Historical curios and curious patterns

Beth Davies – Building Conservation Officer

We visit a huge number of sites throughout the North York Moors during the course of our work and occasionally we’re lucky enough to come across something on the more unusual side.

Like this stone noticed on a farm in Danby – we think it was used as an egg cooler.

This stone (below) is in a field in Glaisdale and the owner advised me it was an apple press. There certainly appears to be a drain on the near side which would suggest it was used to collect some form of liquid.

It’s noticeable that the cross shape is very similar to those found on ‘witches posts’ in vernacular long houses, especially those in recusant Catholic outposts like Glaisdale. Did the cross have a purely functional purpose in getting the juice to run out in channels? … did it help protect the juice from evil misdoings by witches? … did the cross shape signify covert faithfulness to the old religion after the Reformation?

This (above) is a picture of a ‘witch post’ trans-located along with the rest of Stang End Cottage from Danby to the Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton le Hole. The post is supporting the bressumar beam above and there is the heck (draught proof screen) behind. It’s called a ‘witch post’ because of the pattern carved at the top which is thought to be there to protect the house and the hearth. Similar carved posts in houses seem to be a particular feature of the North York Moors, but it’s not clear when they were first associated with witches.

The North York Moors contains a number of ‘cup and ring’ stones (see below). These are usually in-situ rocks which have been engraved in prehistoric times with patterns – the ‘cup’ markings are concave shapes and the ‘ring’ markings are concentric circles. These types of engraving are found in a number of places in Europe and beyond and it is this similarity of the ‘cup and ring’ patterns in different places that makes them particularly significant. There are various explanations of how and why involving semiotics, cryptography and mythology, as well as archaeology.

People like to leave their mark. Below is an example of 19^th century rock art (graffiti) at an ironstone industrial railway site in the North York Moors – it shows a man in a top hat, and a bird. I don’t suppose there is any meaning behind it other than someone passing the time and representing what they were seeing around them.

We’re always keen to hear about odd cultural remnants in the North York Moors and different interpretations of their functions. Please let us know if you can help.

 

Link

Link to Yorkshire Post article on the Cornfield Flowers Project (28 August 2015)

Out of Intensive Care and into rehabilitation

Taken from final report for the Cornfield Flowers Project: ‘Out of Intensive Care’

The Cornfield Flowers Project was set up originally to save rare plants of arable fields in north-east Yorkshire. It is spearheaded by the Carstairs Countryside Trust in partnership with the Ryedale Folk Museum, North Yorkshire Moors Association and the North York Moors National Park Authority. The core project area covers the south of the North York Moors National Park. Beyond this it links across the Vale of Pickering, Howardian Hills and on to York and the Yorkshire Wolds in the south and across the moors to Cleveland in the north.

The grant funding for the 3^rd five year phase of the Cornfield Flowers Project (‘Out of Intensive Care’) came to an end earlier this year. This phase was funded through the National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund, the North York Moors Coast and Hills LEADER programme, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Carstairs Countryside Trust.

Phase 3 of the Project has managed and enhanced

• a dedicated public demonstration field at the Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton-le Hole;
• a cornfield and recreated species-rich meadow at Silpho, near Scarborough;
• and in addition a new sandland arable site at Water Fulford near York – which was sown in one year due to the available amount of volunteer-grown seed.

Species counts at these sites were either maintained or more usually, raised.

During Phase 3 the Project introduced suitable open ground species into four disused quarries where the conditions could be manipulated to offer opportunities to increase the number of places where the plants can be allowed to thrive. However the low soil nutrients and harsh micro-climates at these sites have suited only some species e.g. Red hemp-nettle, whilst most others have struggled, suggesting the use of such sites is limited. However one of the conclusions of the Project is that the target species are not just plants of farmed land, but properly plants of disturbed ground and a focus for the future could be other places where the ground is regularly disturbed.

