Greenfield Valley Trust - Greenfield Valley Uncovered

Descriptions

Greenfield Valley Heritage ParkBrief for a consultancy team to develop and implement the Greenfield Valley Uncovered projectExpressions of Interest invited :Closing date 4.30.p.m. Friday 29th November 2013The Museum is now closed but can be made available for visits to prepare an expression of interest.November 20131 IntroductionGreenfield Valley Trust has recently been awarded a first round pass for an HLF funded project with an estimated total value of £1.22million including volunteer time. A multi-disciplinary team of consultants is now sought to work with the trust on the development work required to inform and support a second round application.Project Team skillsThe skills required within the team are: an experienced project coordinator used to working with professional colleagues on HLF projects; a conservation architect capable of producing a Conservation Management Plan and detailing any improvements required to the buildings within the project boundary; a landscape architect to advise on and specify pathway improvements; an activity planner to undertake consultation and develop an Activity Plan and an interpretation and design consultant to develop interpretive proposals including site signage to RIBA stage D equivalent Expressions of interest are now sought from consortiums of suitably experienced consultants to progress the project.The delivery phase of the projectThe project will largely focus on capital works within the current pay boundary, but will also be concerned with putting a Conservation Plan in place for the site as a whole and improving some pathways and interpretive signage to provide a better understanding for site-wide visitors and improve access throughout the valley. Some internal refurbishment will take place and new flexible and interactive interpretation will be developed within the buildings inside the pay boundary, including imaginative redisplays of the museum collections. New media will be put in place to improve access across the site.An Activity Leader will be employed for 3 years as part of the project and will recruit and train 40 Activity Volunteers, who will develop new skills, take part in community based projects and deliver activities across the whole site.Progress so farAn HLF mentor has already been appointed to this project to support the client and to ensure that HLF best practice and best value principles guide the procurement, development and delivery aspects of the project. They will be available to guide and advise from an independent stand point bringing experience of many other HLF projects. This person will also be involved in the recruitment of the Project Team.An HLF Case Officer has been allocated to be in charge of the project and will require regular progress reports against the targets identified in the application, including historic research, consultation, development of creative ideas for interpretation and activity, accurately costed proposals to RIBA stage D development for all physical works and applications for and assembly of match funding. The Case Officer will undertake a Stage C review during the development work and will need to be satisfied that all work is progressing appropriately before a RIBA Stage D equivalent final set of proposals are completed and put forward as a second round submission to HLF.The Greenfield project site is complex and has a number of particular strengths and challenges that will require a range of very specific skillsets and experience to meet its needs and develop the optimum project. To maximise team working, the Project Team will be appointed as a consortium made up from a small number of experts with adequate support resources for development and delivery, who are used to working together collaboratively, benefiting from each other’s advice and who have strong track-records in similar projects. A lead consultant subcontract appropriate elements of the project to other consultants and will take responsibility for the whole team’s performance and be the direct contact for the client.2Consultant team requirements and final outputsA team is required with strong track records and experience in the following areas:•A project manager or project organiser with a very clear understanding of HLF priorities to coordinate the work of the other consultants, ensure good communications between the team and with the client to ensure that HLF’s required outputs are met, and to undertake reporting and drawing down of funds from HLF•An experienced conservation architect who will produce a Conservation Management Plan and specify any remedial or improvement works to modern or historic buildings within the pay boundary to RIBA stage D. There are expected to be only very limited mechanical and electrical services requirements or structural alterations, but the architect should arrange to provide these professional services if they are needed. The architect will also need to provide building works cost advice as part of its service•A landscape architect who will specify and cost appropriate footpath treatments to facilitate access and movement around the site•An activity planner, who will undertake consultation with stakeholders, potential partners and target audiences and write a detailed Activity Plan in line with HLF requirements including a job description for the 3 year post.