Chase to hold key conference

Delegates from all over the country will be flocking to Staffordshire for a national conference. Despite being the smallest mainland designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Cannock Chase will co-host the conference.

The National Association of AONB's annual conference will see a visit and speech by Jonathan Shaw MP, Under Secretary of State for the Environment. Other speakers include Geraint George, of the Countryside Council for Wales and Andrew Wood, of Natural England.

Residents and local groups need to register by June 5 if they want to send representatives along to hear and debate about the plans in store for the Chase.

Ruth Hytch, Cannock Chase AONB officer, said: "It's definitely a coup for Cannock Chase as the jewel in the crown for the Midlands.

"To be co-host of the national conference gives everyone the chance to understand and enjoy the AONB and to raise awareness about our plans."

It also ties in with the AONB's 50th anniversary celebrations which have been taking place throughout the year.

As part of the conference there will be different field trips out to the Chase on offer including a tour of historic sites from the Iron Age to the Second World War Training Camps, a look into the pleasures of walking and cycling opportunities available starting from the Forestry Commission Visitor Centre at Birches Valley, and a look into the beauty and management of the heathland areas at Shoal Hill Common and Gentleshaw Common.

As Cannock Chase AONB is co-hosting alongside Malvern Hills and Shropshire Hills AONB then there will also be field trips to their locations.

For more information about how to register as a delegate and for prices for the conference log onto www.aonb.org.uk