14/03/2003
Beach company helps 'Green Lanes' restoration project
One of the UK's leading beach cafe and shop operators has recently made a second donation to help South Hams District Council to restore ancient pathways and green lanes in the area.
The Venus Company, based at Stoke Fleming, near Dartmouth, sold over 65,000 chocolate flakes and cups of tea last year to raise over £3,700 to help boost green tourism in the South Hams.
Over the past two years, the Company has donated over £8,000 to South Hams District Council's (SHDC) Green Tourism Business Scheme as part of its commitment to the area's 'On The Right Tracks' green lanes improvement project.
The funds have helped SHDC to complete essential hedge cutting at the ancient boundary track of Blackberry Lane, Bigbury On Sea, one of 25 'green lanes' walks to be featured in a book of South Hams walks to be published in May.
Keith Rennells, Countryside Recreation Officer for the SHDC's Coast & Countryside Service, said: "This is good news. We are grateful for the sponsorship of The Venus Company.
"It has enabled us to cut hedges at Blackberry Lane and restore the track to its original width. This will make it easier for us to complete maintenance work in the future, when we hope to do some traditional coppicing and hedge-laying.."
The Venus Company raised funds by asking 250,000 customers to make a 5p voluntary contribution for each cup of tea and chocolate flake sold through its 3 beach cafes at the award winning Blackpool Sands and at Bigbury On Sea and East Portlemouth near Salcombe.
Michael Smith said: "We're absolutely delighted to present this cheque for £3,761 as part of our ongoing commitment to green tourism in the South Hams. We are pleased to support initiatives to bring more visitors to the area and create facilites for their and local residents' enjoyment."
SHDC Executive member for tourism, Councillor Rosemary Rowe, said: "The South Hams is set to become the UK's top green tourism destination because local businesses, the council and local people are working together."
"The Venus Company is now starting the third year of its support for 'On The Right Tracks' project to restore a unique network of peaceful and serene 'green lanes' and byways in the South Hams to their former glory for the future enjoyment of local people and visitors.
Many of the 191 green lanes are eroded, storm damaged and overgrown. Some of the lanes and byways are impassable and others are in danger of disappearing altogether.
The Venus Company is a Gold Award winner under the South Hams Green Tourism Business Scheme, which is backed by a variety of organisations, including the Countryside Agency, Devon County Council, South West Tourism and led by South Hams District Council.
The organisers of the pilot project are trying to win more support from the business sector for the scheme, which promotes the South Hams as a 'green' tourism destination.
The scheme provides support, guidance and advice to help local businesses such as The Venus Company to save money and improve their environmental management. An increasing number of businesses are becoming involved in the scheme, due to the wide range of benefits provided.
More information on the Green Tourism Business Scheme, which includes the 'On The Right Tracks' initiative, can be obtained from the South Hams District Council's Green Tourism Officer on 01803 861234.
END
The Venus Company, based at Stoke Fleming, near Dartmouth, sold over 65,000 chocolate flakes and cups of tea last year to raise over £3,700 to help boost green tourism in the South Hams.
Over the past two years, the Company has donated over £8,000 to South Hams District Council's (SHDC) Green Tourism Business Scheme as part of its commitment to the area's 'On The Right Tracks' green lanes improvement project.
The funds have helped SHDC to complete essential hedge cutting at the ancient boundary track of Blackberry Lane, Bigbury On Sea, one of 25 'green lanes' walks to be featured in a book of South Hams walks to be published in May.
Keith Rennells, Countryside Recreation Officer for the SHDC's Coast & Countryside Service, said: "This is good news. We are grateful for the sponsorship of The Venus Company.
"It has enabled us to cut hedges at Blackberry Lane and restore the track to its original width. This will make it easier for us to complete maintenance work in the future, when we hope to do some traditional coppicing and hedge-laying.."
The Venus Company raised funds by asking 250,000 customers to make a 5p voluntary contribution for each cup of tea and chocolate flake sold through its 3 beach cafes at the award winning Blackpool Sands and at Bigbury On Sea and East Portlemouth near Salcombe.
Michael Smith said: "We're absolutely delighted to present this cheque for £3,761 as part of our ongoing commitment to green tourism in the South Hams. We are pleased to support initiatives to bring more visitors to the area and create facilites for their and local residents' enjoyment."
SHDC Executive member for tourism, Councillor Rosemary Rowe, said: "The South Hams is set to become the UK's top green tourism destination because local businesses, the council and local people are working together."
"The Venus Company is now starting the third year of its support for 'On The Right Tracks' project to restore a unique network of peaceful and serene 'green lanes' and byways in the South Hams to their former glory for the future enjoyment of local people and visitors.
Many of the 191 green lanes are eroded, storm damaged and overgrown. Some of the lanes and byways are impassable and others are in danger of disappearing altogether.
The Venus Company is a Gold Award winner under the South Hams Green Tourism Business Scheme, which is backed by a variety of organisations, including the Countryside Agency, Devon County Council, South West Tourism and led by South Hams District Council.
The organisers of the pilot project are trying to win more support from the business sector for the scheme, which promotes the South Hams as a 'green' tourism destination.
The scheme provides support, guidance and advice to help local businesses such as The Venus Company to save money and improve their environmental management. An increasing number of businesses are becoming involved in the scheme, due to the wide range of benefits provided.
More information on the Green Tourism Business Scheme, which includes the 'On The Right Tracks' initiative, can be obtained from the South Hams District Council's Green Tourism Officer on 01803 861234.
END