Pennine Asset In Danger

As we cross the magic mark of the year 2000, a massive effort is being made to save and restore one of the nations greatest heritage, dry stone walls. If you thought they were just lumps of stone you would be wrong, building a dry stone walls is highly skilled yet remarkably easy to learn. Their solid structure has stood the test of time across the length and breadth of Britain from the 3600 year old walls of Skara Brae in Orkney to the simple walls now used as features in many suburban gardens.

In the Pennines, the great age of wall building started in the 14th and 15th centuries and was at it's peak during the Elizabethan period. During the 17th and 18th centuries and the growth of mining, small fields of 1 to 3 acres taken on the moor sides beyond the common fields. These plots were called 'intakes' and provided the mine labourers with a source of food and outside work. The name 'intake' can still be found on the maps of the Pennines such as Intake Head, Allenheads in Northumberland.

In the uplands of the North Pennines, the location of these walls is a marvel. Some stretch perilously up steep hillsides in neat straight lines. Think of the armies of craftsmen who worked in this wilderness in rain, wind and snow on the top of hills reaching over 2000 feet in height. Not for them the protection of a go anywhere 4X4, or a heated office and a Portaloo!

Many thousands of miles of wall are now in decay, due partly to the expense of rebuilding and the scarcity of craftsmen. The Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA) has branches of dedicated wallers throughout the country and are drawing attention to the state of the nations walls. The next time you see a dry stone wall, remember that it is probably hundreds of years old and like a hedge, provides home to many small creatures.

A close look and you might see a cheeky stoat sticking it's head out, or a tiny wren skipping it's way around the stones. Of course, like we have regional accents, the construction of a wall depends on which part of Britain it is located. As we cross this historic date line into a new century, surely funds can be found to rebuild and preserve the many thousands of dry stone walls and our heritage.