We thought that it was about time that we introduced our four Westmorland Dales Scheme apprentices who joined us earlier this year. We don't think that their feet have touched the ground yet as they are being kept busy under the stewardship of Belinda Lloyd the scheme's apprentice supervisor. 


Pictured above left to right: Billy, Sarah, Abbi and Rebekah

Billy, Sarah, Abbi and Rebekah have taken up the first of nine work-based apprenticeships in environmental management and cultural heritage conservation being funded by the Westmorland Dales scheme which also includes certificated vocational training. The apprenticeships will provide them with the skills to conserve special features of their local area and deliver substantial heritage and conservation gains during the lifetime of this project.

    

 

The local availability of key countryside management skills is increasingly difficult to find or develop. In addition rural communities are trying to adapt to the rapidly changing economics of their areas; one consequence being the dramatic loss of skilled individuals from the Dales. 

We're delighted to see our apprentices out in the Westmorland Dales working on a wide variety of activities and beginning to develop management skills which will benefit the Westmorland Dales and provide a great resource for the future.

• Plug planting at Coatflatts Farm
• Dry stone walling at Mazonwath
• Repairing leaky dams at Tebay Gill
• Tree surveying at Crosby Ravensworth
• Abrasive Wheels and Brushcutter training course
• Great Asby Archaeology Survey
• Sphagnum transplantation on Tebay fell
• Restoring limestone grassland at Smardale