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Friends of Skipwith Common

Page history last edited by Elaine Ball 14 years, 6 months ago

 

 

The Friends of Skipwith Common

 

The Friends of Skipwith Common were formed in 2004 largely to act as voluntary wardens on Skipwith Common an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and SAC (Special Area of Conservation). The group has evolved and now carries out site Management duties on working days, botanical and archaeological surveys and educational duties with local primary schools,. The site contains a number of Iron and Bronze Age burial mounds, a Romano-British enclosure, and Iron Age Settlement just off the Common, an Iron Age Triple Bank System extending into the same field as the settlement, traces of ridge-and-furrow, two flax-retting ponds, a number of peat diggings and a WWII airfield.

 

There are many traces of mans involvement in the form of ancient tracks, raised banks, ditches, and similar, as yet unexplained features. Several members of the group have taken archaeological survey courses, Time Travel through the Microscope course to allow landscape reconstruction and wildlife examination of pollen and bones and charcoal etc,  and archaeological survey recording and excavation courses. Equipment has been purchased and surveys of the Line Ponds(flax retting ponds have been completed. York University is currently evaluating core samples taken from the ponds to confirm their use for flax retting. Surveying of the Triple Bank System is is currently in progress.

 

In the meantime, research of old records, photographs, and taped interviews with senior members of the community are producing an historical record of the Common.

Now numbering almost 150 members, we have a bi-monthly Newsletter, a bank account, a website and we are currently examining the advantages and drawbacks of attaining charity status.

We have a monthly meeting in The Drovers Inn, Skipwith, 1st Thursday in the month from 7.30pm onwards, regular guided walks and working days.

 

To get in touch with the Friends and if you would like to know more visit their website.

 

 

                                     Fieldwalking and a Study Day on Skipwith Common

 

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