Farmers to be at centre of new loughside initiative

Farmers to be at centre of new loughside initiative

2 April 2014

FARMERS and landowners living within the Strangford and Lecale area of outstanding natural beauty are being encouraged to get involved in a new townlands and gateways project.

Those with an interest in townlands, field names and the built and natural heritage are being asked to contact the Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership (SLLP).

The organisation’s new project will research and share information on townlands and traditional land management and produce attractive maps of the area’s townlands.

In addition, the project aims to restore traditional farm gates and gateways and involve local communities in finding out more about farmland and agricultural heritage features.

The new initiative is part of the SLLP’s Turn O’ The Tide programme to engage people with their heritage which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

“We are asking people who manage and own land to share with us their knowledge about their townland, farm and local land management traditions,” explained SLLP manager Caroline Nolan.

“In return, we may be able to answer some of their questions about their natural and built heritage and together we can record and share this information with local communities.”

The new project will also restore sets of traditional gates and stone gateposts at no cost to the farmer, in return for providing some opportunities for local people to find out more about traditional farm practices and built heritage on their land.

Wrought iron gates and stone pillars form an important element of the architectural heritage of the rural landscape but are fast disappearing.

Many townlands date back hundreds of years and usually follow the boundaries of the natural management of the land, while field names are often associated with the landscape, traditional land use, events and folklore.

The SLLP believes that working with farmers and landowners it can record and promote local names, histories and traditions before they vanish from people’s memories.

The organisation says it can also help read the landscape, linking human endeavours to the area’s geology, habitats and wildlife, from the past to the present day.