Boris Learns Of Challenges For The Chilterns

THAME’S MP, Boris Johnson, came face-to-face with some of the challenges facing the wilder parts of his constituency last Friday (23/11), when he visited the HQ of The Chilterns Conservation Board, in Chinnor.
He officially opened its newly installed, state-of-the-art, energy saving solar photovoltaic roof panels and meter.
Boris was welcomed by staff and Board members, including Chairman, Sir Johnie Johnson, and presented energy-saving light bulbs to Lewknor – the first Parish to take advantage of a free offer to supply them to all Parishes within the Chilterns Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Accepting the bulbs on behalf of The Lewknor Chiltern Gateway Project were Jane Pendlenton and Mary Farrow who work with St Margaret’s church, Lewknor and the young people of the village on conservation action.

Boris then officially unveiled a meter in the entrance to the CCB’s Headquarters which showed how many kilowatts were currently being produced by the solar panels on what was not a particularly sunny day – enough for six light bulbs. It was explained that the idea of giving away the free light bulbs was to help someone else reduce their carbon footprint – in other words, Carbon Off-setting.

Boris was then given a presentation showing the future challenges facing the Chilterns, which it happens, are mainly in his constituency. These included land ownership becoming more fragmented, high cereal prices adding to the cost of livestock feed, less sheep grazing and lifestock farming, an increase in arable land, the cultivation of field margins with consequences for wildlife life, the loss of carbon locked in the soil, changes in the landscape as more new landowners with horses move into the area requiring more pasture land, economic changes affecting woodland including higher timber prices and newly bought small parcels being fenced around, increasing demand for wood fuel and a decline in land management skills.
These factors apart, it seems that environmental and climate changes are likely to see more trees being blown down because of an increase in gales and waterlogged soil, bluebells declining if Springs and Summers become hotter and erratic rain-fall – a particular problem for the vunerable chalk streams in the area.
Apparently, familiar woodland species could be replaced by hoopoo birds from mainland Europe, swallowtail butterflies and even wild boar!
Other changes likely to affect the Chilterns AONB are an increase in the number of new houses being built -an area where design and the choice of materials will become especially important, and a shortage of Heritage skills. Because of a general increase in urbanisation, there will, it seems, be a need for more accessibility to the area including facilities for the disabled and others to encourage walking and cycling from home.

Boris expressed his admiration for the work of the Board and wishing everyone concerned the best of luck in raising continued funding from its main benefactor, Natural England, he said: “May the sun shine on your endeavours!”