The Project is only possible due to the dedicated work of volunteers and the involvement of participating farmers. Phase 3 set out to engage the wider public in further participation in rare plant conservation through recruiting volunteers to expand seed stock and to act as species custodians as well as people, groups and schools willing to plant cornfield flower areas. A core of custodians has remained dedicated to the aims of plant conservation over the years, enabling a vital consistent supply of seed. The creation and management of cornfield beds has proven popular because they are effective even in small areas and the intense flowering display provided by the mix of species has attracted people along with the obvious signs of benefit to bees and other insects. One of the issues that became apparent initially was the widespread misunderstanding about the difference between arable land and meadow land, and the differences between their plants and required management. The ground the arable plants grow in needs to be disturbed (as if cultivated) for them to survive.

The Project has worked directly with 14 volunteer farmers managing areas of their farms for arable plant conservation and as species reintroduction sites. The greatest determinant of arable wildflower success is the dedication of the individual farmers themselves, and their willingness to encourage these plants above and beyond what would usually be required from an arable management regime. Maintaining a variety of core farms throughout the project area is essential to provide the widest range of conditions (soil type, microclimate etc.) to benefit the greatest variety of arable plant requirements and mitigate against localised losses at one site. In addition the Project has reached out to farmers through organised events and provision of advice and through working with agri-environment scheme providers to establish what species remain where in the wider area.

The sharing and spreading of knowledge is an essential element for the future of the species’ conservation. Hands-on growing of plants has proven to be the very best method for volunteers to become familiar with arable wildflowers, learning as they go through experiences of failures, pests, flowering times and seedling identification, with ready access to a Project Officer to answer any queries when needed.

Documenting the origins and movement of seed to ensure locations and provenance are recorded has been vital and will serve as an historical record of the Project’s work. Because much conservation targeting is based on species rarity, clear distinctions need to be drawn between native sites / plants and those reintroduced by the Project, so as not to impair wider conservation efforts or devalue any species by misrepresenting its true status. The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) study UK plant distribution and taxonomy, and operate a recording and mapping scheme that informs national plant Atlases and County Floras. The Project has provided them with records for local vice-county areas 61 and 62 (North-east Yorkshire and South-east Yorkshire respectively). One outstanding issue is how many years an introduced plant must be self-sustaining, without further reintroductions, before its ‘introduced’ status can be relaxed.

Steadily expanding survey coverage, along with increasing botanical expertise of the Cornfield Flowers Project and its volunteers, resulted in continuing species discoveries of national or regional significance, including a number previously thought regionally extinct. As well as new species found in the area during Phase 3, rare species were also found at new sites.

Upright goosefoot (Chenopodium urbicum)

Small-flowered catchfly (Silene gallica)

Purple ramping-fumitory (Fumaria purpurea)

Few-flowered fumitory (Fumaria vaillantii)

Dense-flowered fumitory (Fumaria densiflora)

Corn parsley (Petroselinum segetum)

Abyssinian kale (Crambe hispanica

Shepherd’s-needle (Scandix pecten-veneris)

Common ramping-fumitory (Fumaria muralis subsp. boraei)

Cornfield knotgrass (Polygonum rurivagum)

The current Management Group are determined to keep the work going to sustain the effective conservation of arable flowers in north-east Yorkshire. A plan for how to move forward – to maintain the momentum of the project, provide responsibility for maintaining the seed stock, consolidate affinity with participants over the future of the project, and provide ongoing enthusiasm and focus – is still taking shape. In the meantime the Carstairs Countryside Trust are providing funding for an additional year.

Tom Normandale and Chris Wilson have been the  whole-hearted proactive Project Officers for the Cornfield Flowers Project. Chris is now retiring from that role but will continue his involvement. Tom remains as a dedicated Project Officer.

Cornfield Flowers Project – Latest CFP Newsletter 2014-15

Cornfield Flowers – species cards

Cornfield Flowers Project, Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton-le-Hole, North Yorkshire, YO62 6UA.

