Review Topic - The Sands of Time – Aggregates
extraction, heritage and the public
The “Sands of Time” report reviews the impact that ALSF
outreach projects have had in explaining archaeology, the
historic environment and aggregate extraction to the widest
possible audiences. In the absence of formal standards against
which outcomes can be measured, the report provides an overview
of current practice through a series of case studies. A guide to
good practice in outreach is then offered as is an index of
outreach resources, both printed and web based, produced by the
ALSF.
Impact
It is clear that over the last six years the impact of the
ALSF on the quantity and nature of heritage outreach work in
England has been huge. Appropriate and realistic levels of
funding have been provided, for the first time in some areas,
allowing projects to be carried out to high professional
standards. The freedom to experiment and innovate has produced
many new ideas and products and the available resources have
re-energised many within the outreach community. Ideas and
enthusiasms are now being shared in an atmosphere of mutual
support while outreach has gone from being a sometimes
reluctantly accepted ‘add on’, to being a fundamental part of an
increasingly wide range of projects.
It is fair to say that, over the past six years, the ALSF has
fundamentally changed the nature and extent of outreach work in
England.
Recognition
It is clear that despite having been in existence for
six years and having, during that time, had a
substantial and widespread impact, the ALSF perhaps
surprisingly still has a remarkably low profile. This
absence of identity may also be why the connection
between aggregate extraction and historic landscape
studies is often not as strong as it could or should be.
Industry perception
The aggregate industry, while feeling that its
support is often not adequately acknowledged, welcomes
ALSF involvement in strategic archaeological surveys
that may help with long term mineral planning. The
industry also considers that heritage outreach projects
are a good use of ALSF funds and come closest to
fulfilling the stated remit of the Aggregate Levy. A
greater concentration of spending on local communities
affected by aggregate extraction is considered
desirable, in order to enhance this kind of outreach.
Identified concerns
The main concern expressed by all who were consulted
and evident in project outcomes, was the timing of ALSF
funding, especially within short funding rounds. This
has had a demonstrably detrimental effect on the ability
of the ALSF to deliver as wide a range of projects to as
wide a potential audience as should have been possible
given the scale of the grants.
The ALSF has developed a unique and vital place within
heritage outreach in England. It is to be hoped that it
will continue, ideally with an extended funding window
as the absence of ALSF support would severely restrict
the profession’s ability to deliver high quality
outreach to a population that increasingly wishes to
engage with its shared past.
To view and download the full review "The
Sands of Time – Aggregates extraction, heritage and the public"
please go to the Reviews & Project Reports
section of this website.
Quick-link to the review - Please note clicking
this link will open a 3-5MB PDF file.
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