Helping Hillsborough Hillfort – Activity Fun Day
Join the North Devon Coast AONB on team on Saturday 13th July for a fun filled heritage themed activity day. The event is being organised as part of the Coastal Heritage project as well as being run in celebration of the National Festival of Archaeology.
Partners Bumblebee Conservation will be running Bee Walk sessions to help raise awareness of the importance of pollinators and threatened bee species. Alongside this, North Devon Council countryside staff are inviting volunteers to take part in some footpath maintenance work.
If you’ve ever fancied trying your hand at scything this is the perfect opportunity as free, informal training will be provided by expert Andi Rickard, with Adrian Thomas demonstrating a curious hand-operated baler. The scything workshop will be located on the ancient ramparts of the Hillfort so the focus will be to manage the grassland and help promote species diversity.
In addition Dave Edgcombe, from the AONB team, assisted by Zoe Arkley from Cotswold Archaeology, will be leading guided walks to interpret the hillfort remains and some of the wider history associated with the site.
Joe Penfold, AONB Coastal Heritage Project Officer said “Hillsborough is a wonderful local nature reserve blessed with fine views and fresh air. The event is a great way for the community to get involved in looking after the site and in doing so meet new people, learn new skills and keep fit. One of the main events will be scything workshops which if you’ve not tried it is lovely way to connect with a traditional rural skill”
North Devon Council Leader, Councillor David Worden, says: “The AONB have done a fantastic job of organising this activity day. It promises to be a very interesting and informative event, as well as being lots of fun for those interested in the history of the Hillsborough hillfort. I do hope that there will be plenty of people in our local community who would like to go along and also volunteer to help maintain the site.”
The event will take place 10-4pm. Participants are welcome to join us for some, part or all of the day. No pre-booking is necessary as registration for the morning and/or afternoon workshops sessions can be made on arrival.
For more information contact: Joe.Penfold@devon.gov.uk, see our website https://www.northdevoncoast-nl.org.uk/events/hillsborough-community-activity-day, or call 01271 388644
