Subsidies fund dry stone walling courses, writes TIM HUGHES

The traditional art of dry stone walling has been given a helping hand with the launch of subsidised training courses for anyone interested in learning the skill. Dry stone walls are a distinctive feature of the Oxfordshire landscape and contribute to the area's beauty.

In order to protect this heritage, however, it is essential that the age-old skills needed for their construction and repair are passed on to new generations of dry stone wallers.

The Cotswolds Conservation Board - the organisation charged with protecting the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - is joining forces with other grant-funding bodies to subsidise dry-stone walling courses run by Abingdon and Witney College on the Cornbury Estate, Charlbury.

The scheme will help cover course fees - reducing the cost from £700 to just £150. It is being backed with grant funding from the West Oxfordshire Network Leader + Programmeok, which is run by a partnership of businesses, government and community organisations, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Ernest Cook Trust.

Students will be taught by members of the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain and will work towards a Lantra Level 2 certificate, which is a nationally recognised qualification.

Steve Billcliffe, Director of Development for Abingdon and Witney College, welcomed the support given to students by the Cotswold Conservation Board: He said: "This innovative course will be attractive to many adult learners in the area and will help the rural economy of West Oxfordshire as well as preserve vital countryside skills for future generations."

It is hoped that local wallers and landowners will employ the trainees to help with the rebuilding of walls.

Two sets of courses are being held this year, one starting on April 13, and the other on September 7.

For more information, or to enrol on the course, contact Abingdon and Witney College's Admissions Office at Witney Campus on 01993 208110 or email enquiry@abingdon-witney.ac.uk Abingdon and Witney College has recently completed a £2.7m development of its rural skills centre at Common Leys Farm, near Hailey. New teaching facilities have been built for animal care, horticulture and conservation skills as well as a refurbishment project for the Equine School and Stud Farm.