The Sandstone Ridge

The Sandstone Ridge Trust's objects are specifically restricted to the following:

(a) promote, enhance, improve, protect and conserve the physical and natural environment and its natural beauty for the public benefit within the area known as Cheshire’s Sandstone Ridge and its environs by but not exclusively by:

(i) habitat conservation and restoration and enhancement of the landscape;

(ii) improving the understanding of the archaeological, historical and cultural inheritance of the area of benefit;

(iii) improving awareness of the special qualities and features of the area of benefit through interpretation and improved access; and

(b) advance the education of the public in the physical and natural environment and in particular the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment, by but not exclusively by the provision of training, volunteering and educational opportunities and the development of rural skills for the public benefit.

In carrying out its objects, the Company shall promote equality of opportunity and oppose any form of discrimination on grounds of race, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or religion.

Background

The Scheme has grown from the wider Sandstone Ridge ECOnet Partnership (SREP) which had the support and funding of Cheshire County Council and other partners including Natural England, the National Trust, Cheshire Community Council, Forestry Commission and local landowners, local businesses and communities. The Sandstone Ridge is one of the county’s defining landscape features and an attractive place in which to live and work and also to visit and enjoy.  The objectives were to:

 boost the rural economy through the diversification of farm incomes and the county’s increased recreational appeal 
 increase people’s contact with nature, improving understanding and changing attitudes, as well as health and wellbeing
 encourage development and land use planning to work with, and not against, nature by using the network as guidance

Habitats and Hillforts of Cheshire’s Sandstone Ridge Landscape Partnership Scheme

The SREP project developed into the “Habitats and Hillforts of Cheshire’s Sandstone Ridge Landscape Partnership Scheme” has brought together public, private and voluntary interests to conserve and interpret the chain of historically important hill top Iron Age forts and their surrounding landscape.

Between 2008 and 2012 the County Council (post LGR 1st April 2009 Cheshire West & Chester being the lead authority) worked with local people to deliver a wide range of outputs including:

• Archaeological investigation and management of 6 Iron Age hill forts
• 40 hectares of new/restored habitats
• 1300 metres of restored hedgerows
• 700 metres of sandstone walls restored
• 700 metres of footpath improvements
• 4.1 kms of permissive access
• A range of promotional material, including booklets, leaflets, and on-site interpretational panels
• A dedicated “Habitats & Hillforts” website
• A range of events & activities including a guided walk programme, reminiscence workshop and community workshop
• Over 350 training and education days

Formation and Structure of the Trust

The Sandstone Ridge Trust is registered as a private company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act 2006 and is governed by the Articles of the Trust. The Company Number is 7673603. The SRT is registered with the Charity Commission with Number 1144470.

The Trust is run by a Board of six Trustees who are responsible for the overall management of the Trust and its finances by establishing its strategic direction; agreeing those activities with which it will be involved and monitoring progress.

The work of the Board of Trustees is supported by an (unlimited) membership of the Trust which includes those who are actively involved in the Trust’s work, as well as those who support the aims and objectives of the Trust in a generic sense.