Supply and use of materials
The local vernacular, reflected in historic structures, varies across the North Pennines and is partly a reflection of local geology and the historic diversity in supply of stone and slate, as well as building styles and traditions.
These regional differences in the types of timbers, stone and slate used in buildings of different ages, or in the styles of walling, creates a sense of place in towns, villages and settlements and should be recognised, conserved and celebrated.
There are now limited numbers of operational quarries for local slate and stone. For example, there is now only one quarry supplying grey slate (stone slate) in the North Pennines, at Ladycross quarry.
Not only does this make supplies of local material extremely vulnerable, but it also hampers our ability to reflect vernacular styles, which were built on stone or slate supplied by different quarries. For example, the Weardale slate quarries would have provided thicker slates and with more of a ripple, than from Ladycross.
Other examples of regional vernacular styles in parts of the North Pennines include the differences in timbers found in historic structures and the styles of dry stone walls. In the east of the National Landscape buildings from the 19th century onwards were using Baltic softwoods for structure, whereas building in the west were still using or retaining oak at this time. In Holwick (Teesdale) dry stone walls were built from glacial win boulders rather than flat stones. This material is now hard to source.
Heritage skills
Professionals
Architects and engineers are a vital element of the work to conserve and restore built cultural heritage. Architects accredited in building conservation are a key part of this work for the most important structures, but non accredited architects and engineers are also regularly involved in work which involves historic buildings.
There is a shortage of conservation accredited architects in the region. The accreditation requirement to work on a number of historic properties in a limited timeframe is sometime difficult to achieve without pre-existing experience (a Catch 22 situation). It would be a positive step to include mentoring of non-accredited architects during the tender process for architects.
There is a need for more non-accredited architects to have awareness of the importance of using traditional materials, and knowledge of how they are used. Working on historic structures is not a usual part of training for most architects, and so there is sometimes a training gap for architects working in the North Pennines.
Homeowners are often not aware of the existence of, or need for, conservation accredited architects, or architects experienced in working on historic properties, or of the advantages of using them on any old buildings which are made with traditional materials.
Driving the demand for accredited or experienced professionals from local historic property owners would be one way to start to tackle these issues.
Contractors
It is often hard for anyone to know which contractors have the appropriate skills and experience to undertake sensitive work on historic structures and buildings. Staff and sub-contractor turnover in small construction firms can be quite high, so that a previously reliable company could quickly find they are without the heritage craft skills needed.
As with architects it would be helpful if the owners of historic buildings could recognise the skills and experience needed and be equipped to ask the right questions to ensure a sensitive treatment of their property.
There is a plethora of advice available to the owners of historic buildings, but it not widely known, so some signposting and awareness raising could have a significant effect
In the case of contractors, engineers and architects, using grant funded projects to support professional development and training would be a positive step.
Property owners
Local home and building owners ultimately make many of the decisions about the repair and maintenance works on their own properties. Providing good guidance to help informed choices is essential to conserve historic character. There are many resources from national bodies available to property owners and to professional alike. They are listed under Outcome CH3.
In the North Pennines, property owners and professionals also have access to the North Pennines Planning and Design Guide which provides help to those undertaking building developments or maintenance works, of any scale, to conserve the natural beauty of the North Pennines, to retain local character and drive high standards. It contains guidance on repair and maintenance of existing structures as well as alteration, extensions and conversions of structures and new build.
Craftspeople
Heritage crafts, and those who practice them, also need support if they are not to be lost. The Heritage Craft Red List of Endangered Crafts categorises those crafts that are of most concern.
Some, such as dry-stone walling and rag rug making appear to be surviving and are listed in the ‘currently viable’ category, whilst others, including rake-making are listed in the ‘endangered’ category.
Whilst those who work in the field of cultural heritage conservation and interpretation may be aware of some of these crafts, for example the last wooden rake maker in England is still operating from Dufton, the status of very many more - still extant or lost to the region – will be unknown.
A better awareness of what we have and how it can be support is an important starting point. Raising awareness of extant crafts and looking for opportunities to support them through project work should be the next step.