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RECORDING HEREFORDSHIRE'S HISTORIC LANDSCAPE

The Woolhope Naturalist's Field Club has been investigating the natural history, geology and local history of Herefordshire since 1851. The Archaeological Research Section (ARS) was founded in the 1960s for members who wanted a more active part in field exploration.

The ARS has measured and recorded many historic features in the Herefordshire landscape, but the lack of modern equipment was becoming limiting. In March 2004, LEADER+ helped by providing funding for the project called Recording Herefordshire's Historic Landscape. The ARS purchased a digital camera, a GPS (Global Positioning System) and a laptop computer for processing data and giving presentations.

Using this new equipment means that the information on Herefordshire's historic environment can be recorded more accurately and in improved quality.

Members of the ARS lead or supervise the field visits and recording sessions in different parts of Herefordshire to investigate landscape features such as sites of deserted mediaeval villages, unexplained earthworks, or farm buildings.

As part of the process of involving the local community a pilot group called the Goodrich Local History Group was set up. Using the LEADER+ equipment, local surveys have revealed and recorded small items in the historic landscape such as charcoal burning platforms, earthworks and small buildings.

Data sheets resulting from these surveys have been submitted to the Herefordshire Sites & Monument Record (SMR) or published in the ARS's journal HAN (Herefordshire Archaeological News), from which they will be extracted for the SMR. These are publicly available.

The Woolhope Club will make the equipment it has received through the LEADER+ funding available to other like-minded groups. Full training will be given on the use of the equipment as well as any health and safety training also required. A tri-fold leaflet has been designed detailing the project and the equipment.

Roz Lowe
Charlton
Goodrich
Herefordshire
HR9 6JF
Tel: (01600) 890457
Email: woolhopeARS@goodrich7.freeserve.co.uk

Website: www.woolhopeclub.org.uk