Tarvin Gardening Society October meeting.

"From gardening through sculpture to making Bronze age houses"

A fantastic project has been taking place for the last 6 months and it has happened almost on our doorstep with no one knowing.
Our speaker at the gardening society was Caroline Gregson who lives in Tarvin and produces willow sculptures. She is well known to many of us and has talked to the group before and done workshops in the village. She has now started a new venture by adding this project to her busy life. Evidence was found at Beeston Castle of Bronze age round houses so English Heritage decided to build a reconstruction. It was not possible to build on the ancient site so a site was chosen in a Victorian quarry. Actually this makes it easier to visit as it is only half way up the steep hill.

A group of about 20 volunteers were chosen and the hard work commenced. All the wood for the build was obtained on the site but it had to be transported by man power to where it was needed and then cut into the sizes required. After some trial and error the framework was erected. Hazel branches then provided infill. The reed thatch for the roof had to be imported as any in Britain is used for the repair of buildings that are here already.The tools used were copies of ones found on Bronze age sites. Caroline said it took her a week of practice to use an adze but once mastered she found it an easy tool to use and the finish can be compared to modern machine finishes.

They have made a wonderful job and I hope my short report doesn't make it sound easy. If you want to add your hand to this work there is chance to visit this Saturday or Sunday and help to add the daub to the wattle of the house walls. Children will love messing with mud for the 1st weekend of Half term. Please check the Beeston Castle web site for details.

The groups next plan is to make furniture for the interior and also add textiles so this will remain an on-going project for many years to come .