Appendix 1

Conserving Corby

A HERITAGE STRATEGYFOR CORBY BOROUGH

February 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 16

6. Implementing the Strategy 22

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

February 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 StrategicPartnership (LSP) Community Strategy, The “One Corby” Corporate Plan and otherCorby Borough Council strategies (particularly the cultural strategy, young people’sstrategy and arts strategy). This approach will increase benefit to the Boroughthrough the alignment and integration of economic development, tourism, voluntarysector participation and cultural/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 and other District an Borough Councils,English Heritage, the new Natural England and other Northamptonshire and EastMidlands organisations to secure better current arrangements for the storageand retrieval of records and finds from new archaeological excavationcommissioned 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

The key physical heritage assets of the Borough are shown in Figures 1 and 2 at theback of this strategy (Please note: these maps are not included in the OCPC 11.04.06version, but will appear in the final bound copy).

The Natural Environment2.4 The industrialisation and urbanisation of the landscape over the past 150years has included massive conversion of pastoral 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 Norman woodlands, created on the orders ofWilliam I, within the historic county of Northampton which were the favourite huntinggrounds of Norman, Plantagenet and Tudor 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 formerly 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.

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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.

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 leader called ‘Kori’ who established settlements 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. In the 16 centuryDeene Park was established to the east of the Borough by the Brudenell family, andEast Carlton Park, also established in the 16th century, to the west, by the Palmer family.During the Medieval period the district featured a typical feudal landscape of open fieldsand common land.Rockingham was rebuilt because of road realignment and the ravages of the Civil War.Kirby was decimated, by Sir Christopher Hatton, who needed to use the land the villagewas on for his gardens and park.

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.

Conservation InterestArea name Conservation

AreaListedbuildings

Special interest

Corby LloydsEstate

Yes Nonespecifically

Lloyds Estate is an earlyexample of planned socialhousing which is now aConservation Area

Corby OldVillage

Recommended 3 Grade 2*ListedBuildings

The old High Street retainssome historic character withnine Medieval and Post

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Medieval Listed BuildingsRockingham Yes 29 listed

buildingsRockingham Castle one of themajor tourist attractions for theborough today.

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

Great Oakley Yes 2 ListedBuildings inthe village

Great Oakley Hall, coach houseand stables. Spread EaglePublic House is also a Grade 2listed building outside ofconservation area.

Weldon Yes 51 ListedBuildings

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

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

• Corby “Pole Fair” – A fair was granted by Henry III in 1226. This developed into amore elaborate event, from 1862, people, including the community leaders such asthe mayor are ‘poled’ through the town in chairs on long poles, taken to the stocksand made to pay for their freedom. With its origins thought to date back to the Vikingperiod, 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.

• 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.

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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 - At one point, it was estimated that over70% of the population of Corby were of Scottish descent, and the largest Highlandgames outside Scotland were held in the town every year. Today the event is morewidely based, and celebrated as a Day of Culture.

• Guy Fawkes - Tradition has it that Sir Edward Montagu of Boughton was associatedwith the first official Guy Fawkes' Night bonfire which was lit on the night of theGunpowder Plot on 5 November 1605 in gratitude for the king being safe. The ritualsoon spread, and from that time until 1859 it was a national day of thanksgiving.

The Brickworks, The Quarries, The Steel Story and Modern Corby2.13 Small brickworks sprang up around the area from the early 1800s. With the comingof the railway in 1879 employment returned to the area in the form of ironstone mining,operated by the Lloyds Ironstone Company. The railway caused a resurgence in thebrick industry, with bricks needed for bridges, viaducts etc. The Weldon and Corby BrickCompany (1878-1911) also provided employment for Corby and the neighbouringvillages. The first iron was made at Corby blast furnaces in 1910. The Corby Quarriesinitially provided iron ore for sale, but they soon expanded to feed the Corby furnacestaking in large areas of Gretton, Corby, Weldon and Stanion. In the 1950’s and 60’shuge machines were used to quarry on a massive scale - the draglines that were tobecome a symbol of the Corby system. The first steel was produced at Corby in 1937.Over the following decades the steel works developed dramatically until nationalisationin 1967. The steel works continued to operate as the British Steel Corporation until 1980.The majority of the quarried land has been restored for agriculture and development.The area of the steel works is now a modern industrial estate of factories, offices andretail outlets.

