Agenda Item 9

272 1

Overview and Scrutiny Panel 1 February 2006

Heritage Strategy

SYNOPSISTo update Panel Members about the Heritage Strategy currently being developed by theCouncil for the Borough and to provide an opportunity for comments and recommendationsby Members on the draft to be put forward to One Corby Policy Committee for adoptionfollowing consultation.

1. Relevant Background DetailsHeritage is an important resource that can enrich social and cultural experiences andcontribute to the overall regeneration of the Borough. Studies have shown that ‘when andwhere our historic environment is valued and cared for, social and economic benefits can begenerated for everyone, creating desirable, distinctive and economically successful places’(English Heritage Strategy 2005-2010). Heritage can encourage people to use new skills,provide community and leisure opportunities, bring people together and encourage socialharmony, and develop a sense of identity, worth and ownership. Heritage is also asignificant and growing segment and basis of the tourism industry. Corby Borough Council isthe first local authority within Northamptonshire to have embarked on completion of aHeritage Strategy.

2. ReportA Heritage Strategy for Corby Borough will provide the strategic context and identify specificactions for protecting and “making more” of the heritage resources of the Borough of Corby.It is a policy document for Corby Borough Council and for its partner organisations who wishto conserve the natural and man made heritage, improve physical and intellectual access toit and create educational, economic and social activity that utilise the heritage assets of theBorough. It is a document that will be integrated with the social and economic developmentplans for the Borough to ensure that there is a balanced and sustainable development ofCorby that takes into account the natural and man made environment, its history, futureconservation and management.

This strategy is also prepared for partner organisations who have an interest in heritagematters in Corby so that we can work together towards agreed aims and objectives.

The complete Heritage Strategy is set in 3 volumes; and overview document including actionplan, a fuller heritage strategy report including potential projects, and a heritage resourceinventory. A series of short, medium and long-term actions that integrate heritage initiativesinto the local development framework have been put forward. These aim to increase theawareness of heritage in the Borough and to encourage participation and the enjoyment ofthese valuable resources, for the benefit of all.

2.1 What is Heritage?Heritage has a very broad definition which is often misused or misunderstood. For thisstrategy heritage is defined as all things that we choose and value as points of reference tothe past. It is what has been inherited from previous generations and that we wish to pass onto our children. One person’s view of heritage may be different to another’s, but combinedprovide Corby with a distinctiveness, identity and sense of place.

For the purposes of this strategy, heritage has been split in the following ways:

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Physical Heritage: natural and cultural landscapes both rural and urban that weinhabit

• movable cultural heritage (artefacts and objects, museums or creation of museumsetc)

• built heritage (visible heritage)

• natural heritage (semi-natural habitats and plant and animal species)

Cultural Heritage: the stories of our past - our history

• oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangiblecultural heritage

• performing arts;

• societal structures, traditions (rituals and festive events), values and religion.

• knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;

• traditional craftsmanship.

2.2 Priority Areas The following priority areas will be important in making the most of the heritage resources inCorby Borough:

• raising awareness of the importance and interest of heritage for all in Corby so thatthe natural and historical foundations of the area can contribute fully to itsregeneration and have the wide support and involvement of the public. Members areasked to consider nominating a ‘Heritage Champion’ to act as an advocate forheritage issues and help to raise awareness from within the local authority to acountywide and regional level.

• integrating heritage conservation and management policies with those foreconomic and social development. This strategy links with the Local StrategicPlan (LSP), The “One Corby” Corporate Plan and other Corby Borough Councilstrategies (particularly the cultural strategy, young people’s strategy and artsstrategy). This approach will increase benefit to the Borough through the alignmentand integration of economic development, tourism, voluntary sector participation andcultural/heritage strategies, efforts and resources

• balancing care for the historic environment with the need for change willpromote a sustainable environment. The Council will work with partners to protectand enhance the physical and cultural heritage resources during the redevelopmentprocess and heritage assessments will be incorporated into the planning processand will be important in identifying opportunities as well as threats to existing heritageresources

• working together with the County Council, English Heritage, the new Natural Englandand other Northamptonshire and East Midlands organisations to secure bettercurrent arrangements for the storage and retrieval of records and finds fromnew archaeological excavation commissioned by developers will be a priority.

• develop and improve access to and the presentation and interpretation ofheritage assets throughout the Borough. Access to records, artefacts and importantnatural and historical sites will be important for developing leisure, local educationaland tourism related resources.

Using the heritage definition and priorities the strategy document catalogues theextraordinary Heritage Resources of the Borough, including key themes and topics, identifiespotential markets for these resources, and discusses the infrastructure requirements fordeveloping heritage within the Borough. Volume 1 of the Draft Strategy report is attached as

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Appendix 1 including a draft action plan for taking forward our collective aspirations forHeritage in the Borough. Volume 1 acts as an Executive Summary for the Strategy providingan overview of what we hope to achieve through such a strategy. Members are asked to notethat the draft strategy is still a work in progress and that the action plan does not yet containthe outcomes and targets that will be contained in the final draft.

3. Options to be considered (if any)To agree to recommend the adoption of a Heritage Strategy for Corby Borough and thenomination of a Heritage Champion to One Corby Policy Committee subject to anycomments/amendments being made by Panel Members.