•An interpretive design consultant who will review stories and collections, undertake consultation and desk research and make costed proposals for outdoor signage, interpretation and digital media to RIBA stage D equivalentThe outputs of this work will be•A Conservation Management Plan•Specifications for internal refurbishment/ decoration or repair of existing buildings to RIBA stage D•Plans, drawings and specifications for footpath improvements to RIBA stage D equivalent•A 10 year Management and Maintenance Plan for the capital project works•An Activity Plan•An interpretation and design plan for internal fit-out, external signage and digital media design to RIBA stage D equivalent•A detailed cost plan to RIBA stage D equivalent•A programme showing all of the tasks that need to take place throughout the project•A risk register produced with input from all consultants for the delivery and operational phases of the project•Support with writing the second round HLF applicationImplementation workSubject to a successful outcome of the second round application and all development work being completed to the client’s satisfaction, it is the intention of the client to continue working with the same architectural, landscape and design team at the implementation stage of the project.3Budget and programmeAs noted in Section 1, the project has an estimated total value of £1.22million including volunteer time. The budget allowance within this global scheme provision for building, landscape and interpretive works (excluding fees and VAT) is around £570,000.This development phase of the project is programmed for completion by the end of April /June 2014 for all consultants other than the project organiser who will continue to be involved until the Second Round application is submitted to HLF in June/September 2014. It will then go to regional committee in September / December 2014. Subject to a successful second round application, the improved site will be open to the public in June 2015. It is intended to appoint a professional team for the duration of the project through to completion, with a break point at the end of the development phase (Second Round HLF submission).4Individual team requirements4.1Project coordinatorThe person undertaking this role will have a strong and proven track record in guiding and managing the delivery of similar heritage type projects of a comparable scale. Whilst having significant experience of managing consultants, budgets and programmes, they will also need to demonstrate a good knowledge of history, of the issues around historic sites and museum collections. They will also need a clear understanding of HLF’s revised priorities for making a difference to heritage and measuring the outcomes to heritage, people and communities. They will need to be capable of preparing regular reports on the project’s progress to both the client and to HLF and of managing cash flow and making drawdown claims to funders and approving payments to consultants and suppliers.Role and responsibilities1.Convening, chairing a recording a regular project meeting with the Trustees and the Operations Manager2.Ensuring that the Trustees, staff and volunteers are kept properly informed of all of the development activities and have opportunities to both contribute to and approve work as it takes place3.Ensuring that thorough consultation takes place and that the feedback from consultation is fed into the work of all of the consultants4.Guiding colleague consultant’s work to meet the approved aims of the project5.Ensuring that on-going liaison takes place with all stakeholders and current and potential contributors to the project6.Assisting with applications to match funders7.Reporting to HLF and drawing down claims4.2Conservation architect (and architectural design team)An experienced conservation architect is required with a proven track record in writing Conservation Management Plans for HLF funded projects and the expertise to specify and detail appropriate minor conservation and repair work to historic interiors inside the pay boundary. Minor improvements to visitor services and visitor flow may also be required in modern buildings.The architect should have extensive experience in historic buildings, museums and public access environments and be familiar with all relevant legislation including listed building planning consents. Input will be required from a QS and some limited input may also be required from structural and M&E engineers. These services should be available as part of the architectural team.The consultant must have experience of HLF funded project development and have a clear understanding of HLF’s revised priorities for making a difference to heritage and measuring the outcomes to heritage, people and communities.The objectives of this work are:•Production of a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) in accordance with ‘Conservation Principles – policy and guidance for the sustainable management of the historic environment’ and to meet the HLF requirements and guidance to inform the restoration and development of the site and buildings.•Production of a 10 year management and cyclical maintenance plan with associated costs to guide future maintenance and refurbishment of the site, structures and buildings.