A new partnership looks set to safeguard north Northumberland's ancient monuments. Duddo Four Stones, a scheduled ancient monument on the Duddo Estate, is being protected with funding from both Defra's Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) and English Heritage. The aim is to create a network of grass margins, new hedgerwos, cover for wild birds and a programme of over-wintered stubbles on the 2000-acre estate. These measures will help local wildlife and fauna.
     Duddo Four Stones is a prehistoric stone circle, situated within an arable field, which has now been protected by a buffer of grassland reversion, to prevent damage by ploughing or drilling. In addition to the environmental work, CSS will also pay for new permissive access to the stones, allowing public access for the first time.
     Chris Livsey of George F White, local land agents acting for landowners Penmar Farming, said: "Duddo Estate is a fragile natural resource clinging on to many important habitats. The commitment from Penmar Farming to include better public access and two scheduled monuments in the scheme is commendable and is proof that public amenity really can go hand in hand with commercial agri-business."
     The English Heritage field monuments warden, Sara Rushton, added: "This exciting project is a great example of what joined-up working can achieve. By pooling resources and expertise, Englihs Heritage, Defra and Penmar Farming have been able to ensure that this evocative monument will survive to remind us — and future generations — of Northumberland's turbulent past." Access to Duddo Four Stones will hopefully be completed early this year.

Source: Berwick Today (13 January 2005)