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Farmland becomes an ancient moment to safeguard heritage
CONSERVATION and countryside groups have joined forces to pilot a Heritage Partnership Agreement.
English Heritage, Northumberland National Park Authority and Natural England have joined together with tenant farmers the Wilson family, Johnny, Sarah and son Ross, at Ingram Farm in the Breamish Valley.
The farm contains a high number of nationally important scheduled ancient monuments, which provide a fascinating insight into how our ancient ancestors lived and farmed.
The partnership between the Wilsons and English Heritage sees 570 hectares scheduled as an ancient monument, encompassing a rich and complex archaeological landscape, the largest piece of scheduled land in England.
It seeks to encourage a more proactive, efficient and collaborative approach towards heritage management. The Ingram Farm agreement is one of a series of national pilots and will be watched closely by the heritage and agricultural sectors alike.
By the three organisations working together, the Wilsons are able to achieve more for the environment on the farm including initiatives such as river and moorland management work, organic bracken control, and protection of the historic features on the farmland.
Carol Pyrah, English Heritage planning and development regional director for the North East, said: "The Wilsons are exemplary stewards of the rich archaeological landscape at Ingram Farm and have been working with local archaeologists and Northumberland National Park on a programme of excavation and research for years. I hope that this new agreement will help them continue to manage the nationally important archaeological remains in a more efficient and less bureaucratic way."
Johnny, whose family has farmed the area since 1949, said: "We farm in an amazing archaeological landscape which is nationally recognised as outstanding and is a privilege to have. We are pleased to be involved in this new heritage agreement which will safeguard the landscape for generations to come."
Tony Gates, chief executive of Northumberland National Park Authority, said: "Ingram Farm occupies a beautiful part of the Northumberland National Park and is very popular with the public. This pilot Heritage Protection Agreement allows the shared vision for the future of this area to be taken forward in a consistent way."
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Weather for Northumberland
Friday 25 May 2012
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