•Identification of appropriate conservation, improvement or repair works with associated costs inside the pay boundary to improve visitor flow and the visitor experience and to enhance the interpretation of the site as a whole•Visualisation and development of project proposals for consultation, client approval and for RIBA Stage C review with HLF•To produce a RIBA Stage D report in line with HLF requirements for a second round submission and to contribute to the applicationThe critical tasks in this brief will be:1Research and write up the historical context of the buildings and ruins2Review and record the condition of the buildings and ruins using the Building Condition Report produced in December 2012 as a basis3Provide a brief statement summarising an overview of the main conclusions of the CMP.4Prepare an analysis of the site and buildings drawing together documentary information which has informed the CMP. Assess the building on the ground to identify everything of importance and catalogue the sequence of changes through time. Produce a detailed description of the principal elements of the buildings and an understanding of the site5Identify the significance (evidential, historical, aesthetic and community values) of the buildings and ruins, illustrate were possible with historical reference material and write a statement of significance6Identifify of the issues that have affected the significance of the site in the past. Assess the opportunities and constraints presented by the site and buildings and the potential for restoration, refurbishment, adaptation and re-use7Provide clear and concise policies for the future conservation and maintenance needs of the buildings and ruins8Explain the process of the study, how the Plan is to be adopted, implemented and reviewed as part of an ongoing, dynamic process9Identify all sources of information and present all documents relevant to the CMP.10Produce a 10 year Management and Maintenance Plan11Produce a Gazetteer of important views, spaces and individual features of significance12In collaboration with the Museums Assistant incorporate an assessment of the significance of the collection, its condition and future management requirements into the CMP13Undertake consultation with key stakeholders including Cadw and the local authority where appropriate14Contribute to community consultation15Confirm a brief for internal refurbishment, conservation, repair or upgrading of buildings within the pay boundary16Work in collaboration with the interpretive design team and the client to agree a concept for the re-interpretation and re-presenting of the Coleshill Farm site to include visitor flow and signage17Work with the activity planning consultant to ensure that the proposed improvements respond to and take account of their work18Develop the materials palette for client approval and produce mood boards for historic interior finishes and furnishings19Produce sketch plans, visuals and detail drawings and specifications for internal refurbishment for client approval and for presentation to HLF at RIBA Stage C review20Produce a final Conservation Management Plan and a RIBA Stage D report for submission to HLF detailing all internal building works and providing specifications, costs and programme. Include any opportunities for skill sharing or proliferation of traditional construction skills21Collaborate with a QS (and Structural and M&E consultants if required) to produce a detailed Stage D cost report22Attend regular meetings as required4.3Landscape architectA landscape architect is required with experience of working in historic settings and woodland environments, who is also experienced in contributing to HLF funded work.The objectives of this work are:•To review the condition of the footpath network and make priorities recommendation for its improvement and long-term maintenance•To research and recommend strategies for improving access across the site•To produce plans, sketches and specifications for footpath improvements within the available budget to RBA Stage D equivalentThe critical tasks in this brief will be:1Undertake a footpath survey2Prioritise the improvements with input from the client and other team members3Produce a drawing identifying locations for improvements4Produce sketches and specifications to increase access5Undertake consultation with community members particular any groups which offer services to or include people with disabilities6Produce RIBA stage D equivalent report with detailed costings and a programme7Contribute to the preparation of the site management and maintenance plan from a landscape perspective.8Work with activity planning consultant to identify any appropriate volunteering activity connected to this work including opportunities for skill sharing and work experience9Attend regular meetings as required4.4Activity PlannerA consultant is required with experience of audience development and activity planning in a heritage context. Experience of activity delivery and evaluation of the outcomes will be advantageous and a good understanding of the wider planning requirements around the development of heritage sites. The consultant must have experience of HLF funded project development and have a clear understanding of HLF’s revised priorities for making a difference to heritage and measuring the outcomes to heritage, people and communities.The objectives of the Activity Plan are:•To clearly identify target audiences and develop strategies for overcoming barriers to access•To create a deliverable plan for how, where and when activities will be delivered – saying what the outcomes will be, how many people will be reached and how success will be measured•To identify the resources required for delivery and to confirm that the proposals are sustainable in the short to medium term•To establish a framework within which volunteers can be confidently recruited and managed and within which they can make a contribution which is also rewarding and beneficial for themselves•To work with interpretive