still apply for Woodland Tree Health (restoration or improvement), please see the Woodland Support page of GOV.UK for eligibility and application forms.

 

For more information please see the Forestry Commission Countryside Stewardship webpage and the GOV.UK page on Woodland Support or contact your local Woodland Officer.

 

I look forward to seeing you at Lakeview on 23rd.

 

Yours sincerely

 

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Colin Hawke

Secretary, Cornish Woodmeet

 

Tel: 01872 510370 Email: [email protected]

[Stihl Unknown]

you going Kev?