Updated August 2026 – Here’s a summary of projects I’m working on:
Open and Sustainable Church Heritage
Strategic project development with Newcastle Diocese to evolve and expand the Rural Churches for Everyone Project across Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside. Support PCC charity trustees and their volunteers to simplify how they sustainably manage the built, natural and social heritage of the churches and churchyards in their care.
Beltingham Ancient Yews
Researching and reclaiming the Beltingham Ancient Yews – the three largest (and oldest?) yew trees in Northumberland. At risk from iron bands constricting the trunk, and a simple lack of knowledge about the complexities of their 2000+ year old ecosystems.
Transforming Land Management
Formative evaluation of Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s land management advice service, focussing on the Northern Wildlife Corridor, as part of their national programme to progress sustainable agriculture.
Northumberland Peat Partnership
Leading educational visits to the bogs at the foot of Cheviot on the College Valley estate on behalf of the Northumberland Peat Partnership
Sustaining Historic Churches
Supporting Edmundbyers, Whittonstall and other PCCs to develop their plans, gain permissions, and raise funds to keep their volunteer run churches open and sustainable, and at the core of their communities.
Upwilding Half Acres
Regenerative management of our three acres: originally a pheasant farm, now blooming with a hay meadow, productive hedges, ponds, mini miyawaki forests, orchard, and a developing permaculture garden.
Yvonne Conchie 