This page aims to provide some information and guidance to Parish Councils on Heritage Wardens in Leicestershire and Rutland, including recruitment and their activities.

The Heritage Warden(s) in a Parish are encouraged to carry out a wide range of heritage research and recording in the area. They are volunteers who take an interest in local history, including natural history, the built heritage, social history, and more.

At the Parish level, Wardens can build up a detailed understanding of their area, and can provide Parish Councils and the County Council with a wealth of knowledge. They are well-positioned to highlight issues or threats to heritage, as well as to encourage the interest and participation in heritage amongst local people.

Leicestershire County Council has supported the Heritage Warden Network since it was set up around 2000. This support includes administration, biannual newsletters, training in heritage recording or research skills, special projects, and the loan of equipment to support heritage activities within the Parish.

The County Council invites Wardens to write articles on their activities for the biannual newsletter Branchline, and to complete an end of year report which is circulated early in the next year.

The County Council also hosts an annual Heritage Conference at which Wardens can exhibit research, network with other Wardens, and hear presentations from heritage professionals and County Council staff.

Heritage Wardens are currently one of three Warden schemes supported by the County Council. The Archaeological Warden network is maintained by Helen Sharp for Leicestershire and Rutland, and the Tree Warden scheme is supported by Andy Jackson and Sam Village for Leicestershire.

The County Council will only confirm a Heritage Warden if they have been ratified by the Parish Council. If we receive an expression of interest in the scheme from a potential Warden, we will ask them to contact the Parish Council about this, and let them know that the Parish Council needs to ratify them at the first meeting possible, and sent us notification that the individual has been approved.

The County Council will then request some details from the Heritage Warden, and when this has been returned they will be added to our database and 'plugged into' the network. We will send them some guidance notes and make them aware of any special projects we are running.

We would encourage Parish Councils to invite their Wardens to their meetings for updates on their activities, or any issues or events going on in the Parish.