consultants to establish an appropriate interpretive plan within which the activities can be delivered and which actively contributes to the site’s suitability for community eventsThe critical tasks in this brief will be:1.Undertake a workshop with the Project Steering Group and key stakeholders to review and agree opportunities and actions to develop learning activities as part of the development project2.Identify the audiences which the activities will target3.Consult and work with key stakeholders and potential partners for the delivery of learning and activities which engage visitors4.Identify consultation groups within the range of target audiences using contacts any already established and making new ones5.Work with groups in the local community including organsing wide consultation through and open day and the establishment o a development project forum6.Undertake surveys in appropriate locations to gauge the project’s potential appeal and understand barriers amongst different target groups7.Identify and analyse barriers to access for all target audiences8.Review comparable heritage sites operating in similar environments and produce summaries of the learning they offer and their methods of visitor and community engagement – such as activity programmes. The summaries should also identify resource needs, and if possible, numbers and types of audiences reached9.Work with the Project Steering Group to develop a strategy for overcoming barriers to access10.Identify audiences which the consultants developing an Interpretation and Design Plan can use to guide their proposals for interpretation11.The Activity Plan should take account of the National Curriculum in Wales requirements and opportunities to work with potential partners in this context such as Cadw and Flintshire County council12.Identify resources required for the training of volunteers and for the continuing professional development of existing staff13.Identify and list any external funding opportunities to support on-going delivery of activities on a project basis after the HLF project is complete14.Define how long-term management, delivery and maintenance requirements associated with activities will be met15.Develop a Learning Plan which identifies learning outcomes for both formal and informal learners16.Produce a volunteering plan with volunteer job descriptions, draft volunteer agreements and a strategy for attracting and recruiting volunteers.17.Develop a Training Plan for staff and volunteers18.Develop an evaluation strategy19.Produce a long-term plan for sustaining the benefits of the Activity Plan20.Write up a full report in line with HLF guidelines. This should include a detailed and costed Action Plan and appendices to illustrate research and consultation21.Attend regular meetings as required4.5Interpretive planner and designerAn experienced interpretive design team is required with experience of working in historic sites and buildings, of providing signage and orientation and of displaying a range of collections in appropriate environmental conditions. The interpretive design team must understand the imperatives of audience development and activity planning and be experienced in team working with other disciplines. There is a need to develop an interpretive plan and design proposals which meet the needs of developing audiences and provide an infrastructure for volunteer activity and community projects. The consultant must have experience of HLF funded project development and have a clear understanding of HLF’s revised priorities for making a difference to heritage and measuring the outcomes to heritage, people and communities.The objectives of the Interpretive Plan are:•To use the research undertaken by the Activity Planning consultants to inform the design of interpretation•To make creative use of the heritage assets and resources available to provide appropriate outcomes for heritage people and communities.•To create a robust and serviceable interpretive fit-out which is appealing to target audiences with layers of information, which promotes repeat visiting and which respects the architectural integrity and the setting of the buildings•To create an interpretive framework which includes flexibility so that changing displays can reflect the project’s which are taking place and include their outputs•To consider future maintenance, updating and refurbishments in the interpretive planning process•Improve signage and orientation to make the whole site more visible, more physically accessible and easier to understand•Develop digital media to connect the built interpretation to the wider site and promote explorationThe critical tasks in this brief will be:1.Liaise with the Project Steering Group to understand the opportunities and constraints of the buildings2.Become familiar with heritage of the site, including the built heritage, collective memory and the museum and photographic collections3.Research additional material from external sources such as regional records offices and the National Library of Wales4.Capitalise on the opportunities identified by the Activity Plan for learning and community engagement activities which will take place both within the pay boundary and in the wider site5.Develop interpretive proposals for permanent displays and to include dressing and handling materials in historic interiors6.Include an improved retail area as part of the visitor centre7.Produce perspective visuals or models to illustrate approaches to the provision of permanent and temporary exhibitions8.Produce colour, finishes and installation