Lottery cash for hill fort
Tuesday 19th June 2007, 7:03PM BST.
“One of the best hill forts in the world” in Oswestry is set for a £200,000 upgrade in order to open it up for visitors.
The money will be used at The Old Oswestry Hill Fort in order to fund a project which will see new paths and a better entrance at the impressive 40-acre site, which is nationally important and dominates the surrounding landscape.
Peter Wilson, of Oswestry Borough Council, which has been awarded the cash, said: “We really want to improve the whole experience for visitors to this magnificent hill fort.
“This money will allow us to improve the paths and access, as well as highlighting the folklore and archaeology of the site through interpretation, leaflets and an education pack.”
There are also plans for costumed guides to welcome visitors and bring to life aspects of the hill fort’s history since it was first fortified more than 2,000 years ago.
Mr Wilson said: “At the moment the ramparts are suffering from soil erosion and are steep or overgrown, making it difficult to explore, except for very agile visitors.
“By creating new paths we will be able to stop further damage and allow much more access to the fort by everyone who wants to visit.”
Oswestry Hill Fort project officer Maggie Rowlands said: “It’s one of the best hill forts in the world and the second best in Britain after Maiden Castle in Dorset.
“Work should be finished by next June and the education part, guided walks and links with schools will kick off and will be long term.”
The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded £47,000 to the project.
HLF regional manager Anne Jenkins said: “There is such an interesting past associated with this impressive hill fort over the last 2,000 years. What we see today gives just a hint of that rich history.
“But this new project will help reveal the stories and way of life to visitors and make it much easier to enjoy their experience.”
Oswestry Borough Council has secured grants for the project from the European Regional Development Fund, Wren, Oswestry Town Council, English Heritage and Breathing Places to help bring the project to life.
By Suzanne Roberts
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why not raise some cash through the council tax, it will be an amenity for local use under the current rules for tax collection.
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Another massive waste of Lottery money – all Lottery money should be spent encouraging diversity and multi-culturism.
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What a waste. Think of the schools this money could help. Or local toilets to stop youths peeing in the streets…
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So, the ramparts are too steep for visitors?Isn’t that the whole point of them?
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Oh the marauding Roman legions won’t be pleased !!!!
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Stop moaning about it being a waste of money.
This is a small amount compared to the vast sums wasted elsewhere.
All that money wasted on the olympic logo for instance, and what about the millenium dome.
This govenrnment wastes money left, right and centre and you moan about money being spent on a historic monument that all can enjoy.
So all lottery money should be spent on multi-culturism.
Why?
Lottery money is already being spent on this.
And why should’nt people in this country be interested in their own history.
Other people in other countries are interested in the history and archaeology of where they live.
The lottery money is there for all sorts of groups.
As for it should be spent on schools or public toilets.
That is the job of the government.
Not the lottery.
Write to ten downing street if you have a problem with the education system.
Write to the council if you have a problem with public toilets.
I’m sick of hearing people saying such things as arts and heritage is a waste of money.
They are important.
The iron age people who built that hillfort did so without the use of modern machinary.
They had a rich culture. Have a look at Iron age art work to see what they achieved.
Britain at this time was not cut off from Europe. There was trade and contact across the channel.
Who knows how much mixing of people went on back then. DNA studies will no doubt help.
One thing is sure. All of us can trace our ancestory back to Africa.
We all come from one place.
Investigating our past is important.
It has shown us just how alike we are.
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I hope OBC do not overdevelop around it. One of the most exciting things about Oswestry Hill Fort is that it is unspoilt in a natural setting surrounded by natural countryside and fields. That’s what you look out on from the rampaets and the summit. It won’t be the same exoerience at all if a car park is built and that is what you look down on. Somtimes the more money that is spent , the more a heritage site is spoilt. Careful does it OBC, as this is such an important site for Oswestry and the country.
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Cant they leave anywhere alone?
Unspoilt rural retreats – even ones close to a town – are more valuable than another blasted tourist attraction.
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I think its a great idea as a young person in the area i am very interested in the history of the hill fort, but not miny people go there because it’s so hard to get access. the work in my view is very welcome.
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