UNESCO Decisions Concerning World Heritage Mining Site

Following on from an announcement that permission has been granted for a new supermarket development at Hayle, Cornwall and west Devon's prestigious World Heritage Mining Site may be placed on an endangered list this week.

In the far off reaches of Cambodia, a UNESCO world heritage committee could make the decision that  the retail outlet would be out of place with the rest of the site. World Heritage Status could be removed, but it is hoped that this will be unlikely.

Echoing the feelings of the full council, Phil Mason, Cornwall Council's head of planning, housing and regeneration said: "The really important thing is the community of Hayle. The development was approved because we believed it would help the community of Hayle. That's why I think the decision was the right one to make."

UNESCO is set to make some big decisions

Deborah Boden, the Cornwall co-ordinator of the World Heritage Site, said: "In theory they could say Hayle Harbour has been negatively impacted and decide to remove the status from the whole of the site. I doubt they would do that.

"It's only a small part of the much wider 20,000 hectare World Heritage site across Cornwall and west Devon."

If the status is put on an endangered list, then a spokesperson for UNESCO said it would consult with the UK government to create "a programme for corrective measures, and subsequently to monitor the situation of the site".

A sign in Hayle states the town was the "cradle of the Industrial Revolution", and shipbuilding, as well as Harvey's Foundry, a reminder of the local mining industry, make Hayle a part of the heritage site.  UNESCO says that the mining heritage of the region operates as a "testimony to the contribution Cornwall and West Devon made to the Industrial Revolution in the rest of Britain".

Let’s All Blame The Atlantic For Our Poor Summers

Even the most steadfast supporter of the British holiday industry would admit that the recent summers have been less than helpful over the last few years. True, we have had spells of fine weather - who can forget the wonderful second half of March that we had last year, or the splendid June of a couple of years ago.

But anyone with any knowledge of the industry will tell you that the “summer” months, namely those that cover the school holiday months of July and August hold the key to a successful season, year in and year out. “Indian” summers put the icing on the cake only if the preceding months have been the real deal.

It’s true that out of season breaks are flourishing, to cope with the peculiar times of year that decent weather can arrive (often unexpectedly), but  fine weather at these times cannot always guarantee the level of daytime temperature that many holidaymakers require, and that romantic “after dinner” stroll along the beach will most likely be taken in pitch darkness, as the bright summer evenings have yet to arrive.

Well, apparently recent research suggests that the problem is somewhere out in the Atlantic, with a cyclical warming of that contentious stretch of water taking the blame. Scientists and meteorologists say that this 10 to 20 year pattern of Atlantic warming was shifting the jet stream, leading to washouts in six of the last seven summers. They gathered at the Met Office in Exeter, obviously not trusting themselves to find somewhere warmer!

But there was hope that the pattern would change at some point in the next decade, with the location of the fast moving winds of the jet stream being central to the UK's weather. When it becomes fixed in position south of the British Isles, low pressure systems find themselves stuck in the peaks and troughs that form along the edge of the stream, giving us the seemingly endless rainy days that have been part of our summers in recent years.

Prof Stephen Belcher from the Met Office Hadley Centre, who lead the discussions said that changes in the Atlantice Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), as the ocean current is called, was one of the prime factors.

"It's the pattern of warm and cold water, it's the contrast of the warm and the cold, when that sits in the right place beneath the jet stream, it can kind of steer the jet stream and influence where it goes," he said. "I'm excited about this work, it's a new thing that we didn't really know about."
Explaining the cold winters of 2010/11 and this past spring were more of a challenge, said the scientists. Dr James Screen from the University of Exeter said that a more complicated basket of factors was involved.

"The cycle we've been talking about in the north Atlantic seems to be more important for controlling summer weather in the UK, our current understanding of the role of Arctic sea ice is that it is more important in controlling winter weather."

The researchers say that the glimmer of good news is that the AMO might change in five to 10 years, and warmer summers might return. However the winter was more difficult to predict said Prof Belcher. "There are hints we are coming to the end of the cycle. With the cold winter weather, the loadings of the dice don't seem to follow cycles," he said.

Well that’s all well and good, even if you do understand what they are on about! But what are our chances for this year?  According to Dr Adam Scaife from the Hadley Centre, you'd be wise to keep an umbrella handy.

"In 2012, like the previous few summers, we've had conditions in the northernmost Atlantic that were much warmer than normal.  So that pre-conditioning was there this year and that shifts the odds slightly in favour of this summer being wetter than the historical average.”

Protestors Highlight The Uncertain Future Of The National Railway Museum

To little boys (and even big boys!) everywhere, it would be like the unthinkable happening. But there is an outside chance that the unthinkable could happen in the not too distant future, with protestors gathering recently to oppose the possible closure of the National Railway Museum (NRM) in York.

