Historic environment
Bedfordshire has many important heritage sites and we have worked with landowners and local communities in protecting and enhancing some of them.At Stratton Moat in Biggleswade we have undertaken work for Bedfordshire County Council to protect the Scheduled Monument. Work to date has focussed on scrub clearance and fencing and it is hoped we will soon be able to undertake a geophysical survey of the site to search for evidence of medieval living.
The East of England Apples and Orchards Project and the Brogdale National Fruit Tree Collection have identified fruit trees that we discovered on the site as being rare varieties. We are now seeking to establish a community heritage orchard on a nearby site with grafts grown from these trees. Photo of apples on tree (Drovers Spinney) 26/02/07 disc 100 – 0010 IMG
In Tempsford we helped to establish the Friends of Gannock Castle, another medieval moated site. In addition to producing a constitution for the group and helping to secure funding, we assisted with scrub clearance, hedge and orchard planting and overseeing the installation of an access causeway across the moat.
We have also assisted other communities in securing funding to undertake heritage projects, including:
- Streatley Parish Council; restoration of village pond.
- Willington Local History Society; parish history project.
- Castle Close, Sharnbrook, Wildlife & Heritage Site; overseeing access and tree safety works at a medieval moat.
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