proposals for discussion and approval9.Review outline plans and visuals with potential user groups identified through the development of the Activity Plan to provide formative evaluation10.Develop detailed visualisations of the interpretive proposal, using running elevations and outline specifications for showcases, mechanical interactives and interactive access to digitised material, film presentations and all other exhibits11.Produce outline costings for cost check purposes at RIBA stage C equivalent12.Produce a full schedule of development work, construction details, materials and finishes and specifications for furnishings and fit-out13.Undertake detailed cost check14.Produce RIBA stage D equivalent summary report with costings, plans, visuals and specifications15.Attend regular meetings as required5Tender process and submission requirementsYou are invited to express an interest in the project by submitting the following information:•Your credentials in undertaking similar work on successful HLF funded projects (please provide dates of project completion and scheme value, indicating clearly which element(s) of each scheme your practice/consortium was responsible for delivering)•Your experience of working in similar settings to the Greenfield Valley•CVs of prospective team membersBased on submissions at this expression of interest stage, a shortlist of consultants will be drawn up and invited to make a detailed tender submission.Please note that the appointed design team will be expected to have Professional Indemnity Insurance to the value of £5million and Public Liability insurance to the value of £5million.6Heritage backgroundGreenfield Valley Heritage Park is a 70 acre site near Holywell, Flintshire. The heritage of the site reflects the varied and very long history of this area. The site, though popular and active in providing educational and family activities is a greatly underappreciated and underused heritage resource. It represents some of themost significant and interconnected industrial heritage in North Wales and has a remarkable number of historic sites covering a long period within its boundaries. The heritage comprises industrial archaeology from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, historic buildings rescued from around Flintshire and rebuilt at the site, a museum collection, local and regional collections of photographs and documents and the ruins of a medieval abbey, which is owned and managed by Cadw.The Greenfield Valley Museum is based in Coleshill Barn and displays objects which relate to the local social, industrial and agricultural history. Coleshill Farm is the main focus of activities on the site and visitors can interact with farm animals and experience a range of interpretive displays and furnished period buildings, including a blacksmith’s forge and a wheelwright’s shop. The industrial heritage dates from the 18th and 19th centuries and are of national importance, a fact demonstrated by their Scheduled Ancient Monument status.The story is currently not well told and much of the heritage is hidden. Six ‘cornerstones’ of the heritage story have been identified, which enable the story to be separated into interrelated themes, which can readily be told in different and appropriate parts of the site through a range of media: early religious history; the history of local agriculture; the industrial rise and decline of Greenfield; home life and education in the area; water power and the wildlife and flora.Basingwerk Abbey was founded in 1132, by Ranulph de Gernon, 2nd Earl of Chester. The abbey was built near a thriving farming community, a Norman Church and the miraculous well, named after St Winefrede. The abbey was dissolved and taken down as part of the religious reforms by Henry VIII in 1536. By the time Wat’s Dyke was built in the 7th century, to mark the boundary between the Anglo-Saxon kingdom and their Welsh rivals, progress would have been made towards the clearance of the woods to make way for farmland. When the local travel writer, Thomas Pennant, wrote a Tour in Wales in 1778, he recorded that the northern part of the county, where Greenfield is situated, was rich in wheat, much of which was sold to the nearby and quickly expanding city of Liverpool. In 1841, 21 % of the people of Flintshire still worked in agriculture, making it the county’s second largest employer after mining. The museum collection show the changes farming experienced during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as wooden implements gave way to ones made from iron and mechanisation reduced the number of labourers farms needed to employ.Traditionally, mining has been an important Flintshire activity due to the county’s lead ores. In Greenfield two lead smelting works were unsuccessful but other industries were more successful, these include three wire mills, an iron forge and a red-lead mill – all of which were entered in the ledgers of the Mostyn family in 1728.The latter part of the eighteenth century saw the rapid industrialisation of the valley, leading to the construction of much of what can be seen today in the Heritage Park. Examples include Abbey Wire Mill, Lower Cotton Mill, Meadow Mill, the Parys Mine Company Works, and the Battery Works. Greenfield also played a role in the early mechanisation of industry, being one of the first places in the world to utilise RichardArkwright’s spinning frame technology, which allowed cotton spinning to be carried out on a mass industrial scale. Alongside the new cotton mills a complex of copper works appeared. Paper was