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 onesThe current regeneration plans encompass a new town centre with new civic facilities,new housing designed to suit all sectors of the community, new transportation links andnew office, commercial and industrial development. These huge projects will togetherchange impressions of Corby once and for all, making it an attractive and accessibleplace that will meet the needs and aspirations of residents, businesses and visitors alike.This transformation into a vibrant and prosperous place will ensure that Corby attractsnew workers who will bring with them exciting new cultures and traditions to enrich thelives of the whole community in the years to come.

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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. Kingswood. 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

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.Records held by Corus.Steel workers themselves.

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 1 and 2.

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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.

Happenin’ Heritage3.4 Happenin’ Heritage is a 3 year arts-based project looking at Corby’s heritage. Theproject is open to anyone aged 9 – 19 living within the Borough. Each year of the projectis themed with the first one focusing on the history of Rockingham Castle, then the riseand demise of the steel industry in the town and finally what it’s like to live in Corbytoday, exploring local myths and legends. Those involved will learn a variety of skillsincluding acting, lighting, sound production and set and costume design.

Established residents3.5 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.

Local Heritage Interest Groups3.6 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.

Incomers and new residents3.7 The growth proposals for Corby to double its population over the next 30 years islikely to mean average socio-economic status will increase. Some will be interested todiscover more about the history and environment of the Borough they have moved to.Some may well become activists that support heritage and amenity societies and will be

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the catalyst to get new things going. It will be important that there is an organisationalinfrastructure ready to accept and encourage these people to get involved.

Visitors and tourists3.8 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 tourismgrowth. The Rockingham Motor Speedway is a separate and different kind of attraction,but has the potential to draw people to the Borough. The development of heritage-basedattractions will play a part in helping to develop a tourism component to the economyand the planned Nene Valley Regional Park could also be significant. Discussions withExplore Northamptonshire to integrate ideas with their marketing will be valuable.

Business visitors3.9 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 attractions. Occasionally it is this type of visitor who can make businesslocation and investment decisions based on their perception of the quality and interest ofthe natural and historic environment.

Borough Council Elected Members4.0 It will be important that Corby Borough Councillors as a whole appreciate the benefitof conserving and interpreting the Borough’s natural and man-made heritage. Later inthis Strategy it is suggested that a heritage champion is appointed within the Council. Itwill be important for them to influence the Council as a whole, both staff and electedmembers.

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.

• 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. From April 2006 for two years access to the county PortableAntiquities Scheme will be available 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.

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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 Trust and theRockingham Forest Trust could help galvanise community involvement and theKingswood Local Alchemy project could be a catalyst in raising interest in heritagematters.

4.4 Corby Borough Council, working in partnership, will strive to develop a focus forheritage conservation and development and this could be pump-primed by the publicand private sector, Heritage Lottery Fund and other funding organisations. There is aparallel need for expertise and encouragement both within the Borough Council to meettheir statutory requirements in the heritage and conservation fields and outside theCouncil to develop and support voluntary involvement and interest.

4.5 The Council will seek to appoint a Heritage Development Worker. An electedmember should be nominated as a Heritage Champion as an advocate within the localauthority. Corby Borough Council will also seek to appoint a Conservation Officer,although this may be in partnership with neighbouring local authorities or partnerorganisations. A local borough-wide Heritage Forum will be encouraged which willinvolve voluntary representatives from the town and the villages. This group may bechaired by the Heritage Development Worker or by a suitable volunteer. This group mayconsider the option of becoming the Corby Borough Civic Society.

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. However, it will remain a long-term goal and couldbe the vision that motivates and keeps the proposed local Heritage Forum 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:

• A small heritage centre in Corby Old Village.

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• An introductory display in the proposed Civic Hub as part of the new ParklandGateway development.

• A new environmental focal point as part of the Thoroughsale and Hazelwoodwoodlands, possibly part of the proposed boating lake developments.

• The redevelopment of the displays at East Carlton Country Park.

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 long-term store at a property called Chester Farm. Corby Borough Council willgive consideration to supporting this county-wide project, recognising that Chester Farmhas the potential to become a modern facility that maximises the use of the collectionsand stimulates future heritage initiatives. In the meantime the Council is working withother district and borough councils to seek a solution to storage issues collectively.

5. IMPLEMENTING THE STRATEGY

6.1 This strategy has identified the natural, historical and cultural heritage of CorbyBorough and shown how it can play a key role in the future development andregeneration of the Borough. Getting the strategy adopted and implementing the variousprojects identified will be a 10 year programme and will require consistent coordinationand drive.

