Industrial revolution fuelled by local woodlands, new volunteers learn

Hollingworth Lake woodland

The woodlands of the South Pennines may be scarce, now covering only four percent of the land area, but they formed part of the industrial landscape in the nineteenth century and played a vital role in the industrial revolution.

The important role of the woodlands to the development of this area will be explored as part of the recently launched Celebrating Our Woodland Heritage Project. Managed by Pennine Prospects this three year Heritage Lottery funded project will promote this valuable historical resource to help protect it for future generations.

From early 2017 volunteers will be able to get involved in a number of ways, as Chris Atkinson, the recently appointed Woodland Heritage Officer, explained: “With our volunteers we’ll be carrying out archaeological surveys in ancient woodlands. There’ll be on the job training looking at past woodland use and any evidence of pre-woodland use, such as quarries, settlements and field boundaries. Even in the smaller woodlands, which predominate in this area, there’s still evidence to be found.

“We’re hoping that by surveying the woodlands people will gain a greater understanding of their importance and they’ll have a greater respect for them. This is vital if we are to protect them for future generations,” added Chris.

Professor Ian Rotherham, from Sheffield Hallam University, said that evidence of charcoal production can be found in the Domesday Book and has been instrumental in the early industrial development. Many of the trees that still stand in our ancient woodlands are hundreds, if not thousands of years old. In fact some lime trees are 1,500 to 2,000 years old and in the Lake District some trees have been found to be over 3,000 years old.

In the South Pennines’ woodlands there is evidence of coppicing and charcoal production. A more detailed understanding can be gained through experimental archaeology, Dr Jill Thompson explained: “Volunteers on this project will hopefully have opportunities to get involved in charcoal burning, field walking and possible excavations.”

Woodland in the South Pennines is rich in heritage, linking the present with the area’s industrial past and more. Despite this it is poorly documented; an issue the project is designed to remedy. The Celebrating Our Woodland Heritage Project is funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund (£400,000), with contributions from the Newground Together Trust (£60,000), the Green Bank Trust (£16,500) and Yorkshire Water (£20,000), and managed by Pennine Prospects, the South Pennines rural regeneration company.