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  • Archaeology in Northumberland Magazine Vol 20 2011
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Welcome to the NP Archaeology Website

We are one of the premier contract and research archaeology units working throughout the United Kingdom

NP Archaeology Ltd is an established archaeological contracting consultancy based at the heart of the picturesque North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. NPA offers a full range of professional archaeological and Cultural Heritage services. Our fully trained staff, with backgrounds which include Industrial, Landscape, Roman and Environmental Archaeology are highly equipped to undertake the identification, evaluation, management and conservation of all forms of Cultural Heritage.

On this site you will find a comprehensive list of our Archaeological Services, a wealth of information on archaeology and history in general, as well as guidance for what you may need as a developer or business user. This website is a one-stop resource with guidance on what you may need to undertake to complete your planning conditions, as well as a complete archaeological service to help you achieve that goal.

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Insurance

NPA Ltd maintains insurance levels of: £2 million Professional Indemnity Insurance; £2 million Public Liability Insurance; and £10 million Employers Liability Insurance.

Company History

The North Pennines Heritage Trust (NPHT) was set up in 1987, and is a registered charity and limited company. From its base at Nenthead the Trust is actively engaged in the conservation and interpretation of sites across the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It raises money from a wide range of sources by developing partnerships among funding bodies. In the three years to July 1996 the Trust raised £1.5 million, most of which is spent to the benefit of the local economy.

The Trust's flagship project is the restoration and conversion of the former Rampgill Mine buildings at Nenthead into six workshops, the Trust administrative offices and the Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre. The site, previously owned by Cumbria County Council, is now leased to the NPHT, who are responsible for the conservation and management of the complex. A considerable part of the site was scheduled as an Ancient Monument (SAM) in 1982, with additional elements being added in September 1997. A five year programme of work, with a budget of £5m, began in 1997, and has comprised small-scale emergency repairs with limited recording, to the present full-scale conservation programme.

In 1997, the appointment of an archaeologist to the Trust's staff allowed the conservation works to proceed, and parts of the Nenthead lead mining complex have been the subject of detailed archaeological investigation.  The Trust Archaeologist position has since become pivotal to the day to day running and maintenance of the site, and the Trust Archaeologist is key to providing advice for all centre staff on issues relating to working within and maintaining a Scheduled Ancient Monument.  Since September 2001, the position of Trust Archaeologist has been held by Frank Giecco. In 2002, the Trust decided to form a series of Limited Companies undertaking commercial work, in order to provide the Trust with income from these projects. North Pennines Archaeology Ltd was formed, with Frank in position as Technical Director of the company. From small beginnings, with the company only originally numbering two members of staff, and working within a small geographical area, the company has grown inexorably in both size and reputation, and now undertakes a wide range of projects not only in the North of England, but now on a national basis. Our team of fifteen core staff is highly qualified to at least degree level, with specialisms which include Industrial, Landscape, Roman, and Environmental Archaeology.  It is testament to the strength and professionalism of the company that its services are now being sought out by international engineering consultancy firms on major infrastructure projects throughout the United Kingdom.

Quality Assurance System

At NPA, we are concerned with the quality and reliability of our service, augmented by our ability to carry out the service at the right time and at the right price. The aims and objectives of North Pennines Archaeology Ltd are to provide its clients with a service that meets the client's specification and is delivered within the required timescale.

It is the responsibility of the Technical Director to ensure that all such procedures are clearly documented and implemented. Quality is maintained and enhanced by working in a systematic and flexible manner to procedures designed to control and eliminate the occurrence of non-conformances.

The Management Team regularly review the Quality Management System to ensure its continuing suitability and effectiveness. The results of all such reviews are recorded and include details of the review findings, conclusions and any corrective or preventative action to be taken. These are submitted to the appropriate departments within the company for implementation.

It is the responsibility of the Technical Director to ensure that the Quality Management System is audited in order to verify the on-going application, suitability and effectiveness of the System.

Our Quality Management System is in the process of being certified to meet the requirements of BS/EN/ISO 9001:2000.