Barwick-in-Elmet's Earthworks Back to the Main Historical Society page

Barwick-in-Elmet's Earthworks

from Barwicker No. 70


While most people who are interested in the history of Barwick-in-Elmet know about its earthworks, which are partly pre-Roman in origin, it cannot be said that all the local residents know likewise. The oldest parts of the earthworks are tucked away form general view and somewhat neglected. The earthworks are scheduled an ancient monument and through the act of scheduling are protected by the law against depredation and destruction.

The society has been contacted by English Heritage expressing its concerns about the state of the earthworks. The society invited Mr Neil Redfern of English Heritage (who at that time was also acting Inspector of Ancient Monuments for Yorkshire) to its mid-January meeting this year (2003) to discuss these concerns. The meeting was also attended by several parish councillors and by the chairman of the Maypole committee the largest single landholder of part of the monument.

Mr. Redfern stressed the importance of the earthworks nationally. There are only between 50 and 100 pre-roman hill forts nationally. Most of these are in the south of England. There very few examples in Yorkshire and the one at Barwick is large. In addition the earthworks have a well-preserved Norman motte and bailey (of which there are only 600 nationally) within the Iron Age hill fort. Therefore the site is of double importance and needs protection. An account of the earthworks was published in edition No. 44. The earthworks are in danger of being damaged in several ways. These dangers were well illustrated in his talk. They can be summarised as follows:
  1. Dumping garden refuse in the ditch. Subsequent visits to the site have shown that the ditch by the footpath to the north of the Black Swan has been infested with Japanese Knotweed,which is very difficult to eradicate.
  2. Trees growing on the embankments and to a lesser extent in the ditches have been allowed to grow to the point that they have been blown down and have destroyed the surrounding archaeological features.
  3. Certain parts of the monuments have become play areas to the extent that the archaeological features are being destroyed.


In the ensuing discussion it was emphasised that if villagers were to become aware and proud of what they had inherited, the earthworks would be cared for in a more sympathetic way than at present. One particular problem with the Barwick earthworks is that they are owned by a large number of people. It was concluded that the parish council, the society and the Maypole Committee need to act to make the community aware of the earthworks and the current dangers and to promote action to improve the appearance of the monument and access to it, with the guidance of English Heritage.

These steps are now under way. The recently established environment sub-committee of the parish council will be responsible for getting action under way on cleaning up the monument. It has a representative of the historical society on it. All parties at the meeting hoped that access to the monument will be encouraged. This will involve:
  1. giving greater publicity to the village's heritage
  2. making the earthworks more accessible
  3. working with local schools
  4. erecting signs
  5. getting the local authority to promote the earthworks in its literature
  6. arranging tours of the earthworks.

Some of these tasks are now underway, but before we can show them to visitors, they must be tidied up and maintained to a higher standard than at present.

HAROLD SMITH


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