Members to make comments and suggest further options about a Heritage Strategy forCorby Borough prior to agreeing to adopt the Strategy and nomination of a HeritageChampion.

4. Issues to be taken into account:-Policy PrioritiesThe Heritage Strategy for Corby Borough will play a key role within the Council’s policydevelopment framework providing important links across several strategy areas includingCultural, Arts, Young People’s, Sports and the LSP Community Strategy.

FinancialThere are no direct financial implications to the adoption of this Strategy. However, inrelationship to this Strategy, a capital bid has been put forward for investment in consideraterestoration and refurbishment to 75-77 High Street, a thatched cottage in the Old Village.This project has already been taken to Asset Management Group which approved initialQuantity Survey and Architect work to be carried out to assess costings. Match funding forthis capital funding will be sought through a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund. This bid willalso include five-year revenue funding for a full-time Heritage Development Officer for theCouncil.

LegalThere are no direct legal implications to the adoption of this Strategy

Performance InformationThe Strategy Document sets out an Action Plan containing short, medium and long-termgoals which will be monitored by the Council to ensure the Strategy is embedded in CouncilPolicy.

Best ValueThere are no direct Best Value implications for the adoption of this Strategy.

Human Rights and EqualitiesThis Strategy promotes raising awareness of the importance and interest of heritage for allpeople within the borough. This Strategy makes a contribution to the Council’s EqualOpportunities Policy and Race Equality Scheme. It further recognises the important roleheritage can play in promoting diversity and understanding in our communities and the needto encourage tolerance and respect for everyone within the community. SustainabilityThe Heritage Strategy will help to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Borough byincreasing awareness and putting into context the unique heritage and history of the boroughwithin the wider regeneration and growth plans for the area. It also further establishes theneed for continued and closer partnership working between relevant agencies involved in thedevelopment of heritage in the Borough.

5. Conclusion

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The regeneration plans for Corby over the next two decades provide an impetus and a hugeopportunity to integrate the existing heritage resources of the Borough with newdevelopments and provide the present and new communities with a ‘sense of place’ andidentity, whilst encouraging social well-being and contribute to balanced economicdevelopment. Corby’s first Heritage Strategy will help to ensure that heritage plays animportant role within the wider regeneration context of the Borough.

6. RecommendationsThat Members:

i) note the content of the report and pass any comments or recommendations;

ii) recommend to the One Corby Policy Committee the nomination and appointment of anelected member to act as a Heritage Champion within the Borough as outlined in theStrategy Document;

iii) recommend the draft A Heritage Strategy for Corby Borough to One Corby PolicyCommittee for consideration, ratification and adoption.

Background PapersEnglish Heritage. English Heritage Strategy 2005-2010. English Nature. Landscape andWildlife data. Foard, G., Hall, D. & Britnell, 2004. T. The Historic Landscape of RockinghamForest. Northamptonshire County Council. Hill, P. 1995. Rockingham Forest Then and Now.Orman Publishing. Hill, P. 1996. Corby The Archive Photographs Series. ChalfordPublishing. Hill P. 1998. Rockingham Forest Revisited. Orman Publishing. Hill, P., Sismey,R., Taylor, D. 1995. Corby at War .Orman Publishing. Hill, P. 2005. Rockingham Forest.Tempus. Hill, P. 2005. Folklore of Northamptonshire. Tempus. Local Alchemy. 2004.Developing Kingswoodium. Northamptonshire County Council. 2005. LandscapeCharacterisation Study. Northants Wildlife Trust. Data sets on Wildlife Sites. Pipe, M. &Butler, M. 1999. Walks in Mysterious Northamptonshire. Sigma. Purcell, S. 2002. Corby Iron& Steel Works. Tempus. Royal Commission on Historical Monuments. 1979. ArchaeologicalSites in Central Northamptonshire. Volume II. H.M.S.O. Shepherd, J. 2004. Options ofArchaeological Collections in Northamptonshire. Report for Northamptonshire CountyCouncil. Sismey, R. 1993. Corby A Pictorial History. Philimore. Stewarts and Lloyds Limited.1903-1953. 1953. Publicity and Publications Department, Stewarts and Lloyds.

External ConsultationsHeritage Northampton, Northamptonshire County Council, Sites and Monuments Record,(Northampton), National Sites and Monuments Record (Swindon), Northamptonshire RecordOffice (Northampton), County Library (Corby), Corby Borough Council Officers,Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust, English Nature, Rockingham Forest Trust, Kingswood LocalAlchemy, Catalyst Corby, Groundwork North Northamptonshire, EMMLAC, The areasMuseums Council, Kettering Borough Council Museum and Arts Service, Heritage LotteryFund, Corby Tourism Forum, BTCV, Corby Old Village Historical Society, NorthamptonshirePreservation Society, Dr Peter Hill, Ian Parkin, and John Shepherd.

List of AppendicesDraft A Heritage Strategy for Corby Borough, January 2006

Wards All wards

Officer to ContactShireen Mears, Principal Regeneration Officer, Tel 464019

Appendix 1

DRAFT

A HERITAGE STRATEGY

FOR CORBY BOROUGH

January 2006

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CONTENTS

Page

1. Introduction 3Heritage Defined 3Heritage and Corby’s Future Development 4

2. The Heritage Resources of the Borough 5Key Themes and Topics 11

3. The Markets for Heritage 12

4. Organisational Infrastructure 13A Focus for Heritage Matters 14

5. Action Plan 15

6. Background Papers, Consultations and Acknowledgements

DRAFT Strategy prepared for Corby Borough CouncilbyOxford ArchaeologyandGraham Barrow Research and Consulting Ltd

January 2006

Front Cover: Meeting Lane, Corby early 1930’s.The Archive of Photographs Series. 1996. Chalford. Compiled by Peter Hill.

