1 November: Tamar Valley Heritage and Environment Symposium (from 10am – 3.30pm)

Heritage Matters! The Past, Present, and Future of the Tamar Catchment

Our environment is in a state of crisis; Britain is one of the most nature-depleted places on Earth and our river systems are now more infamous for their polluted state that their health and abundance. But what of the state of heritage, of Man’s past manipulations and impacts in these places? What heritage has gone unseen, what is at risk and why, and what opportunities might it present in turning around this natural catastrophe?

This collection of talks by leading experts in their fields will explore the challenging interface between environmental change, impacts on heritage, and nature-focussed projects in the Tamar Catchment. The event aspires to show the potential of a future informed by the past.

Speakers:
Dr Chris Smart, Department of Archaeology and History, University of Exeter
‘Landscapes of the past: the potential of relict and fossilised fieldscapes’

Dr Sharon Gedye, independent researcher
‘The historic inland fisheries of the Tamar and Tavy: revealing an under-utilised resource in understanding our river history, archaeology and environmental history’

Martin Watts, independent researcher
‘Weirs, Watercourses, and Waterwheels’

Lesley Strong, Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site
‘Biodiversity potential in the Mining Landscape’

Bill Horner, County Archaeologist, Devon County Council
‘Beneath the trees: archaeological implications for woodland planting schemes’

Greg Chuter, Senior Archaeologist and Historic Environment Advisor, Environment Agency
‘Archaeological investigations and findings on the Tamar Estuary (South Hooe) Habitat Creation Scheme’

Dr Dan Osmond, Senior Fisheries Scientist, Westcountry Rivers Trust
‘Looking upstream: the future for fish in Westcountry rivers’