Defence of the Haven Heritage Tourism Project

Descriptions

Defence of the Realm -Defence of the HavenDescriptionDefence of the Haven forms part of the strategic Heritage Tourism Convergence Fund Project. Defence of the Haven will develop an authentic and distinctive heritage tourism product to present the exceptional military heritage in Pembrokeshire, most notably, but not exclusively, around the Milford Haven waterway. Its underlying aim is to maximise the economic potential of this heritage by increasing the volume, length and value of visits. The project will also ensure that the heritage is more accessible and enjoyable to visit – both for visitors and people who live in Pembrokeshire. The project will serve to maintain the principles of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Sustainable Tourism Framework.The project should seek to include a ‘must see’ gateway site which will provide the historical & environmental introduction and context, encouraging visitors to visit other related sites and activities and so explore the interpretative themes further; the project needs to provide advice for visitors on travel to the sites, including promoting the use of public transport. General requirementsThe historic environment of Wales is diverse and striking; it is one of the main reasons so many people like to visit Wales. The project idea must aim to produce:- visitor focused heritage interpretation; and - improved heritage destinationsin such a way that these deliver meaningful, authentic heritage experiences and a lasting sense of what makes Wales special. The project will need to deliver improved access, interpretive infrastructure, visitor facilities improvements and tours, trails and events. Promotional and marketing activity should integrate with the marketing destination framework for Pembrokeshire. Marketing action can be included where it is directly related to promoting the funded actions.Particulars about projectThe key stories about the history and heritage of the defence of Pembrokeshire most notably the Milford Haven area will need to be presented effectively, coherently and authentically. Implementation will be guided by a heritage interpretation plan for Wales, which is currently being prepared by Cadw. The successful project should draw upon existing sites and reflect the Haven’s strategic importance to the defence of Great Britain as a whole. It should convey the nature and scale of development and the interconnected military network in the Haven and elsewhere in Pembrokeshire. For example, Carregwastad Point in north Pembrokeshire was the location of the last invasion of Britain in 1797, an event celebrated by the local community in various ways, and evidence of the archaeology of the period is evident locally. The project should also plan for likely commemoration activities in 2014 of the 100th anniversary of the start of World War 1 and the 75th anniversary of World War 2.Milford Haven is a magnificent natural sheltered harbour located in a strategic position on Britain’s western seaboard, its military and maritime significance is well recognized and was endorsed by historic figures such as Admiral Lord Nelson. Amongst the historical sites and events the project delivery proposal needs to take account of: - Defences including blockhouses from the time of Henry VIII, Napoleonic forts and Victorian gun batteries.- The Royal Navy Dockyard (unique in Wales) at Pembroke Dock, the contribution it made to the fleet and the requirement to defend which resulted in ever more elaborate defensive schemes. - Times of anxiety and conflict when major works were put in hand, particularly during the First and Second World Wars. The largest flying-boat station in the world was one outcome, an establishment that played a major role in the ‘Battle of the Atlantic’. Land-based airfields were also built at this time, together with large numbers of anti-aircraft batteries and searchlight units. The Haven would play a significant role in the preparation for D-Day and after. - Even after the end of World War 2, the Haven remained a strategic player, in the important but secretive phase of the Cold War. The project must connect with relevant existing community heritage and tourism activities and encourage exploration of publicly accessible sites in Pembrokeshire, making connection where appropriate further afield.If the project proposal includes a museum, or a facility for displaying or preserving historic artefacts, Museum Accreditation must be achieved during the funding period. Museums not capable of achieving accreditation are unlikely to have long term viability.Key considerations in appraising project proposals will be the improvement of access to sites not yet readily available to the public, and actions to raise awareness of this aspect of Welsh heritage, in terms of individual components and the project as a whole.The project should cost no more than £500,000 in total. The source of the financial package for the project is a combination of Welsh Assembly Government and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) from the Convergence Programme, and all projects will be required to deliver an element of match funding. Selection criteria will include funding capability.Financial support will be available until no later than December 2013. The Heritage Tourism Project aims to deliver sustainable activities. Any proposal would need to demonstrate that the project would be sustainable and would continue after the contract ends.Core monitoring information will need to be provided to Cadw on a consistent basis in line with that collected across the Heritage Tourism Project. Cadw will provide the project with a standard set of tools that will include but not necessarily be limited to:- a reporting schedule;- core visitor questions/questionnaires that capture key data including visitor data and travel patterns;- electronic forms to ensure information is provided in a digitally consistent format. Sources of further information- Heritage Tourism European Funding Project website (including Heritage Tourism Project Business Plan); http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/default.asp-id=292- Heritage Interpretation Plan (to be published in late August)- Defence of the Realm publications (see appendix)AppendixWebsites:The Defence of Britain project database: http://www.britarch.ac.uk/cba/projects/dob/Fortress Study Group web site:http://www.fsgfort.com/Palmerston Forts Society web site:http://www.palmerstonforts.org.uk/National Monuments Record of Waleshttp://www.coflein.gov.uk/Books:Cadw, (2009), Caring for Military Sites of the Twentieth Century. Hogg, I.V., (1974), Coast Defences of England & Wales, 1856-1956.Thomas, R.J.C., (1994), Survey of Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Military Buildings of Pembrokeshire.Cocroft, W. D., and Thomas, R. J. C., (2003), Cold War: Building for Nuclear Confrontation 1946-1989.Francis, P., (1996), British Airfield Architecture: from Airships to the Jet Age.Lowry, B., Ed. (1996), 20th Century Defences in Britain: An Introductory Guide.Wills, H., (1985), Pillboxes: A Study of UK Defences 1940.Saunders, A., (1989), Fortress Britain: Artillery Fortifications in the British Isles and Ireland.Thomas, R.J.C., (2008), A Guide to the Military Heritage of Pembrokeshire: Civil War to Cold War.Smith, D. J., (1981), Action Stations 3: Military airfields of Wales and the North West.Osborne, M., (2004), Defending Britain: Twentieth-century military structures in the landscape.