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 This heritage strategy provides the strategic context and identifies specific actions forprotecting and “making more” of the heritage resources of the Borough of Corby. It is apolicy document for Corby Borough Council and for its partner organisations who wish toconserve the natural and man made heritage, improve physical and intellectual accessto it and create educational, economic and social activity that utilise the heritage assetsof the Borough. It is a document that will be integrated with the social and economicdevelopment plans for the Borough to ensure that there is a balanced and sustainabledevelopment of Corby that takes into account the natural and man made environment,its history, future conservation and management.

1.2 This strategy is also prepared for partner organisations who have an interest inheritage matters in Corby so that they can work with Corby Borough to realise agreedaims and objectives.

1.3 The Heritage Strategy is set in 3 volumes; this overview document, a fuller heritagestrategy report (Volume 2) and a resource inventory (Volume 3). A series of short,medium and long-term actions that integrate heritage initiatives into the localdevelopment framework have been put forward. These aim to increase the awareness ofheritage in the Borough and to encourage participation and the enjoyment of thesevaluable resources, for the benefit of all.

“Heritage” Defined1.4 Heritage has a very broad definition which is often misused or misunderstood. Forthis strategy heritage is defined as all things that we choose and value as points ofreference to the past. It is what has been inherited from previous generations and thatwe wish to pass on to our children. One person’s view of heritage may be different toanother’s, but combined provide Corby with a distinctiveness, identity and sense ofplace.

1.5 For the purposes of this strategy, heritage is defined as follows:

Physical Heritage: natural and cultural landscapes both rural and urban that weinhabit

• movable cultural heritage (artefacts and objects, museums or creation ofmuseums etc)

• built heritage (visible heritage)• natural heritage (semi-natural habitats and plant and animal species)

Cultural Heritage: the stories of our past - our history• oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible

cultural heritage• performing arts;• societal structures, traditions (rituals and festive events), values and religion.• knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;• traditional craftsmanship.

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Heritage and Corby’s future development

1.6 Heritage is an important resource that can enrich social and cultural experiences andcontribute to the overall regeneration of the Borough. Studies have shown that ‘whenand where our historic environment is valued and cared for, social and economicbenefits can be generated for everyone, creating desirable, distinctive and economicallysuccessful places’ (English Heritage Strategy 2005-2010)

1.7 Heritage can encourage people to use new skills, provide community and leisureopportunities, bring people together and encourage social harmony, and develop asense of identity, worth and ownership. Heritage is also a significant and growingsegment and basis of the tourism industry.

1.8 The redevelopment plans for Corby in the next two decades provide an impetus anda huge opportunity to integrate the existing heritage resources of the Borough with newdevelopments and provide the present and new communities with a ‘sense of place’ andidentity, whilst encouraging social well-being and contribute to balanced economicdevelopment.

1.9 The following priority areas will be important in making the most of the heritageresources in Corby Borough:

• raising awareness of the importance and interest of heritage for allin Corby so that the natural and historical foundations of the area can contribute fullyto its regeneration and have the wide support and involvement of the public

• integrating heritage conservation and management policies with those foreconomic and social development. This strategy links with the Local StrategicPlan (LSP), The “One Corby” Corporate Plan and other Corby Borough Councilstrategies (particularly the cultural strategy, young people’s strategy and artsstrategy). This approach will increase benefit to the Borough through the alignmentand integration of economic development, tourism, voluntary sector participation andcultural/heritage strategies, efforts and resources

• balancing care for the historic environment with the need for change willpromote a sustainable environment. The Council will work with partners to protectand enhance the physical and cultural heritage resources during the redevelopmentprocess and heritage assessments will be incorporated into the planning processand will be important in identifying opportunities as well as threats to existingheritage resources.

• working together with the County Council, English Heritage, the new NaturalEngland and other Northamptonshire and East Midlands organisations to securebetter current arrangements for the storage and retrieval of records and findsfrom new archaeological excavation commissioned by developers will be a priority.

• we will also work to develop and improve access to and the presentation andinterpretation of heritage assets throughout the Borough. Access to records,artefacts and important natural and historical sites will be important for developingleisure, local educational and tourism related resources.

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2. CORBY’S HERITAGE RESOURCES

The Approach2.1 Records of heritage sites have been identified from a range of sources and havebeen plotted on a series of maps produced at different levels of detail (see Volume 2 and3). Mapped features are accompanied by an appendix that provides brief descriptions ofeach heritage feature (Volume 3). Further maps have been reproduced that showsignificant sites of natural importance, landscape characterisation and historic landscapedevelopment within the area. Key assets have been selected based on the followingcriteria:

• Local and national heritage significance• Accessibility• Educational resource value• Protection and care of resource

2.3 The key tangible heritage assets of the Borough are shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The Natural Environment2.4 The industrialisation and urbanisation of the landscape over the past 150years has included massive conversion of pastural land to arable as well as large scalemineral extraction, urbanisation and the construction of new communication systems.However, there are important surviving tracts of ancient woodlands and associatedwetlands within the Borough, many of which were parts of the ancient Forest ofRockingham. This was one of three major Saxon woodlands within the historic countyof Northampton which were the favourite hunting grounds of Norman, Plantagenet andTudor monarchs.