6.2 To date Corby has not placed much emphasis on its heritage resources and has littleprofessional expertise in these matters. Similarly the voluntary sector is not as active asin many towns of the size Corby, so raising the awareness and giving leadershipconcerning the value of heritage resources and their interpretation will be vital as astarting point.

6.3 The Council will adopt the following staged approach

Stage 1 Adoption of StrategyThe Council will formally adopt the Strategy in draft form, seek approval of the draft fromthe main partner organisations, modify the draft if required and agree the final strategyknowing that the main partner organisations are supportive.

Volumes 2 and 3 that accompany this volumes should be available and published in anattractive illustrated form. A powerpoint presentation of the strategy of the strategyshould be made available as an informative tool.

Stage 2 Resource ProcurementThe Strategy identifies the crucial role for an elected member Heritage Champion, aHeritage Development Worker and a Conservation Officer. The latter two will requirefunding from a combination of the Council and external funding bodies. This fundingshould be explored as soon as possible.

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The Corby Borough Heritage Forum will be formed and an independent voluntary chairchosen. This group will aim to stimulate and give focus to the voluntary sector and canbe assisted and encouraged by Corby Borough Council, Groundwork NorthNorthamptonshire and the Rockingham Forest Trust in particular.

A temporary display of the findings of the research work behind this strategy could be anearly project for the Heritage Forum and could attract some new volunteers

Stage 3 Projects to Provide a Focus and Raise AwarenessThe Strategy identifies a number of projects that will raise the profile of heritage mattersand provide a focus and stimulus to wider activity. The key projects are

• The development of a small heritage centre in Corby Village• The development of a heritage display in the Parkland Gateway Civic Hub• The development of town centre woodlands and borough’s natural heritage

assets• A survey and record of the 20th Century heritage• The redevelopment of East Carlton Country Park

Stage 4 Further Interpretation of HeritageLooking further ahead there are a range of projects in the strategy which will continue todevelop, protect and interpret the heritage resources for the benefit of the Borough. Bythis time the Heritage Development Group and Heritage Officer will be well establishedand the organisational structure for the implementation of new projects will be in place.

Further historical finds will have been made from research projects associated with thenew developments in the town and the storage of these finds will follow therecommendations identified in this strategy. These new finds and the recording of the20th Century heritage will probably lead to the development of further projects.

The historical interest of the villages will be further interpreted through trails, leaflets andoccasional events.

Stage 5 New Heritage Centre or Museum of CorbyThe development of activities associated with heritage and the activities of the CorbyBorough Heritage Development group may lead to ideas to develop a new museum orheritage centre for the Borough. Corby town will have grown to a population of over100,000 and the viability of a new museum or heritage centre may be tested at this time.

6. HERITAGE STRATEGY ACTION PLAN

The following section contains an action plan for heritage projects to be developed aspart of this strategy. They are indicative projects and further ideas may well develop.Some initial further ideas for potential projects are described more fully in Volume 2 ofthe strategy. Volume 2 includes suggested budgets for projects and further context fordiscussion and consideration.

This heritage strategy primarily supports the One Corby Corporate Plan for CorbyBorough Council particularly the following priority:

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

regeneration and growth

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

Regeneration• To work in partnership with key stakeholders to develop the infrastructure to

support economic development of the areaCommunity

• To work in partnership with other agencies to promote healthier lifestyles andimprove the health of the residents of the Borough

• To invest in new health and community facilities and upgrade existing provisionLeadership

• Further and better partnership working between the Borough Council and keypartners

PartnersWhilst this strategy has been prepared and will be updated annually by Corby BoroughCouncil it will require the joint working of a number of key partners to realise its aims. Inparticular the Council wishes to work closely with Northamptonshire County Council,English Heritage, Natural England, Catalyst Corby, the Wildlife Trust and ExploreNorthamptonshire amongst others. Local bodies such as the new Joint VentureRegeneration Company, North Northamptonshire Groundwork and the RockinghamForest Trust in the implementation of this strategy. Current existing voluntary groups andother interested individuals will also play an important role. The formation of theproposed Corby Heritage Forum to bring all of the partners together is seen as a keycomponent of the strategy.

