Thousands of historic monuments saved by farmers in Environmental Stewardship
10 August 2010
Thousands of historic monuments at serious risk of damage are being protected by farmers through Environmental Stewardship (ES), according to a recent report.
The Heritage at Risk Register, produced by English Heritage, details more than 2,000 scheduled monuments – 10% of the national total – which have been entered into ES. Of these around 800 are ancient sites that were previously under the plough but which have since been taken out of cultivation or had their protection enhanced.
The importance of ES in positively managing historic and scheduled monuments has been acknowledged by English Heritage. Dr Vince Holyoak, Senior Policy Adviser for English Heritage, said: “Finding sustainable long-term solutions through working with owners and third partners, notably the Environmental Stewardship scheme with Natural England, has produced remarkable success.
Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) has a range of options which can be used to manage and protect archaeological sites, whether under cultivation or threatened by scrub, tree growth, erosion or animal burrowing. These options, outlined in the Natural England leaflet Farming for the Historic Environment, also enable farmers to maintain traditional farm buildings and boost their business.
In addition, Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) can fund capital repairs to eligible standing structures and historic buildings. A wide range of sites have now been protected through both land management options and capital works.
It is not just listed sites that are eligible for funding. Last year, for example, HLS helped fund restoration work to a barn at Cunningarth Farm, near Wigton in Cumbria.
A stone carving dating from between the 1st and 4th Centuries AD, was uncovered during the restoration and was identified as a bovine image; the thick set legs and horns projecting from the head of the carving are thought to represent a bull or sacrificial oxen. It is similar to a number of Roman carvings in the area, notably at Chesters Roman fort on Hadrian’s Wall and in Carlisle.
The carving is likely to have served as a symbol of sacrifice and was probably displayed above a statue niche or shrine. The primitive practice of displaying the heads of sacrificial oxen on the walls of temples dates back to the Neolithic era whilst some Roman legions used the bull as their insignia.
Martin Sowerby, Natural England’s Historic Environment and Traditional Buildings Adviser, said: “This is a very significant find; it is of great importance for studies into Roman Britain.”
Liz Newton, Natural England’s Northwest Regional Director, said: “The restoration of historic buildings and structures adds considerably to the landscape character of the countryside and plays a vital role in the conservation of the rural historic environment.”
Robin Tucker, Natural England’s Executive Director for National Delivery, concluded: “Every farm has played its part in the history of this country and many still bear fascinating traces of the past. The Heritage at Risk Register has proved to be a valuable tool for Natural England in helping to target scheduled monuments for Stewardship and I’m delighted that Natural England is able to support the many efforts that farmers are making to safeguard these monuments for future generations.”
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Notes to editors
Natural England strives to encourage the highest conservation standards on the work it funds, and this has recently been recognised by Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Buildings are prioritised for restoration based on a number of criteria and not only on their historic value; it is not a requirement that buildings are listed to receive funding. Natural England’s assessment procedure, which has been developed in partnership with English Heritage, also takes into account other factors including the significance of the building within the surviving farmstead and its contribution to the historic landscape character, landscape amenity value, wildlife value, public access, and the urgency of the required works.
1. For more information on Environmental Stewardship visit www.naturalengland.org.uk/es
2. The leaflet Farming for the Historic Environment can be downloaded from the following web page: http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/NaturalEnglandShop/NE229
3. The Heritage at Risk Register was published by English Heritage in July and can be viewed at http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/protecting/heritage-at-risk/
About Natural England
Natural England is the government’s independent adviser on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public. - We establish and care for England’s main wildlife and geological sites, ensuring that over 4,000 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Marine Conservation Zones, and advising widely on their conservation.
We run Environmental Stewardship and other green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland. - We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats.
We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.
For further information contact: Will Herman on 07919 303452
William.herman@naturalengland.org.uk
For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk
