A Monumental Improvement Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership A Monumental Improvement Project

• One of the Cornwall AONB’s Management Plan actions seeks to “Ensure improved management for Scheduled Monuments through a project to understand their management needs and undertake practical management working co-operatively with landowners” • Initial project development funding of £9,700 secured from Historic England in February 2018 to engage Cornwall Archaeological Unit to support with training community groups and the project to survey and record sites and to cost the enhancement of sites • There are 140 at risk and vulnerable scheduled monuments in the AONB area outside of West Penwith • During 2018 we surveyed 118 of these sites with the support of volunteers from College, Cornwall Archaeological Society, Meneage Group, Rame Conservation Trust and TimeSeekers • It was not possible to survey 18 due to either an inability to secure landowner approval or the landowner not being known Highlights – KAH, Moor Highlights – Kilkhampton Castle, Highlights – The Rumps, North Cornwall Highlights – Wheal Kitty, St Agnes Highlights – Redoubt 4, Carne Beacon - Roseland Highlights – Trethias Forts, Porthcothan Highlights – Bottreaux Castle Prioritisation (1)

• In prioritising sites we have developed two lists of sites – a list of possible candidates for a National Lottery Heritage Fund bid and a list of other sites that either need more work to get them funding ready or which could be supported in other ways • The intention is not to disregard any sites but to give priority to those that are considered to be viable candidates to meet the Heritage Fund’s requirements at this stage Prioritisation (2)

• We have identified 40 priority sites that have the following important characteristics that are considered necessary for a competitive grant application to be successful: - 1. Public access either through PROW or access land 2. Known or likely land ownership support 3. Known local ownership 4. Known potential for future management and maintenance commitment • Collectively these sites tell the story of Cornwall from the late period through to WW2 and have an important contribution to make to celebrating the culture and distinctiveness of Cornwall to the benefit of local people and our visitors Possible project scope

• Survey, stabilisation, enhancement and interpretation of up to 40 scheduled monuments across Bodmin Moor, Rame Head, North and South Coasts and • A significant development and enhancement of volunteering to include support to and training of existing groups with ongoing recruitment drive throughout – CAS/LAN/MAG, TimeSeekers, National Trust and Rame CT • Support and development of Monument Watch to improve management and maintenance in partnership with and guidance to landowners • Monument Walks Programme focussing on Rame Head (Plymouth/), Bodmin Moor (), Lizard () – complementing existing Walking for Health groups and working with Visit Cornwall • Education and outreach – visits and learning with Truro College, University of Exeter and schools, in partnership with existing CHT and CAS work Timescale/Next steps

• Training Events Ap/Ju 18 • Surveys Jul-Aug • Draft Priority Sites Oct 18 • Revisions to prioritised list Nov 18 • Final report of survey stage Nov 18 • Confirming matching funding Dec - Feb • Heritage Fund EoI Mid Mar 19 • Heritage Fund Stage 1 May 19 • Possible delivery Autumn 2020 What we would like your help with

• Supporting and helping us to develop the project • Helping us to make the case for Heritage Funding through letters of support, support with volunteer action and developing new partnerships locally Questions and discussion

Thank you Meur ras Chris Coldwell AONB Project Development Officer Tel (01872) 327482 Email [email protected]