News - Here's a blast from the past (Newstead Abbey)

THE Napoleonic Wars were brought back to life at Newstead Abbey at the weekend.

The Napoleonic Association staged a re-enactment which revived the military life, tactics and battles of the period.

Around 250 people donned the uniforms of British Redcoats and their French counterparts, watched by almost 2,000 visitors yesterday.

Katherine Playford, 35, of Chilwell, attended the festivities with her husband and two sons, aged six and four.

"This is really exciting. It's like travelling back in time," she said.

"I think it's a great teaching experience as well.

"We don't know much about that part of history, so we've learned a lot."

As part of the re-enactment, guests were able to wander through a living history camp, watch drill demonstrations, listen to short talks about the weapons and troops involved in the wars and enjoy some authentic 19th century food.

The afternoon culminated in a battlefield skirmish.

Liz Lawton, 37, travelled up from Leicestershire to take her mum, Pat Abrahams, to the event.

"My mum is a history enthusiast.

"She's read all the books and wants to know all about Baker rifles," she said.

"We've come for a day out. It's such gorgeous weather too. Events like these give kids an idea of what it used to be like. You could call them live history lessons."

Ms Abrahams, 75, of Blidworth, said: "I've had a wonderful day."

Conrad Rafique, 45, of the Wirral, near Liverpool, said he had come to visit his friends for the long bank holiday weekend.

"They just took me out here for a nice day," Mr Rafique said.

"We found out this morning that the re-enactment was going on as well.

"It's a good coincidence. I think this is absolutely fantastic. The camp is so authentic. I feel like I've travelled back in time."

Lisa Stanhope, secretary of the Napoleonic Association, had travelled up from Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, where she lives.

She has been part of the association for five years.

"We are bringing history back to life so people can smell it and touch it and see what life was like in a soldier camp during 1811, when the Duke of Wellington was fighting the French in Spain," she said.

"It's all very authentic

"Members of the association come from all over the country."

She said yesterday's event was the beginning of a season of re-enactments.

"There will be one almost every weekend in different parts of the country."

Jerry Warnes, horticultural supervisor at Nottingham City Council, organised the event for the fourth year running.

"Today has been a huge success," he said. "It's better than last year, because we had a few showers then, and I hope tomorrow will be even better."

Penny Beniston, senior site manager at Newstead Abbey, said she had worked there for eight years and helped to put on the re-enactments since they started.

"This is one of my favourite things of the year," she said.

"The guys are really good and take it really seriously.

"You get a really good idea of what life was like back then."

Another re-enactment was taking place today from 11am till 4pm. Normal admission fees apply.

For more information call 01623 455 900.

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/s-blast-past/article-3508766-detail/article.html

News - Crackdown on metal-detecting criminals who steal heritage and damage dig sites (Lincolnshire)

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to combat criminals who steal from historic buildings and wreck archaeological dig sites.

The initiative aims to clamp down on practices such as "nighthawking" where thieves use metal detectors to find buried historic objects.

It will also focus on damage caused to the historic environment by fire, graffiti and vehicles, and architectural thefts of items ranging from stone walls to vintage street signs and unlawful alteration and demolition of listed buildings.

The campaign is being led by Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police Richard Crompton, who is also the national lead at the Association of Police Officers in tackling heritage crime.

Mr Crompton said: "This is a really important step which will have a significant impact on the problem of crime and antisocial behaviour in and around our historic environment. A great many people care deeply about this sort of crime and I believe that we can tap into that concern and interest and work with communities to make a real difference."

Tom Lane, senior archaeologist at Heritage Lincolnshire, said: "Illegal metal detecting can cause damage apart from digging up fields.

"It can remove objects from their archaeological context so if, at a later stage, we did a proper excavation then there would just be holes and things.

"There's also the fact that what is in the ground, if it's not treasure trove, is the property of the landowner."

Those who illegally metal detect get information on where to look from ordnance survey maps which have Romano British Remains written on them.

Lincolnshire County Council finds liaison officer Adam Daubney said: "The majority of metal detectorists carry out their hobby legitimately, voluntarily reporting their finds to the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

"These enthusiasts have a genuine interest in the past and their finds are helping to advance knowledge of our heritage.

"In Lincolnshire alone, legitimate metal detectorists have reported 28,000 finds during the past ten years.

"These have led to the discovery of 175 new sites ranging from Roman temples to medieval markets.

"Unfortunately, there are those whose actions are criminal – damaging our fine heritage – and Lincolnshire County Council supports any initiative to tackle this and any other sort of heritage crime."

English Heritage, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service want to develop a nationwide network to include organisations such as the National Trust, the Church of England and the Woodland Trust to co-ordinate efforts to tackle heritage crimes.

From: http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news/Detecting-nighthawks-steal-history/article-3217356-detail/article.html

yet again someone having a go at metal-detectorists!

News – Sheffield Council Calls On Local People To Name City’s Favourite Buildings

Sheffield City Council is inviting local people to put forward their suggestions on which of the city’s buildings have architectural and historic significance. 

 

The suggestions could then go forward to go on a local list so that they are formally recognised as important to the city. The locally listed status of a building will be a material consideration in any planning application affecting it

 

Councillor Penny Baker, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning said: “Sheffield is a very distinctive city and much of that is down to its buildings. Around 1,200 are ‘listed’ due to their national architectural or historical significance, but there are many more locally significant examples that do not meet the strict national criteria. What we want is for Sheffield people to nominate their personal hidden gems in the city, buildings that are part of our fabric. This is about Sheffield people having their say and helping to preserve some of the city’s amazing architecture.”

 
A local list will provide formal recognition of those buildings and structures that are valued for the contribution they make to the character of local neighbourhoods or for particular historical associations. Buildings and structures are eligible so this could include milestones, walls, shelters, bridges or even pillar boxes.
 

While local listing does not provide any additional legal protection or access to funding, it does acknowledge those buildings and structures valued by local people and will be a consideration in the planning process.

 
Councillor Baker continued: “This is an opportunity to provide recognition of the buildings and structures that are genuinely valued by local people; the features that make their city and neighbourhood special. The local list will not introduce an additional tier of bureaucracy; it is intended to complement existing measures.”
 
An online nomination form can be completed, and further details about the list obtained, at www.sheffield.gov.uk/conservation

Nationally listed buildings and those within the city’s 38 Conservation Areas already enjoy a significant degree of protection so will not be eligible nor will buildings within the Peak District National Park.
 
The local list will be based on the nominations of local people. Nominations are being accepted up until 12 February 2011 and decisions will be based on five criteria and must meet at least one. These are:

Architectural interest, local historical significance, setting or group value,
For this to apply the building should be by a significant architect, be a strong example of a particular style or type, or exhibit quality in terms of materials or construction techniques.

Local historical significance
Buildings associated with a particular historical event or movement, or a notable person.

Setting or group value
A landmark or a group of buildings that makes a significant contribution to the character of an area.

Age and rarity
Particularly old or rare examples of a building type.

Authenticity
Properties which have not undergone significant alteration  
 
The list will be formally determined by Community Assemblies. Once the provisional list has been endorsed the owners of the relevant properties will be contacted.

A copy of the final list will be posted on the City Council website.

For more information please contact conservation@sheffiled.gov.uk or telephone 0114 27 34223 

 

From: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/sys_upl/templates/PT_Directory/PT_Directory_details.asp?esLtr=ALL&ItemId=109739&action=Display&pgid=131107&tid=154&DirectoryKeywords=&OrderDir=DESC&OrderFld=