PROJECT CASTLE Medieval Event: update June 2005.

With only 7-8 weeks to go to the Medieval Event on (Saturday 16 July, 11amto 5pm), the working group running 'Project Castle' has been very busy. At the last count there were about 50 people, from within and outside the village, who are helping to make the event a success - thank you to them all. Parking will be marshalled in the field at Blacksmiths Corner (by courtesy of John Noble), but if you can walk to the event, so much the better. Portaloos are provided! Apart from the activities inside the church, and the survey on the castle platform, most things will take place in the flat field adjoining the Humps & Bumps - our thanks to John and Janet Hosford for allowing access for the day. Here are some more detailed descriptions of some of the treats in store on the first-ever National Archaeology Day [NAD] event in Clavering:

OPENING - the event will open with Clavering Bellringers ringing a merry peal, and in the Project Castle gazebo we will unveil Dave Rayner's painting reconstructing how Clavering Castle might have looked in the 12thcentury -be sure to be there at 11 am to be the first to see it! Also in the project gazebo, we will give out FREE commemorative programmes of the day's events.

FEUDAL ARCHERS - this is a 12th century re-enactment group with a growing reputation. Two of their members, Cliff and Rosemary Nash, live in Wicken Bonhunt and have arranged for us an all-day programme in their authentic encampment, to reflect the sort of things that would have been common in medieval life: costume, outdoor cooking, hand spinning, tablet weaving, calligraphy, making bows and arrows, etc. Special features will include shooting at the butts, dressing a knight in armour and a children's shield-wall activity. 

ARCHAEOLOGY FOR CHILDREN: Adrian Gascoyne and his archaeologist colleagues from the ECC Historic Environment branch are giving up their usual Colchester NAD event to come to Clavering instead, providing several activities for children to learn more about archaeology - these will include art, plaster casts, a mini-dig, felt-making using a sheep fleece, story-telling weaving Clavering legends and 'have-a-go' archery for children.They will also have a bookstall.

GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY: our geophysical survey, with a magnetometer taking readings using a grid arrangement, will be taking place all day on the castle platform, with some of our own members helping archaeologist Helen Saunders to uncover the below-ground secrets of the castle site - you will be welcome to go and watch and ask questions. This is the first phase of Project Castle, for which we will be training during June.

ARCHAEOLOGY ROADSHOW comes courtesy of Carolyn McDonald from the Essex Portable Antiquities scheme - please give her lots to do by bringing your finds to be identified free - they do not have to be medieval, any interesting objects found in your garden for instance, or bits of pottery, you can find out what they are. 

CARDBOARD ARMOUR: Nicola Burrell is a professional artist who specialises in cardboard constructions and throughout the day she will be showing children how to make cardboard armour - participants can make and decorate their own set of 'armour' 

FALCONRY: James Rochford will be bringing his Harris Hawks, who will fly at intervals during the day, recreating a favorite medieval pastime. 

MEDIEVAL GAMES - there will be various authentic medieval games around the site, including Kubb (pronounced Koob), a throwing game which dates back a thousand years. Also of course you can pelt your friends with wet sponges in the stocks! 

MEDIEVAL HERBS - we hope to get together a stall selling pots of herbs and other medieval plants - we would welcome contributions to this and can collect. 

MEDIEVAL BANNERS to decorate the site are being made by Clavering School pupils, who are holding a Medieval Week prior to the event with lots of activities. 

HISTORY TOURS: Clavering Local History Recorder, Jacqueline Cooper will be offering a historical tour of the castle grounds, while Blue Badge Guide, Rosanne Kirkpatrick, will be explaining the medieval features of the parish church. 

REFRESHMENTS: there will be plenty to eat and drink, including the alewife serving ale from the barrel, 'medieval' sausages, and teas and other refreshments, of if you prefer you can bring a picnic and sit on the Humps & Bumps and watch the activities.

 FLOWER FESTIVAL: We are delighted that Janet Gebbie and her team of flower arrangers and local organisations are going to run the church Flower Festival on a medieval theme to coincide with the event. Our own contribution will be on the theme of a medieval garden. 

MEDIEVAL ARTEFACTS: Saffron Walden Museum have given up their normal NAD event at the Museum in order to bring a display of genuine medieval artefacts from the Museum collections, to be set out inside the church where curator Carolyn Wingfield will be on hand to talk to visitors. 

THE SAFFRON CONSORT: Carolyn has also arranged for the Consort to play period recorder music for two long sessions during the day, as back ground for the flower festival. 

THAXTED MORRIS MEN are too well known to need introduction. They will be doing two performances of their special form of dance, which dates back to medieval times, and in addition they will be lending us some wandering minstrels for the rest of the day.

 MANUDEN SINGERS: the Medieval Event is only on Saturday, but the Flower Festival continues into Sunday, and the whole weekend will round off beautifully with an evening Compline service conducted by the vicar, are minder of medieval church services. The Manuden Singers have kindly agreed to perform period songs during the service.>There are other things in the pipeline, and don't forget that entry, all activities and programmes are all completely FREE, so we hope it will prove to be a wonderful day out for families. Please come in simple peasant costume if you can (patterns available on request).If you would like to know more, or join the Landscape History Group, or can offer any help, please contact co-ordinator:

 Co-ordinator: Jacky Cooper (24 Pelham Road, Clavering, or ring 550462, or email jackycooper.clav78@virgin.net)

 Treasurer: Tony Lye, Clavering Landscape History Group, 53 Pelham Road, Clavering – subs £3 individual, £5 family, cheques payable to 'Clavering Landscape History Group'