Latest news with #CornwallHeritageTrust
BBC News
01-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Cornwall Heritage Trust acquires Warbstow Bury Iron Age fort
An Iron Age fort described as Cornwall's "best preserved" is under new Bury in Launceston, had been under the control of Cornwall Council, but will now be maintained by Cornwall Heritage 2,500-year-old site is a Scheduled Monument, a title which gives it protection from unauthorised change, under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act Heritage Trust said it was "incredibly proud" to be able to be able to care for "such an important asset". 'Unclear purpose' The trust protects historic places across Cornwall, and often gives people the chance to learn more about the sites through workshops or community Woolcock, Cornwall Heritage Trust CEO, said: "Warbstow Bury is a fascinating place, and we're excited to get started and keen to work with the community as much as possible."Although the fort's purpose is unclear, archaeologists believe many were defensive, or for ceremonial Loic Rich, cabinet member for environment and climate change at Cornwall Council, said: "The transfer of Warbstow Bury will help secure the future care and management of these special places by a dedicated local organisation."Warbstow Bury, as one of the largest and best-preserved hillforts in Cornwall, will now be safeguarded for future generations through this new custodianship," he said.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Dig for ancient stone circle near Bodmin gets funding grant
A project to dig up a prehistoric ritual site described as "Cornwall's ancient sacred heart" is set to go ahead after it received than £40,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has been given to Cornwall Heritage Trust to excavate the hidden stone circle of Castilly Henge just off the A30 near Bodmin, later this site is believed to have been built during the late Neolithic period (3000 to 2500 BC) as an amphitheatre-like setting for gatherings and ritual activities, and then as a battery during the English Civil Heritage Trust said the work would ensure the henge could be protected from invasive vegetation and nearby road infrastructure. The project is a collaboration between the trust, the Cornwall Archaeological Society, and Historic four-week excavation will take place in September and October."This is such an exciting opportunity for the local community to be directly involved in," said Cathy Woolcock, Cornwall Heritage Trust's CEO."The henge has been at risk for some time, a threat which urgently needs to be addressed before this special place and the secrets it holds are potentially lost."[We will create] management plans to improve the biodiversity of the field and the condition of the monument."Pete Herring, president of the Cornwall Archaeological Society, said he was "thrilled to be involved" in the said: "Castilly may hold the key to understanding how this area of Cornwall became a major focus for ritual and ceremonial activity in the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods."Our members first excavated it in 1962, and recently we have been helping to clear the area of scrub in readiness for the latest investigations."
