The Beetling Mill project is “hand-on” community archaeological initiative to help in the regeneration of an iconic Industrial Heritage monument, the beetling engine of Polegrass, creating a local landmark in order to attract visitor interested in our Heritage.
This project wants to give the local people, whatever their age, skill level, family and work obligations the chance to participate in real archaeology. This involves not just practical investigations -excavations, surveying, field walking and so on- but also doing detailed recording, identifying finds, developing specialist knowledge and carrying out documentary investigations. Most enjoyable of all, it involves working in a team to
define research objectives in the first place, offer interpretations of findings and disseminate these to a wider audience.
SWOT analysis
Strengths:
Industrial heritage can be accessible to everyone, in a way that many other forms of heritage and culture are not. It is also part of the fabric and history of the country.
Weaknesses:
IH is not associated with the traditional image of Ireland, suffers from a low profile, and can have unhappy workplace memories for some. In addition, IH structures are frequently large, the machinery cumbersome and conservation problematic.
Opportunities:
Former industrial sites can be re-branded or re-used as educational and community resources, and innovative re-use ideas can attract investment. Ireland can learn from the experience of both the industrial heritage sectors in other countries, and the arts and culture arena in Ireland.
Threats:
Property development, roadbuilding, and the current economic climate threaten to wipe away all vestiges of our industrial heritage. Funding for heritage, and specifically industrial heritage, is frequently under threat, and the lack of ongoing funding and the resultant insecurity can be a major problem.
AIMS of the project
1. To raise public awareness about the heritage values of the industrial heritage in the west of river Lagan.
2. To set up a small project team to deliver project and acquire new skills.
3. To maximise the opportunities for local communities to participate in archaeological activities and conservation of Heritage.
4. To deliver a programme of targeted activities and events.
5. To encourage young people to take an active part in the study, preservation and protection of historical heritage of the community.
6. To facilitate access to the site.
This project wants to give the local people, whatever their age, skill level, family and work obligations the chance to participate in real archaeology. This involves not just practical investigations -excavations, surveying, field walking and so on- but also doing detailed recording, identifying finds, developing specialist knowledge and carrying out documentary investigations. Most enjoyable of all, it involves working in a team to
define research objectives in the first place, offer interpretations of findings and disseminate these to a wider audience.
SWOT analysis
Strengths:
Industrial heritage can be accessible to everyone, in a way that many other forms of heritage and culture are not. It is also part of the fabric and history of the country.
Weaknesses:
IH is not associated with the traditional image of Ireland, suffers from a low profile, and can have unhappy workplace memories for some. In addition, IH structures are frequently large, the machinery cumbersome and conservation problematic.
Opportunities:
Former industrial sites can be re-branded or re-used as educational and community resources, and innovative re-use ideas can attract investment. Ireland can learn from the experience of both the industrial heritage sectors in other countries, and the arts and culture arena in Ireland.
Threats:
Property development, roadbuilding, and the current economic climate threaten to wipe away all vestiges of our industrial heritage. Funding for heritage, and specifically industrial heritage, is frequently under threat, and the lack of ongoing funding and the resultant insecurity can be a major problem.
AIMS of the project
1. To raise public awareness about the heritage values of the industrial heritage in the west of river Lagan.
2. To set up a small project team to deliver project and acquire new skills.
3. To maximise the opportunities for local communities to participate in archaeological activities and conservation of Heritage.
4. To deliver a programme of targeted activities and events.
5. To encourage young people to take an active part in the study, preservation and protection of historical heritage of the community.
6. To facilitate access to the site.