Volunteering with Hadrian's Wall Heritage Limited

Posted by Ray Purvis on Mar 8, 11 03:23 PM in Bloggers

Stile on Trail looking West.jpg

Hadrian's Wall Path became the 15th National Trail, when it was opened in May 2003. National Trails are long distance footpaths and bridleways found in England and Wales.

The Trail covers 84 miles coast to coast and for most of its length it closely follows the route of Hadrian's Wall. Hadrian's Wall was first inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1987 and has since become part of the broader transnational Frontiers of the Roman Empire WHS (including the Antonine Wall in Scotland and part of the German Limes) in 2005. Approximately 10,000 walkers a year use the Trail.

Hadrian's Wall Heritage Limited is the company that was set up to develop and manage the World Heritage site of Hadrian's Wall. This involves protecting the archaeology, landscape and environment of the Scheduled Monument and developing the local economy.

I have been a National Trail Volunteer Ranger for one year. My part of the Trail covers just over three miles from Portgate (Stagshaw roundabout, Corbridge) to Heavenfield (near Chollerford). This part of the Trail runs parallel with the B6318 Military Road through farm and woodland.

My volunteering started with an informal discussion about the role with Kerry Shaw, Volunteer Coordinator. After completing an application form, it was not long before the batch of new volunteers was given two weekends of training. As well as navigation, orientation and first aid awareness in the outdoors; we were given an Introduction to Archaeology.

With a familiarisation walk of the section allocated and being supplied with our distinctive royal blue clothing, tools and paperwork. We were now ready to go out on the Trail. Our main aim is to monitor the condition of the Trail, whilst undertaking a wide range of tasks such as: picking up litter, cutting back nettles, brambles and vegetation, taking photographs of problem areas on the path and probably the most important, meeting and talking to the walkers on the Trail.

During my first season on the Trail, I have met and talked to a large amount of walkers from different areas of this country and others from around the World. Items discussed have been varied and to date I have not met a walker who has anything negative to say about the Trail. They are very complimentary about how well it is maintained and comment about the lack of litter.

Even after a short period of time, I am proud to be part of a team that is helping to maintain and monitor such an important archaeological site. I am not only speaking for myself, but I feel that all National Trail volunteers will become very protective about their section and welcome the chance to be the friendly face of Hadrian's Wall Country.

You can recognise the volunteers in their royal blue fleeces and waterproofs, which are customised with the National Trail Acorn and World Heritage Site logo.

With the new walking season starting on the 1st May, I am looking forward to the leisurely monitoring walks, taking in some magnificent scenery and completing the practical and maintenance work.

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