Geophysical surveys at Bodbury Ring and Novers Hill on Longmynd, Summer 2022

This report describes the results of archaeological geophysical investigations with the aim of enhancing our understanding of the archaeological resource within the common lands of Shropshire and, in particular, relating to prehistoric activity on the Longmynd. The surveys were undertaken at two scheduled sites, Bodbury Ring (LEN: 1009309), a large univallate hillfort situated above Cardingmill Valley. The second was Novers Hill (LEN: 1008385), a small enclosure and building platform located near the summit of Novers Hill.

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Historic Landscape Survey of Clee Liberty

This report comprises an assessment of the historic environment and archaeological features of Clee Liberty including a discussion of their value and significance in the historic landscape. The report forms the basis for the Historic Environment activities offered and carried out as part of the Our Upland Commons project during 2021 -2023.

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Our Common Cause: Our Upland Commons Project Executive Summary

Our Common Cause: Our Upland Commons was a landmark project that worked to conserve, enhance and broaden understanding of the cultural and natural heritage of commons and commoning in upland England, working in the Lake District, Dartmoor, the Yorkshire Dales and Shropshire Hills. Read the project’s executive summary.

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Hill Sheep Husbandry in England

This guide presents a set of principles of hill sheep husbandry but recognises that practice must be flexible, combining art and science, providing for particular sheep in particular places at particular times. The evolution of hill sheep husbandry is described and analysed as a set of key principles. The relationship between soils, vegetation, and grazing is examined, and an overview of the nutritional value of commonly grazed plants is provided. All aspects are illustrated by reference to science and development studies supported with illustrations.

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Common Land Toolkit

This toolkit provides 20 Fact Sheets and Guidance Notes. These documents provide practical guidance for those involved with common land, which remains under practical agricultural management by farmers and commoners. They can be used by practitioners seeking the sustainable management of commons to provide the widest possible range of public benefits.

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Common land farming systems in Northern Spain

A group of commoners from Cumbria and Dartmoor took part in a study tour to look at common land farming systems in Northern Spain. A short report written by Dave Smith, Chairman of the Federation of Cumbria Commoners (FCC) , along with a longer report written by Viv Lewis, FCC administrator, are available to download.

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Common Land Research

 The Contested Common Land project was a collaborative project between Newcastle Law School, Lancaster University History Department and the Informatics Research Institute at Newcastle University. It aimed to examine the environmental governance of common land from an interdisciplinary, historical and contemporary perspective.

The project has now drawn to a close but there is a website which serves as an archive of the project.

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