The Parett Trail Partnership
The following organisations are represented on the River Parrett Trail Steering Committee and are partners in developing the project. Links to partners' web sites have been included where possible:
Project supported by:
Arts Council England, South West
Arts Council England works to get more art to more people in more places. We develop and promote the arts across England, acting as an independent body at arm's length from government. We invest public and National Lottery money as the bedrock of support for the arts in England through regular funding of arts organisations, open application grants, partnership working and development of targeted programmes and projects.
http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/regions/homepage.php?rid=7
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British Waterways
British Waterways offers over 2000 miles of Canals and Rivers throughout England, Scotland and Wales for boating, walking, cycling and fishing and other recreational activities.
http://www.british-waterways.org
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Cannington College (part of Bridgwater College)
We are a College of the countryside – providing education and training for anyone with a job or interests involving plants, animals and environmentally sensitive land use. Based in Canning village, our main campus is just four miles west of Bridgwater between the Quantock Hills and the sea. As well as impressive teaching, conference and residential facilities, we have an extensive working estate which acts as a living classroom.
Everyone is welcome at Cannington College, irrespective of age or background. We also have thriving centres at Yeovil, Bristol, Cricket St Thomas and Paignton. Many of our courses are available in these other locations.
http://www.bridgwater.ac.uk/landbasedstudies
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Country Land & Business Association
The Country Land & Business Association is at the core of the rural economy. The 50,000 members of the CLA have an interest in countryside issues, some with large farms and estates, others with smaller amounts of land. What they have in common is a commitment to rural life.
CLA members own and manage 60% of the countryside in England and Wales bringing benefits to those who visit and spend their leisure time in the country. Farming, the biggest rural employer 50 years ago, now employs less than half a million people. Yet almost a quarter of our population live in rural areas and a prosperous rural economy is vital for everyone's future.
The CLA is an authoritative voice on rural issues, committed to influencing the political agenda for the countryside at Westminster and in Brussels. The Association represents the views of its members to a wide variety of audiences and advises them on a broad variety of issues affecting the countryside.
http://www.cla.org.uk
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The Countryside Agency
The Countryside Agency is the statutory body working:
to conserve and enhance the countryside
to promote social equity and economic opportunity for the people who live there
to help everyone, wherever they live, to enjoy this national asset
We aim to achieve the very best for the English countryside - its people and places. We will:
lead with research and advice
influence others, especially central and local government
demonstrate ways forward through practical projects
http://www.countryside.gov.uk
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English Nature
English Nature is the statutory service responsible for looking after England's variety of wild plants and animals - the country's biodiversity - and its natural features.
http://www.english-nature.org.uk
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Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body established by the Environment Act 1995. We are sponsored by the Department of the Environment with policy links to the Welsh Office and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The Environment Agency has taken over the functions of its predecessors, the National Rivers Authority, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution, Waste Regulatory Authorities and some parts of the Department of the Environment.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
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NFU – South West Region
The National Farmers' Union is the democratic organisation representing farmers and growers in England and Wales.
Its central objective is to promote the interests of those farming businesses producing high quality food and drink products for customers and markets both at home and abroad. Central to this objective is its encouragement of environmentally-friendly and welfare conscious farming practices and a desire to ensure the long term survival of viable rural communities.
The NFU takes a close interest in the whole range of rural affairs and works with politicians and officials - both in the UK and internationally - and other groups and organisations to advance rural interests. It has particularly close links with consumer groups, countryside and wildlife bodies, animal welfare organisations and academics.
http://www.nfu.org.uk
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Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is the largest wildlife charity in Europe with almost a million members. It takes action for the conservation of wild birds and their habitats, and its work includes managing nature reserves (such as West Sedgemoor in Somerset), undertaking important research, influencing policy at a national level, education and international work.
http://www.rspb.org.uk
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Sedgemoor District Council
Sedgemoor District Council is the local government authority responsible for the area through which the River Parrett Trail runs on its northernmost stretch – from Burrowbridge to the mouth of the river on Bridgwater Bay.
As one of the full partners in this project, the Council has actively supported the enterprise, seeking to encourage the regeneration of many of the communities through which the Trail passes in a sustainable and acceptable manner to locals and visitors alike.
Several departments within the Directorate of Development Services have responsibilities for the River Parrett Trail.
The Tourism Unit of the Council together with the Tourism Units of South Somerset and Taunton Deane District Councils has been instrumental in devising, developing and promoting the trail both for local use and as a holiday destination.
