99,982 research outputs found
Images from a Historic Building Recording Survey at The Old Forge, Monkokehampton, West Devon, Devon, June 2020
No full textThis archive consists of images from a historic building recording survey by South West Archaeology Ltd, of The Old Forge, Monkokehampton, West Devon, in June 2020.The Old Forge is a traditional cob-built Devon building that is of considerable architectural and historical interest. The surviving phases of lateral stack and the forge structures represent a complex and layered domestic and working narrative, however the building has been compromised by repairs during the later 20th century following a devastating fire which resulted in the loss of most of the western elevation and the roof. A lack of maintenance and poor-quality modern repairs have since led to a significant risk to the historic integrity and the structural cohesion of the building. The conversion of the building will ultimately ensure its long-term survival
Land East of Tiverton, Devon (OASIS ID: cotswold2-154888)
No full textAn archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in October and November 2012 at land east of Tiverton, Devon. Thirty trenches were excavated. A pit cluster was identified. Radiocarbon analysis of charcoal fragments recovered from one of the pits indicates an Early Bronze Age date. The pits contained abundant fire-cracked stones and charcoal but their primary function was uncertain. No evidence of archaeological remains associated with an adjacent Scheduled Neolithic Long Barrow were identified. However two of the four trenches in close proximity to the Long Barrow contained a considerable depth of modern overburden originating from the construction of the A351 link road. It is possible this deposit masks underlying archaeological features. Evidence for the agricultural use of the site from the medieval period to the present day was recorded
Palaeoecological, archaeological and historical data and the making of Devon landscapes. I. The Blackdown Hills
No full textThis paper presents the first systematic study of the vegetation history of a range of low hills in SW England, UK,lying between more researched fenlands and uplands. After the palaeoecological sites were located bespoke archaeological, historical and documentary studies of the surrounding landscape were undertaken specifically to inform palynological interpretation at each site. The region has a distinctive archaeology with late Mesolithic tool scatters, some evidence of early Neolithic agriculture, many Bronze Age funerary monuments and Romano- British iron-working. Historical studies have suggested that the present landscape pattern is largely early Medieval. However, the pollen evidence suggests a significantly different Holocene vegetation history in comparison with other areas in lowland England, with evidence of incomplete forest clearance in later-Prehistory (Bronze?Iron Age). Woodland persistence on steep, but poorly drained, slopes, was probably due to the unsuitability of these areas for mixed farming. Instead they may have been under woodland management (e.g. coppicing) associated with the iron-working industry. Data from two of the sites also suggest that later Iron Age and Romano-British impact may have been geographically restricted. The documented Medieval land management that maintained the patchwork of small fields, woods and heathlands had its origins in later Prehistory, but there is also evidence of landscape change in the 6th–9th centuries AD. We conclude that the Blackdown Hills area was one of many ‘distinctive subregions’, which due to a combination of edaphic, topographic and cultural factors could qualify as an eco-cultural region or ‘pays’. It is argued that the use of such eco-culturally distinctive regions or pays can provide a spatial and archaeological framework for palaeoecology, which has implications for landscape research, designation and heritage management
Devon design sprint report : June 2023
No full textOver the course of five days, a group of
stakeholders involved in the land use
decision-making process in Devon
worked together as a team to create a
prototype decision support tool aimed
at facilitating carbon-focused land use
decisions in the rural environment. After
the prototype was developed, it was
tested by a range of intended users to
assess its usability and effectiveness.
The work presented here was funded by
the Geospatial Commission as part of
the National Land Data Programme
which fed into the Devon Land Use
Framework. Land is a finite resource. In the UK the
limited land area and growing population
makes managing competing priorities
and land use functions particularly
complex. Land use is often
multifunctional and yet is subject to
various trade-offs.
The design sprint focused on long-term
carbon sequestration and storage in rural
land use decisions, with an
understanding that carbon forms a
component of a range of ecosystem
services. Spatial data and modelling tools provide
an opportunity to support the
assessment, planning and management
of land use. The design sprint team began
by identifying pinch points in the
decision-making process where
geospatial data and tools might support
land managers and their advisors to
make and influence land use decisions.
The team worked collaboratively on
designing a prototype decision support
tool that addressed these pinch points.
The key requirements the team agreed
to incorporate into the prototype were:
›› Baseline and future land cover
options;
›› Clear summary of economic
incentives and impact of any land
use changes;
›› Simple and easy to use;
The user testing demonstrated the need
for shared digital evidence upon which
to base conversations at both the
strategic and granular/ site scale. This
included using field-scale data wherever
possible to facilitate conversations at
both on-farm and landscape scales. Users also said they wanted functionality
that could support the creation of a
‘community of change’ to help people
work together to leverage better
environmental, social and financial
outcomes.
The design sprint and prototype led to an
understanding that a suite of spatially
explicit data and decision support tools
is integral to a land use framework.
Having access to easy-to-use data is a
critical part of having informed
discussions around land use change. A
shared evidence base is central to
ensuring that leaders and local
stakeholders are able to understand and
communicate the benefits, trade-offs
and shared outcomes possible from land
use decision making
Roborough Solar PV Array, Roborough, Devon. Archaeological Evaluation (OASIS ID: cotswold2-316757)
No full textIn January 2017, Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation at the proposed site of Roborough Solar PV Array, Devon (centred on NGR: SX 4938 6192). The evaluation was undertaken at the request of Arcus Consultancy Services Ltd on behalf of Verto Energy Ltd and Soventix GmbHm.
