PROJECT CASTLE UPDATE for MARCH 2005

PROJECT CASTLE GRANT AWARDED

On 14 March 2005, we were delighted to hear that Clavering has now been awarded almost the grant under the Local Heritage Initiative* scheme to carry out the Project Castle plan to survey the Clavering Castle site and environs, celebrate its history with the Medieval Event on 16 July, and provide interpretation aids. Most of the grant is to pay for the professional help to cover the archaeological work and interpretations, but includes an opportunity for training in surveying techniques - skills that could then be used elsewhere. In addition there is are sums for equipment, printing, volunteer costs and admin, also promotional work, including the considerable costs of laying on the 16 July Medieval Event, enabling us to make all activities free.  We are enormously grateful to the Local Heritage Initiative for this generous award. Now it's up to Clavering!

PROJECT CASTLE LAUNCH: THURSDAY 21 APRIL, CLAVERING VILLAGE HALL, 8 pm.

EVERYONE is invited to attend the formal launch of Project Castle as above, and hear the details of how the project will be organised. The evening will also include a talk on the castle history as far as we know it: an article in the Saffron Walden Historical Journal currently on sale in Harts, explains the various theories, but we hope the project will further illuminate this mysterious monument. There will be an application form for those who would like to take part in various aspects of the two-year project. In addition to the grant above, we have also recently received a sum from the Essex Rural Renaissance Fund to purchase tools with which to carry out conservation tasks on the castle site. Most recently a work party cleared undergrowth encroaching on the Dam meadow and constructed a dead hedge along the river.

This is of course enormously exciting, and not just for the Clavering Landscape History Group which was formed a year ago to take the project through. It's very important to emphasise that this is a COMMUNITY project, designed to help us all learn and appreciate more about the Scheduled Ancient Monument in our midst and about our village history generally. Please do come to the project launch and hear all about it. Our grateful thanks to John and Janet Hosford, the landowners, for allowing us to carry out the project, and Adrian Gascoyne from Essex County Council for putting together the grant application so successfully.

MEDIEVAL EVENT 

Meanwhile the Medieval Event on 16 July proceeds apace. There are now over 30 attractions arranged, including the Feudal Archers re-enactment (archery, knights in combat, crafts, medieval cookery etc), archaeology activities for children, an artefacts roadshow (bring your finds to be identified), Morris dancing, Flower Festival and more. Just book the date and plan to be there! We will need lots of help with this event, eg:

  v    Any groups or individuals to offer medieval-flavour festivities?

v    Is there a wandering jester in our midst? – we can hire the costume.

v    Can anyone lend a quad bike for transporting heavy items on to site?

v    Help with delivering flyers in advance, and general help on the day.

The activities on the Dam meadow (adjoining the Humps & Bumps) will be complemented by the Flower Festival in church, accompanied by a Recorder Consort playing suitable music and guided tours by a Blue Badge Guide on the medieval history of the church. We hope people will dress in medieval costume – simple peasant garb is very easy to make - please ask for a pattern. More details will follow in the coming months – the enthusiasm shown already has been great, many thanks to all. This is a red-letter day for Clavering!

Jacky Cooper

 * Local Heritage Initiative is a partnership between the Heritage Lottery Fund, Nationwide Building Society and the Countryside Agency.