News from Visitor Improvements Project

The view from the top looks much brighter and the future encouraging.

OLD OSWESTRY HILL FORT, VISITOR IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

Oswestry Economic Regeneration Unit are working in partnership with English Heritage, to put together a funding package with the intention of providing new, improved access and interpretation at the site.

Jan 2008 UPDATE Over the next couple of months we will be seeing quite of lot of work being done at, and around, the Hillfort, as we get going with contracts for various improvement projects.  The reason that the work is taking place over the winter months is because we want to minimise any disruption to wildlife, and we should have finished larger scale disruption before birds start nesting and amphibians come out of hibernation and start thinking about breeding.  We have been working with botanists and biologists at all stages of planning the project.  Planning has taken a great deal of time, and it would probably surprise a casual visitor that this is the most important part, particularly with a site such as the Hillfort which has a great deal of importance to several groups of people, so that other interests beside archaeology must also be given priority (in our case the Hillfort is home to several protected species).  Everybody involved is looking forward to seeing all the plans coming into reality finally.  I am sure that people will appreciate the sensitive and considered works once they are completed,  and that these will enhance the site without taking anything away from its wild character.  Things will start moving from now on, and I will attempt to keep this webpage regularly updated and post photographs as work progresses.

Work begins with new fencing being installed around the Hillfort, to replace old and untidy existing fences.  This will be done carefully, under the watchful eye of English Heritage.  Fence posts will be driven in so that no digging occurs to disrupt any potential archaeological information.  We also expect that the lay-by will be surfaced very soon, and enlarged, to include some dedicated disabled parking space and a cycle stand.  This is part of work along the lane leading to the Hillfort from Oswestry, and includes installation of a path alongside the lane linking Gatacre Playing Fields with the Hillfort plus improvments to Gatacre Car Park.   Later a surfaced path and replacement steps will be installed on the Hillfort.  During the winter English Heritage will also be undertaking scrub clearance, as part of their rolling programme to keep the site clear of saplings, brambles and other unnecessary undergrowth. At no time will the Hillfort be closed to visitors, but there will be some disruption, particularly during work along the lane, and at some stage some people will have to find alternative parking.  I will try to keep this site updated to keep you posted as things occur.

Any comments/queries then contact me.

Maggie Rowlands

Oswestry Borough Council

01691 670985

margaret.rowlands@oswestry-bc.gov.uk

 

We would like to thank and acknowledge all our partners.  As you can see from the number of logos, we have called on help from quite a number of organisations. 

 

Progress Report May 2007

A considerable difference has been made since last winter to improve the entrance and gateways in the Hill Fort.  English heritage have installed a new gateway and new signs, and have laid the straggly hedge at the entrance.  Scrub clearance has been ongoing throughout the winter, and has been very successfull in terms of uncovering and redisplaying the ramparts and other features.

Before

After

You can see from the photo above that scrub clearance has made a great improvement to the site by revealing features previously hidden by the undergrowth.

Before

After

Old stiles presented an obstacle to most walkers, you needed to be fit and able to climb over one of the old stiles.  As part of the project, the Countryside Access Group of Shropshire County Council have installed 6 kissing gates.  This immediately allows many more of us to get up onto the top of the Hill Fort and do the top circular walk, which, to my mind, is the best one for views and bird watching.

WE are grateful for funding from SCC Tourist Action Plan, European Union and Oswestry Borough Council.

This site will regularly update people about the progress of the project, as we manage to obtain enough funding to achieve results.

(updated June 2007)

 

LINKS

OBC Economic Regeneration Unit

Rotary Club of Oswestry Borderland Hill Fort Project