Some snapshots from us using the Wordsmith Crafts CIC studio to develop skills.
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Research and development
Month: September 2022
Two days of the land of legends in Barrhill woods.
We have created a storytelling area, a craft workshop, and a challenge of games.
This weekend we have mostly been working with children. Brought by their those who look after them, they have been introduced to ways of being human which inform the legends of heroes.
Their wits are challenged with the games and their patience and ability to learn tested. They can learn dexterity and team work using traditional skills to make friendship bracelets. In the storytelling tent they can use their imaginations to enter worlds where we learn to live.
Most of all, they have had fun.
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Scottish Archaeology Fair 2022
Well we made it! Despite a torrential downpour during set up the team managed to pitch the Iron Age camp.
During the day the public encountered an inquisitive Roman. He was very curious about the state of the roads. He had travelled far with his marching kit, but what would the locals think of him? (And his gifts)
One of the Novantae was making armour, who knows? Perhaps the wire rings he was linking together will survive a thousand years in Carlingwark loch. Hopefully the memories of making that the public gained will last a lifetime too.
From further west, a Selgovae crafter helped bend wire to another use. She crafted copper alloy rings with people. She also told tales from the Iron Age to entertain and expand the minds of all those with ears for listening.
Next weekend we will be in Barhill woodland for the final outdoor event of the season.
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Catken
One of our community engagement tools is a large skin boat.
It was made one summer on the banks of loch ken as a community art installation. People dropped in (walking, driving, and boating) to take part in early medieval crafts and to help build the boat.
This was funded by Catstrand, and the loch was loch Ken, so the finished boat is called Catken.
She is in the workshop just now for some much needed repairs. Hopefully we will have her on the water again before the end of the summer! Before that she will help interpret the Archaeology of Carlingwark Loch this weekend in Castle Douglas as part of a land based display though.
