Dear Participant
NORTHUMBRIA DRY STONE WALL SURVEY
The Northumbria Branch of the Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA) is interested in collecting basic but specific information about dry stone walls in Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear.
The Northumbria Branch of the DSWA has a current membership of 45 persons, made up of professional wallers, trained amateurs and enthusiastic volunteers. It promotes walling at local shows and provides training and experience to and for interested individuals. For more information see http://www.northumbria-dswa.co.uk.
Whilst the general extent and nature of walls are known to us, we are interested in accumulating more knowledge on local unique features and occurrences associated with local dry stone walls.
Some examples of these could be: unusual smoot holes, stiles, isolated distinctive stoops or stone slabs, ha-has, hogg holes, different geological rock shapes and types, wall troughs, stells, walls on steep slopes or exceptional sites, walls with 3 or more 'through' levels, historic wall boundaries/structures and so on.
We hope to compile a special publication of these features in the future which would be of interest and use to members, agencies and the public. The data base will be valuable in our training programme as well as for grant applications.
Any general and specific knowledge you have as a landowner, rural worker, walker/cyclist or ordinary member of the public would be much appreciated.
We enclose a form to enable you to record any features and details of dry stone walls known to you. If you can add a map or plan to locate the feature (s) and a contact address or telephone number that would be very helpful. We shall acknowledge all help received.
Please return all information to:
Derek Blair,
Ashbrooke,
Millfield Road,
Riding Mill
NE44 6DL
or by email to derek.blair (at) ukonline.co.uk
We thank you for any help you can give us.
John W Stevenson
Secretary, Northumbria Dry Stone Walling Association