Medieval magic (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Medieval magic

1:00pm Saturday 25th July 2009 in News By Lucie Richards

BIRDS of prey and stocks were part of a Basingstoke school’s journey back in time to the medieval period.

All the students at Aldworth Science College, in Western Way, South Ham, spent a day learning about their medieval ancestors through department activities, theatre workshops and a falconry display.

After school, parents flocked to a medieval fair displaying students’ work from the day where they could try activities such as horseshoe throwing.

Medieval day was the brainchild of Mark Truss, head of humanities at the college, who said: “It was a really fun day but also educational.”

He said a theatre group performed a play about the medieval period and held workshops, while each department contributed at least one activity.

The science department did work on the use of dyes, PE held tug-of-war contests and the art and technology departments combined to reproduce the Bayeux Tapestry.

English teacher Pete Diamond was appointed Lord of the Manor for the day, in charge of doling out punishments and sending students into the wooden stocks and pillories to have wet sponges thrown at them.

And a falconer from Kent brought a goshawk, a peregrine falcon, a bald eagle and a barn owl for students to admire.

Mr Truss added: “Seeing a huge eagle up close was phenomenal. It was really exciting.

“The children enjoyed it because it wasn’t a normal day for them. It was totally interactive and different.”