[Stones] Good News from Dorset Ridgeway

[Tim P]

http://www.thisisdorset.net/misc/print.php?artid=2007481

     £150,000 boost for Ridgeway historians

A MAJOR project to bring the ancient history of South Dorset Ridgeway to 
life has been given a £150,000 boost by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The archaeologically-rich area includes everything from Stone, Bronze 
and Iron Age sites to numerous Roman remains, with history experts 
claiming that the area is as significant as Stonehenge or Avebury.

Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty countryside officer Tom Munro 
was delighted at the cash and said: "We are over the moon. It is really 
generous support and we are very pleased that we have got it.

"With more than 500 ancient monuments associated with the Ridgeway it is 
an amazing national asset.

"It's such a great part of Dorset's - and Britain's - history that we 
ought to be making a real fuss about it to make sure it is recognised, 
appreciated and conserved.

"We have an exciting programme for the next three years of research, 
events and work with schools."

Mr Munro added: "Volunteers will be involved doing archive research in 
the Dorset History Centre, Dorchester, and going through parish records 
to make a map of things such as old field names and other historic 
features.

"There is an oral history thread where volunteers will be taught the art 
of interviewing people who might have local tales to tell linked to the 
Ridgeway."

Other project initiatives include promoting access so people can take a 
circular Ridgeway walk to see its important sections and the collation 
of information to set up telephone trails, MP3 and podcast initiatives 
as well as information boards so people will always be close to 
information on what they are looking at.

Schools also feature and part of the Lottery cash will help boost 
teaching resources so pupils can get out and see the Ridgeway for 
themselves.

The three-year initiative will be launched on February 16 at Portesham 
Village Hall at 10.30am with talks, a demonstration of flint working by 
Phil Harding from Channel 4's popular archaeology programme Time Team, 
and a display of Ridgeway-inspired paintings by local artist John Walker.

-- 

Crewe & Nantwich Ghost Walks -
Walking tours of Hidden & Haunted Heritage  www.crewetours.com