A community archaeology project run by the North Pennines AONB Partnership has been so successful that it has had the go-ahead to come up with new ideas for digging into the past – and organisers are looking to the public to suggest ancient mysteries they would like to solve.

North Pennines AONB Partnership archaeological dig at Westgate, Weardale © NPAP/Paul Frodsham

During 2011 the North Pennines AONB Partnership ran a pilot phase of its Altogether Archaeology project, which attracted more than 400 volunteers from all over the region.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has now awarded the AONB Partnership a grant to develop a programme of archaeological fieldwork and other events so that the volunteers can undertake more exciting work over the next three years.

Highlights of the pilot phase included excavations at Westgate Castle in Weardale, a survey of the splendid archaeological landscape of Holwick in Upper Teesdale, the survey and excavation at Muggleswick Grange near Castleside in County Durham, the investigation of a prehistoric burial site on Appleby golf course and the excavation of the Maiden Way Roman road near Alston, both in Cumbria.

The AONB Partnership’s Historic Environment Officer Paul Frodsham said: “Key to the success of the pilot project has been the fantastic commitment and enthusiasm of our community volunteers. Our recent day conference which was the culmination of the pilot project was one of the most enjoyable archaeological events I have ever attended.

Paul continued: “This work has been fascinating, but has also demonstrated the potential, and in some cases the need, for more work to further our understanding while also informing future landscape management.”

Working with the volunteers and numerous partners including English Heritage, Natural England, the Northumberland National Park Authority, and the Universities of Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne, Paul is devising a series of exciting ideas for the new project and looking at ways to bring the newly uncovered history of the North Pennines to new audiences. These will then go forward to the Heritage Lottery Fund for consideration.

Current fieldwork proposals include surveys and excavations to investigate:

• the first people who lived in the North Pennines after the end of the Ice Age 10,000 years ago
• the first farmers of about 6,000 years ago
• relations between Romans and native communities from the 1st to the early 5th centuries AD
• the mysterious centuries after the end of Roman rule and before the Norman Conquest of 1066
• The great hunting forests and deer parks of medieval times
• The origins and history of the North Pennines lead industry.

Paul said: “We’d really like to hear from people who have always been curious about a place near their village or town, which perhaps has a legend attached to it or has mysterious lumps and bumps in the ground which might have been an ancient settlement of some kind. Wherever possible, suggestions from the public will be worked into the project programme.

“We’re also planning events specifically for children, so that they can also get involved in exploring the North Pennines’ past.”

The project is open to everyone with an interest in the archaeology of the North Pennines, and attracts volunteers from Tyneside, Teesside and further afield as well as residents of the AONB’s towns and villages. New volunteers are always welcome, though the new project, if it secures the necessary funding, will not actually get underway until autumn this year.

Anyone who has any ideas for work they would like to see included within the project should contact Paul Frodsham during February at the AONB Partnership office in Stanhope on 01388 528801 or email pfrodsham@northpenninesaonb.org.uk

Restoration of the wooden masts of Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory, reached a milestone recently as the top sections were removed as part of a repair scheme that could take 18 months to complete.

With her topmasts down, Victory looks much as she did after the Battle of Trafalgar. Pic - Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

The work, at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, is being carried out by contractors and staff working for BAE Systems.

Bell Rigging have been overseeing the work as the ship’s three masts, bowsprit and rigging have all been dismantled over the summer.

The last time HMS Victory was seen without her top masts was back in 1944. For many visitors to the naval dockyard this is a once in a life time opportunity to see HMS Victory undergoing such extreme maintenance.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy’s Director General, Professor Dominic Tweddle said: “Watching the team painstakingly disassemble the rigging and masts of HMS Victory has been heart stopping at times!

“To do this intricate work, while still keeping Victory open to the public, has been a logistical masterpiece.

“Interestingly, with her topmasts are down, Victory will look much as she did after the Battle of Trafalgar when she had to be towed to Gibraltar for repairs.”

The mast project is only one part of a larger restoration scheme that could take ten years to complete.

Most of the highly skilled operation has been carried out by master shipwrights and other specialist staff employed by BAE Systems who, while operating on the cutting edge of technology on modern warships, maintain the age-old wooden shipbuilding skills.

John O Sullivan, BAE Systems Project Manager for HMS Victory, is in charge of the maintenance: “We have removed the upper sections of all three masts and bowsprit, booms, yards and spars, including 26 miles of associated rigging and 768 wooden blocks, some of which are 100 years old. We will then catalogue and document everything for future surveying, design and replacement.

