Email
info@DarkAgesTrust.org.uk
Rosemary Cottage,
Camp Rd. Canwell, Sutton Coldfield B75 5RA
Tel. & FAX; 0121-323-4309 Mobile; 07973-432569
We are developing a 7-acre site to include;
• 150 meter pond with two islands
• Broad leaf woodland
• Ring fort
• New hedgerows
• Rare breeds of animals – we already have some Wiltshire Horn sheep.
• Lots of bird & bat boxes
NEWSFLASH: THE GOVERNMENT HAVE NOW STOPPED OUR FUNDING AFTER 10YEARS SO WE RELUCTANTLY MUST RAISE OUR SCHOOL
VIKING DAY FEE FROM £150 TO £300 (UPTO 35 CHILDREN). Schools will now have to raise the full fee themselves. If anyone knows of any other funding please let us know!
The idea is to produce a landscape similar to how much of England was 1000 years ago. This will benefit wildlife and give refuge to endangered species of plants and animals.
We need help in creating this environment and invite sympathetic groups
to become involved. There are numerous opportunities for nature conservation
and practical historic research. Projects can be developed to satisfy
the requirements of;
Scout & Guide badges. Duke of Edinburgh Award service and interest
sections
School subjects such as History, Geography, Maths & Science.
We have planted several thousand bulbs, hedgerow trees, wildflower grasslands and wild plants. We have 40 tons of rocks moved into place for the creation of a habitat for lizards and amphibians on one of the islands and to prevent erosion where the stream enters and leaves the pond.
The ring fort has a campfire area that can be used for cooking and evening entertainment. We plan to build into the ring fort a clay oven that can be used for bread making, cooking or pottery. Subject to demand we plan to build an iron forge and a woodworking pole-lathe. We have placed hundreds of railway sleepers to form terraced seating in the ring fort to provide an open-air theatre so that suitable plays can be performed. Using oil burners and other natural lighting should make this a very atmospheric venue. The fort is now fully palisaded with hardwood ‘first off cuts’ which means that the outer face has the bark on.
Camping is available in the new woodlands and meadow.
There will be opportunities to build and use dugout canoes and maybe a small Viking longship.
We welcome any practical help, financial sponsorship and your ideas!
For further information and to arrange a site visit please contact Paul
or Sharon Craddock.