Ancient Wessex Network
The Ancient Wessex Network works in the South West of England to promote the "Heritage Industry" through activities that celebrate the landscape and material culture.
The members of the network are creative people who produce work relating to that culture as replicas or that is inspired by the landscape of the area and the people who lived in it. They also demonstrate their skills and knowledge through workshops and displays.
Partners in the network are organisations that operate in or manage parts of the landscape, such the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team, the Dorset County Museum, the National Trust and English Heritage.
This knapped flint arrow head was made by network member Mike Trevarthen, to find out more visit his webpages at this link
To find out about other network members and their activities use the links at the left.
Technologies
There is a growing collection of articles under the Technologies Explained header, including Bronze Age Beaker making at this link
This is a shot of Mark pouring molten bronze into a mould. The metal has been heated to 1200C in a clay crucible in the furnace. The charcoal has been heated by pumping air using the pair of bag bellows.
Current Plans
The network is negotiating with various organisations about the events for 2012, details will be posted here, when confirmed.
Max Gate - 24th & 25th March 2012
The National Trust have invited the network to appear at Thomas Hardy's home in Dorchester at the start of their opening season. The house stands in a very significant ancient ceremonial landscape to the east of the town. The event will explain that landscape and explore some of the evidence, brought to life by demonstrations of ancient technologies, plus a display of related art in the house. There are links between Hardy himself and the archaeology of Dorset.
Events in 2011
The network appeared at several events during 2011, details are given on the website.
Phaience!! A small group of members are currently undertaking experiments to further their understanding and ability to reproduce faience, they ran a very successful workshop on 7th January 2012 at the Dorset County Museum in conjunction with the British Museum touring Pharoah exhibition www.dorsetcountymuseum.org
There is a page on this website which gives details and features information about faience at this link.
The network members spent a day at the Oak Fair at Stock Gaylard and a short week demonstrating at Walford Mill Craft Centre in August and two weeks at Corfe Castle in July, demonstrating and educating the visitorsduring the British Festival of Archaeology.
We had a great outing at Spring Tide with the National Trust at Burton Bradstock in May. The casting team did some more experimental bronze work, Mark's new bellows really worked well to produce enough hot air to melt the bronze! Virginia and Bill had great displays of their jewellery and pottery, which sold well. We hope to return next year!
Events in 2010
At the end of July the AONB South Dorset Ridgeway Festival featured an event staged by the network at the top of the Ridgeway north of the village of Upwey. During the day there were displays of work and demonstrations, in the evening there was a celebration.
During the last week in July, network members returned to the grounds of Corfe Castle. They were part of the British Festival of Archaeology activities staged by the National Trust team. Demonstrations and have-a-go sessions were run to show visitors some of the ancient skills, together with a display of members' work for sale. Follow this link for details.
The Network CIC
The network has become a Community Interest Company, to help establish itself as a worthy organisation! Details of the CIC are at this link
THE NATIONAL HERITAGE LIST FOR ENGLAND
English Heritage have set up a new website which lists loads of sites of interest - take a look at http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/
The Ancient Wessex Network has signed up to Dorset Loves Arts - visit the website which is currently being revised.
Getting Involved with the Network
Creative people and organisations that operate in the heritage industry are invited to contact the network to see about working together. Use this e-mail link.
Supporting the Ancient Wessex Network
The network has several supporter and partners, those who invite us to attend their events, those who agree to our requests to attend their events and those who activitely encourage us.
The staff of various National Trust properties and event managers have been very very kind to us, we look forward to working with them more often.
The Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty deserve a very special mention, their South Dorset Ridgeway project was a great vehicle for us to get going, good luck to them with their future plans for the project. But even better is that they have awarded the network a Sustainable Development Fund grant - so we can really get our act together!
Donations!
If you feel the need to pay the Ancient Wessex Network for services or goods, or just to support the excellent work they do with a donation, then please use your card or PayPal account on-line by clicking on this link to make a payment through the PayPal system to Artseeker Ltd. Please enter some details when making the donation - so that your payment can be acknowledged. Thank you.