The Greenlink story

Originally known as the Urban Fringe Project, Greenlink started out in the mid-‘80s as a precursor to the modern ranger service seen in most local authorities today, working on countryside management projects throughout South East Dorset.

By the ‘90s most authorities had developed their own countryside ranger services. Under its current name, the Greenlink partnership adapted to work as a more strategic body, helping six authorities to develop coordinated cross boundary policies and priorities across the area.   Greenlink has produced the ‘Greenlink Guide’ since 1991 and went on to produce and distribute 15,000 copies of the ‘Dorset on Your Doorstep’ magazine.

Historically Greenlink has enjoyed strong financial support from the Countryside Agency and over a 3 year period commencing in 1999, received central government grants in the region of £100,000 towards the development of non-motorised routes (Greenways) as one of nine national demonstration projects.

Other projects included the renovation and promotion of medium/long distant walking routes in the area; the ‘Action for Heaths’ education and awareness campaign; promoting the use of public transport to access the countryside and using the countryside to promote healthy living.

Just when Greenlink was starting to produce really tangible results on the ground with the opening of the Bourne and Mude Valley Greenways, the Countryside Agency withdrew its 50% (£40,000) core funding to the partnership in 2002. Since this time the partnership has been operating on financial contribution from partner local authorities and balancing its budget from its reserves.

In 2004 the Greenlink Project Coordinator took up a new appointment with a partnering authority. At the same time another of the partners was forced to reduce its level of financial contribution.

It was unrealistic for Greenlink to expect to receive the same levels of core external funding as enjoyed in previous years when it worked so successfully with the Countryside Agency, and further reductions in the levels of core funding from existing partners were expected due to budgetary constraints.

As a result it became impossible for the Greenlink project to maintain its current structure and way of working and partners were forced to make the post of Greenlink Assistant Project Coordinator (Catherine Annetts) redundant on 31 March 2005.  

The Way Forward

Over the years Greenlink had been responsible for the creation of two long distance walks and three Greenways. Clearly these facilities needed to be managed and the relevant local authority took responsibility for the management of those elements of the routes that fall within its administrative area.

Catherine Annetts, who contributed so much to the Bourne Valley Greenway, took up a post with Dorset County Council to work on the Dorset Coast & Countryside Magazine.

Dorset Coast and Countryside Magazine

In 2005 Dorset County Council’s Countryside Service underwent an internal structural review and as a part of that review combined its publications with those of Greenlink, creating an inclusive countrywide information service both in print and online.

The Dorset Countryside Guide, Dorset on your Doorstep, the AONB’s Dorset View and Jurassic Coast Walks and Events Guide combined to produce one innovative, fresh publication aimed at visitors and local people alike - Dorset Coast and Countryside Magazine.

This 48-page, full-colour publication is produced twice a year – with summer and winter editions - and includes features, articles and a comprehensive events listing. 

The first issue appeared in April 2005.  The publication is available in pdf format from the Dorset Countryside website.

EMail: c.annetts@dorsetcc.gov.uk