Sedgemoor's Arts Officer has been active in setting up art and crafts bursarships associated with the River Trail at Bridgwater and at Cannington College and in co-ordinating local community involvement with the arts along the trail.
The Council's Rights of Way Officer is responsible for supervising the maintenance of the path, stiles and waymarking along Sedgemoor's length of the trail route.
http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk
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Somerset County Council
Somerset County Council provides a diverse range of services to the public of all ages and in all walks of life. The County Council has been in existence for over 100 years, and we look forward with enthusiasm to our future service to the people of Somerset.
The Council comprises 57 councillors, elected for four years, each representing a single electoral division. In the rural parts of the county, the divisions cover several parishes. The next election to the County Council will be in May 1997. Follow this link for a list of county councillors.
Somerset County Council's responsibilities to the local community are managed through six major committees. The committees are advised by the County Council's senior officers and by a small number of appointed experts and representatives. The committees report to the County Council. This meets on a quarterly cycle, although some committees meet more frequently. Follow these links for details of committees and dates.
Services are also provided by the District Councils in Somerset
Mendip District Council
Sedgemoor District Council
South Somerset District Council
Taunton Deane Borough Council
West Somerset District Council
http://www.somerset.gov.uk
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Somerset Wildlife Trust
The Somerset Wildlife Trust is the county's most influential environmental voluntary organisation. We are a fully independent charity with some 9,000 adult members. We actively promote the interests of Somerset's wildlife and countryside by:
Conserving wildlife through the direct management of some 69 nature reserves, totalling over 3,200 acres.
Influencing decisions on land use by providing advice to landowners and local authority planners.
Encouraging ecological attitudes with a wide ranging education programme which includes schools, publications, talks, exhibitions and campaigns.
Our headquarters are at Fyne Court in the heart of the Quantock Hills; a popular visitor centre and nature reserve.
http://www.somersetwildlife.org
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South Somerset District Council
South Somerset District Council is one of the largest District Council areas in the country covering 370m square. Its main responsibilities are housing, planning, building regulations, waste collection, elections, environmental health, footpaths, tourism, leisure and recreation. It collects the council tax and business rates on behalf of the county and parish councils and the police authority.
The district is divided into four Areas, each with their own Committee, which meet monthly and can perform any function for which the council has been given statutory authority.
Throughout the district three networked Information Centres and seven Local Information Centres provide information for visitors and the local community. Since 1986 the Tourism and Cultural Services Unit has been building on the intrinsic appeal of the countryside and has adopted a sustainable approach to develop walking and cycling packages for today's discerning visitor.
http://www.southsomerset.gov.uk
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South West Tourism
South West Tourism is a partnership of private enterprise and both local and central government. We work to encourage the promotion and development of tourism in Bath, Bristol, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
South West Tourism's web site gives the tourism industry the interactive opportunity to debate and contribute to the industry's future. It is a site for those who earn their living from tourism and who need to be up-to-date with its development.
Visitors to the site will find news, features and research information, a discussion area, and links to other important sites to help them run and promote their business.
South West Tourism, Woodwater Park, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5WT
Tel: 0870 442 0830 Fax: 0870 442 0840
http://www.swtourism.co.uk
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Take Art!
Take Art! Is Somerset's Rural Arts Development Agency – set up in 1987 to make arts experiences of the highest quality accessible to all sections of the rural community. Take Art! Achieves its aims through, firstly; the Village Performance Scheme whereby rural communities are offered the opportunity to promote touring performing art events in their local halls at subsidised rates, and secondly; running a participatory programme of long-term artists in residence in hospitals, schools, youth clubs etc.
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Taunton Deane Borough Council
Taunton Deane Borough Council aims to work with local people, enabling and encouraging them to be involved in the Councils's decision making process.
The Council offers high quality, cost effective services, open and accessible to everyone that meet community needs in a changing environment. The Council is particularly aware of the special needs of those who lack resources or face disadvantage. The Council believes in investing wisely for the future to enable a healthy environment for present and future generations.
http://www.tauntondeane.gov.uk/tourism
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West Dorset District Council Countryside and Conservation
Countryside and Conservation often input into projects such as the Parrett Trail. The Trail starts in the north of the West Dorset District Council area and they have worked on the project in partnership with others.
http://www.dorsetforyou.com
Project supported by:
Rural Development Agency
http://www.southwestrda.org.uk
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