◊ Dear Microburins
The Eston Hills rescue archaeology project has kicked off and, three days in, we have features and flints. The weather has been mixed, but the hearty project team are delighted with progress, well-informed by previous geophysical work kindly provided by AOC Archaeology Group.
Read the ICE AND FIRE Week 1 Site Diary »
In other news, Mesolithic Spence has a job interview scheduled. Cross your fingers and roast a hazelnut for me?
♦ Spence
This gallery contains 5 photos.
An exciting project indeed. Archaeology Orkney Bay of Ireland, Stenness, looking out towards the island of Hoy Fieldwork is taking place over the summer 2017 on an exciting project investigating the submerged landscape of Orkney; land now under water, covered … Continue reading
◊ Dear Microburins,
It’s been a huge pleasure to be interviewed by David Mennear – over the last few months due to some medical challenges we have both faced, and survived.
♦ Spence
◊ Dear Microburins,
There are still places available for this conference in Edinburgh, Saturday 17 June 2017, free entry. Hope to see you there!
♦ Spence | FSA Scot
◊ Dear Microburins
Momentum continues across local government, emergency services and community groups to coordinate sustainable solutions to problems on Eston Hills – devasting fires, burned out vehicles and illegal off-roaders. Friends of Eston Hills campaigner Craig Hornby is adamant that solutions ‘are not rocket science’ but need the will, resources and concerted effort to put in place. Watch the video and read the Evening Gazette 10 May article »
“I think the biggest problem is not allocating sufficient funds and resources fast enough to tackle the issues. I have been lobbying the authorities for three and a half years for robust barriers to be installed at the points of access being used by illegal vehicles.
Barriers are now in place at Lazenby and Eston but the Flatts Lane barrier and plans for an earthwork barrier have been delayed six months, so the problems have persisted.”
Cleveland Police Commissioner, Barry Coppinger, has called the first meeting of an action group at Police Headquarters on Ladgate Lane at 1.30pm, Monday 15 May 2017.
Adam Mead, ICE AND FIRE project director, has also scheduled talks in local primary schools and a further visit to the hills:
Whale Hill Primary School, Eston | Talks on Fri 12 and Fri 19 MayLook out for a feature article on Teesside’s archaeology in the forthcoming Council for British Archaeology Newsletter no. 40!
♦ Spence | Get Involved!
◊ Dear Microburins
The ongoing problems on Eston Hills and neighbouring farmland will be the subject of a Public Meeting hosted by Anna Turley MP at the Cleveland Inn, 37 Cleveland St, Normanby, Middlesbrough TS6 0LX at 5.30pm on Friday 28 April 2017. Cleveland Police Commissioner Barry Coppinger and ICE AND FIRE project director Adam Mead will also be in attendance.
The meeting is intended to discuss and explore, in an open community forum, both the issues and how cooperation between local government authorities, the emergency services, landowners, schools, residents and businesses might work together more effectively.
Acts of fire-setting, the burning of abandoned vehicles, illegal 4×4 and off-road vehicles, fly-tipping and other anti-social behaviour persist on an increasingly frequent basis, despite ongoing efforts by local services and voluntary organisations, including the Friends of Eston Hills, and media coverage.
The ICE AND FIRE project team and its stakeholders also believe that shifting public opinion – across generations from school children, their parents and people who benefit from tourism and economic footfall – is a local and regional priority. While the project aims to rescue archaeological and environmental assets where they are at risk, the longer term solutions must involve a coordinated effort to make anti-social behaviour entirely unacceptable in a community that values its rich historic, archaeological and natural environment.
More about the project and summer fieldwork »
♦ Spence
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