Traditional Boundaries Programme
Between 2001 and 2007, with funding support from the Countryside Agency, boundary surveys were undertaken on a parish-by-parish basis around the National Landscape. To date 18 parishes have been surveyed:
- Austwick, Barley, Barnacre-w-Bonds, Bleasdale, Bowland Forest High, Caton with Littledale, Chipping, Clapham, Downham, Goldshaw Booth, Goosnargh, Lawkland, Nether Wyresdale, Roughlee, Slaidburn, Twiston, Waddington and Wray with Botton
- View a map of the parishes
- These surveys assessed the condition of boundaries visible from public rights of way, and prioritised lengths of boundary, or small areas, as restoration projects.
Methodology
Each survey consisted of desktop research and field surveys.
The desktop research used the following resources to assess landscape, historical and biodiversity value:
- Phase 1 habitat details
- BHS, SSSI and SPA boundary maps
- Definitive rights of way maps plus concessionary access
- Sites and monuments register
- Ordnance survey first edition 6” and 25”
Tithe maps- Estate maps
- Forest of Bowland National Landscape management plan
- LCC Historic Landscape Characterisation
- LCC Landscape strategy that includes the Craven area of the National Landscape
- LCC Heritage Conservation Strategy
- Aerial photography of Lancashire (1968, 1988, 2000)
- North Yorkshire County Council data
Boundaries were recorded and scored using the following criteria:
- Type (hedge, wall, metal fence, hedge and fence, hedge and wall, bank and hedge)
- Condition (using scoring systems for walls and hedges based on nationally agreed criteria)
- Length
- % of length requiring restoration
- Landscape value (including its prominence in the landscape and proximity to highways, PROWs, public land)
- Historic value (using the Historic Landscape Characterisation map)
- Biodiversity value (based on proximity to BHS or SSSI, Phase 1 importance)
- Comment
Study Results
Between 2001-07, 300 sq km of parishes were studied, i.e. just 37% of the total area of the National Landscape. Within this area over 470km of boundaries requiring restoration work were identified.
Case Studies
Training for rangers and contractors
At Beacon Fell country park volunteer rangers from Lancashire and Wyre Countryside Services, together with local contractors, built up their dry stone walling skills with guidance provided by master craftsman Mike Rushton of Tamarack Outdoors Ltd in the Spring of 2010. Their training culminated in a two day competition in which each participant had to rebuild a two metre stretch of wall, to standards set by the Dry Stone Walling Association.
Tosside Village dry stone wall
Tosside is a village that straddles the Lancashire/Yorkshire border and is reputed to be the smallest village in England. Over time, one of the dry stone walls in the village had fallen down and some of the stone was cannibalised for use elsewhere. After discussion with the local Countryside Officer, the village obtained a grant to help pay the lengthsman to rebuild the wall with help from volunteers, and with stone donated by local landowners. Many people turned out to help if only to offer encouragement and cups of tea and the local community were proud of their achievement in transforming a local eyesore. The success of this project led directly to a similar project using the same lengthsman but different volunteers at Thorneyholme School where a post and rail fence was replaced with a wall. The wall proves more effective at keeping children and balls inside the school boundary, as well as being more suited to the local landscape.
Traditional Boundaries in School
Children at Bowland High School, Sawley, overlook a varied landscape from their classrooms: in the Ribble Valley there are fertile fields of grass and fodder crops surrounded by hedges and fences for dairy cattle; and where the land rises to Pendle Hill there are walled enclosures for sheep followed by open fells and common land. The local Countryside Officer agreed a programme of activities with teaching staff that would contribute to children's understanding of their heritage, the landscape and wildlife. First of all the children described the key features of the landscape around them – the walls and hedges and the stock and crops within them. They then delved into a hedge running the length of the school field finding far more than they expected to – including oak, oak apples and gall wasps. They identified what made a hedge stock proof and fit for purpose. They also described the various habitats and food sources within the hedge for insects, birds and mammals. After deciding what constituted a 'good' hedge, they then planned how to renovate a derelict hedge running across the school fields. They calculated the number of plants required and the species needed to renovate the hedge and enable it to be brought back into management, contribute to wildlife conservation and complement the landscape.
The teachers said that the practical, outdoor tasks brought out some unexpected talents from unexpected students, highlighting the benefit of a change of scenery from classroom to field.
White Railings Restoration
Chipping village residents said that if they could have one wish, it would be to have all the white railings in the parish re painted. When they are freshly painted, they sparkle and add a special touch to the landscape. Unfortunately when the railings get rusted through, or damaged beyond economic repair, the cost of repainting them has led to them being replaced by post and rail fences. After discussion with Chipping Parish Council, an offer by the National Landscape Unit was made to provide paint if volunteers, often alongside the local Lengthsman, could be found to assist with the repainting. This led to painting of several lengths of railings over two years. This contributed to Chipping village winning the Best Kept village competition. Several other villages have followed suit following a similar model.