About The Project
Traditional Boundary Workers
Tradtional Stone Wall
Background to the Project
Northumberland National Park's Traditional Boundaries conservation management plan showed that over 50% of the dry stone walls and 90% of the hedges in the area are in need of maintenance and repair.
Also there have been a number of reports over the last few years about the lack of skills and training in the heritage sector and a large amount of discussion about the subject. However despite this debate there have been few practical initiatives to address the issue.
The aim of the project is therefore to take action and develop a five year pilot rural skills apprenticeship scheme, which will train people in the management and repair of traditional boundaries and associated features such as gates, stiles and fences.
How will the Project Make a Difference?
The project will not only make a visible difference to the landscape of the area, but will also help the National Park Authority to underpin and develop new social enterprises that will deliver long lasting benefits to local communities. It is being developed as a national pilot scheme with the support of a number of organisations.
By offering a service to farmers and landowners in boundary conservation and maintenance the project will provide on-site and workshop training to equip 50 apprentices with the necessary skills to enable them to achieve certification in the management and repair of traditional boundaries.
In addition, to increase conservation skills among the local community 125 volunteers will be trained by the National Park Authority to work with communities to identify key traditional boundaries in need of conservation work.
Local school children will also be getting in on the act, as the project will link up with village schools to provide learning activities for key stages 2 and 3 in history, geography and citizenship.
