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Dacre Pasture Project (Phase 3)
Location: North Yorkshire
Who are we?
We are a local archaeology group, established in 2001, with the aim of identifying and recording the historic elements in and around dacre Pasture, an ancient common grazing ground in Nidderdale, North Yorkshire. We then make this information publically available by placing it in county and national archives.
The group currently has around 20 members from varied backgrounds and professions. We take guidance from Mr. Kevin Cale (Community Archaeology Ltd) and are funded by a grant from the Local Heritage Initiative LHI) We also have links with the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB).
How we Work:
We practice nondestructive archaeology. We obtain information from modern and historic local maps, aerial photographs and most importantly, walking the ground to collect site data. We do not use invasive methods such as excavation. Our approach has proved to be highly successful in finding many hidden secrets in our study areas. Stones in a pasture turned out to be remains of a mediaeval farmstead. A bridge "to nowhere" on Clocken Syke was found to be part of an early smelt mill. Swampy areas used to be mill ponds and a vast underground drainage system was proved to have fed water to industrial and mineral smelting sites. All this and more was determined by carefully considering and correlation available data and our field observations.
This approach has a big advantage to our members because no formal archaeological experience in necessary. Anyone with an enthusiastic interest in the subject, a keen eye, and a practical turn of mind can make a real contribution to discovering the past.
But just discovering the past in not enough. The Project's lasting contribution is to record our findings so present and future generations can know more about their heritage. We do this by placing our finds on site maps, making records, and taking photographs. All of this information is then fed into a master database which is forwarded to county and national Archaeology units. At the end of each study area project we publish a project overview in the form of a final report.
The end of 2004 marked a milestone for the group when we published our final project report on the archaeology of Clocken Syke farm located in the civil parish of dacre (6065) within the harrogate District of North Yorkshire. This was our second project and the 43 page report represented the culmination of 4 years work by many past and present members. Hard copies of the report can be consulted in Pately Bridge at the public library and the Nidderdale Museum. Further copies have been lodged with the Yorkshire Archaeological Trust - Leeds, the North Yorkshire Archives - Northallerton, English Heritage - York and the Dept. of Archaeological Sciences - Bradford University. Spiral bound copies of the report can be purchased for £10, inc. p.&p. from Earl Hintze, Wellbank House, dacre Banks, harrogate, HG3 4EW. Further information can be obtained from majhintze@yahoo.co.uk
What's New?
2005 marks a new beginning for the group. We are moving to a new area defined roughly by the drainage area of Smelt Maria Dike. This dike rises near Hayshaw in Dacre Pasture and flows northwards entering the river Nidd near dacre Banks. As the name implies there was probably smelting activity somewhere along iits course. A previous archaeology study incorporating a geophysical survey recorded possible smelter site in its lower reaches. We hope to confirm these findings and to locate and record the industrial and water management necessary to carry out the smelting process. A preliminary survey has shown many other features of archaeological interest. The site of an old brick works needs recording. An old track way cut by the building of the railway may have been a main east-west route on the south side of the river Nidd. There are also indications of early habitation in a field near this track way. All these features and others yet to be discovered will be described and recorded over the next 18 months.
How can you help?
Come and join us! You will find a group of like minded people meeting at 0930 am alternate Thursdays in the Chapel school room, Dacre Top. On weeks we don't meet on Thursday we usually meet on Wednesday at 730 pm. If you can not join us but have documents, maps, or memories relating to our study area please feel free to contact any project member.
Group Name |
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Dacre Pasture Group |
| Project Contact |
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Jeremy Hooper |
| Address |
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rowland House, Hartwith Bank, Summerbridge, Harrogate, N. Yorks |
| Project Postcode |
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HG3 4HY |
| Finishing Date |
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31 Aug 2006 |
| See also |
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Dacre Pasture Group website |
| Grants: |
Heritage Lottery Fund: £11659
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