We are pleased to announce the start of the first phase of a major WNC funded project to restore the damaged railings around the Upper Spinney.
George James and Sons blacksmiths, who work on heritage metal conservation from their forge at Broughton, have been commissioned to undertake the work. The first phase will consist of 26 of the 116 sections of the fencing. Some of the more badly damaged sections will be taken away to be worked on at their forge with better sections worked on in situ. Regular progress updates can be followed on the website.
Introduction
In August 2024 exploratory work was started in order to reveal the fencing running along the north eastern side of the Upper Spinney which was almost completely hidden from view from years of neglect which had allowed scrub of weeds, brambles and ivy to cover an area of approximately 200 square meters. The purpose of the clearance work was to establish the condition and extent of survival of the fencing along this section in order to prepare a comprehensive survey of the fencing. It is hoped that this fencing survey will be the first of a number of surveys of the Upper Spinney which will be part of a bid for major project funding to restore its trees, flora and fauna as well as its historic fencing.
History of Fencing
The fencing dates from approximately 1895 when Abington Park was created after the gift of land from the Wantage Estate by Lady Wantage. Originally both the Lower and Upper Spinney had been surrounded by fencing but the fencing around the Lower Spinney was removed to form the boundary of the Park with the houses along Wellingborough Road. The fencing was made by Hill & Smith of Brierley Hill in Birmingham, one of the premier manufactures of fencing in England.
Numbering of the sections of fencing
The 116 sections of perimeter fencing around the Upper Spinney are listed starting at the edge of the north eastern side close to the main path running up to Weston Favell. The sections run in ascending numerical order in an anticlockwise direction.
