Thanks to the snow arriving on Dartmoor Dave Budd, archaeological blacksmith, was unable to attend the blacksmithing weekend. Fortunately Matt Kent got out his 20th century portable forge so that some forgework happened and Dan, James and John got a taste for whacking metal. We shall try to book Dave again for a summer weekend, when he will be unlikely to be marooned on the moor.
Meanwhile Richard continued thatching with assistance from Leah and Roger - just the ridge to complete. Ji continued with woodwork and hurdle making. Eve removed Boris the Boar from the tanning pickle barrel and stretched him out on a frame to dry. Kevin, Ali, Antony and Arwen slaved for various people, kept the fires burning and put in sterling work to prepare the ground for our new storage container. A wide range of food was produced with help from Maddy and Polly, with several stews incorporating pheasant, rabbit, venison and squirrel.
Roger, Tracey and Luke doubled our chicken population with their kind donation of 'Leah' and 'Maddy', already in egg laying mode. Tracey has prepared a willow frame for the small oven planned for the sunken hut. Maddy began work on a large wooden bowl and sack full of split willow spars was prepared to anchor down the last of the thatch.
Despite the snow, plenty of food and two warm fires ensured that the 'crew' stayed warm. Next month sees us moving on to clay and pot building.
An Anglo-Saxon village is under construction here at Escot Park. Over the coming years a living history site will enable individuals and groups to investigate and experience the day-to-day life of our ancestors. A particular emphasis will be placed on comparing the sustainability of ancient vs. modern lifestyles.
Coming Events
Volunteer Days are during the first full weekend of most months (both Saturday and Sunday are in the new month) here at Escot Education, starting at 10am. If you would like to join us please let me know - 07814036634.
Family Activity Days - on each Sunday of our volunteer weekends we are offering the public the opportunity to 'have a go' at some of our craft activities. Grinding corn and then making bread in the earth oven was a very popular activity over the winter, as well as Matt's forging sessions with copper pendants as the final product. Richard demonstrated his considerable wood carving skills. Craft products are available for sale on these days.
School Activity Days - we can offer Anglo-Saxon experience days as well as the Forest School, Environmental Art and Science and Fun Days. Half, Full day or overnight camps are possible with the sessions tailored to your own individual needs and preferences. See the appropriate link on the Escot Education home page (link on the left of this page) or email or telephone Alan for further information.
Family Activity Days - on each Sunday of our volunteer weekends we are offering the public the opportunity to 'have a go' at some of our craft activities. Grinding corn and then making bread in the earth oven was a very popular activity over the winter, as well as Matt's forging sessions with copper pendants as the final product. Richard demonstrated his considerable wood carving skills. Craft products are available for sale on these days.
School Activity Days - we can offer Anglo-Saxon experience days as well as the Forest School, Environmental Art and Science and Fun Days. Half, Full day or overnight camps are possible with the sessions tailored to your own individual needs and preferences. See the appropriate link on the Escot Education home page (link on the left of this page) or email or telephone Alan for further information.
There's lots more to do and not just heavy work
We have already planted a boundary hedge and fruit bushes, completed a splendid thatched sunken hut, workshop, chicken coop, small bread oven and a bodger's bothy; raised a gateway arch and shelter for the spring; created costumes and researched building techniques; woven sections of wattle fencing and investigated wild foodstuffs of the period.
There is still plenty to do including:
There is still plenty to do including:
- daubing the new roundhouse
- milling flour for our open days and then baking bread
- making domestic and workshop tools and equipment
- blacksmithing
- thatching
- make charcoal for the forge
- splitting logs to feed the fires
- maintaining the herbs and planting a dye plant garden
- making and applying cob daub to more walls and structures
- spinning, weaving and dying wool and other yarns such as nettle
- sewing more costumes for living history days and school visits
- creating a photo album and preparing information packs and display boards
- chasing funding for materials and training expenses.
Why not visit us on the next Volunteer Weekend and see what we get up to? Ring Alan Bruford on 07814-036634 or email at abruford@hotmail.co.uk for dates and details.
- milling flour for our open days and then baking bread
- making domestic and workshop tools and equipment
- blacksmithing
- thatching
- make charcoal for the forge
- splitting logs to feed the fires
- maintaining the herbs and planting a dye plant garden
- making and applying cob daub to more walls and structures
- spinning, weaving and dying wool and other yarns such as nettle
- sewing more costumes for living history days and school visits
- creating a photo album and preparing information packs and display boards
- chasing funding for materials and training expenses.
Why not visit us on the next Volunteer Weekend and see what we get up to? Ring Alan Bruford on 07814-036634 or email at abruford@hotmail.co.uk for dates and details.
How we began...Anglo-Saxon Wood Wrighting Workshop- Nov 2007
We had a great weekend with Damian Goodburn from the Museum of London in November 2007 which kick-started the Edcott site. Discussions on appropriate building styles and techniques led on to designing and the first tentative steps in building our first Anglo-Saxon family dwelling, axes being wielded to great effect.
These skills have now resulted in our thatched sunken hut, complete with internal fire. A new cob bread oven was finished during our May 2008 weekend.
Further workshops have been run on a variety of topics - ring to let us know if you want to be involved.
These skills have now resulted in our thatched sunken hut, complete with internal fire. A new cob bread oven was finished during our May 2008 weekend.
Further workshops have been run on a variety of topics - ring to let us know if you want to be involved.