TillVAS has obtained a grant from the Heritage Fund to fund a third season of digging to explore the Iron Age site at Mardon Farm. In preparation for this a pre-dig drop-in event, with activities for all ages, is being held in Crookham Village Hall on Sunday 1st August 2021. See details below.
TILLVAS: MARDON 2021
PRE-DIG DROP-IN DAY: SUNDAY 1ST AUGUST AT CROOKHAM VILLAGE HALL
10 am to 3 pm
In preparation for our dig at Mardon Farm near Branxton between 17th and 30th August, we are holding a FREE pre-dig drop-in event at Crookham Village Hall with activities for all the family. You can join us between 10am and 3pm for as long or as short a time as you wish; and please bring your children or grandchildren.
A display of information, photographs and the finds so far will reintroduce the site at Mardon and what we have learnt from it about life in north Northumberland in the Iron Age before the Romans arrived. It will also include information about preparations for a dig and the tools that might be used.
Archaeological activities will include textile making, pot puzzles, bead making, an introduction to metal detecting, making a Roman shield and even dissecting poo.
You will be able to see and examine a copy of the recently published Branxton and Crookham Village Atlas.
Before the start of the pandemic, we had been planning to launch family membership: this new category of TillVAS membership will be available at this event.
If you would like to try your hand at practical archaeology at Mardon you can sign up on 1st August to dig for just for a day or two or for longer if you wish. There will also be an opportunity to try digging in a real trench and metal detecting at our Site Open Day for visitors on Saturday 21st August.
Tea, coffee, drinks for children and biscuits will be available for a small charge.
Covid is still very much with us. Safety is therefore our main concern, as some clinically vulnerable people may not be well-protected by the vaccinations. We shall ensure that Crookham Village Hall is well-ventilated on the day and require everyone to wear masks for the protection of others. We do not expect large numbers of people to be in the hall at any one time, but if that becomes likely we reserve the right to limit entry. We shall of course comply with any legal requirements.
We are grateful to the Crookham Village Hall Committee for allowing us to use the newly reopened hall free of charge.