• Geddington Chase and Weldon Park are designated as Sites of Special ScientificInterest. In 2001 Weldon Park was heavily replanted with the intention that it shouldbecome more attractive for wildlife

• Hazel and Thoroughsale Woods, in the heart of Corby town, are a mixture ofancient, semi-natural and replanted woodland. Close to the town centre the woodsfeature a boating lake which boasts a healthy population of fish and waterfowl.

• Kings Wood in the centre of Corby was formally part of Rockingham Forest and isthe first Local Nature Reserve in the county. 250 species of plants have beenrecorded in the ancient woodland.

• Great Oakley nature reserve is one of the best surviving fragments of the medievalridge and furrow field system.

2.5 Corby also has two registered Parks and Gardens:

• East Carlton Country Park - 100 acres of parkland with nature trails, overlookingthe Welland Valley. With splendid views across the Valley the park offers countrywalks through mature woodland and grasslands.

• Rockingham Castle, Park and Gardens - an award winning visitor attraction thatfeatures a castle set in formal gardens and pleasure grounds dating to the 17thcentury. It’s Great Park stretches over 300 acres of spectacular countryside.

2.6 On the eastern fringe of the Borough is Deene Park - the 16th century gardens andpark associated with the Country House and Kirby Hall - the remains of formal gardensof the late 16th and 17th centuries associated with a magnificent ruined Tudor mansion.

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Archaeology and Settlement History2.7 Early settlement in the Corby area probably began in the Bronze Age, and haddeveloped significantly by the Iron Age, by which time the area was being farmed andexploited for its natural mineral resources. When the Romans arrived they built a roadlinking Leicester with the Roman town at Huntingdon which passed through what is nowmodern Corby. One section of this road is a Scheduled Ancient Monument where itcrosses Hazel Woods. Another ancient road, Jurassic Way, crosses the Roman roadbetween Kingswood and Cottingham. These roads were probably a focus for settlement,possibly a small Roman town. The Roman villas at Little Weldon and East Stanion showthat people of wealth and high status lived in the Corby area for hundreds of years.

2.8 The Anglo Saxons were responsible for the names and form of many of the villagesin the Borough today, with the exception of Corby, which is thought to have been givenits name by a Viking king called ‘Kori’ who established his kingdom in the area after865AD.

2.9 William the Conqueror founded a castle at Rockingham, soon after the conquest.The current castle and house is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. At about the same timeDeene Park was established to the east of the Borough by the Brudenell family, andEast Carlton Park, to the west, by the Palmer family. During the Medieval period thedistrict featured a typical feudal landscape of open fields and common land, until theBlack Death which decimated the population and caused some villages, such as atKirby, East Carlton and Rockingham to be deserted.

Figure 1. Corby’s Natural Environment

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2.10 In the Post-Medieval period one of the finest early Elizabethan mansions in thecountry was built at Kirby Hall by Sir Humphrey Stafford. Kirby Hall, now a ruin, is aScheduled Ancient Monument. Part of the estate lies within the parish of Gretton.

The Built Heritage2.11 The greatest “time-depth” of surviving landscape is seen in the villages and smallareas of the ancient woodland. In most of the villages the plan form established between700-1000 years ago is still largely preserved. Many of the 194 Listed Buildings in thevillages were built in the post Medieval period or later. Only one building survives fromthe 20th century steel works, as the area has been re-developed with modern factoryunits, offices and retail outlets.

Village Conservation InterestVillage name Conservation

AreaListedbuildings

Special interest

Corby OldVillage

Recommended three Grade II*ListedBuildings

The old High Street retainssome historic character withnine Medieval and PostMedieval Listed Buildings

Rockingham Yes 29 listedbuildings

It is one of the major touristattractions for the boroughtoday.

Middleton Yes (centre ofvillage)

12 ListedBuildings inMain Street

The north east part of EastCarlton Park lies within theParish

Cottingham Yes 11 ListedBuildings inthe village

South west part of RockinghamPark lies within the parish

East Carlton No 9 listedbuildings

East Carlton Hall and thesurrounding Country Park, theBorough’s heritage focus

Stanion Recommended 15 ListedBuildings inStanion

Roman settlements andironworking quarries andextensive medieval potteryindustry

Gretton Yes 46 ListedBuildings inthe village.

Contains part of the desertedmedieval village of Kirby, andpart of Kirby Hall

Weldon Yes 51 ListedBuildings

A Scheduled AncientMonument, Weldon Lock-Up tothe side of the village green

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Customs, Traditions and Legends2.12 The following are the main customs, traditions and legends associated with theBorough of Corby:

• Corby “Pole Fair” - Granted by Henry III in 1226. People, including the communityleaders such as the mayor are ‘poled’ through the town in chairs on long poles, takento the stocks and made to pay for their freedom. With its origins thought to date backto the Viking period, this tradition is still held every 20 years on Whit Monday.

