This autumn marks 60 years since CambridgePPF acquired land at Wandlebury, saving it from development and turning it into a green space that local people can escape to 365 days a year. To mark this special anniversary and the rich archaeological heritage of the site, the charity is staging a special, history-inspired event designed to appeal to adults and children alike.
With assistance from local groups including ‘History Needs You’ and ‘Oxford Archaeology East’, CambridgePPF will showcase the very best that Wandlebury Country Park has to offer.
There will be a range of activities to take part in throughout the day – many of which will draw upon the site’s ancient history, which dates back as far as the Iron Age. At the event, attendees will be able to:
- Travel back in time and meet people dressed in traditional Iron Age costume
- Learn how to make wattle and daub panels – an ancient building technique
- Listen to tales of old recounted by the Cambridge Storytellers
- Make bows and arrows to rival the weapons made by fifth century BC Wandlebury residents
- Take part in a chain mail workshop
- Go on a guided walk / archaeology trail around the park
- Learn about Iron Age food.
As well as discovering what our Wandlebury-based ancestors would have eaten, the event will be attended by local fruit and nut experts who will offer advice on local varieties of plums, apples and pears. Visitors are invited to bring any homegrown crops along with them on the day for identification and discussion. The Cambridge Beekeepers will also be in attendance – reminding everyone just how important these busy little creatures are to the pollination and growth of some of our favourite tree and hedgerow fruits. Throughout the day – to satisfy the appetite of hungry history aficionados – there will also be fabulous food stalls to browse and CambridgePPF’s very own ‘pop up’ café will also be putting in another special appearance – selling tea, coffee and delicious homemade delights!
Philip Robson, Head of Properties at CambridgePPF, said: “Wandlebury is a place of myth and legend. It is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year but truly special in autumn when the trees put on a dazzling display of colour – just before the onset of winter. Wandlebury means so much to so many people, who return here time and again with their friends and family. We hope lots of people will join us to celebrate the wonder of Wandlebury and learn fascinating facts about its history.”
Wonderful Wandlebury will take place from 11:30am to 4:30pm on Saturday 4 October in and around the Paddock, Inner Ring and Stable Rooms. Entrance is free and there is no need to book but donations towards the upkeep of the park are always warmly welcomed. Please note, parking fees apply: £3 per vehicle for the whole day. You can also reach the park by bus, bike or on foot from the Babraham Park & Ride site. For more information email: bookings@cambridgeppf.org, call 01223 243830 extension 201 or visit www.cambridgeppf.org/events
About Cambridge Past, Present and Future (CambridgePPF)
Founded as Cambridge Preservation Society in 1928, CambridgePPF is a registered charity campaigning to keep Cambridge and its surroundings special by positively influencing planning developments, delivering environmental education and managing the green spaces and historic buildings in its care. Its diverse property portfolio includes Wandlebury Country Park and its Iron Age Ring; Coton Countryside Reserve; Barnwell Leper Chapel; Bourn Windmill plus various wildlife sites and historic buildings. Key achievements include protecting sites such as Grantchester Meadows, the Gog Magog Hills and Wandlebury Estate from development and helping to establish the Cambridge Green Belt in the 1960s. CambridgePPF has a growing membership, which makes a vital contribution to the cost of conserving, managing and developing its sites. With its HQ at Wandlebury, the charity has a mix of busy full and part-time staff and is run by a Board of Trustees together with Advisory Committees staffed by dedicated volunteers. For more information about the charity and benefits of membership: www.cambridgeppf.org
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Cambridge Past, Present & Future, Wandlebury Ring, Babraham, Cambridge, CB22 3AE
01223 243830
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