Ridge, rocks and springs presentation as given in September 2014 by Gary Ball to potential volunteers.

1. Gary Ball,
Project Coordinator
Ridge Rocks and Springs
2014

3. Ridge Rocks and Springs Project
A Sandstone Legacy
2014 - 2017

4. 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

5. 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

6. Origins of the Project
An Opportunity
❏ encouraging new people to discover the
area
❏ disseminating new information
❏ developing new skills.

8. The Project Area
Northern Project Area

9. Central Project Area

10. Southern Project Area

11. 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

12. 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.

13. Management of the Project
❏Members / Volunteers
❏ Trustees / Volunteers
❏ Students
❏ Project Coordinator

14. 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

15. Projects Focus
❏ quarries and methods of extraction

16. Projects Focus
❏ rock art and carvings

17. Projects Focus
❏ historic communal and commercial water supplies

18. Projects Focus
❏ springs and wells with cultural associations which have
been attributed with religious, magical and healing
properties.

19. 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

20. 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.

21. 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

22. Ridge Rocks and Springs Project
A Sandstone Legacy
The Volunteers

23. Volunteer Outcomes
❏ 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.
❏ gained a variety of research skills including both desk
r
research and research in the field.

24. Volunteer Outcomes
❏ acquired practical skills that will contribute to the
further investigation of endangered sites in need of
maintenance or preservation.
❏ 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

25. 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!