When the rigging is replaced a decision will be made as to whether the wooden rope blocks can be re-used, recycled or replaced. Our team will carefully manage this major restoration project, keeping disruption to a minimum.”

Alongside the ship – still the flagship of the Second Sea Lord – in dry dock in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the National Museum of the Royal Navy have opened a new interactive exhibition, Bones of Oak & Iron – Beneath Victory’s Skin, exploring how HMS Victory was originally built in 1759, how she was preserved and cared for in war and peace and the restoration process that will cover the next ten years.

The exhibition is FREE to enter.

Owners and occupiers of historic buildings in the Yorkshire Dales National Park will have a chance later this month to get expert advice on how to look after them.

A special, one-day event has been organised by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) at Gayle Mill on October 22 – and places are being snapped up fast.

Gaby Rose, the YNDPA’s Building Conservation Officer, said: “The event always proves to be very popular, and once again we have a very full programme of speakers who will cover a wide range of topics.

“The day is split into three sections – the architecture of historic buildings, historic buildings in modern life and the maintenance and construction of historic buildings – and we hope people will go away with a huge amount of useful information.”

Speakers at the event are Gayle Mill’s Heritage Education and Training Co-ordinator Samantha Belcher, historic buildings consultant Jonathan Ratter, conservation architect James Innerdale, and historic buildings contractor Kevin Woods.

There will be an entrance fee of £15 per person that will include a buffet lunch and tea and coffee.

Gayle Mill is an 18th century listed building which still contains much of its original machinery. It has been carefully restored and is run by the Gayle Mill Trust as a visitor attraction and skills centre.

Places are limited so booking is essential. Cheques should be made payable to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and sent to the YDNPA’s Yoredale offices in Bainbridge, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 3EL.

Further information can be obtained by phoning 01969 652 354 or emailing herinfo@yorkshiredales.org.uk.

Lottery grants of almost £5m will enable the future of the former wartime code breaking site, Bletchley Park to be secured.

The investment will enable the restoration of iconic code breaking huts 1, 3 and 6 and create a world-class visitor centre and exhibition in the currently derelict Block C as soon as £1.7 million in match funding has been raised.

Not only will this development allow the conservation of buildings of highly-significant heritage value, it will considerably improve the educational offering and visitor experience at Bletchley Park, according to the Bletchley Park Trust.

Bletchley Park, home of the Codebreakers, is arguably one of Britain’s most important 20th century historical sites.

When the Codebreakers wrote to Churchill, in October 1941, starved of resources to do their essential work, Churchill immediately ordered, “Action this day!  Make sure they have all they want on extreme priority and report to me that this had been done”.

Exactly seventy years on it is resonant that the Heritage Lottery Fund are doing as Churchill asked.

Code breaking huistory

Bletchley Park helped to shape the course of the twentieth century by giving the allies a critical edge in WW2, and foreshadowing the technological revolution that was to follow.

Throughout the war, against seemingly impossible odds and in total secrecy, the Bletchley Park Codebreakers systematically broke what was the backbone of Germany’s communications cypher system – Enigma – and the even more complex cypher system used by Hitler and his High Command – Lorenz.

During its post-war years of secrecy and neglect, Bletchley Park and many of its codebreaking huts and blocks quietly descended into near-dereliction; today they welcome 130,000 visitors a year.

The ambition of the Bletchley Park Trust is to complete the restoration of the site, and to tell its story to the highest modern standards.

The late Professor Richard Holmes said, “The work here at Bletchley Park… was utterly fundamental to the survival of Britain and to the triumph of the West.  I’m not actually sure that I can think of very many other places where I could say something as unequivocal as that.  This is sacred ground.  If this isn’t worth preserving, what is?”

Carole Souter, Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said, “The complex story of Bletchley Park revolves around a group of dedicated men and women who quietly worked away with no expectation of public recognition.

“Now, more than sixty years later, the Trust will bring to life fascinating tales of the ground-breaking work that took place in this sprawling country estate.

“I cannot think of a better use of Heritage Lottery Fund money than to support this project and, in so doing, honour the memory of all who were involved.”

Bletchley Park is to host a photographic exhibition called “Churchill’s Finest Hour 1940 – 1945”, produced by Danish photographer, Niels Bjerre.

Sir Winston Churchill famously visited Bletchley Park in secret on 6 September 1941 to see the work of the codebreakers.  It was after this eventful visit that he released more funding for the work taking place at Bletchley Park, which enabled them to continue their work that shortened the war by two years.

