Case Study - Oare Gunpowder Works

Programme: Heritage Grants
Applicant: Groundwork Medway Swale
Grant awarded: £909,000
Project length: June 2003 – April 2005

Oare Gunpowder Works - printable (MS Word, 490KB)

Summary

Oare Gunpowder Works is a nationally important gunpowder works near Faversham in Kent, operational from the 16th century until 1934. The woodlands area has designated an SSSI and Site of Nature Conservation Importance.

The structures are designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and were considered ‘at risk’ by English Heritage. The remains were derelict and overgrown, and local people worked through the Faversham Society to raise awareness of the site and the need for its conservation.

Swale Borough Council, worked with Groundwork Kent and Medway, and other local partners, on the project. This involved clearing and making safe the remains, clearing canals and mill ponds to improve the wildlife habitat and setting up trails with interpretation. The cooperage building is now a volunteer managed visitor centre, and the country park is open 365 days a year.

The aims of the project

To consolidate the remains of the gunpowder works, and to conserve those remains for the future, including the return of machinery to the site
To conserve the site’s natural habitat and wildlife
To provide a public amenity, accessible to all and free of charge, for recreational, local and tourist audiences, including visitor facilities
To provide interpretative material (panels, trails, webpages, and learning materials) to enhance people’s understanding of the site and its history

Benefits for heritage

A Scheduled Ancient Monument, previously ‘at risk’ has been saved from further deterioration and made safe for the future as part of a public amenity
Natural habitats and diverse wildlife are being managed as a nature reserve
Maintenance of the site has been assured for ten years through a funded maintenance plan
An important aspect of Faversham’s industrial heritage has been preserved and presented, complementing other museums and heritage sites in the area.

Benefits for people

Public now have access to a previously closed site and in its first year the visitor centre had 1,500 visitors; by 2010 this had risen to 8,846
A flourishing schools’ education programme has been established, including activities in science, history and technology. 514 students participated in 2010
Around 45-50 volunteers aged from 20 to 60+ years, are involved in visitor services, nature conservation and event organisation, with 158 days contributed in 2010
The volunteer group is being trained to run the site more independently
Local people feel that their industrial heritage and experiences are valued and preserved for the future

Lessons learnt

Look at the whole resource of a site, including all buildings that may become available, in order to make best use of it for future opportunities
Make sure the place itself is worthwhile, has its own excitement and captures the interest of local people
Get all relevant expertise on board, working with appropriate organisations to plug gaps in your own organisation’s experience or skills
Make sure there are enough worthwhile tasks for volunteers to get involved with straightaway; delays may lead to loss of interest and dropping out

Long term benefits

Oare Gunpowder Works is now operational as a country park, with a ten-year maintenance plan
A Friends’ Group has been established, which is gradually taking on more of the responsibility for managing conservation and visitor services
The visitor centre and website provide information on the site’s history and wildlife environments

The budget

Main Project Costs	£	Funding	£
Site clearance	145,000	Cash from organisation (SBC)	195,000
Consolidation works	553,000	Other grants / cash	105,700
Other building works	165,000	Non-cash contribution	6,500
Nature conservation	170,400	HLF grant (75%)	909,000
Interpretation, website and learning materials	53,000
		Total costs	1,226,200

Family pond-dipping event at Oare Gunpowder Works

Sector

Industry, Maritime and Transport

Activity

Conservation; Participation