Our Green Space is a Cumbria-wide three-year partnership project running from January 2008 to December 2010. The project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund’s ‘Your Heritage’ grant scheme managed by Friends of the Lake District in partnership with Action With Communities in Cumbria.

Aims
The project aims to celebrate and enhance the heritage, cultural, environmental and community value of our green spaces in Cumbria for all to enjoy. It will work with selected community groups to develop a common vision so that after three years other groups may use this information to develop their own green spaces.

Background
The project has come about after several years of research, consultation and discussions with communities, partners and local organisations. For the purpose of this project green spaces are areas of land that are in or near to towns and villages and that are valued by the community. They include registered village greens, informal recreation areas, grassy verges etc

Communities
There are five community partners representing different green spaces across the county. Each community has a project plan to carry out a mixture of groundwork, access and interpretation, historical research, activities and events on and about their green space.
Asby The community of Great and Little Asby have devised a mainly historical based project working closely with the village school, local crafts people and volunteers. They will celebrate this historical work with small events like well dressing and felt making.

Green Heart Den, Marsh St Arches, (Barrow-in-Furness)
Working with schools, youth and community groups to regenerate an old railway yard to create public access and a landscaped community garden, and so to celebrate its social and industrial history.

Burgh By Sands (Carlisle)
Landscaping of a new village green for recreation, sports, events, wildlife and access, and to celebrate its cultural and historical importance giving a permanent historic resource.

Newbiggin (Eden)
Restoration of two historic wells and their surroundings for wildlife, access, village events and heritage interpretation.

Wasdale (Copeland) Nether Wasdale and Wasdale Head
Restoration and interpretation of the village green through drainage works and restoring the maypole. A celebration of the heritage and culture of the green with an annual May fest.

For more information go to the Our Green Space website which has information packs on the development and management of green space ready for download.
http://www.ourgreenspace.org.uk