Saving historic monuments

18 October 2019

This month, Historic England published its annual Heritage at Risk Register. 

Among 30 sites removed from the ‘Heritage at Risk’ register in North East England is a lead mining site at Carrshield, which has been saved thanks to the North Pennines AONB Partnership, Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Situated in the West Allen Valley in the North Pennines, this monument includes the remains of two lead mines and an ore works, which collectively span three centuries of mining history. At its heart is the mid-18^th century Barney Craig lodging shop, which served as the centre of mining operations, containing accommodation, an office, a blacksmiths and stables for the pit ponies. In 2017, the building was at imminent risk of collapsing beyond repair. However, thanks to a North Pennines AONB Partnership project, funded by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, it was renovated using traditional methods and now serves as a camping barn for walkers, cyclists and dark sky astronomers. The Carrshield Camping Barn is now owned and managed by Allen Valleys Enterprise Ltd (AVEL), a community interest company set up as part of the North Pennines AONB Partnership’s Allen Valleys Landscape Partnership Scheme.

There has also been a major project funded – by the Coal Authority and the Environment Agency – to repair riverside wall, protecting the ore works and helping to prevent heavy metal pollution entering the river.

Kate Wilson, Heritage at Risk lead for Historic England in the North East, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve seen an overall reduction in the number of entries on the Register in the North East.

“Restoring and finding a new purpose for our threatened heritage sites is a difficult and gruelling job that takes tremendous dedication and tenacity. Every site to come off the Register tells a story of hard work, ingenuity and passion from the communities, heritage professionals and organisations that have fought to save it. I congratulate them all and look forward to working with those who will be taking on the challenge of securing the futures of the newly added sites.”