6.1 ACTION PLAN PROJECTS

Timescales:The 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

Glossary:CBC – Corby Borough CouncilNNGT – North Northamptonshire Groundwork TrustRFT – Rockingham Forest TrustNCC – Northamptonshire County CouncilBCW – Borough Council of WellingboroughCatCorby – Catalyst Corby (including its successor)Wildlife Trust – Northamptonshire Wildlife TrustHLF – Heritage Lottery FundExploreN – Explore NorthamptonshireKingswood LA – Kingswood Local AlchemyFriends of ECP – Friends of East Carlton Park

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Projects Objectives Actions Timescales

SuggestedLead Agencyand Partners

Potential outcomes,outputs and Targets

1 Adopting andPromoting theHeritage Strategy

and

Elected MemberHeritage Champion

To achieve a consistent andcoordinated approach to theprotection and development ofheritage resources in theBorough

To raise the profile of heritagedevelopment within the council.

Present to One Corby PolicyCommittee of CBC for adoptionwith recommendation to appointan elected member as heritagechampion.

Review Strategy Document onAnnual Basis in April.

Short andon-going

CBC Strategy to form basisfor policy decisionsregarding heritage andto be used as tool forpromoting heritagedevelopment acrossthe borough.

Strategy to be adoptedand championappointed at April2006 One CorbyPolicy CommitteeMeeting.

Strong politicalsupport for heritageprojects evident.

2 Secure funding toappoint aHeritageDevelopmentWorker

To raise awareness andstimulate voluntary activityregarding heritage matters.

To develop new ideas andheritage projects.

To advocate on behalf ofheritage matters and developprofessional expertise.

Secure funding for worker.Funding bid to HLF for 5 yearheritage development worker tobe submitted end February 2006(as part of Old Village HeritageCottage Project – see nextaction).

Appoint worker whose maintasks will be to :• Develop and encourage local

community projects.• Work with the community to

form a Heritage Forum for

Short /Medium

CBC, HLF,communityand voluntarygroups andinterestedindividuals

Heightenedawareness of Corby’sheritage and how tobe involved in heritagein the community.

Increased voluntarysector activity andcapacity to deliverheritage projects.

Increased number ofheritage projects beingdeveloped within thecommunity.

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Corby borough.• Co-ordinate working between

community groups andstrategic organisations.

New Heritage Forumestablished forindividuals and groupsto join and shareheritage resourcesacross the borough.

3 Corby Old VillageHeritage CottageProject

Explore the possibility of therestoration of a historic buildingin Corby Old Village for use as asmall heritage centre andexhibition space.

Develop funding bid to heritagelottery fund develop project forcottage and heritagedevelopment worker.

Corby Borough Council as theaccountable body willcommission a structural reportand an architectural design forthe restoration to provideindicative capital costs.A conservation and managementplan will also be developed.Funding bid to be submittedFebruary 2006 with decision byJuly 2006.

Short/Medium

CBC /Supportletters fromcommunity /HLF

Small Heritage Centreopened in 2008

Increased communityuse and interest infacility. New meetingspace within borough.

Increased numbers ofvolunteers involved inthe centre.

Base provided for newHeritage DevelopmentWorker.

4 Corby ConservationAreas

Undertake character appraisalsof the 7 designated conservationareas and develop managementproposals for them as required.

To explore the possibility ofCorby Old Village and Stanionbecoming conservation areas.

To promote the history of thevillages by encouraging thedevelopment of promotionalinformation.

Explore feasibility of developingConservation Officer post withinPlanning Dept. possibly inpartnership with other localauthorities.

Begin character appraisals in2006 (2 per year). Complete by2010. Complete feasibilitystudies for Old Village andStanion.

Develop management proposalsbeginning 07/08- ongoing workprogramme of 2 per year.

Short/Medium

CBCCorbyHeritageForumParishCouncilsLocalHeritageGroups

Professionalconservation adviceavailable in LocalAuthority.

Monitoring for BVPI219 (a-c) collectedfrom 2006/07. By end2008/09:• Total of 9

ConservationAreas designatedin borough

• 6 conservationareas with up-to-

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Work with the local heritageorganisations/Parish Councils ineach of the villages.

Prepare, design and print aseries of leaflets and trails, onefor each designated conservationarea.

date characterappraisalscompleted

• 4 conservationareas withpublishedmanagementproposals.

5 Ensuring Heritage isconsidered in thedesign of newHousing Areas andOpen Spaces

Advocate for the highest qualityof design in future developments,and the involvement ofartists/designers in planning thegrowth of Corby.

To reflect a sense of place andlocal heritage in the design ofnew housing and open spaces

Heritage consideration in newdevelopment to include:Gateway and entrance featuresNew Road and place namesDesign features in parksFencing and barrier designPublic art worksSigning systemsBus stops, street lightingThe design and names of anypublic buildings such as localshops and pubs

Short,Mediumand Long

CBCCatCorbyCreativeCorbyPrivateDevelopersCABEArts Council

On going involvementof heritage in briefs fornew developments.

