Slides used by Jane Sills, Josh Hunter & Val Fendley, Ramsey Million as part of the workshop on ‘How to transform open spaces and local places’ organised as part of the Local Trust programme of networking and learning events for Big Local residents. The workshop was held on 13 February 2014 in Manchester. Find out more about Local Trust and this and other networking and learning events at http://www.localtrust.org.uk/ and about Ramsey Million Big Local here https://www.facebook.com/ramseymillion?fref=ts)

1. Ramsey Million Partnership
How to transform open spaces and local spaces
Thursday 13th February 2014
Ramsey Million Partnership – Big Local Ideas for Ramsey Parish

2. Ramsey Town
Ramsey Million Partnership – Big Local Ideas for Ramsey Parish

3. The Fens
Ramsey Million Partnership – Big Local Ideas for Ramsey Parish

4. Green Space within Ramsey
Ramsey Million Partnership – Big Local Ideas for Ramsey Parish

5. Our
Vision
Ramsey Million Partnership – Big Local Ideas for Ramsey Parish

6. Working towards a Community
Nature/Wildlife Garden
• You may ask why? Ramsey is in a rural area after all...
• We also have a nationally significant environmental project on
our doorstep
www.greatfen.org.uk
Ramsey Million Partnership – Big Local Ideas for Ramsey Parish

7. Here’s why 
• Despite our Big Local area being rural, this is largely agricultural
land. Footpaths and places to walk, sit and enjoy are surprisingly
limited.
• Our consultation identified that developing green spaces would
meet a number of priorities within our community plan
• Young people can get involved, receive training and learn new
skills. We see this as a great intergenerational project where
older people can pass on valuable skills and knowledge
• We want to bring an environmental wildlife garden into the
town, not only for people to enjoy but for them to get involved
in its creation and long term maintenance
• Families can get involved too and the project will link with preschools, nurseries, schools and community groups

8. • We would link with the Great Fen to help establish this
garden. We’re acknowledging that not everyone can
access the Great Fen easily, particularly if they don’t
have their own transport
• We want to develop a strategic relationship with a
major environmental project leading to further joint
working in the future

9. Support from Living Space
(formerly Capacity Global)
We asked for help to:
• Identify and secure a site for the community
nature/wildlife garden
• Help with planning how to get a team of volunteers,
and with identifying the training and support these
volunteers would need
• Plan the design and development of a green space.
We envisaged this being part of an existing,
underutilised park
Ramsey Million Partnership – Big Local Ideas for Ramsey Parish

10. Potential Site
King George V Field?
Ramsey Million Partnership – Big Local Ideas for Ramsey Parish

11. Progress during 2013
•
•
•
•
•
•
Great Fen sample photographs prepared
Andrew Ross toured potential sites
We identified likely obstacles and how we may overcome them
We prepared a report
Local interested people came forward
The Town Council raised concerns. A Councillor joined the project
group
• We addressed the concerns – did more research, consultation (door
knocked close to green spaces) and obtained quotes
• The project group and Great Fen reported back regularly to the
Amenities Committee and Full Council
• Late 2013 – Ramsey Town Council voted against the nature/wildlife
garden 
Ramsey Million Partnership – Big Local Ideas for Ramsey Parish

12. We’re still working to achieve the ‘vision’
We’re now meeting with other local landowners
Ramsey Million Partnership – Big Local Ideas for Ramsey Parish

13. Ramsey Million Partnership – Big Local Ideas for Ramsey Parish

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20. Thanks for listening. We look forward to updating you
on progress over the coming months
Jane Sills, Partnership Treasurer
Josh Jenkins, Partnership Member
Val Fendley, Community Development Worker
Ramsey Million Partnership
The Neighbourhood Office, 25 Great Whyte, Ramsey PE26 1HG
Tel: 01487 814897 / 07955817137
http://ramsey.shapeyourplace.org/ramsey-million-partnership/
www.facebook.com/ramseymillion
Ramsey Million Partnership – Big Local Ideas for Ramsey Parish