A new Heritage Information Board has been erected next to the Norman church of St Andrew’s in Ogbourne St Andrew to inform visitors of the plethora of ancient sites in the vicinity.
There is a Bronze Age barrow in the field adjacent to the church and in close proximity, a buried medieval complex.
Bruce Fox is Chairman of the Ogbourne St Andrew History Group: “The board reflects the geophysical and archaeological research undertaken in recent years and which is ongoing.
“A resistivity survey of the barrow is currently underway enabled by a significant local volunteer effort to remove scrub and dead wood last autumn. It is also hoped to remove more dead and diseased trees to further reveal the profile of the barrow and enhance the churchyard landscape.”
The board is located where many walkers, cyclists and locals access the Marlborough Downs, Ridgeway, Barbury and Avebury. A QR symbol on the board leads to the group’s website www.osahg.org.uk which provides a wealth of further detail.
The majority of the funding for the board came from a grant given by the Sustainable Development Fund administered by the North Wessex Downs Landscape Trust, on behalf of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The project was also supported by the village history group members and the Parish Council
The Board was unveiled in a ceremony on May 4 by Donald Sherlock, Chairman of the North Wessex Downs Landscape Trust.
Donald Sherlock said, “The Trust was delighted to support this project which fulfilled its aims of promoting awareness, understanding and beneficial enjoyment of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty through heritage education.
“I hope many Parish Councils in the AONB will support and collaborate with the Trust to ensure local initiatives such as this are encouraged.”
For further information or to apply please visit www.nwd-landscapetrust.org.uk