The fieldwork comprised the excavation of 34 trenches. All trenches were 20m long and 2m wide. T33 was moved from the location specified in the WSI on order to avoid an area of existing trees and vegetation in the eastern end of the site. The orientation of T27 was adjusted to avoid a steeply sloping area.
Archaeological features were identified in T8, T11, T32 and T33 only. All of these features were undated and are of uncertain function, although the ditches may represent minor drainage and/or boundary features
Industrial Devon: Reflections and learning from schools-based heritage outreach in Scotland
No full text‘Industrial Devon’ is a schools-based heritage engagement initiative that staff at the Centre for Environment, Heritage and Policy at Stirling University, Scotland, undertook in 2013/14. The project’s implementation involved collaboration with a variety of internal and external education and municipal partners, together with student volunteers. The project explored the environmental history of historic industries located along the River Devon in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, and the associated settlements along its route through the ‘eyes’ and activities of the local primary school pupils. The year-long project offered a hands-on, experiential approach to knowledge exchange delivery in schools; supplementing the state curriculum and research design for promoting local heritage across community groups of all ages and locations. The reflective narrative on how the initiative evolved, examines the pitfalls and opportunities encountered during planning and implementation and is designed both to inspire and provide a practical tool kit to all considering embarking on similar activities
Long Distance Paths as Catalysts for Local Development: The Role of Parish Councils
No full textLong distance paths are local resources, but previous research by the author
suggested that they are not fully exploited by many rural communities. The continuing
debate on rural governance following the publication of the Rural White Paper in
November 2000, together with a curiosity as to the potential development role of
parish councils resulted in the current research. This had three clear objectives.
• What socio-cultural, environmental and economic benefits could be derived
for local people from the presence of a long distance path?
• Do parish councils assist in unlocking this potential, and if so, how?
• Could this process be improved if parish councils acted differently?
A two-phase research approach was adopted. Initially telephone interviews were
used to conduct a broad based seeping study. This identified many relevant issues
and provided introductions that led to the second phase when three case study
locations were explored in greater depth. Here data was collected primarily through
face-to-face semi structured interviews supplemented with documentary evidence.
It was confirmed that there were minimal disbenefits but that the benefits were
potentially considerable. At least half of the parish councils contributing to the
research were found to participate in relevant local development to greater or lesser
degrees. However it appears that not all parish councils are willing or able to accept
responsibility for local development initiatives related to long distance paths. Some
thought that local businesses or other agencies should promote and lead projects,
whilst others were too busy dealing with routine matters. In addition parish councils
were not always receptive to suggestions for collaborative working with other
organisations. In all instances it was found that this local resource was not fully
exploited by parish councils.
Local authorities have more recently acknowledged the potential benefits brought by
long distance paths. Thus during the last ten years new routes have been devised
and it was found that parish councils were always consulted during the development
phases, whilst historically the reason for, and the method of development of long
distance routes was completely divorced from parish councils. In these latter
instances parish councils needed to adopt a proactive approach to harness maximum
community benefits. Generally however their activities were inhibited by several
identified constraints. These were concerned with a lack of representation, skills and
positive attitude towards local development initiatives.
Examples of successful local development were identified that maximised
endogenous resources and one of these is local people. It is suggested that if parish
councils are to be successful the Government should first allocate sufficient resources
for the capacity building of councillors and clerks which would enable them to take a
more positive role in local development initiatives
Frankfurt book fair: cancelled prize ceremony for Palestinian author is part of a long history of political zigzagging
No full textFirst paragraph: The Frankfurt Buchmesse, or book fair, is the world’s largest publishing industry gathering, attracting thousands of exhibitors every October. On one level, it’s a business event focused on creating buzz for forthcoming bestsellers, trading rights and discussing industry developments. On another, it’s a public celebration of books and the values associated with them.https://theconversation.com/frankfurt-book-fair-cancelled-prize-ceremony-for-palestinian-author-is-part-of-a-long-history-of-political-zigzagging-21574
Devon Klingenberg
No full textLiving away from home should feel inviting, healthy, and enjoyable. This is the main driving force for the Fire Station 204 renovation; Creating a comfortable home that promotes both mental and physical health while having a modern design that is functional and aesthetically pleasing. Due to toxin contamination at fires, firefighters will absorb carcinogenic toxins on both their equipment, vehicles and skin. This can lead to many negative long-term health complications that can be life threatening. How decontamination can better occur to improve physical health at the fire station was one major design consideration. By providing a new decontaminating process, putting more space between living quarters and the main contaminated areas to act as a buffer zone, creating new contaminated storage areas and improving living spaces were some of the ways this issue is addressed. Living in a safe home is one way to improve mental health, so is improving the current living conditions. Creating a new living space that features a larger living room and kitchen was one design improvement. Focussing on physical health was also a design consideration. By adding a large fitness area with both indoor and outdoor spaces, renovating and revitalizing change-rooms that now feel more inviting were some of the solutions. Adding more space for privacy was another improvement which includes larger dorm areas that feature a semi-enclosed area for personal space. This will allow for a better nights sleep after a stressful day and a place for each firefighter to call their own. Keeping building energy that was used to create the original fire station was another design consideration. A large majority of the existing structure and foot print have been retained while the new modern design aesthetic was used. The new fire station will look and feel clean, modern and revamped, representing the new clean lifestyle changes the building will bring to the firefighters who use the space. The new station has focused on revitalizing the cultural identity that traditional fire stations would have, with subtle design aesthetics to act as a reference to the designs that came before
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