Activity Days
In 2009 HWTMA was approached by Hart Neighbourhood Centre, Hook, Hampshire to host a day of activities for families with children of all ages.
HWTMA chose to host the event at Itchen Valley Country Park where we arranged access to facilities that might be required. Fortunately the weather was good and we were able to do most of our activities outside as originally planned.
After a brief introduction to HWTMA, we had a quick chat about maritime archaeology. Participants had the opportunity to handle some archaeological artefacts (finds) before they were divided into two smaller groups (making sure families stayed together).
One group learned about knots and ropes by following simple instructions (with help and support from HWTMA staff). The other group crushed nettles to get the fibres with which to make bracelets and other ‘natural' jewellery.
Then it was time for lunch, the families had brought their own packed lunch and most took the opportunity to visit an exhibition in the High Wood Barn Visitor Centre at Itchen Valley Country Park.
After lunch the two groups were separated again, one stayed in the Kingfisher Room where they produced their own knot-boards to take home with them. The other group went for a ‘bush walk' over the Itchen River where they discussed wetland environements and ‘bog bodies'! They also played a few games of "pooh sticks" on the bridge.
The last hour of the day was spent playing "Boat Rounders". This was based on the traditional game of rounders, with a few ‘extras'. The game was based on the development of vessels for crossing water. People needed to don a diving mask and ‘swim' their way to first-base where they swapped the mask for a set of paddles to paddle their way to second-base. Here they dropped the paddles and picked up a ‘sail' to get them to third-base. At third base the sail was dropped in favour of a piece of ‘coal' which was thrown into a ‘boiler' (bucket) to complete the round.
During the day everyone had a disposable camera (provided by Hart Neighbourhood Centre) to record their day. The pictures will be developed and used to create a collage which is eagerly awaited.
This is one example of a whole host of innovative and exciting days/events that HWTMA can offer. For more information read more here or contact info@hwtma.org.uk