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Excitement at Beeston Castle, as English Heritage announce plans to re-create a Bronze Age Roundhouse.
Based on research from past archaeological digs, the Roundhouse will use local materials and the structure will be located in the quarry section of the site.
Staff at Beeston are calling on volunteers to help build the Roundhouse.
Volunteer information sessions will be held at Peckforton and Beeston Village Hall on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th October. The sessions will provide an opportunity to learn more about this fascinating project and the various ways in which volunteers can get involved.
Beeston Castle, which was built on top of prehistoric earthworks, has been occupied and used by its local community for over 4,000 years. Previous archaeology has shown that Beeston was a settlement since at least the Neolithic period (c3,000BC) and discovered bronze objects, suggest that it was an important metalworking site between 1,000BC and 7,000BC.
It is these findings that will inform the way in which the Roundhouse will be built and used.
A space will be created where casting and metal-working demonstrations will be carried out. Visitors will also have the opportunity to try prehistoric crafts and technologies and then explore the site to see the physical landscape where these activities took place.
Kate Potter, Site Manager at Beeston Castle said: "This is a unique project and something that we are all really looking forward to getting started on. There are lots of different ways for volunteers to get involved and people will be able to find out more at the volunteer sessions. Once the project is finished we will be able to give our visitors an insight into Prehistoric Beeston in a way that's not been done before. It'll provide a true 'hands-on' and immersive experience — perfect for school groups and fun family days out."
The volunteer information sessions are being held at:
Peckforton and Beeston Village Hall,
Pheasantry Cottage,
Hill Lane,
Peckforton,
Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 9TW
On Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th October between 12 and 2pm and 3 and 5pm each day.
To register for one of these sessions email volunteer.enquiries@english-heritage.org.ukvolunteer.enquiries@english-heritage.org.uk>