The late John Herivel, a codebreaker at Bletchley Park, described the visit as “Our Finest Hour” and had the honour of being introduced to the Prime Minister. He describes the visit in his book Herivelismus. “We saw before us a rather frail, oldish looking man, a trifle bowed, with wispy hair – then he spoke briefly but with deep emotion.”

Niels Bjerre has been interested in Churchill’s life since the early 1990´s. However, it was visits to the Cabinet War Rooms in London in 1987 that gave him the keen interest in and admiration for this “Greatest Briton”.

“Like many other countries which were occupied by the Nazis during the Second World War, we Danes see Winston Churchill as the saviour of the free world. He succeeds in not only kindling the spirit of the British people, but also everyone else who wants to fight against dictatorship!”

The exhibition will be on display until 25 October 2011 in Hut 8.

A new book has been published charting the evolution of Dartmoor’s rich archaeology and stunning landscape.

‘The Field Archaeology of Dartmoor’ by Phil Newman, describes Dartmoor’s landscape history from 4,000 BC to the present, analysing and summarising archaeological and historical studies from the 19th century onwards.

Dartmoor is southern England’s largest tract of upland and its diverse natural qualities assured its designation as one of England’s first National Parks in 1951.

Phil Newman, who has also written about the tin mining industry at Dartmoor, said: “There is no part of Dartmoor where human intervention has not played a part in shaping the character of the landscape.  Nature, in turn has itself adapted to the changes brought about by humans.

“The landscape of Dartmoor today represents a synergy between people and the environment.”

The book explores the elements that comprise the historic landscape of Dartmoor and, through the results of archaeological investigation, explains some of the human activities that have contributed to the shaping and character of the modern landscape.

Its geology, prehistoric settlement, Romano-British organisation, medieval character and early tin industry are described in turn, followed by accounts of Dartmoor’s 19th and 20th- century industrial landscape and heritage (tin, copper, silver-lead and china clay) and how they co-existed with traditional forms of upland farming.

Subsidiary industries including peat, gunpowder mills, ice works and the moor’s use for military training bring the narrative up to the present.

This is the result of extensive fieldwork by the English Heritage Archaeological Survey and Investigation team in which they produced a substantial body of high specification survey data.

‘The Field Archaeology of Dartmoor‘ is published by English Heritage in partnership with the Dartmoor National Park Authority, The Ministry of Defence and National Trust.

You can purchase securely online following this link - ’The Field Archaeology of Dartmoor‘

We just thought we should share this joke that has been sent to us. It made us smile on this cold, damp spring morning.

After having dug to a depth of 10 feet last year, Australian scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 200 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 150 years ago.

Not to be outdone by the Aussies, in the weeks that followed, an American archaeologist dug to a depth of 20 feet and, shortly after, a story was published in the New York Times: “American archaeologists, finding traces of 250-year-old copper wire, have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network 50 years earlier than the Australians”.

One week later a Council in Essex, reported the following: “After digging as deep as 30 feet in Colchester, Jack Lucknow, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely nothing at  all. Jack has therefore concluded that 250 years ago, Britain had already gone wireless..”

Just makes you proud to be British, doesn’t it?

Free guided tours of the excavation of an Iron Age hillfort in the North York Moors National Park are on offer on Sunday 29 and Monday 30 May 2011.

Archaeologists are currently carrying out a dig at Boltby Scar near Sutton Bank and people are invited to tour the site and hear from the team about what they’ve found.

Excavations have taken place on Boltby Scar on at least two occasions in the past, but virtually no information from these activities survives and in 1961 the hillfort was levelled by bulldozer.

The current dig is seeking to look at the condition of the site (including the extent of the 1961 damage) as well as to recover dating and environmental evidence which should help in interpreting the hillfort’s context in the wider landscape.

The area around Sutton Bank was an important site for Iron Age man, with defensive earthworks and another hillfort at Roulston Scar.

Information from the excavation will be used to inform the public about the archaeology of the area as well as considering how best to manage and protect the site in the future.

The dig is being led by archaeologists from the Landscape Research Centre with help from volunteers and undergraduate archaeology students from York University.

A blog about the dig can be found at boltbyscar.wordpress.com

The excavation is part of the Lime & Ice Project, a partnership of several organisations that received a grant from Heritage Lottery Fund to carry out access, interpretation and conservation initiatives.

