The Rose of the Shires project, developed by Rockingham Forest Trust, spanned six historic landscapes across Nottinghamshire. Communities explored and recorded 700 years of change in their area. The project enabled people to take an active role in managing and conserving their local heritage into the future.

In each of the six zones, local people attended presentations and study walks that revealed some of the fascinating historic significance in the surrounding landscape and buildings.  Groups of volunteers undertook surveys, gathered information for local listings and developed statements of significance. To further foster enthusiasm and skills, each group visited the County Record Office and took part in training in recording historic boundary survival.

A tailored programme of events and activities in partnership with local schools helped children to learn about the historic landscape, trades, industries and traditions. One of the many legacies of the project was building a reconstruction of an Iron Age roundhouse as an on-going learning resource. This was built with the help of volunteers and school children.