• Rough Music - An ancient tradition of driving out anyone who had strayed from thenorm within a community by creating a huge amount of noise outside their housewith tin cans and buckets. Last recorded case in 1936.

• Tander Day - A lace-makers holiday, which was used as an opportunity for greatcelebration and cross-dressing.

• Pin and Candle Auctions - Associated with the steel workers. This was a way oflimiting bidding at an auction by putting a pin in a candle. When it burned down andthe pin fell out, bidding stopped.

• Gangs of Corby - In the Medieval period gangs of poachers roamed the area andconducted gang warfare in defence of territories that they regarded as their own.One such group was led by a ‘Captain Slash’.

• Robin Hood - A Robyn Hode was imprisoned in Rockingham Castle in 1356 forpoaching. William of Drayton was a local poacher who wore green clothes and ahood.

Figure 2. Corby’s Heritage Features

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• Queen Mary’s Treasure - In 1576 money and jewellery were stolen from QueenMary and buried by the thieves in Rockingham Forest near Geddington. It has neverbeen recorded as recovered, and may still be there today.

• Witches in Weldon and Ghosts at Haunt Hill House - There are numerous reportof witches and ghostly encounters within the Borough.

• The Highland Gathering / Cultural Day• Guy Fawkes

The Steel Story and Modern Corby2.13 With the coming of the railway in 1879 employment returned to the area in the formof ironstone mining, operated by the Lloyds Ironstone Company. The first iron was madeat Corby blast furnaces in 1910. Over the next five decades the steel works were todevelop dramatically until their nationalisation in 1967. The steel works continued tooperate as the British Steel Corporation until 1980.

2.14 Waves of migrant workers have come to Corby since the founding of the SteelWorks. There is a very distinctive Scottish and Irish enclave that upholds Scottish andIrish traditions and culture in Corby today. More recent migrants from the Balkans,Portugal and from central and eastern Europe bringing their cultures and religions to thetown. Large areas of the Borough were developed as low-cost housing for the steelworkers, of particular note is the Lloyds Estate, an early example of planned socialhousing which is now a Conservation Area.

2.15 Regeneration and Growth Plans / Bringing own cultures and creating new ones(section to be completed)

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KEY THEMES AND TOPICS2.15 To assist with the interpretation and presentation of the heritage assets of theBorough we have identified the following major themes each of which could be fullycovered in various interpretation and education projects.

Themes Description and topics Key Heritage AssetsRoman Corby The Romans settled in Corby for at

least 300 years and built villas,farmsteads, at least one road, created acemetery, made pottery and mined thelocal iron ore. Corby could be the site ofa small Roman town.

Archaeological sites.Artefacts in local andnational museums.

Rockingham– The Royalhuntingforest

The fact that there are small portions ofthe ancient forest still intact in Corbytown today provides a significant andunusual natural heritage asset. Theforest also represents a common linkbetween Corby town and thesurrounding villages with buildings thatsurvive from the Medieval and laterperiods.

Rockingham Castle,Geddington Chase. WeldonPark. Oakley NatureReserve. Hazel Woods,Thoroughsale Woods. Kingswoods. Villages of EastCarlton, Cottingham,Middleton, Stanion, Gretton,Weldon, Corby, GreatOakley and Rockingham.

Vikings andthe Pole Fair

Still re-enacted every 20 years, thePole Fair is thought to have beenintroduced by the Vikings. It providesan important and unique heritage assetfor the community. Past events havebeen developed into carnival type dayswith a whole range of activities forvisitors of all ages

The Pole Fair, Photographicand documentary evidence.Corby Old Village

The iron andsteel town800BC-1980

ContactCorus

People began mining and smelting localiron ore at Corby, Weldon and Stanionin the Iron Age, between 800BC and43AD. Here is a fundamental link withthe ancient past, that resonates right upto the 1970’s and the eventual closureof the steel works.

Archaeological sites.Artefacts in local andnational museums. EastCarlton Park Museum.

Corby thecome-backtown

The coming of the railway in 1879 andopen cast mining enabled Corby torevive after the 17th and 18th centurieseconomic depression when the cottageweaving industry was wiped out byindustrial production.

Photographic anddocumentary evidence ofopen cast mining.

Corby at war During both the world wars the steelworks played a vital role in munitionsproduction. The works were protectedby anti-aircraft and decoy devices. Thecommand and control bunker used byAllied Command in WW 2 still existsand can be visited. Many people arevery interested in this period of history.

Archaeological sites.Photographic anddocumentary evidence fromWorld Wars I and II.

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3. MARKETS FOR HERITAGE RESOURCES

3.1 Every effort will be made to make heritage relevant to the following groups of people,each of which will benefit from the implementation of the potential projects identified inthis strategy.

Educational Groups3.2 Local Schools and Colleges will be able to use heritage sites and teaching materialsfor curriculum related studies. This will provide opportunities to study topics related to arange of curriculum areas, including citizenship, history, geography and biology.Outreach services as proposed in this strategy can be targeted at schools and colleges.Urban and field studies can encourage students to leave the classroom to experienceaspects of the town and its surrounding villages and countryside.

