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Belper Parks Project
Location: Derbyshire
In the midst of the industrial town of Belper is a large open space. Very few local people realise that this is a remnant of a mediaeval deer park that was an important centre of a vast hunting forest known as Duffield Frith. Here was a principal mansion, visited by kings and a place where deer and pike were prepared for the Royal table. Only recently has an even older past been recognised with the discovery of ramparts, hut circles and finds from the Roman period or earlier.
The site is now a Local Nature Reserve being cared for, improved and interpreted by local people. This gave an opportunity for community involvement in finding out more about the town's forgotten past.
The project will involve undertaking a comprehensive landscape survey of the 20 hectare Belper Parks Nature Reserve and land immediately adjacent.
Detailed geophysical surveys will be performed by a team involving the Friends of Belper Parks, professional archaeologists, members of other local organisations and other volunteers including children.
Local people will also be encouraged and assisted to undertake trial pit archaeology under supervision in their own gardens in parts of the ancient park which have been built on. There will be parallel research by volunteers in archives, a building survey, a survey of historic natural features and the production of interpretation material including historic images, an exhibition and a web site.
| Grants: |
Heritage Lottery Fund: £23430
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