We are delighted to have two speakers from the Blackdown Hills Parish Network attending the Annual Parish Meeting this week.

Do come along and find out more about their work. Everyone is welcome.

From their website:

The Blackdown Hills could be described as a hidden area. Even though it is distinctive in many ways, and a National Landscape, people often do not treat it as a unique district, a whole.Covering two counties, it has four MPs and all the problems that such a diverse local government system incurs.

Any kind of cohesion and planning is challenging and despite the National Landscape (previously AONB) organisation having a Blackdowns wide role, there is a vital need for the 39 parishes involved to work together for their own benefit, as well as any adjoining parishes who are aligned with the Blackdown Hills, and share similar concerns.

Working together is the only way we will preserve the Blackdown Hills and its unique way of life, landscape, history and culture. Working together gives us a place at the table when strategic and important issues arise. Working together gives us a voice which is increasingly getting heard. All associated parishes have a role to play, and voices to be heard.

Blackdown Hills Parish Network