Young people3.3 Encouraging the youth of the town to get involved more in local projects is a toughchallenge, but one which the new North Northamptonshire Groundwork Trust, theKingswood Local Alchemy Project and the Youth Service and others are well placed totackle. A number of the projects in this strategy will provide opportunities for youngpeople to get involved in providing ideas, in physical work and training or in studyprojects linked to their education.Mention the Happenin’ Heritage Project

Established residents3.4 There are a range of socio-economic problems in some parts of Corby, but there isalso a sense of civic and community cohesion. There are well known Scottish and Irishtraditions that have developed through the immigration of the population drawn by theexpanding steel industry. Heritage linked programmes will draw on the oral history of theformer steel workers and seek support from them for the work of the proposed HeritageDevelopment Group. More recently migration of Eastern European and Portuguese havebrought new cultures to Corby and their input into a Heritage Development Group shouldalso be encouraged.

Incomers and new residents3.5 The growth proposals for Corby to double its population are likely to mean theaverage socio-economic is increased. Some will be interested to discover more aboutthe history and environment of the Borough they have moved to. Some may wellbecome activists that support heritage and amenity societies and will be the catalyst toget new things going. It will be important that there is an organisational infrastructureready to accept and encourage these people

The village residents3.6 The population of the villages are on the whole relatively affluent and most of thevillages have established local heritage groups and active parish councils. We willencourage these groups and individuals to work together on Borough wide projects andto develop heritage linked products in their villages that will be available to residentsthroughout the Borough.

Visitors and tourists3.7 Whilst Corby town has not been the focus for day trips or staying tourists, there areattractions such as Rockingham Castle, Kirby Hall, Deene Park and East CarltonCountry Park that together with the attractive villages are the basis for Corby tourism

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growth. The Rockingham Motor Speedway is a separate and different kind of attraction,but has the potential to draw people to the Borough and introduce them to other types ofattraction. The development of heritage based attractions will play a part in helping todevelop a tourism component to the economy and the planned Nene Valley RegionalPark could also be significant. (does Explore Northamptonshire have any plans for Corby?)

Business visitors3.8 There are many business visitors to companies in the Borough. Some may staylocally and can be introduced to the heritage interests of the area through room foldersand information provided by accommodation providers. Some may find accommodationin villages or new hotels and especially in the summer months could make evening visitsto heritage linked attractions. Occasionally it is this type of visitor who can makebusiness location and investment decisions based on their perception of the quality andinterest of the natural and historic environment.

Borough Council Elected Members3.9 It will be important that the Corby Borough Councillors as a whole appreciate thebenefit of conserving and interpreting the Borough’s natural and man made heritage.Later in this Strategy it is suggested that a heritage champion is appointed within theCouncil. It will be important for them to influence the Council as a whole, both staff andelected members.

4. ORGANISATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE

4.1 Corby Borough presently has no professional staff with qualifications or significantexperience in heritage development and conservation matters. The County Councilprovides advice through its Sustainable Development Section as follows. These servicesare presently provided free of charge.

• Specialist archaeological advice on development proposals (provided to all theBorough Councils in the County)

• Limited conservation and historic buildings advice (limited by County Council staffresources)

• A Finds Liaison Officer is available throughout the County, but has not beenactive in Corby

• Storage of finds (although these are housed in a number of locations, includingDaventry, Buckinghamshire County Museums Service and by archaeologicalcontractors)

4.2 The more positive developmental and presentational aspects of heritage mattershave no present champion or focus in Corby. The County Council’s Community ServicesDepartment could assist in this area and a partnership with them should be encouragedby the Borough Council.

4.3 The heritage and environmental voluntary sector is poorly developed in Corby,although there are active historical societies in some of the villages such as Weldon andGretton. The newly established North Northamptonshire Groundwork and theRockingham Forest Trust could help galvanise more community involvement and theKingswood Local Alchemy project could be a catalyst in raising interest in heritagematters.

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4.4 Corby Borough Council, in partnership will strive to develop a focus for heritageconservation and development and this could be pump-primed by the public and privatesector, Heritage Lottery Fund and other funding organisations. There is a parallel needfor expertise and encouragement both within the Borough Council to meet their statutoryrequirements in the heritage and conservation fields and outside the Council to developand support voluntary involvement and interest.

4.5 The Council will seek to appointment a Heritage Development Officer and anelected member should be nominated as a heritage champion. Corby Borough Councilwill also seek to appoint a conservation officer, although this may be in partnership withneighbouring local authorities. A local Heritage Development Group will beencouraged which will involve voluntary representatives from the town and the villages.This group may be chaired by the Heritage Development Officer or by a suitablevolunteer. This group may consider the option of becoming the Corby Borough CivicSociety.

A Focus for Heritage Matters4.6 The Council has assessed the potential for a new museum in Corby throughconsultation with officers of the County Council, the East Midlands Museums, Librariesand Archives Council and the East Midlands Area Museums Service. There is clearly afeeling that an expanding town the size of Corby would merit a new museum or heritagecentre and that a new building and organisation could make a significant contribution tothe balanced development of the town. But it is clear that a museum, based on acollection, and a heritage centre that focuses on themes and stories, are likely to requiresignificant revenue support, unless its scale is very modest and it is largely managed byvolunteers. However, these facilities could attract spending to the borough, helping withthe town’s image and provide valuable educational services for local schools andcommunity groups.