Cornfield Flowers at the Ryedale Folk Museum

Cornfield Flowers Project – click here for a post on the Ryedale Folk Museum‘s Blog from the end of April. Tom Normandale (Cornfield Flower Project – Project Officer) explains the part the Musuem is playing in helping to conserve precious arable flowers.

End of summer

Rona Charles – Senior Ecology Officer

As part of Ryedale Folk Museum’s Harvest Celebrations last weekend, the Cornfield Flowers Project cut and collected the wheat crop from the cornfield at the Museum. Project staff and volunteers used traditional scythes to cut the corn, together with the seeding wild flowers that grew with it. The corn was then gathered into sheaves and stacked into stooks to dry.  With the Museum’s Iron Age round house as the backdrop (that’s the pyramid like shape) and no man-made sound other than the swish of the scythe blade, this was a timely reminder for visitors of how different most rural life is now!

The Cornfield Flowers Project aims to return arable flowers like the Corn marigold and Cornflower (some still flowering in the Museum field at the weekend) to the edges of willing farmers’ fields. Here the flowers will be avoided by the application of modern herbicides but there is no need for them to be avoided by modern harvesting machinery. Fortunately scythes aren’t compulsory for the conservation management of cornfield flowers.

An afternoon of looking to the future

Jo Collins – LEADER Programme Officer

The North York Moors Coast and Hills LEADER Local Action Group event ‘Shaping the Future’ took place on the 24 April at Hutton Le Hole. Delegates spent the morning taking part in a unique tour of the new LEADER funded Community Library and Archive at Ryedale Folk Museum.  A tasty soup and sandwich lunch at the Barn Tea Rooms in Hutton-Le-Hole was enjoyed by all.

Hutton-Le-Hole village hall provided the venue for the afternoon’s presentations and discussions. Peter Spencer, Malcolm Bowes and Patrick Holdsworth (from the LEADER Executive Group) gave a summary of some of the recent LEADER project achievements and introduced the afternoon’s discussions. Catriona McLees, Head of Promotion and Tourism at the National Park Authority, gave a presentation about the Moors and More local distinctiveness project – a project designed to boost local business and increase tourism within the North York Moors National Park and the wider LEADER area.

This was followed by lively and constructive discussions on the current and possible future LEADER programme. The main points included:

• The current LEADER funded Small Scale Enhancements scheme is well supported and has a simple and easy application process.  The current main LEADER programme had a more difficult application process however this is well supported by staff.  This availability of support has enabled the successful delivery of projects.
• A future programme should have a simplified application process and less bureaucracy where possible. There should be more information and support about the application process with capacity building training to assist communities to complete the projects and continue to benefit from them in the future making the projects sustainability beyond the funding.
• A future programme should include funds for economic development support, particularly for new businesses, but in balance with community, and heritage interests.
• Future projects should focus on – enhanced rural broadband provision; greater support for young people perhaps through apprenticeship schemes and with a greater level of involvement in the planning of a new programme; funds focussed on supporting elderly and retired people; and support for social enterprise to benefit communities.
• The current geographical area is about right however it would be good to include the market towns which currently can’t benefit from LEADER funding, and to close up gaps between the different LEADER areas in the country.
• The current Local Action Group itself has an appropriate role however a future programme should try harder to bring in younger members to the Group, to look at improving publicity about the LAG and the LEADER programme, and to increase communication with rural communities.

Thanks very much to all who took part and watch this space for future North York Moors, Coast and Hills LEADER programme consultation events, and the development of a future LEADER programme for the area.

Small Scale Enhancements with cumulative effects

Clair Shields – Small Scale Enhancements Scheme Co-ordinator

The North York Moors, Coast and Hills LEADER Programme is funding five Small Scale Enhancement Schemes across the LEADER area. These SSE Schemes co-ordinate and deliver small scale community projects which have been highlighted by members of the community. Priorities are the conservation & upgrading of rural heritage and village renewal & development i.e. projects that enhance the local village environment, strengthen and generate community cohesion or encourage community activities and village events.