Is nothing sacred! Apparently not to the owners of the NRM, the Science Museum Group (SMG), who have been warning about further budgetary cuts that they may have to make. This could extend as far as actually closing one of the northern museums in their ownership, the other two at risk being the National Media Museum in Bradford or the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.

The SMG, which also owns the Science Museum in London, has said that a further 10% reduction in government funding would leave it "little choice" but to close one of its northern museums.
Speaking at a rally organised as a protest against the possible closure, James Alexander, leader of City of York Council, said: "We need to be vocal and show cross-party support. We can't be in the situation where just because we are the north of England, we are ignored by the government because we are not in London."

A letter written by York Council's Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem and Green group leaders to Maria Miller, culture secretary pointed out that the National Railway Museum played a "critical part" in attracting tourists, who contribute £443m annually, to the city.

Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, said  he was "shocked" by warnings that one of three museums in the north of England would close if funding was cut any further.

                                                                    http://www.nrm.org.uk/

Cambridge Street Gets Individual “Blue Plaques” For The Annual Street Party

Blue plaques with a difference appeared on all the houses in Covent Street, Cambridge in time for the annual street party. As you will know, the iconic Blue Plaque scheme that is now run by English Heritage, seeks to link properties with notable figures who would have lived there at some time in their lives. It has been organised since 1865, and is the longest running such scheme in the world.

The Blue Plaques erected outside each house in Covent Street however, were as a result of research undertaken by retired professor of music history and resident, Ian Bent who garnered information about the everyday lives of people who lived in the street over the years. The replica laminated plaques were created by Mr Bent's wife Caroline.

Mr. Bent gained access to census data and historical documents to research past occupants of all 44 houses in Covent Garden, and discovered amongst other things, connections to a prostitute's murderer and a barber who cut hair in the corner of a bakery.

Frederick Scriven, who had resided at number nine for almost 50 years from 1872, was a tailor whose assistant ended up being hanged for the murder of a 16-year-old prostitute in the city in 1876. Emma Rolfe was killed by former soldier Robert Browning, aged 25, on Midsummer Common. Her throat had been cut. Browning was tried on 29 November 1876 at the Norwich Assizes, and having been found guilty, a plea of insanity was rejected.

He was hanged in the Cambridge Borough jail on the south-east corner of Parkers Piece, and Emma Rolfe was buried locally.

Five other houses on the street were purchased as tied cottages and used by officers from the Borough police force during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, including Moses Free, who rose to the rank of inspector, and whose grandson still lives in the city.

Also resident was Archibald Frost, who set up his own hairdressing business in the corner room of a baker's shop at the top of the street.

"He had his own entrance, but it was still basically part of the bakery," Mr Bent said. "He ran that business until 1955, and someone who used his services told me Archie was 'more like a sheep shearer than a hairdresser’!"

Mr Bent said: "Every year I like to do something for the party, and this year the blue plaque scheme seemed like a good idea. I basically looked at past residents and picked on one who had the most interesting story."

Battle Lines Could Be Drawn Over New National Park

As a crucial enquiry takes place in Northern England over plans to extend the National Park status between the Lake District and The Yorkshire Dales,  equally controversial plans are taking shape for a proposal to create a new Dorset and East Devon National Park.

Already it is being dubbed the Jurassic National Park as the coastline of the new entity would closely follow the already existing World Heritage Site of the Jurassic Coast which currently runs from Orcombe Point by Exmouth in the west to Old Harry Rocks by Swanage in the east.

An obvious bone of contention that immediately arises is the fact that should National Park status been granted, it would remove planning powers from the district council. Unsurprisingly, top East Devon district councillors have been asked to refuse the proposal that would effectively run from Exeter to Poole.

The proposal for a Jurassic National Park, that brings together the designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Dorset with those in East Devon, has been made by the recently formed Dorset and East Devon National Park Group. The final decision would rest with the Government's environmental agency, Natural England.

Whereas the Group feels that the idea would have significant economic, social and environmental benefits, as well as a benefit for tourism across the region through the holistic management of extended recreational opportunities, the main advantage cited for the creation of the park was to improve the connection between existing protected areas in order to promote the delivery of "crucial national conservation objectives".

The loss of planning powers to the new National Park authority is a big stumbling block to those who already hold those powers, namely East Devon District Council. Head of policy, Matt Dickins, is recommending a motion opposing the idea.

This stance is backed by The East Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, who echoed his concerns regarding the loss of district council planning powers. Mr. Dickens also said it could restrict rural development while consequentially putting "development pressure" on towns and villages.

He said that a clash in interests could arise between the council and the park authority, adding: "It could frustrate, restrict or otherwise prevent necessary rural-based growth and development across a large part of East Devon thus restricting efforts to address areas of low skill, low wages, economic weakness and housing shortage, especially affordable housing.

