The final stage of a three-year EU-funded project to promote rural tourism on both sides of the Channel will get under way when organisers meet in Boulogne next month.

It will report how the Transmanche Green Network scheme has benefitted two areas in Kent, the Romney Marsh and Reculver  and one in France, the Arena environment centre, near Boulogne.


Shepway District Council, Canterbury City Council, Discover Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh, Kent Wildlife Trust, Communaute d'agglomeration du Boulonnais and the Boulogne Shepway Co-operation Organisation (BOSCO+)  have all been involved in the project, worth almost 700,000 Euros to the three areas.

BOSCO+ manager Lynn Dockar, co-ordinator of the scheme, said that it had been a huge success and would leave its beneficiaries with tangible and long-lasting legacies.

Members of the TGN organising team check progress on the construction of a replica of an eighteenth-century looker's  hut at the Romney Marsh Visitor Centre. At the window: Chris Kirkham (Discover Folkestone, Hythe & Romney Marsh) with, left to right, Maxime Thorel and Isa Benard (Communaute d'agglomeration du Boulonnais; Dave Ilsley (Shepway District Council); Stephen Humphrey (Kent Wildlife Trust); Catherine Canova-Ramet (CAB); Pascal Lenglet (translator)

"Immense credit is due to the first-class teamwork of the organising group, comprising representatives of local authorities, educational, tourism and environmental organisations in Kent and northern France. Their input of expertise and ideas have brought the objectives of the TGN - to raise public awareness of opportunities for green tourism and the need for environmental conservation to life in ways which which everyone can understand.

"Nine members of the planning team - more have been involved from time to time - met recently in Folkestone to finalise arrangements for autumn events which will close the scheme. They will present full reports at a seminar and press conference in Boulogne on October 6."

Discover Folkestone, Hythe & Romney Marsh manager Chris Kirkham said that the trans-frontier project had achieved all its PR objectives.

"There is now much greater awareness of the rural attractions of three areas which offer completely different leisure experiences. The appeal of the unique nature reserves and countryside of the Romney Marsh has received - and will continue to derive - a great boost.

"One of the legacies of the project is a new attraction at the Romney Marsh Visitor Centre - a replica of a Looker's hut, a primitive brick-built shelter used by shepherds in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It will be completed shortly and visitors will be able to see how they lived and listen to video tapes of shepherds' tales. Details of the launch programme, which will include sheep shearing demonstrations and other events, will be announced shortly.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©