Member Article

Students help shape future of Marsden Lime Kilns

A group of archaeology students have begun developing a Conservation Management Plan for a South Tyneside heritage site that may help shape its long-term protection.

Eight undergraduates from Newcastle University have paid their first visit to Marsden Lime Kilns in Whitburn, owned by civil engineering firm Owen Pugh as part of its Marsden Quarry site, to start work on developing the Plan which could be used to inform the long-term care, conservation and maintenance of the site which is listed on English Heritage’s ‘Heritage at Risk Register’.

The students’ work will be undertaken as part of the Heritage Skills in Education project organised by the North of England Civic Trust and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project works with schools, colleges and universities across the North East and aims to inspire and inform young people into careers in the built heritage sector through a programme of visits to historic sites and practical craft activities.

Marsden Lime Kilns is an important part of South Tyneside’s industrial heritage. The square kilns were built in the 1870s to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Limestone quarrying at Marsden and the nearby Whitburn Colliery providing coal for fuel to produce quicklime which was used in agriculture to neutralise soil. The quicklime was also an important element of the steel and chemical industry and was used to make cement concrete.

During the first visit to the site to kickstart the project which will be complete in June, the students got to quiz staff from Owen Pugh Aggregates which owns the Marsden Quarry site about the history of the Lime Kilns, to examine the kilns themselves and to take photographs to inform their recommendations.

The students’ work coincides with plans being developed by South Tyneside Council, along with English Heritage and owners Owen Pugh to restore the kilns to ensure their long-term protection. The partners are awaiting funding to progress the plans in the very near future.

Kimberley Colman, a second year archaeology student at Newcastle University and team leader for the Heritage Skills in Education project, said: “Having the chance to work on a live project to develop a conservation plan for Marsden Lime Kilns is a unique opportunity to get a taste of the kind of work we might be undertaking beyond university. The Heritage Skills programme offers the chance to gain industry skills that will be a huge advantage to us. We’re excited to get started on the conservation plan.”

John Briggs, estates and development manager at Owen Pugh, said: “As a business that sees the value of supporting young people to develop their professional skills we were delighted to welcome the Newcastle University students to the Marsden Lime Kilns as part of the Heritage Skills in Education project. With plans in the pipeline to restore the lime kilns to their former glory their insight and recommendations may even help shape development plans for the site.”

Andie Harris, Learning and Skills Manager at the North of England Civic Trust, said: “We developed the Heritage Skills in Education project to focus on the craft and professional skills required to conserve, renovate, adapt and maintain the fabric of ‘at risk’ historic buildings within the North East - inspiring young people to understand the variety of careers available to them in the heritage sector. By having the chance to develop a conservation plan for the Marsden Lime Kilns the archaeology students have a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience on a live project that will be a major asset to them when seeking work in the sector.”

The Owen Pugh Group comprises five trading companies operating in the civil engineering industry, undertaking earthmoving and demolition, drainage and groundworks, plant-hire and haulage, quarrying, inert waste and drain cleaning, and CCTV surveys. The group is headquartered in Dudley near Cramlington, with other bases in Blaydon, Stockton-on-Tees and Bassington Lane in Cramlington, as well as Marsden Quarry. The Owen Pugh Group employs 422 people across its sites.

To find out more about the Owen Pugh Group visit www.owenpugh.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Owen Pugh Group .