Gary Ball,

Project Coordinator

Ridge Rocks and Springs

2014

Ridge Rocks and Springs Project

A Sandstone Legacy

2014 - 2017

Origins of the Project

❏ 2011: the Trust created. Remaining funds

to safeguard the legacy of the previous 2

partnerships

❏HLF funding for 3 year project from July 1st

2014-2017

Origins of the Project

An Opportunity

It provides the opportunity to bring benefits by

❏maintaining and reinforcing the network of

links

❏ entrenching knowledge already gained

Origins of the Project

An Opportunity

❏ encouraging new people to discover the

area

❏ disseminating new information

❏ developing new skills.

The Project Area

Northern Project Area

Central Project Area

Southern Project Area

Aims of the Project are:

❏ systematic survey of the exploitation of

stone and water and their heritage value on

the Sandstone Ridge.

❏ encouraging more voluntary participation

Aims of the Project are:

❏ create coherent historical record of the

quarries and wells on the Ridge.

❏ contribute to the identification and

recording of significant sites that may be

currently unknown or at risk, and inform

strategies for their future management and

preservation.

Management of the Project

❏Members / Volunteers❏Trustees / Volunteers

❏ Students

❏ Project Coordinator

Activities

Training Workshops freely available to registered

volunteers :

❏ Archive research and how to use the records office

❏ Hydrogeology - understanding the rocks and water of

the Ridge

❏ Mining and quarrying - searching for ancient workings,

recording features, understanding traditional techniques

❏ Graffiti and rock art - carvings through the centuries

❏ Water and Wells - the capture and distribution of water

Projects Focus

❏ quarries and methods of extraction

Projects Focus

❏ rock art and carvings

Projects Focus

❏ historic communal and commercial water supplies

Projects Focus

❏ springs and wells with cultural associations which have

been attributed with religious, magical and healing

properties.

Project Outcomes

❏ Once the survey of sites has been completed, sites in

need of further attention, either by archaeological

investigation or simply for preservation and

maintenance, will be identified or earmarked for

future projects to be initiated by the Trust.

❏ Information about all the sites will be lodged with

Cheshire Archives and Local Studies and on the

Trust’s own website

Project Outcomes

❏ A book, leaflets, walk guides and on-site

interpretation panels, all with QR codes, will enable

people to access information both by conventional

and digital means

❏ Schools will be informed of the existence of the

resource and it will also be promoted by the Trust

when we are represented at public events.

Project Outcomes

❏ All participants in the project will be kept informed of

publications and on-going activities and events

through the Trust’s website, Twitter and Facebook

presence.

www.thesandstoneridgetrust.co.uk

Ridge Rocks and Springs Project

A Sandstone Legacy

The Volunteers

Volunteer Outcomes

❏ gained a variety of research skills including both desk

research and research in the field.

❏ Structured training activities will have helped them to

understand the geology of the area, historical

quarrying and water management practices and how

communities have developed and exploited the

resources of the Ridge.

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Volunteer Outcomes

❏ greater knowledge of their environmental heritage

particularly as it relates to the historical economy of the

area but also to the history of their individual local

communities and their special relationships with stone

and water

❏ acquired practical skills that will contribute to the

further investigation of endangered sites in need of

maintenance or preservation.

Volunteer Aims

❏ We aim to provide a well-structured and resourced

framework for this new work that will encourage

renewed enthusiastic participation.

❏ bring rewards of personal satisfaction and

enjoyment to all.

❏ having fun whilst making a difference!