STOP PRESS! – STARTING THIS SUNDAY
We have an invitation to join the National Trust Field Walking Project at Oxburgh Hall Estate
3 days including training are running on:
Sun & Tues 26th/28th Sept, plus Sat 2nd Oct, 10.00-12.30 and 1.30 – 4.00 (Meet in car park near café)
Led by Aileen Connor from Oxford Archaeology.
Email Aileen ASAP to book: aileen.connor@oxfordarchaeology.com
No need to commit to all 3 days. Half days are also possible by arrangement.
The idea is to give as many people as possible an experience of field walking (so Aileen may want to ration sessions)
ALSO to involve AS MANY YOUNG PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.
If anyone has a young relative who would like to take part, that would be great – children will need an adult with them.
You will be working on the Thornham fields closest to the river first.
There will be some basic facilities, but you will need to take a packed lunch and good boots for tramping sticky clay.
These sessions will hopefully find some interesting artefacts to help shed light on how the fields were used in the past.
If anyone would like to stroll down on Sunday to take a look that would be fine – you never know, you might be able to have a quick go too!
All are welcome to apply.
If these fields are not completed, a few extra training days may be arranged later on.
The total work needed will take longer than these three days, so Oxford Archaeology are supervising this initial training for staff and volunteers to be able to carry out the rest.
If you miss these 3 days, but would be interested in future opportunities, please contact me for updates.
All best Bar Pritchard
Oxborough History Group: 01366 328730. email: oxboroughhistorygroup@gmail.com
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Background
In 2017 the NT acquired 125 acres of what historically was the estate’s parkland and is just starting an exciting
10-year restoration project which will see part of the Grade 2 listed landscape restored to a species rich, native wood pasture to attract more wildlife and increase biodiversity.
The first phase of the project is now underway: 227 specimen trees including Oak, White Willow and rare Black Poplar will be planted over the next two years to help re-create the look of the original parkland and will grow alongside the ten ancient trees that remain in the landscape.
They will also be recreating ponds and planting areas of scrub and lowland meadows to create a resilient habitat that will endure for centuries to come.
These 3 days of field walking in partnership with Oxford Archaeology, are a key part of this first phase, to include training, and engagement with the public and local community.
The 3 days will focus on the cultivated sections of the Golts and Thornhams south of Home covert.
There will also be some metal detecting happening at the same time.
Part of the land to be walked later in the project will include an area historically occupied by dwellings, farmsteads and shops which was once ‘Le Heyte Strete’ leading down to the Old Rectory, en route for the old Ferry and ‘port’. This was before the town/village centre moved northwards, to nearer the parish church.
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