Bittern Countryside Community Interest Company

The Community Interest Company was incorporated on the 6th September 2007 with company number 6363720. A full board of nine Directors was appointed as at the 28th September and several board meetings have been held to formally develop the Company's Business Plan. The Company will be holding a launch event in the AONB on the 1st February 2008. The company will be offering shares for sale to supporters during that launch event. If you want to know more contact the Board by e-mail on bitterncic@arnsidesilverdaleaonb.org.uk

The AONB Service prepared the ground for the new organisation, with the ambition the CIC would form a third AONB body, working alongside the AONB Service and the AONB Landscape Trust, co-operating with all the existing conservation organisation active in the AONB. The AONB Executive asked the AONB Officer to act as "mid-wife" to get a Community Interest Company set up. This turned out to be a very protracted process, as it was essential to get the legal stucture right first time - to ensure the objectives for the company were viable and reduce to a minimum any risks of later changes detracting from the environmental and conservation aims established during its foundation.

The anticipated launch date for the Company was originally 31st March 2007, however this slipped considerably and the AONB Service must take full responsibility for the delays. We are very sorry if you have got fed up of waiting to hear about the Company going live, but we are now on track to go ahead with the formal launch of the company. Those who have registered an interest will be getting an invitation to the launch event just after Christmas where they will have the opportunity purchase shares in the Company and become shareholding members of the company with the rights to vote on company policy and activities and potentially receive dividends on their investment.

The Board of Directors have held several meetings, and will be signing off the company prospectus and share offer document, during the first week of January 2008. Members of the AONB Landscape Trust were able to register their interest in becoming shareholders ahead of the launch following the issue of the first CIC newsletter posted out in the recent issue of the journal "Keer to Kent". In order to be a shareholder you must be an existing member of the following bodies:

• Arnside/Silverdale AONB Landscape Trust
• RSPB (member resident within the AONB)
• National Trust (member resident within the AONB)
• Woodland Trust (member resident within the AONB)
• Cumbria Wildlife Trust (member resident within the AONB)
• Lancashire Wildlife Trust (member resident within the AONB)

Community Interest Companies (CICs) are a fairly new kind of incorporated body created by legislation in 2005, along the lines of a normal limited company, which can operate commercially but are required to re-invest their profits in the community they serve rather than rewarding a few individuals who control the company. CICs are often termed "Not-for-Profit" companies, which isn't strictly true as they should be profitable - and indeed must be if they are to deliver benefits in the long term after grant funding dries up - but their motive for profit is not private gain but community benefit.

These new companies have came into being following a new rules for Companies introduced in 2005. The success of the US "Not-for-Profit" sector, convinced the Government that the current "corporate" structures available to the voluntary and social enterprise sector, such as being a Registered Charity, an Industrial and Provident Society or a Co-operative were failing to deliver maximum benefits due to the necessarily restrictive laws applying to these bodies.

If you want to know more about the Community Interest Company or become involved in any way - contact the AONB Officer on 01524 761034 or email him at bittern@arnsidesilverdaleaonb.org.uk

Hedgelaying Competition

The AONB Service promoted the first round of the Lancashire & Westmorland Hedgelaying Association Grand Prix at the Wildlife Oasis adjacent to the A6 at Hale, just within the AONB. The event took place on Saturday 17th November 2007 and attracted a good entry, although the weather was a little disappointing on the day! The Open Class was won by Andrew Kirkwood of Endmoor, with Robert Bell placed second. Andrew also won "Best Hedge of the Day". The Intermediate class was won by Dariusz Kownakil and the best entry in the Young Farmers class was Henry Knowles of Grayrigg YFC.

The next round is on the 19th January 2008 at Myerscough College in Lancashire

For further details of the other Grand Prix locations and dates or for other information about the traditional craft of hedgelaying, please contact the Secretary of the Lancashire & Westmorland Hedgelaying Association, Sue Ritchie on email spritchie@telecomplus.org.uk

Volunteers

The Volunteers Gathering was held in early December, and maked the end of another very active year for the AONB Volunteer team.

The social gathering is a chance for all the volunteers to get together, enjoy a buffet meal and share experiences. The diverse roles played by volunteers means that some have little contact with each other during the year unless they are part of our regular work party day teams. The Gathering draws together everyones contribution and a slide talk highlights the many achievements of the past year's activities.