Project Officer Jennifer Smith, said: “The current excavation is building on our findings and knowledge from a smaller dig that took place at Boltby Scar in 2009. The open day is a great opportunity for people to find out more about who lived in the area 2,500 years ago and to take a rare glimpse behind the scenes of a working archaeological dig.”

Tours run at various times throughout the two days but people are advised to book in advance to guarantee a place by calling 01439 772738.

The Forth Road Bridge, the Scottish Widows Head Office Building and the Royal Botanic Gardens Greenhouse are all to be featured in a new book celebrating Edinburgh’s post-war architecture.

The publication, which is a joint partnership between Edinburgh City Council and Historic Scotland, is the first of its kind for a Scottish city and looks at Edinburgh’s rich post-war heritage.

The city is home to a quarter of the total post-war listed buildings in Scotland.

The book covers a wide range of examples of how the city developed in the post-war period. This ranges from the Forth Road Bridge, which was the first cable spun suspension bridge to challenge the American designs of the period, through to BHS on Princes Street, which with its clean lines and rectangular floor plan marked a complete departure for shoppers in 1960’s Scotland.

The book also features all seven of Basil Spence’s listed buildings in the city. Spence, who was one of the most prolific designers of his generation, left a rich legacy which is most keenly seen in his innovative work designing Scottish Widows Head Office.

The building is best known for its cutting edge hexagonal prism roof which was designed to mirror the imposing backdrop of the Salisbury Crags.

The publication also includes some lesser known properties such as the seemingly humble Her Majesty’s Stationery Office by Stewart Sim, in Sighthill Industrial Estate.

The building is in fact the first multi-storey building in Europe to be built using pre-stressed concrete which became the prominent material for floors in high rise buildings until this day, demonstrating the continuation of Scotland’s reputation for innovation in building.

This innovation was also seen in other areas such as glasswork, with the Royal Botanic Greenhouse’s careful construction heralded at the time as the most important glasshouse construction since Kew Garden’s Palm House.

Deborah Mays, Director of Policy and Outreach for Historic Scotland said; “Post-war buildings can provoke a number of different reactions, but historic buildings need to reflect all aspects of life and these buildings are a key embodiment of our recent social and economic past.

When the Forth Road Bridge opened in 1964 it was hailed as one of the finest examples of engineering in the world – so much so that visiting dignitaries and celebrities would come to have their photo taken next to this extraordinary landmark.

The Commonwealth Pool, which is currently undergoing refurbishment, was groundbreaking in its late modernist design and won several awards.

The book is available to download from Historic Scotland’s website (www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/historicandlistedbuildingspublications) or can be requested via the agency’s Listing Team support office on 0131 668 8701/ 8705.

East Midlands Trains has announced the launch of a new all-inclusive ticket to encourage leisure travellers from London to have a summer day out in the Peak District.

The new ‘Derbyshire Day Out’ ticket provides First Class return rail travel from London to Chesterfield with a full English breakfast, as well as a bus transfer by Stagecoach bus from Chesterfield to three of the Peak District’s popular tourist attractions; Chatsworth House, Bakewell and Haddon Hall.

As part of the package, passengers will also benefit from two for one vouchers for Chatsworth House and gardens, Le Mistral restaurant in Bakewell, and entry to Haddon Hall house and gardens.

Jayne Moyses, Sales Manager for East Midlands Trains, said:  “ The all-inclusive ticket will provide a cost-effective, easy and stress-free way for travellers from the south to see some of the fantastic sights on offer in the Peak District”.

David James, Chief Executive of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire said: “At a time when many people are having to tighten their belts and look closer to home for interesting ways to spend their leisure time, the Derbyshire Day Out ticket offers a stress-free, value-for-money introduction to the Peak District and Derbyshire.”

Train ticket information

Tickets are now available for travel on any Monday from 6 June to 3 October 2011 and can be purchased through www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk, or at any station.

• Derbyshire Day Out tickets are only valid on Mondays on the 08.55 departure from London St Pancras, and returning on the 18.39 from Chesterfield to London.
• Tickets are priced at £45 return for First Class return travel from London to Chesterfield (includes full breakfast) or £30 return for Standard Class return travel (without breakfast).
• Standard Class tickets are also available from Leicester, priced at £20 return.
• For passengers travelling to Chesterfield from other East Midlands Trains’ stations, there is an option to buy a day return bus ticket, on the day, subject to availability, for £5.20 per adult and £3 child.