Planning and LegalOfficers to advocateand consider heritagewithin planningagreements withdevelopers.

6 Heritage Exhibitions,Displays, andawareness-raisingevents

To utilise the researchinformation collected for thisheritage strategy

To stimulate interest in theheritage of the Borough anddraw in more volunteers

To provide an initial projects forthe new Corby Heritage Forum

To ensure space for arts/heritagedisplay area within ParklandGateway development isavailable

Staff and member sessions to beheld end February 2006

Further public event to launchHeritage Strategy in May/June2006 with a selected displayavailable

Work with community and newHeritage Forum to developproject for heritage displays

Apply for funding for the display

Commission heritage artwork fortown centre/Parkland Gateway

Short ,Mediumand Long

CorbyHeritageForum, LocalHeritageGroups,ParishCouncils,CBC

To raise awareness ofheritage matters withthe local population

To generateexcitement andenthusiasm aboutCorby's Heritagewithin the Borough.

Numbers of peopleinvolved in localheritage groups andprojects increased.

Temporary and

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location

Design display and marketing

Run display for agreed period inagreed venue(s) (TBC)

permanent displayscreated as legacywithin Corby.

7 Secure andappropriate storageand recording forarchaeologicalrecords and finds

Secure better arrangements forthe storage and retrieval ofrecords and finds in the borough.

Work with other borough anddistrict councils and NCC inpartnership to seek a jointstorage solution in the short tolong-term.

Facilitate move from currentstores at Daventry toWellingborough by end March2006.

Actively promote NCC ‘PortableAntiquities Scheme’ forindividuals to find out more abouttheir finds and ensure they areproperly recorded.

Continue to work with NCC andothers to secure long-termarrangements for storage.

Report to go to OCPC to endorsethe proposal for a countywidesingle store at Chester Farm.Report to include financialimplications (currently unknowntimescale and costs at this stage)

Short,Mediumand Long

NCC, otherdistrict andboroughcouncils(especiallyBCW),HeritageNorthampton,CBC

Individuals able toactively take part inarchaeologicalrecording.

New storagearrangements in placeboth temporary andlong-term.

Corby Borough toretain title of theBorough’s archive andto ensure full accessto finds and records

8 Extensive UrbanSurvey

No official recordexists covering thelast century inCorby.

To acquire funding to pay for aspecialist consultant to undertakethe extensive urban survey.

To record the 20th and 21st

Century Heritage of the Borough,including that associated with thesteel-making period

Research specialist supportavailable and obtain costestimate to complete surveywork.

Apply for funding to carry out anextensive urban survey.

Contract specialist consultant toundertake and complete survey

Medium CBCNCCCorusSpecialistConsultant

An accurate record ofthe 20th and 21st

century highlightingthe significance of thesteel-making period tobe recorded for futuregenerations.

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work.9 Ensuring access to

Corby’s woodlandsand natural heritage

Joint ventureboating lakedevelopments

To raise awarenessand utilise thehistory of theRockingham Forestas way ofstimulating tourismactivity

To develop projects in tandemwith Parklands Gatewaydevelopments and otherwoodland areas to increase useof and appreciation of Corby’snatural heritage.

Develop evidence of need forParks/Woodlands Ranger inCorby,

Discuss project plans withNatural England, ExploreNorthamptonshire, CountyCouncil and others.

In partnership carry out feasibilitystudies and produce plans forvarious projects to be developed.

Develop costings and bids forexternal funding for projectswhere applicable.

Develop monitoring process forrecording usage of naturalheritage areas.

Medium/Long

CBCCatCorbyRFTNNGTWildlife TrustKingswoodLACreativeCorbyExploreNPrivate sectorPoliceFriends ofECP

The people of Corbyare able to access andfeel safe to useCorby’s naturalheritage assets (userand non-usersurveys).

Increased usage ofparks and openspaces includingwoodlands.

10 East Carlton ParkRe-development

To revitalise the Country Parkand raise awareness of itshistory and of heritage in theBorough generally.

Carry out options appraisal forcreating a trust to manage thepark.

Secure funding to carry out fullfeasibility study for revitalisationproject (draft brief for thisincluded in volume 2 of HeritageStrategy)

Apply for funding for revitalisationwhen study completed ifappropriate.

Medium/Long

CBCFriends ofECPPrivateowners ofEast CarltonHouseExploreNCorusCorbyHeritageForum

New plan forredevelopment of Parkdeveloped

Improved visitordestination for peoplefrom within and out ofthe borough.

