Saturday 21 March 2015

Huncoat: Conservation activity at Spout House on 30th March 2015

Ancient boundaries are being revived as part of the Spout House community woodland scheme at Huncoat.

Come along and help make history, by joining a conservation activity on Monday 30th March, starting at 10.30am.

A very special feature of the area is the mediaeval layout of long narrow fields which is clearly visible in the landscape.  Documentary evidence dates as far back as 1534 and some of the boundaries could be even earlier than this.  The ‘strip’ fields would have been ploughed by oxen in mediaeval times and this layout is one of only a few surviving examples in the whole of Lancashire.

The Spout House community woodland has already been transformed, much to the delight of local people, with good surfaced paths and entrances nearly completed, enabling many more people to get out and discover its beauty.

The next stage is planting new hedgerows full of vibrant native shrubs to reinforce the ancient boundaries and provide homes for lots of wildlife.  

The meeting place for the activity is the meadow across the playing fields from Bolton Avenue, Huncoat. Please wear strong boots and be prepared for all weathers.  The shrubs are small and easy to plant so everyone can get involved.

Heritage experts have given strong support for the project and advised that there is lots of potential for local people to get involved in understanding the significance of the historic features on the Spout House site.

Later in the year, it is hoped that another project will help to uncover more information about the ancient field system and related early origins of the Huncoat area.  If you are interested in learning how to do heritage based research, looking at original archive documents and old maps, then please do get in touch.

For more information, please contact Anne Hourican, Senior Environmental Initiatives Officer, Hyndburn Borough Council on 01254 388111.

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