Futures Forum: East Devon's pebblebed heaths > How research into their recovery following the wildfires will 'inform internationally significant climate change research'
... really positive things are about to happen up there:
Restoration work to take place at Woodbury Castle - Latest Exmouth News - Exmouth Journal
With a full-length piece in the WMN:
2,500 year-old Iron Age hill fort to be restored
The aim of the project is to ensure that Woobury Castle is removed from the at risk heritage register
BY DANIEL CLARK 6 SEP 2017
Extensive restoration of a 2,500-year-old Iron Age hill fort in East Devon is about to begin.
Woodbury Castle, which dates back to 500 – 300BC, is characterised by its deep earthwork ramparts enclosing a level interior of approximately two hectares studded with deciduous trees, and occupies the highest point of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths on Woodbury Common.
The nationally important archaeological site and prominent landmark was previously put on Historic England’s at risk register when it became apparent that the area was suffering, predominantly from erosion due to a high volume of visitors but also due to damage from tree roots and scrub growth.
But last year the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust secured funding from Natural England’s Countryside Stewardship scheme to undertake extensive restoration work that will directly contribute to conserving and protecting the site, resulting in its eventual removal from the at Risk Register.
The funding will enable better interpretation at the monument, creating a sense of welcome for visitors so they become aware of its archaeological significance upon arrival, while promoting an understanding and appreciation of its national and historical importance.
Kim Strawbridge Site Manager for the Pebblebed Heaths and Mike Pearce, Natural England Lead Advisor at Woodbury Castle (Image: Jake Newman/KOR Communications:)
Kim Strawbridge Site Manager for the Pebblebed Heaths, said: “Woodbury Castle is a fantastic site that is special to a lot of people for a whole range of reasons.
“We need to take people along with us on this project so that people value its archaeological significance as well as the personal value they have for the place. This is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the heritage of this landmark within the heaths.”
Volunteers are being sought to assist with some of the work, and the Trust plans to establish a volunteer archaeological monitoring scheme to give local people with an interest in archaeology or natural history the opportunity to be involved in ongoing preservation work. The Trust is also planning on hosting guided walks for people to learn more about the site.
There will be several stages to the work: access to the site will be improved with new steps and deep erosion scars caused by visitor use on banks and ditches will be repaired under archaeological supervision.
The repaired banks will be seeded and selective tree and scrub removal will let in more light allowing ground vegetation to establish which is vital for safeguarding the earthworks into the future.
The careful removal and crown reduction of a selected trees and scrub on the site of the castle itself and in the immediate vicinity will open-up a view which has been blocked for many years, allowing people to appreciate the hill fort’s original function as well as enhancing the monument’s setting and its imposing ramparts.
The work will also help to protect buried archaeology, including the remains of an Iron Age round house, which are at risk of damage from tree roots. Careful ongoing monitoring and management of the remaining large beech trees will help ensure the health of these specimen trees.
New information panels telling the story of the site with illustrations of the original hill fort and its inhabitants by Exeter based artist Jane Read will be installed, in addition to a sign at the entrance to the monument and improvements made to the car park.
Temporary barriers will be in situ for two to three years while the repairs consolidate and the vegetation re-establishes, during which time signs will ask people to avoid walking on the areas undergoing restoration.
Kim added: “We want people to be involved in the project and are keen for people to join us for our guided walks to learn more about this special monument and why the works are so important to securing its future.
“We’re asking that people help us care for the hill fort in a number of ways; by accessing the site using the proper routes and keeping off the slopes and ditches, and not riding bikes or horses on the monument. We would like people to be part of the monument’s story and help us protect it into the future.”
Mike Pearce, Natural England Lead Advisor to the area, added: “This is an extremely important project and we are pleased to be able to facilitate it through our Countryside Stewardship scheme.”
Charlotte Russell Historic England Heritage at Risk Project officer, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity to repair and conserve the Woodbury Castle Iron Age hill fort and secure its survival for future generations.
“I am thrilled to see this project come to fruition; it’s the culmination of a lot of work by a number of committed specialists all seeking to look after and improve this very fragile and nationally important site.”
2,500 year-old Iron Age hill fort to be restored - Devon Live
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