"In addition, further pressure on jobs and housing could impact on new developments in the west of East Devon and Exeter Growth Area," adding that restrictions on development within the National Park could force it into other areas."

He added: "Sensitive but non-National Park designated areas of the district may come under increasing and concentrated development pressure."
Tim Hale, the chairman of the East Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said the group did not support the premise: "We would urge caution."

The estimated time to establish a park is about 10-20 years, and the Group is calling for extensive consultation. It seems as though this one could run and run.


                                                              http://jurassiccoast.org/

                                                       http://www.eastdevonaonb.org.uk/

                                                          http://www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/

                                                        http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/

Excavations Begin Again At Maryport Roman Temple

For what will be the third summer in a row, The Senhouse Roman Museum is starting excavation on the site next to the Roman fort at Maryport in Cumbria. The work will be undertaken in collaboration with the University of Newcastle and the Camp Farm landowners Hadrian’s Wall Trust.

Professor Ian Haynes from the university and Tony Wilmott of English Heritage have returned to direct the excavation, the aim of which is to re-examine once again a building first excavated in the late 19th century by local bank manager and amateur archaeologist Joseph Robinson, who believed that he had discovered a previously unknown Roman temple possibly dedicated to Jupiter. Several altars were also found next to the building.

However, photographic evidence from Robinson’s excavations appear to suggest that he did not clearly excavate the building.  Professor Haynes said: “The Maryport altars have been at the centre of international debate about the nature of religion in the Roman army for decades. This project represents a marvellous opportunity.”

This excavation is running for the best part of six weeks, and the results will be added to the Senhouse Roman Museum’s collections, joining finds discovered previously by Joseph Robinson.
Alison Fowler, from the Hadrian’s Wall Trust, said: “The previous two years’ excavations focused on the area in which the altars were discovered in 1870 and yielded remarkable and surprising results. This year sees some further work at the 1870 site and the start of a planned three year project.”

The excavation will be open to visitors as part of a visit to the museum on weekdays until July 22 at 2pm and 3.30pm.

All public access will be by guided walks to the site led by the museum’s volunteer guides followed by a tour of the excavation led by one of the site supervisors.

When Maryport was first established as a fort around AD 122, it was known as Alauna. It was  a command and supply base for the coastal defences of  Hadrian’s Wall  at its western extremity. There are substantial remains of the Roman fort, which was one of a series of forts from Hadrian's Wall, intended to prevent the wall being outflanked by crossing the  Solway Firth.

                                                   http://www.senhousemuseum.co.uk/

Three More Norfolk Beaches Claim Nationwide Success

Norfolk Tourism chiefs can give themselves a pat on the back as three of the county’s beaches featured in the Top 50 British Beaches as identified by the Sunday Times Travel Supplement.  This is coupled with the fact that recently three other Norfolk beaches were to be found amongst the 55 Blue Flag award beaches. It is a curious fact that none of the six appear in both lists, meaning that Norfolk has six magnificent beaches included in its one hundred miles of wonderful coastline.

Let’s start with the Sunday Times award, where the beaches at Wells-next-the Sea was placed 10th, just ahead of Brancaster, in 11th, as part of a top 20 dedicated to family beaches. Salthouse, further east along the Norfolk coast, was placed in 31st position.

The recognition has been welcomed by Wells Town Council chairman, and coxswain at Wells Lifeboat Station, Allen Frary.

“It’s a good boost for the town’s tourism industry and a bit of a feather in the cap to say the beach is one of the best in the country,” Mr Frary said.
“We have wide expanses of sand from Wells to Burnham Overy Staithe so you can take a walk if the weather is a bit inclement.

“Most of the beach is family friendly, there are no major issues with the tide unless you cross the channel, and most people are sensible. There is sand for kids to play in and dunes if you want to take
a bit of shelter. It’s a good, safe beach and it’s nice to have it recognised as such.”

The survey also describes Brancaster beach as: “Two miles of sand offering huge skies, vast open spaces, superb beachcombing and even a shipwreck.”

Not content with its high position in the national poll, Wells also took further praise, with two of its chip shops named among the survey’s six “most outstanding seaside chippies”. “Platten’s and French’s are the Norfolk resort’s rival chippies and locals are divided as to which establishment is the better,” the survey states. “Our advice is to pick the one with the shorter queue.”

We at Brit Breaks featured the revised Blue Flag Award beaches last month, where Norfolk beaches at Cromer, Sea Palling and Sheringham, all made an appearance. All these beaches are managed by North Norfolk District Council.

The “Our Norfolk” website also has some quirky comments about Norfolk Beaches, check out the site below:

                    http://www.ournorfolk.org.uk/coast/the-our-norfolk-top-5-best-beaches/