A CALENDAR bursting with stunning images of the Tamar Valley and news of work carried out to conserve the landscape was launched this month.
The calendar, which contains local folklore, recipes, facts and figures, and wildlife, is the new format for the annual review of the Tamar Valley AONB Service, detailing their achievements over the last year.
Their activities have included land management advice, education and arts, orchard promotion and market gardening research.
The calendar was unveiled during their recent annual conference at Cotehele Barn Restaurant.
Charlotte Maunder, of the Tamar Valley AONB Service, said the new style annual review made it much more interesting than an ordinary document.
?It has made wonderful use of the stunning photographs we have of the Tamar Valley while enabling us to communicate our messages more effectively,? she said.
The conference included a talk on Cotehele by property manager Lewis Eynon, and John Goodridge, of Morwellham Quay and Tamar Valley Trust, spoke about the impact of the Bedford estate on the valley.
Naomi Pakley, of DEFRA, who attended the meeting, said: ?It was extremely interesting to hear about the valley in its historic context, and how important it was in shaping the landscape.?
The new calendar is available free of charge to anyone interested in the work of the AONB Service, and can be ordered by phoning 01822 610676.
l FOLLOWING from the success of last year?s event, a new photographic competition is being launched by Tamar Valley Tourism Association.
Last year?s theme was ?Bridges of the Tamar Valley?, which attracted lots of entries ? this year the organisers hope ?Life in the Tamar Valley? will be even more successful.
Margaret Blake, chairman of TAVATA, said: ?We?re hoping that people will be inspired to take photos that represent all aspects of life in the valley.
?It could be wildlife, or pictures of people going about their everyday life, or taking part in one of the many traditional events that take place throughout the year.
?Last year?s competition was very successful and we hope that more schools and photographic groups will join in this year.?
There are three age groups, up to age eleven, 12 to 18 and over 18. Pictures must be a maximum of 10in by 8in and should not be mounted or framed. They can be taken on traditional or digital cameras, but digital images should be a minimum of 1024 x 768 pixels, maximum 2560 x 1920 pixels.
Due to the overwhelming success of last year?s competition, entries are restricted to four photos per person.
The closing date of the competition is May 31, 2004. Entry forms and more information is available from Tamar Valley Marketing, Kilworthy Park, Tavistock, Devon PL19 0BZ, telephone 01822 813622 or e-mail: