Theme

Dressing up in Victorian costume, taking part in a typical Victorian lesson and even being sent to the corner of the room and wearing a dunce’s cap were all part of the experience of the young children from Barrow when they visited “The Museum of Childhood” at Sudbury Hall near Barrow upon Trent. As one young child commented: “I know this is only make-believe – but that teacher is awfully scary!”

The focus of the project is to bring together all the volunteers that work within and around the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site and help them understand the significance of the DVMWHS. There have been a series of activities planned to deliver this including a number of group visits. For the digital requirement of the project the DVMWHS is working with Smart4 and using Augmented Reality to create four films

Dowsing for buried archaeological features. “Before I started I was a complete sceptic. I still am to a certain extent but despite everything it seemed to work. When I was walking down the rods certainly crossed and I wasn’t doing anything. So I’m less of a sceptic. I still don’t understand it but it seemed to work for me.” Peter Kent Southwell Community Archaeology Group

We found three designs, but there may be more. They include a panel of sunflowers and one of daisy like flowers (named Large Aster/Leaf by Elsley). There is also a panel of an old Dutch tile design, usually known as the ‘tulip and carnation’ design, though, as a member pointed out, the ‘tulips’ are in fact fritillaries.

In the course of tracking down some William de Morgan tiles, members of Leicester Secular Society came across a transcript of a radio interview with members of the Society from around 20 years ago. The interview contained a reference to the tiles in the ballroom having been boarded up. Apparently, the secretary at that time had claimed they made the place look like a butcher’s shop! Thanks to the determination

As always, a highlight of the day was the re-enactment of 1066. This was the year that England changed forever. From ploughshares to seaxes (Saxon knives), farmers to warriors, the youngsters experienced the peaceful farming life in the Meon Valley before taking up arms to defend king and country.

‘My child is still talking about Saxon day’ The Friends of Corhampton Church fourth annual Saxon school day (held on May 9th 2013) again brought smiles and hoots of enjoyment from the children of our villages. The pupils at Meinstoke infant school were joined by nine older Huscarls (royal guards) from Droxford junior school to learn and celebrate our Saxon heritage. Fifty parents and guests enjoyed the learning, f

Corhampton Church is one of the few remaining Saxon churches in regular use and in good repair. The building is Grade I listed and dates from 1020. It has been extensively restored with the help of the Friends of Corhampton Church whose constitution states: “The Friends are established to assist in the restoration and maintenance of the fabric, contents, and churchyard of Corhampton Church…….. and to preserve and p

On 9 April 1857 the Enclosure Committee reported to the Council that it believed ‘… that some of the large Guns and trophies taken from Russia in the late War might be obtained on application to Her Majesty’s Government recommend that such application be made and that the Guns and trophies if obtained be placed in the Arboretum and be under the care of this Council.’ (NA CA 3616)

Cyril Flowers started work at Carey's as a threading boy in 1929 at 14 years. He was paid 7s/6d (37 1/2 pence) per week, and an extra 6d (2 1/2 pence) for 3 hours on a Saturday. “There were 46 machines some capable of producing lace 360 inches wide. Some machines had 3,000 bobbins or shuttle that needed threading. When Carey’s closed down in 1956, Cyril was the last man to be paid off and given £25 extra and a f