4.7 The redevelopment of East Carlton Country Park could result in interesting newheritage displays and activities there, but its location in the countryside, some 3 milesfrom the town centre of Corby means that it is unlikely to be the only location to bringheritage issues to the fore for the people of the borough. Nevertheless, with the lack ofdeveloped heritage expertise in either the public or voluntary sectors and the rapidlychanging face of the town, it is felt that this is not yet the time to try to launch a newmuseum or heritage centre proposal. It should remain a long-term goal and could be thevision that motivates and keeps the proposed local Heritage Development Group movingforward. The first goal will be to raise the profile of heritage matters and develop a strongcommitment to this within both the local authority and the local voluntary sector.

4.8 It is felt that a number of places for heritage interests should be developed in theBorough and some of these are described in more detail in the Action Plan following:

• The redevelopment of the displays at East Carlton Country Park.• A small heritage centre in Corby Old Village.• An introductory display in the proposed Civic Hub as part of the new Parkland

Gateway development.• A new environmental focal point as part of the Hazelwood woodlands, possibly

part of the proposed boating lake developments.

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4.9 Northamptonshire does not have a County Museum Service and therefore there isnot a main repository for the finds and records generated by archaeological projects inthe county. Currently Corby Borough’s finds are deposited in a factory unit in Daventryand two Buckinghamshire County Council premises. The contract for these interimstores are up for renewal in 2006 and neither temporary host is keen on renewal.

Northamptonshire County Council are currently assessing the possibility of creating asingle store at a property called Chester Farm. Corby Borough Council will giveconsideration to supporting this county-wide project, recognising that Chester Farm hasthe potential to become a modern facility that maximises the use of the collections andstimulates future heritage initiatives.

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HERITAGE STRATEGY ACTION PLAN

The following is a summary of the projects described more fully in Volume 2 of the strategy. Volume 2 includes suggested budgets forprojects and further context and discussion. This heritage strategy primarily supports the Corporate Plan (One Corby) policy for theenvironment and particularly the following policy:

Environment• Maximise the contribution of arts, culture, design and conservation activities to regeneration and growth

The Strategy also contributes to the following strategic policies in the Corporate Plan:

Regeneration• To work in partnership with key stakeholders to develop the infrastructure to support economic development of the area

Community• To work in partnership with other agencies to promote healthier lifestyles and improve the health of the residents of the Borough• To invest in new health and community facilities and upgrade existing provision

Leadership• Further and better partnership working between the Borough Council and key partners

PartnersWhilst this strategy has been prepared and will be updated annually by Corby Borough Council it will require the joint working of a number ofkey partners to realise its aims. In particular the Council wishes to work closely with Northamptonshire County Council, English Heritage,Natural England and Explore Northamptonsire amongst others.Local bodies such as the new Joint Venture Regeneration Company, North Northamptonshire Groundwork and the Rockingham ForestTrust alongside existing voluntary groups and other interested individuals will also play an important role in the implementation of thisstrategy. The formation of the proposed Corby Heritage Development Group is also seen as a key component of the strategy.

TimescalesThe projects in the Action Plan have suggested timescales for their implementationShort - Within the next 2 yearsMedium – Within the next 5 yearsLong – within the next 10 years

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DRAFT ACTION PLAN

Project Objectives Actions Timescale

Lead Agencyand Partners

OutcomesandTargets

Adopting andPromoting theHeritage Strategy

To consult with key stakeholders andwider public regarding the strategy

To raise awareness of the HeritageStrategy and its objectives within theborough

Consultation exercise, strategy launchevent, publish strategy for public toaccess. Use CBC website, Our Boroughto promote. Use Heritage ResourcesPresentation to promote Strategy.

Shortandon-going

CBC

Developing and encouraging local basedcommunity projects.

Work with the community to form aheritage development group for Corby

Secure funding toappoint aHeritageDevelopmentOfficer

To raise awareness and stimulatevoluntary activity regarding heritagematters.

To develop new ideas and heritageprojects Appoint the Heritage Development Officer

to work with community groups andstrategic organisations.

Short /Medium

CBCNNGTRFT

HistoricEnvironmentChampion

To raise the profile of heritagedevelopment within the council.

To access professional advice by CBCand others on all historic environmentand heritage planning matters.

Explore, with partners, the feasibility ofthe appointment of a conservation officerto work with Corby Borough Councilplanning department

Appoint elected member as HeritageChampion

Short CBC(possibly ashared post withneighbouringcouncils)NCCOther localauthorities

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Corby Borough Council as theaccountable body will commission astructural report and an architecturaldesign for the restoration. A businessplan will also be developed.

Corby Old VillageHeritage Centre

Explore the possibility of the restorationof a historic building in Corby OldVillage for use as a small heritagecentre and exhibition space.

Short/Medium

CBC

Town CentreWoodlandsNature Centre

Joint ventureboating lakedevelopment

To provide a base in the Town Centrewoodlands for a local ranger serviceand the provision of education andinterpretation services andmanagement of the woods

Carry out feasibility study and produceplans

Discuss project with Natural England,County Council and others

Medium CBCRFTNNGT

CBCNE

Extensive UrbanSurvey

To record the 20th and 21st CenturyHeritage of the Borough, including thatassociated with the steel making period

Apply for funding to carry out anextensive urban survey

Short CBCNCC

EHHLF

Apply for funding for the display

Design display and marketing

Heritage Display To utilise the research information inthis heritage strategyTo provide an initial project for the newCorby Heritage development groupTo stimulate interest in the heritage ofthe Borough and draw in morevolunteers

Run display for agreed period in agreedvenue

Short Corby HeritageDevelopmentGroupCBC

HLFCBC

Corby Old Villageand Stanion

To explore the possibility of Corby OldVillage and Stanion becoming

Work with the local heritageorganisations/Parish Councils in each of

Medium Corby HeritageDevelopment

CBCHLF

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ConservationArea’s

Leaflets and Trails

conservation areas.

