SAXON WALLS
PROJECT: Info boards
unveiled at site of Wareham’s ancient Saxon walls
THE Lord Lieutenant
of Dorset has officially unveiled a series of information boards
at the site of Wareham’s ancient Saxon walls. Mrs Anthony
Pitt-Rivers was joined by other dignitaries for the ceremony,
which marked a milestone in the project to tell the story of the
town’s 9th century earth walls.
Originally built to keep
out marauding Vikings the walls’ rich history is intertwined with
the Purbeck market town.
Seven of the information boards
are dotted around the 1,200 metre length of the walls. Each tells
the story of the spot on which it stands and its surrounding
location – from Bloody Bank and ‘hanging’ Judge Jefferies, the
Norman conquest and the anger of King John.
Wareham and
District Trust development manager John Scott, who was
instrumental in making the project a reality, said: “The whole
idea of the interpretation boards alongside the walls had been
discussed for many years, although perhaps not quite 12 centuries.
“To bring the dream of many people to a relative and
colourful conclusion is a great achievement for which the whole
community should be proud.”
Archaeologist and local
historian Lillian Ladle wrote the story that each board tells,
while the project was brought together by a partnership of English
Heritage, Wareham and District Development Trust, the district and
county councils and Dorset Wildlife Trust.
Mr Scott said:
“Our Saxon walls are the best remaining example in the whole of
the country and bring thousands of visitors from all over the
world to our historic market town.
“For the first time in
their history everyone who ‘walks the walls’ will be able to
better understand what they are walking on, looking at and what
has happened exactly where they stand.”
The project was
largely funded by Viridor Credits with contributions from English
Heritage and the two councils.
article
written by the Bournemouth Echo
UPDATED PRESS RELEASE 30th August 2013
WAREHAM’S PAST TO BE UNVEILED BY THE LORD LIEUTENANT OF DORSET
Wareham is famous for its monumental Saxon earth ‘walls’,
constructed on three sides of the town in the 9th century by King
Alfred to defend against Viking invaders.
The town’s history
stretches back over 2000 years. It has been involved in a vibrant
Roman pottery industry, was an imposing Saxon fortress, a medieval
market town and busy channel port. Its development has been marked
by devastating fire, royal bloodshed and civil war.
Now, some
12 centuries since the Walls were built, their story and that of
the town’s colourful past is being graphically brought back to
life on seven vibrantly illustrated interpretation boards along
its 1200m length.
The boards have been installed alongside the
‘Wareham Walls Walk’ which follows the route of the Walls from the
medieval Town Pound around the town and ending where the Walls are
crossed by East Street. They will be officially unveiled by the
Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Mrs Anthony Pitt-Rivers, at a ceremony
alongside the West Walls, Wareham, on Wednesday 2nd October at
11am.
Each board tells the story of the spot on which it stands
and its surrounding location, from Bloody Bank and ‘hanging’ Judge
Jefferies, Norman conquest and ‘transportation for life’, to
Edward the Martyr and the anger of King John, and includes
information on the wealth of surrounding wildlife. The story that
each board tells has been written by archaeologist and local
historian Lilian Ladle MBE, with illustrations created by local
designer Maria Burns. The whole project has been brought together
by a partnership of English Heritage, Dorset County Council,
Purbeck District Council, Dorset Wildlife Trust and Wareham &
District Development Trust, and has been largely funded by Viridor
Credits with contributions by English Heritage, Dorset County
Council and Purbeck District Council.
‘The whole idea of the
interpretation boards alongside the Walls has been discussed for
many years, perhaps not quite 12 centuries, and to bring the dream
of many people to a creative and colourful conclusion, is a great
achievement for which they and the whole community should be
proud.’ says John Scott, Development Manager, Wareham & District
Development Trust.
‘Our Saxon walls are the best remaining
example in the whole of the country and bring many thousands of
visitors from all over the world to our historic market town. For
the first time in their history everyone who ‘walks the walls’
will be able to better understand what they are walking on,
looking at, and just what has happened exactly where they stand.’
Following the unveiling the Lord Lieutenant will view the
installation of the animal artworks in the Town Pound by the
students of the Purbeck School, walk West and North Walls, visit
the Saxon Church of St Martin to see the original wall frescos and
effigy of T E Lawrence, before ending her visit at the Library and
Discover Purbeck Information Centre to see how inspirational
partnership working is breaking new ground in Dorset.
Contact
details:
John Scott, Development Manager, Wareham & District
Development Trust
01929 554236 Mob: 07971 029940 E-mail:
john@wddt.org.uk
Helen Lilley, Senior Landscape Architect,
Purbeck District Council
01929 557257 E-mail:
helenlilley@purbeck-dc.gov.uk
Maria Burns, illustrator &
designer
01929 555056 E-mail: maria@mb-id.co.uk
Lilian Ladle
MBE, archaeologist and local historian
01929 553144 E-mail:
bestwall@tiscali.co.uk