11 NewMuseum/HeritageCentre Feasibility

To continue to develop a longterm vision for a new museum orheritage centre for the Borough

Discuss potential brief, location,scale and management andbusiness plan

Long CorbyHeritageDevelopmentGroupCBCNCC

Feasibility study is let(if appropriate) by say2010

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Sources and Acknowledgements

The Heritage Strategy has involved undertaking an audit of the significant sitesof natural and historic importance within the Borough, and a review of theexisting documentation. A search of the Sites and Monuments Record atNorthampton, the National Sites and Monuments Record at Swindon, theNorthamptonshire Record Office at Northampton and the Corby Borough Librarywas conducted. Information has also come from The Wildlife Trusts, EnglishNature and The Rockingham Forest Trust. Consideration was given to the 2004report by John Shepherd into the Options of Archaeological Collections(Archives) in Northamptonshire and to the Report by Local Alchemy into theKingswood Estate “Developing Kingswoodium”. Reference has been made to“The Historic Landscape of Rockingham Forest” by Glenn Foard, David Hall andTracey Britnell.

Interviews and consultations were conducted with a number of localstakeholders and interested parties, in particular Dr Peter Hill, local historianand lecturer at Nottingham University who has been an invaluable source ofinformation and documentation. His books on Rockingham Forest and theFolklore of Northamptonshire, and his collection of historic maps wereconsulted. Gratitude is also extended to Myk Flitcroft, Graham Cadman,Christine Addison and Alison Smith at Heritage Northampton for theirassistance in collecting information and giving their enthusiastic support to theproject.

There is a substantial historic photographic record of Corby that has beencompiled and published in a selection of books by Ron Sismey, Peter Hill,Dennis Taylor and Steve Purcell which have proved enlightening and helpful inestablishing the colourful history of Corby. In addition over 1000 aerialphotographs of the area are held at the National Sites and Monuments Recordwhich have not been viewed as part of this audit, but are referenced in workssuch as The Rockingham Forest Project.

Discussions have been held with Catalyst Corby, Groundwork NorthNorthamptonshire, Corus, EMMLAC, the Museums Council, NorthamptonshireCounty Council, Explore Northamptonshire, Kettering Borough CouncilMuseum and Arts Service, the County Libraries and the Heritage Lottery Fundabout the strategy in general. Ian Parkin, a heritage consultant commissionedin August 2005 to undertake an assessment and options appraisal for thearchaeological collections (archive) in Northampton was also consulted. TheCouncil is grateful to all those who have given their time and input towards thisproject.

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BibliographyEnglish Nature. Landscape and Wildlife data. WWW.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. Chalford Publishing.Hill, P. 1996. Corby At War. Orman Publishing.Hil, P. 1998. Rockingham Forest Revisited. Orman Publishing.Hill,P. 1998. Corby: The Second Selection: The Archive Photographs Series.Tempus PublishingHill, P. Sismey, R., Taylor, D. 1995. Corby at War .Orman Publishing.Hill, P. 2004. Corby: Living Memories. Francis Frith CollectionHill, P. 2005. Rockingham Forest. Tempus Publishing.Hill, P. 2005. Folklore of Northamptonshire. TempusScopes, F. 1968. The Development Of Corby WorksMawdsley,W. 1981. Corby’s Elizabethan CharterAlexander, A. 1969 The Foundation of a Steel TownLocal Alchemy. 2004. Developing Kingswoodium. Report for Corby BoroughCouncil.Northamptonshire County Council. 2005. Landscape Characterisation 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. Archaeological Sites inCentral Northamptonshire. Volume II. H.M.S.O.Shepherd, J. 2004. Options of Archaeological Collections in Northamptonshire.Report for Northamptonshire County Council.Sismey, R. 1993. Corby A Pictorial History. Philimore.Stewarts and Lloyds Limited. 1903-1953. 1953. Publicity and PublicationsDepartment, Stewarts and Lloyds.Tonks, E. The Ironstone Quarries of the Midlands. History Operations andRailways. Part 6. The Corby Area.Waterfield, A. Sherratt, R. Corby Pole Fair 1982. Souvenir Programme.

Web Siteswww.northamptonshire.co.ukwww.northamptonshire.co.uk/events/pole-fairwww.rockingham-forest-trust.org.ukwww.grettonvillage.org.ukwww.cottinghamnews.co.ukwww.weldon.net/#Refresh

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