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Project Description

The Gaunless Valley Project has two discrete elements:

Gaunless Valley Visitor Centre

Groundwork West Durham and Darlington has employed a Heritage Guide, Sam Jackson at the Gaunless Valley Visitor Centre in Butterknowle. He has improved the interpretation at the centre and has estblished a programme of exhibitions and events including guided walks and educational visits led from the centre.

A series of five self-guided walks leaflets have been updated and access infrastructure has been improved at: Evenwood, Cockfield, Steele Road, Woodlands and Butterknowle.

Pilot of Dry Stone Walling Apprenticeship Scheme

BTCV and the North Pennines AONB have piloted an apprenticeship scheme for dry stone walling trainees, placing them with experienced wallers and providing accredited training and qualifications.

Publications

To download the self-guided walks leaflets developed by this project see Publications.

Length of Project

Start date: September 2003
End date: May 2008

Project Area

The Gaunless Valley Project area covers settlements including Evenwood, Butterknowle, Cockfield, Steele Road and Woodland.

Further work after the project has completed

Funding has recently been awarded to the Gaunless Valley Heritage Trust to further support work in the Gaunless Valley. This will involve work on the interpretation and access on Cockfield Fell, England's largest Ancient Scheduled Monument. Walk leaflets produced through the project will be available from local visitor centres and attractions.

Contact Details

For more information about the Gaunless Valley Visitor Centre contact:
Sam Jackson
Groundwork West Durham and Darlington
Grosvenor House
29 Market Place
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL14 7NP

Tel: 01388 662 666
Fax: 01388 661 941
Email: sam.jackson@groundwork.org.uk

For more information about the Dry Stone Walling Apprenticeship scheme contact: Peter Nailon
BTCV
Durham Dales Centre
Castle Gardens
Stanhope
County Durham
DL13 2FJ

Tel: 01388 529 022
Fax: 01388 529 300
Email: p.nailon@btcv.org.uk