The Blackden Trust Blackden


Events

A demonstration of geophysical survey techniques

A demonstration of geophysical survey techniques

  


 

Blackden has the resonance of an ancient site and the vibrancy of a place that is still developing; an atmosphere that is reflected in the activities offered to visitors.

 

Visitors see details of the two timber-frame houses and hear about the emergence of new information and ideas about the site. By debating the significance of new finds, visitors' suggestions can point the way to new interpretations, or even new areas of research, while the insights visitors gain can be applied elsewhere.  

To maintain the immediacy of this kind of exchange, and also to protect the fabric and intimacy of the place, numbers on individual visits are restricted. Usually, there will be no more than ten to twelve students to each tutor or no more than ten to twelve visitors on each conducted tour. In this way, The Blackden Trust gives every visitor an opportunity to take part in the process of writing history.

Calendar of Public Events

Links from the calendar will take you to details of future events and reports of the events after they have taken place.  Further information about the individual tutors is available on our links page.

2010 

Date Event Places available
Monday
15th March  		 Science week
Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School
Tutor: Sue Kilcoyne. Laboratory technician: Jay Smith  
Saturday
10th April  		 Pilgrimage and Protection
Tutor: Tom Hughes
Discover the importance of medieval pilgrimage, and the origins of superstitions that we still observe today.  
12th April to 5th May   Course
Manchester Grammar School
Tutors: Mark Edmonds, Melanie Giles, Tom Hughes, Sue Hughes, Colin Mann, Graham Massey  
Thursday
15th April  		 Conducted Tour
SCANT: South Cheshire Association of National Trust Groups  
Wednesday
12th May  		 Conducted Tour
Friends of the Salt Museum  
Saturday
15th May  		 Conducted Tour  
Monday
17th May  		 Visit
Goostrey Footpaths Group  
Saturday
22nd May  		 Landscapes and Legends
Tutor: Tom Hughes
An exploration of Cheshire legends, in which tales will be told and related to their landscape.  
Tuesday
1st June  		 Manchester University Archaeology Dept
Away Day  
Saturday
5th June  		 Conducted Tour
East Cheshire Organic Gardeners  
Monday
7th June  		 Manchester University Archaeology Dept
MA Students
Tutor: Melanie Giles  
Wednesday
9th June  		 Conducted Tour
Friends of the Salt Museum  
Saturday
19th June  		 Visit
Congleton Writers' Forum  
Tuesday
22nd June  		 Course
Goostrey Primary School
Tutor: Tom Hughes  
Sunday
27th June  		 Medieval Music for Midsummer
Musician: Richard York
Medieval music played on period instruments in an ancient timber-frame house.  
Saturday
3rd July  		 Visit
Goostrey Scouts
Tutors: Graham Massey, Dawn Parry  
Wednesday
14th July  		 Conducted Tour  
19th - 23rd July   Holmes Chapel Comprehensive Summer School  
Saturday
24th July  		 Herbs: Properties and Potions
Tutor: Sue Hughes
Discover the history of herbs and make your own lotions and potions, using herbs from the garden at the Old Medicine House.  
Wednesday
11th August  		 Conducted Tour   Full but please call
Monday 16th to
Friday 27th August  		 Archaeological Training Excavation
Directors: Richard Morris, Mark Roberts
Learn archaeological skills and contribute to knowledge of the site through excavation of a lost building.  		 Full for residential places. Check for non-residential places
Saturday
21st August  		 Friends and Benefactors Day   By invitation
Tuesday 31st August   Conducted tour   Group booking
Monday 6th September   Introduction to archaeological skills
Donkey Field diggers
Tutor: Tom Hughes  		 Group booking
Wednesday
8th September  		 Conducted Tour   9
Saturday
11th September  		 People of Blackden
Tutor: Richard Morris
A glimpse into the lives of a rural community as revealed by oral history, documents, and things they left behind.  		 12
Saturday
18th September  		 Poetry and Place in the 17th century
Tutor: Lynn Robson
Examine a vital time in Britain's history through literature and the story of a place.  		 12
Friday 8th October   A Bag of Moonshine
Alan Garner
10.10.10 Lecture
A celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of
The Weirdstone of Brisingamen
The Methodist Church, Alderley Edge  		 Go to 10.10.10 to book on line
Saturday 9th October   Tours and medieval fair
10.10.10
A medieval fair and tours on and under Alderley Edge
A celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of
The Weirdstone of Brisingamen
Alderley Edge  		 Go to 10.10.10 to book on line
Wednesday
24th November  		 Talk to Friends of the Salt Museum
Presenter: Griselda Garner  		 Group booking

More details are available about our Tutors on the links page.

Places at our events must be booked in advance. 

Places may be reserved by using our on-line reservation form or completing and posting our booking form.

In addition to public events, the Trust supports research and organises educational courses for schools.

Conducted tours take place from April to October on the second Wednesday of each month at 2.00 pm. Additional tours for groups of ten can be arranged.

Public courses are open to adults and young people over the age of sixteen.

Fees

Courses
Students: £35
Adults: £45

Check the details of the courses, as some will be charged at different rates.

Concessionary rates may apply in individual circumstances.

Conducted tours
Adults: £5

Accommodation
A list of local accommodation is available to download.

Contact for all events

The Blackden Trust
Blackden
Holmes Chapel
Cheshire CW4 8BY

Tel: 01477 571 445
Email:

© The Blackden Trust 2009
    Updated: 01/08/2010		 The Blackden Trust is a registered charity no. 1115818