Below, I’m highlighting a few of the most recent projects from the North York Moors SSE –

Underground heating system – Pockley Church

Underground heating system – Pockley Church

Pockley Church – The open afternoon at St John the Baptist Church at the beginning of April was a great success as approximately 30+ members of the public turned out to see the unique Victorian heating system being brought back into use. Both local residents and people from as far afield as Stockton on Tees turned up to the event. The warmth of the Church welcomed us in from the cold and a lovely cuppa and biscuit rounded off an enjoyable afternoon. A success all round!

Arts for Sustainability – This project involves the provision of a series of workshops for the public and schools focusing on butterfly biodiversity and conservation, and promoting the use of foraged plants. The workshops are being held at Dalby Forest Courtyard. Also the Danby Moors Centre will be hosting an art exhibition of art created from natural materials by Fine Art degree students (Saturday 18 May to Monday 17 June). All events are free.

Heritage Cycle Route – The Ryedale Folk Museum will be working with local community groups, history groups and cycling groups to develop Heritage Cycle routes. The plan is to create three family friendly routes of different lengths for local families to enjoy and at the same time help people connect to their local history.

Spaunton Pinfold – before

Spaunton Pinfold – Work has recently been completed on the restoration of the listed pinfold in Spaunton Village. The pinfold was in poor condition mainly due to adjoining trees and their roots affecting the stability of the walls, and so this village feature was included on our ‘At Risk’ register. Despite initial concerns that the whole structure needed taken down and rebuilding a more sympathetic approach was agreed concentrating on selective areas of re-building. A pinfold (also known as a Pound) is a common historical (and cultural) feature in moorland villages – it’s an enclosure where stray animals were held until released on payment of a fine to the Pinder.

Spaunton Pinfold – after

Oswaldkirk telephone kiosk – community at work

Oswaldkirk telephone kiosk – before

Oswaldkirk Telephone Kiosk – The wonky and dilapidated appearance of the kiosk put doubt into the community as to whether they should ‘adopt’ the kiosk from BT in the first place. However now the renovation of the Oswaldkirk telephone box is well underway, albeit slightly delayed by the weather! The aim is to restore the kiosk to its original appearance, or as near it can be, in order to provide a real enhancement to the character of the village. An excellent start has been made by the local community on the replacement of the discoloured plastic windows and flaky paint and rust – all the work is being done by them. All that is outstanding is the delivery of the internal equipment by a well-known supplier in Carlton Miniott.

Fylingthorpe Luncheon Club

Fylingthorpe Luncheon Club – The Fylingthorpe Methodist Chapel along with members of the local community asked for help to enable them to set up a Luncheon Club for up to 25 elderly residents of the village. The Club provides a freshly cooked meal as well as a friendly meeting place with all the benefits that increased social contact can bring. The Scheme purchased a new cooker for the Club.

Below are a few of the recent Ryedale SSE projects. These projects are outside the National Park but together with the North York Moors SSE and other area SSE partner projects, we’re generating community benefits across the whole of the wider LEADER area.

Exclamation Gates, Castle Howard

Exclamation Gates at Castle Howard – These Grade II listed gate piers have been repaired and restored with the support of the Ryedale SSE Scheme. As visitors and guests at Castle Howard were driven along, the view through the gates provided their first panoramic view of the rich and varied landscape created by Vanbrugh and  Hawksmoor under the patronage of the Earl of Carlisle – at which point they were expected to exclaim in wonder.

St Margaret’s Church, Hutton Ambo

St Margaret’s Church, Huttons Ambo – The Ryedale SSE Scheme was able to provide the funds to repair and rehang the cast iron gate and rebuild the subsiding gate pier in order to retain the attractive entrance to the village church.

St Michael’s Church, Crambe

St Michael’s Church, Crambe –Two projects have been supported in the church grounds: the first was the repair of a number of tomb chests, and the second was the repair and re-erection of 27 headstones in the churchyard that over the years had been damaged, broken and pushed over by the horses that grazed there.