'PROJECT CASTLE': update January 2005

The application for a grant to fund 'Project Castle' was signed and sent off to the Local Heritage Initiative in December (see photo below). The application pack included letters of support from Clavering School, Parish Council, English Heritage and the owners of the site, John and Janet Hosford. This was the culmination of over a year of preparation, both by the group and by Adrian Gascoyne, the County Council archaeologist who is co-ordinating our work on Clavering Castle. If we get funding for the whole two-year project it would cover: 

1. Investigation: excavation is not allowed on Scheduled Ancient Monuments, but non-intrusive geophysical and earthwork surveys will reveal a lot. This includes training in survey techniques and a manual, so we could use the skills for future projects, and various items of equipment which could be used elsewhere later on.

 2. Information: information found from the project would come back to the community in various forms: newsletters, village website www.claveringonline.org.uk, local press, history journals, a video film of activities, a CD ROM of learning material, mobile display panels and notably an interpretation board overlooking the Castle. Members and school pupils would help research the CD, displays and interpretation board, then it would be professionally produced at County Hall.

 3. Celebration: see below: Medieval Event Saturday 16 July 2005 – whole village invited.

 We are also doing other things that do not require outside funding  – last year we had the inaugural meeting with talks on castle history, conservation work parties, a historical tour of the site, a wildlife survey and a Christmas social with an archaeology quiz. There are over 50 members, but more supporters are needed: subs are only £3 individual, £5 family (see below). 'Project Castle' provides a unique opportunity for the community to investigate and celebrate our village heritage. John and Janet have been very supportive in giving us this opportunity, and Adrian is working hard on our behalf. We now wait to see if it has been successful! We expect to hear the result in March or April, and if we get the go-ahead, a project launch evening will be held in the Village Hall. 

CLAVERING CASTLE MEDIEVAL EVENT

 We hope everyone in the village and for miles around will be able to come along on SATURDAY 16 JULY to the medieval event on the land adjoining the humps and bumps. This will be a major event you won't want to miss! John and Janet Hosford are kindly allowing us to use the field, and an exciting array of activities is planned. This will include a 12th century living history re-enactment by Feudal Archers, including archery of course; numerous archaeology activities, particularly geared up to children, but including geophysics demonstrations; musical contributions and Morris dancing; medieval fare, guided history tours of the Castle site, displays and more. Clavering School is going to hold a Medieval Week the week before, and we would be delighted if any other organisations or individuals in the village offer to take part on 16 July – please do get in touch. After the daytime event, there will be an evening social/musical interlude too. Please try to note the date in your diaries and come along to enjoy and support this one-off, unique event, a CELEBRATION of the medieval way of life represented by Clavering Castle, which was once the heart of Clavering village. Look out for further updates in the Parish News and on the website: www.claveringonline.org.uk but please do contact if you wish to know more.

 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'