The Gardens Trust, North Regional Forum, Research & Recording The Gardens Trust, North Regional Forum, 2nd December 2016, York

Historic Designed Landscapes Project Overall aim to research and record all of Yorkshire’s important historic designed landscapes To understand the development of historic parks and gardens across Yorkshire To identify what is significant at a regional level This will aid conservation and planning

Issues faced Complexity and size of ‘Yorkshire region’ Seen as too large a project to undertake Previous R&R concentrated on small areas such as the Yorkshire Dales National Park Perceived lack of volunteer expertise Finally started in 2012 with test area of East Riding Now working in Selby and Hambleton districts of North Yorkshire

Current estimate of historic parks and gardens in Yorkshire North Yorkshire West Yorkshire East Yorkshire South Yorkshire Total = 449 56 232 67

Current situation 449 sites identified so far 121 on HE Register 281 on P&G UK database (though some are brief entries i.e. no detailed history or description) 52 on ‘Research’ list in various stages of completion (excluding CB300 research) 18 volunteers across 3 areas

Process of identification Not scientific! Mix of existing sources such as previous lists plus old OS map evidence National Library of Scotland site excellent to see what was there and what remains List to research mainly based on: site’s scope (size, interesting features, ‘layers’, designers) current situation (is there anything left!) availability of archive material

Task ahead Total number probably an underestimate Only tackled 3 areas out of possible 18 (Doncaster looked at by local Council) Area Total number of sites Number on HE Register Number added to P&G UK East Riding 49 8 19 Selby 32 2 Up to 20 Hambleton 46 4 Up to 38

On-going issues Keeping volunteers enthused and engaged in long process Historic report Site recording Statement of significance Owners - how do we find out who they are, gain their trust, gain access to look at the sites Can we write statements of significance without walking the landscape/ doing site recording of survival?