Fellfoot Forward

Village Atlas

We will be co-creating a ‘historic village atlas’ for the area’s Roman and medieval history onwards. The historical research is already being done by local historians as part of the nationwide Victoria Counties History (VCH) project.

Our aim is to enhance the VCH local histories by concentrating on the survey of archaeological sites, using a range of techniques, all deliverable by local people with appropriate levels of training and supervision.

Oral histories

The capturing of oral histories from the scheme area will be undertaken by volunteers across the scheme area who will be provided with equipment and training to run sessions. The oral history will take the form of either a ‘Memory Maker’ style oral history, with older members of the community encouraged to share their stories relating to a specific topic such as music, farming, education or a more general recollection around a place, or a more informal ‘Capturing Conversations’ approach, bringing people together to have a conversation around an aspect of past practices, village life or more recent significant events.

Surveys

The survey information will be recorded as part of the Historic Environment Register for Cumbria and shared with North Pennines Historic Environment Working Group. Oral histories and any other relevant material will be lodged with the Cumbria Archive Services in Carlisle. The sites surveyed and recorded are not planned to be conserved or maintained but information will be shared with Cumbria Historic Environment Services as relevant. The findings will feed into the Victoria Counties local history research.

Legacy

A significant legacy will be a skilled and knowledgeable group of volunteers who have worked together and can go on and carry out further survey work in the Fellfoot Forward area, either independently or as part of a local history and archaeological trust or society. Through community group and school contact with archaeology and oral history projects, those volunteers who wish will be able to go on and support local schools and community groups by delivering guided walks/events based around this and future research. Volunteers will be offered guide training during the Delivery Stage.

North Pennines AONB has developed Fellfoot Forward with local communities and organisations, and in 2020 the scheme was awarded funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The National Lottery funding brings just over £2 million to support the overall scheme, which will invest £3.4 million in nature recovery and cultural heritage of the area. Fellfoot Forward will run from 2020 to 2024.

It aims to forge creative connections between people and landscape, conserve habitats and key species and celebrate this beautiful area with its communities. Projects are exciting and varied, and there’ll be something for everyone to get involved in.

The wider project includes work on citizen science; community archaeology; woodland creation and management; protecting grassland and meadows; restoring peat; conserving historic buildings; new and revitalised walking, cycling and riding routes; enhanced interpretation and information for the local community and visitors; opportunities for local schools and youth groups to engage with their local heritage; and a host of public events and learning.

The scheme aims to provide a huge boost for the area, with greater access to restored heritage sites and a deeper understanding of the Fellfoot landscape’s special cultural history.

Working with partners and local communities, it aims to strengthen the visitor economy, providing a better future for residents and businesses.