The parish of Buriton
has a rich local heritage and some fascinating local history: an agricultural
and industrial heritage which includes years of sheep-grazing on the downs,
thriving local hop gardens and local lime works; distinctive buildings using
local malmstone materials; archaeological sites from roman, saxon and medieval
times; and the special landscapes and natural history of the South Downs, with
habitats for rare flora and fauna.
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| Photowall at one of our Open Days |
There are also local cultural connections:
the Bonham Carter family and, before them, Edward Gibbon (the famous historian)
have owned the local manor farm; and John Goodyer, one of Britain's greatest
botanists, also lived in the parish and is buried in the churchyard.
But there is a danger of losing knowledge about the past and this project aims to ensure that information is recorded, shared and explained.
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| One of our nature walks on the South Downs |
The project is encouraging the local
community to explore the local heritage and to find out more and more. It is
generating a greater interest in, and respect for, the local area.
The 'Heritage Bank' idea allows the whole community to 'pay in' or 'deposit'
information, experience and research and also to be able to 'draw out' information
from this pool of knowledge - to enhance people's own appreciation of the local
heritage and to develop their own studies. Youngsters of the parish can draw
on the knowledge of older residents; newcomers can learn from those whose families
have lived in the area for generations; and those with a good knowledge of the
local natural history can share and explain it to others.