New scheme to safeguard Torridge’s ancient monuments launches

The Torridge Monuments Management Scheme (MMS) has been launched to protect and improve the condition of scheduled monuments across the district over the next two years. The initiative, funded and managed by Historic England and Devon County Council’s Historic Environment Team (DCHET), aims to safeguard around 30 historic sites, including those on the Heritage at Risk Register.

As part of the scheme, archaeologists and volunteers have begun investigating a Bronze Age round barrow cemetery at Wrangworthy Cross near Bideford. 

This marks the first 21st-century study of the site, which dates back to between 2,000 and 1,500 BCE. 

The cemetery consists of turf and clay mounds covering single or multiple burials, which would have once dominated a high plateau near East Putford.

Archaeologists from Historic England and Devon County Council have been working alongside volunteers from North Devon and Devon Archaeological Societies and the Archaeology Club of Eggesford. 

Volunteers have received training in techniques such as analytical earthwork survey and test pitting, while also clearing scrub from one of the barrows to allow for further examination.

Initial survey results have revealed significant variation in the size and shape of the barrow mounds. 

A previously unrecorded barrow mound, detected via lidar (aerial laser scan) data, has also been confirmed through ground-based investigation. 

The findings will contribute to the future management of the site and will be featured on a new interpretation panel planned for a nearby nature reserve.

Dr Olaf Bayer, Senior Archaeological Investigator at Historic England, said: “The volunteers did a fantastic job, capturing vital information about the Wrangworthy barrows for their future management. Training the volunteers to assess the condition of monuments means they now have the skills to survey other local sites, which will be a real benefit to the scheme.”

In addition to Wrangworthy Cross, the scheme includes a range of projects aimed at engaging local communities, schools, parish councils, and archaeological societies. Condition surveys are planned for Merton Medieval Moated Site and Godborough Castle, with further work scheduled for sites in Winkleigh, Leeworthy, and Welsford Moor. Efforts will also be directed at addressing monuments at risk on Lundy Island.

Cressida Whitton, Torridge MMS project manager at Devon County Council Historic Environment Team, said: “MMS is a fantastic scheme for bringing local landowners, communities and volunteers together, for the common purpose of protecting the special local heritage represented by archaeological scheduled monuments.

“MMS volunteer management days and our open days, information boards and small-scale additional surveys engage the local community so much that ongoing management and protection of the monuments becomes a legacy of the MMS scheme.”

To raise awareness and encourage participation, a Community Education Day will be held on Wednesday 26 February 2025 at Burton Arts Gallery in Bideford. 

The event will begin at 10.30am with a presentation on Prehistoric Torridge, followed by a Q&A on the Monument Management Scheme. 

In the afternoon, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a geophysical survey at Godborough Castle, a scheduled monument at Turner’s Wood Nature Reserve.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, praised the volunteers, stating: “I want to thank the volunteers for clearing the site and taking the time to learn the skills needed to evaluate the condition of these important historical sites and for putting these skills into practice. These skills will be vital in our work to preserve not only these sites but many others across Devon.”

The scheme has already provided volunteers with hands-on archaeological experience. Stephen Mills of the North Devon Archaeological Society described the earthwork survey at Wrangworthy as “both interesting and educational,” while fellow volunteer Thor Beverley added: “I really enjoyed surveying the barrows at Wrangworthy. It was a fascinating experience which gave me a new appreciation of local archaeology.”

For those interested in attending the Community Education Day or volunteering with the scheme, contact Cressida Whitton at Devon County Council via email at Cressida.Whitton@devon.gov.uk.