Meeting 20th June 2019

Talk by Lesley Best

House of Wessex project

The House of Wessex project based at the Sylva Wood Centre at Long Wittenham is making good progress with the aid of a Heritage Lottery grant. People with expert knowledge of Anglo-Saxon history are involved with the project.

Project Manager, Lesley Best, described how in 2016 the site of an Anglo-Saxon hall was discovered at Long Wittenham and the plan to reconstruct the building using authentic methods and materials that were used at the time.  Sources for these have been found and construction is due to start from June 2019 onwards. The building will be a valuable educational source for schools and the public. Educational activities and courses will take place in a recently completed wooden building, with a car park nearby.

Archaeologists recognize the importance of the Saxon settlements between Sutton Courtenay and Dorchester. A Kingdom of Wessex Trail is planned to follow a route linking them. The Trail was launched on 11 May when the Wulfheodenas (an Anglo-Saxon re-enactment group) led a walk from Dorchester to Long Wittenham. 

The museum in Dorchester will hold an Anglo-Saxon exhibition. A public open weekend will be held at Long Wittenham on 6/7 July. 

The reconstruction of the Anglo-Saxon building should be completed by the end of September when there will be another open weekend for the public.

For more information about the House of Wessex project click here.

Venue : SC Village Hall

Date/Time : Thursday 20th June 2019  7.30 pm

About the Speaker

Lesley Best is the House of Wessex Project Manager. 

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