also an important industry and was made on site from 1771 and continued until 1982.The everyday life of the people who lived and worked in Greenfield would have been largely concerned with their basic needs, such as getting provisions, cooking meals, mending clothes, and making sure that children went to school - after it became mandatory in around 1880. The school at Greenfield shows the sort of education that was provided for the children living in and around the area.The prosperity of Greenfield Valley, or Dyffryn Maes Glas, has largely depended on the springs which rise up at the well. These waters provided the power source for burgeoning manufacturers in the 1700s and, by the end of the 1900s, brought about lead, copper and brass, cotton, woollen, paper, coal and limestone industries. The Greenfield Valley’s cultural and industrial heritage literally springs from a consistent supply of water which has been used not only to turn the wheels of industry but for agriculture, to support domestic life and as a base for a long religious tradition.The current environment of the Heritage Park significantly differs from the Heathland based ecology that predated the rapid and indiscriminate development that took place in the Valley at the onset of Industrial Revolution. The Valley is now home to approximately 75 acres of mixed Woodland and to several water reservoirs. Since its establishment 35 years ago it has enjoyed a sustained period of proactive and sensitive management.7Summary of the projectThe proposed capital works will include pathway improvements to enable better access, minor works to existing the existing Visitor Centre and improvements to Coleshill Barn to create appropriate environments for the display of collections and comfortable surroundings for visitors and the internal refurbishment of both buildings with interpretation, as well as set dressing and simple interpretation in some of the farm buildings and the Victorian school room. Capital works will also include sitesignage, orientation and interpretation including media rich software programme for smart phones and website downloads. Improved interpretation and a raised profile will increase awareness of the important industrial heritage and will see an increase in visitor numbers from 29,000 to 39,000 per year.An Activity Leader will be recruited as a full-time member of staff for 3 years and budget has been included for some office and computer equipment, consumables and handling equipment. The Activity Leader will be responsible for recruiting and training 40 Activity Volunteers. Some of whom will have appropriate equipmentavailable to them to learn, demonstrate and share traditional skills, other of whom will be involved in community-based projects with young people around creative arts and drama. Additional marketing activity and publicity as well as website improvements will also arise from the project. It is estimated that these volunteers will contribute two days per month each, totalling 960 days per year.The Activity and Interpretive Plans will develop the proposals for interpretive and activity based engagement for visitors. A series of activities have been outlined and would be further developed during the development phase:Walking through history, will provide volunteer led guided tours which will form the basis for tours available through smart phone apps.Reading the Landscape will use hands-on interactive models to explain how thelandscape has influenced the industrial and social history of the valley.Resources and raw materials will show the links with industrial cities and other parts of North Wales, through hands-on interrogation of reproduced archival material and objects and community based theatrical events in historic environments.Comparative beliefs and influences on cultural heritage will be explored through touch-screen interactivity, digital media, hosted talks and show and tell sessions across the site.The agricultural heritage will be linked to the café and with the sale of food from the shop; visitors will be able to explore this further through demonstration and interpretation in the historic farm buildings, cooking classes and traditional food fairs.Agricultural and industrial heritage stories will be told through a chronological telling of the story through two comparable families perhaps an entrepreneur and a worker, a dedicated project could be developed putting together a patchwork picture of the lives of 8 generations. Influences of the Industrial Revolution and the changes inpeople’s lives will be explored through compelling personal narrative, graphics, audio-visual presentation, handling material, trying on costume and re-created environments to present first person stories; this could be used to inspire and involve members of the community in recording their own work life stories and experiences through intergenerational creative projects.Transport, the movement of people, growth in population, slavery and international trade will be interpreted through the use of objects and tactile exhibits to explain the overall significance, also include the stories in site interpretation and in guided tours and apps.This would be highlighted on an event basis and communicated through drama or performance, and would link to Anglesey, Bersham and Liverpool. Visitors will be able to learn about home life education and how people lived in the past, through personal stories in the farm buildings and the Victorian school, facsimile handling material and volunteer presenters and demonstrators to make them experiential.