History & Heritage of the Bogs and Peatlands of Cumbria & surrounding areas

In November 2017, a two-day seminar was held at Burgh-by-Sands Parish Hall with Cumbria Boglife, Natural England, the British Ecological Society Peatlands SIG, UKECONET / Biodiversity Research Group (BRG), Cumbria Wildlife Trust, the RSPB, the Solway Wetlands Landscape Partnership, Solway Connections Guided Heritage Tours, & partners. There were local site visits organised by the local and regional partners. The event explored the history and cultural aspects of peat bogs in and around Cumbria and the surrounding areas. Local people made a major contribution to the success of the event, presented at the indoor sessions, and provided displays and artefacts. Themes and topics included: 1. The history of peat bogs and peatlands 2. The history of peat harvesting and usage 3. The oral history and memories 4. The heritage of peat cutting - tools, equipment, buildings, etc 5. The historic records 6. The archaeology of peat-cut sites 7. The conservation of peat cutting heritage