To promote the history of the villagesby encouraging the development ofpromotional information.

the villages

Prepare, design and print a series ofleaflets and trails, one for each village

GroupLocal ParishCouncilsLocal HeritageGroupsRFT

Carry out full feasibility study (briefincluded in full strategy)

East Carlton ParkRe-development

To revitalise the Country Park andattract more visitors and raiseawareness of its history and of heritagein the Borough generally Apply for funding when study completed

Medium CBCFriends of EastCarleton Park

Private ownersof East CarletonHouse

CBCHLF

Design heritage display for the foyer ofthe new Parkland Gateway Centre

Parkland GatewayCentre Display

To raise awareness of heritage matterswith the local population

Commission heritage artwork for towncentre location

Short CBCNCC

CBCNCCArts Lottery

Discuss project with RFT, NCC and itspartners

Interpreting theRockinghamForest anddevelop access towoodlands

To raise awareness and utilise thehistory of the Rockingham Forest asway of stimulating tourism activity

Agree funding and activity and appointProject officer

Medium RFTEast NorthantsCouncilKettering BCNCCCatalyst CorbyWildlife trustGroundwork

NCCthroughRFT

Ensuring Heritageis considered inthe design of newHousing Areasand Open Spaces

To reflect a sense of place and localheritage in the design of new housingand open spaces

Briefs for new development to include:

Gateway and entrance featuresNew Road and place namesDesign features in parksFencing and barrier design

Short,MediumandLong

PrivateDevelopersNewRegenerationCompany

JointVentureDevelop’tCompany

Private

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Public art worksSigning systemsBus stops, street lightingThe design and names of any publicbuildings such as local shops and pubs

Developers

Corby Borough to endorse the proposalfor a county-wide single store at ChesterFarm

Corby Borough Council to providefinancial support for Chester Farm Project

New County-widestore forarchaeologicalrecords and finds

Secure better arrangements for thestorage and retrieval of records andfinds in the borough.

Corby Borough to retain title of theBorough’s archive and to ensure fullaccess to finds and records

Short,MediumandLong

NCC (HeritageNorthampton)

NCC, NUA,CBC

NewMuseum/HeritageCentre Feasibility

To continue to develop a long termvision for a new museum or heritagecentre for the Borough

Discuss potential brief, location, scaleand management and business plan

Long CBCNCCCorby HeritageDevelopmentgroup

NCCEMMLAC

Parkland GatewayCentre Display

To raise awareness of heritage matterswith the local population

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6. Background Papers and DocumentsEnglish Heritage. English Heritage Strategy 2005-2010.English Nature. Landscape and Wildlife data. Foard, G., Hall, D. & Britnell,2004.The Historic Landscape of Rockingham Forest. Northamptonshire CountyCouncil. Hill, P. 1995.Rockingham Forest Then and Now. Orman Publishing. Hill, P. 1996. Corby TheArchive Photographs Series. Chalford Publishing. Hill P. 1998.Rockingham Forest Revisited. Orman Publishing. Hill, P., Sismey, R., Taylor, D.1995.Corby at War .Orman Publishing. Hill, P. 2005.Rockingham Forest. Tempus. Hill, P. 2005.Folklore of Northamptonshire. Tempus. Local Alchemy. 2004.Developing Kingswoodium. Northamptonshire County Council. 2005.Landscape Characterisation Study. Northants Wildlife Trust. Data sets onWildlife Sites. Pipe, M. & Butler, M. 1999.Walks in Mysterious Northamptonshire. Sigma. Purcell, S. 2002. Corby Iron &Steel Works. Tempus. Royal Commission on Historical Monuments. 1979.Archaeological Sites in Central Northamptonshire. Volume II. H.M.S.O.Shepherd, J. 2004.Options of Archaeological Collections in Northamptonshire. Report forNorthamptonshire County Council. Sismey, R. 1993. Corby A Pictorial History.Philimore.Stewarts and Lloyds Limited. 1903-1953. 1953. Publicity and PublicationsDepartment, Stewarts and Lloyds.

External Consultations and Acknowledgements Supporting the Development ofthis StrategyDr Peter Hill, Ian Parkin, and John Shepherd. Heritage Northampton, NorthamptonshireCounty Council, Sites and Monuments Record, (Northampton), National Sites andMonuments Record (Swindon), Northamptonshire Record Office (Northampton), CountyLibrary (Corby), Corby Borough Council Officers, Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust,English Nature, Rockingham Forest Trust, Kingswood Local Alchemy, Catalyst Corby,Groundwork North Northamptonshire, EMMLAC, The areas Museums Council, KetteringBorough Council Museum and Arts Service, Heritage Lottery Fund, Corby TourismForum, BTCV, Corby Old Village Historical Society, Northamptonshire PreservationSociety.

Working towards "One Corby"

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