Celt the
Celtic Harmony Newsletter Spring 2018 Charity Number: 1156199
This year has got off to a busy start for our education and volunteer team, over 2500 children and adult helpers have taken part in experiential learning, including medicine making and cooking in our new Science of Herbs day.
Family Volunteer Days
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Children had the opportunity to share their knowledge and gain new information, and practical activities were well thought through. - Rebecca Sanes, Meridian Primary
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In 2018 we are launching our Family Volunteer Days, Residential School Trips and Wild Summer Sleepovers. This year we aim to secure funding for phase 2 of the Prehistory Centre providing a large indoor space for year round learning and improved facilities.
Clare & Luca
28 April, 12, 26 May and 16 June Thank you to all the families that came to join us on the first Family Volunteer Day! Families enjoyed making clay plots and organising our rush in the sun. Come along to our next event with family and friends to help out with tasks such as woodland management, craft preparation and conservation. Then get yourselves a warm drink in the Archer’s Rest Café. It’s free, simply prebook online. The Family Volunteer Days are part of the ‘Access for all Roundhouses’ project funded by The National Lottery to enable people to explore the settlement and improve accessibility by providing lighting and seating in the roundhouses.
www.celticharmony.org
Improving Children’s Wellbeing Last year was an incredibly exciting year. Over 15,000 school children, adults helpers and community groups took part in the Celtic Harmony Experience. We hosted our 1st school residential. Shenley Primary brought 33 pupils on a Prehistory Explorer, 2 days packed with primitive skills from Stone to Iron Age and a night sleeping in our roundhouses. We also worked with the Institute for Social Innovation and Impact at the University of Northampton to measure our impact. Among teacher feedback, Celtic Harmony Camp was described as a “versatile, informative and authentic experience of the Celtic times’, which ‘required active participation” and conveyed “the history of the ancient times in a manner accessible to pupils”.
93%
Resilience Building Trips We are launching a Resilience Building Residential Trips project for disadvantaged children to benefit from residential experiences. We are delighted to have received confirmation of £10,000 of funding from the Garfield Weston Foundation to benefit children from inner City London.
Strive Partnership Celtic Harmony is a partner in the Strive project, which supports people who are not in work to find the right volunteering position. Miriam, our learning mentor has supported 15 participants since the start of the project, helping them build on their interests and skills to get the experience they need. If you would like to know more about how Strive can help you, contact: miriam@celticharmony.org
‘enjoyed learning about the past through outdoor activities’.
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I loved Celtic Harmony I felt like I was back in time. I missed my family and I was a bit scared about sleeping there but I’m glad I went. Pupil Yr 4
Prehistory Centre Phase 1
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We are delighted to have completed the Mound Arena and Accessibility Trail to create a mini Hilltop feel to the reconstructed settlement and enable visitors to access the ‘new’ roundhouses during the new overnight stays and all year around visits. The foundations have been laid for the Prehistory Centre with the shop, visitor reception and volunteer training area now operational. Clare Holt, CEO & Kari Hall, Eastern Plateau Project Manager
Maxine
I’ve been able to experience a range of actives from conservation work to art and craft. It has been a fantastic opportunity to work outdoors in a beautiful, natural environment. The people are welcoming and encouraging. Maxine, Strive Participant
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Awards Celtic Harmony was a finalist for the School Travel Awards Best Venue for History Learning 2017 alongside the British Museum and The London Bridge Experience.
www.celticharmony.org
Wild Summer Sleepover
A day in the life of
Selected dates from 28 July to 12 August This Summer you can get away with your clan and sleep in your own roundhouse, enjoy 2 days packed with activity led by our Celtic hosts. Learn primitive skills from Archery to Warrior Training, relax with evening entertainment from Bat Walks to Storytelling and full board BBQ dinner and continental breakfast provided. © Frank Wiersema Photography
My name is Victoria, I am a recent Biology graduate working in communications and fundraising at the Celtic Harmony office. Beginning here as an intern, I learned something new everyday and got to grips with the inner workings of a small charity, particularly in the communication with schools and the wider public. As I progress into my role of Communications and Fundraising Trainee, I look forward to learning more about the fundraising process and continuously improving my grant-writing skills. The beautiful setting and being part of a small and like-minded team creates a relaxed but focused atmosphere.
Teachers Prehistory Inset 8 May & 10 September Celtic Harmony experts in Primitive skills and archaeology have come together with Learning Outside the Classroom to bring you teaching Prehistory Outside the Classroom Inset Day. The event will include interative talks with guest speaker, archaeologist Keith Fitzpatrick Matthews and Primitive Skills workshops with Heritage Director Luca Parrella. Bring your Prehistory topic to life and book online. www.celticharmony.org
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The storytelling and bat walk were excellent, the children and adults were captivated. It’s lovely to receive a friendly welcome, the activities were really entertaining, we are keen to come again – thank you! Emma Peace
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Only 5 family roundhouses available for each sleepover – banish boredom & guarantee your summer getaway online today!
Volunteers Wanted Come and help our skilled conservation volunteers who play a fundamental role in maintaining the upkeep of our woodland and other facilities. We meet every Monday and Thursday. Join us, complete the application online.
150,000 people
have benefited from the Celtic Harmony Experience
exploring our ancient cultural heritage guided by primitive skills experts An inspiring hub of Knowledge & Creativity
The Prehistory Centre will be a warm indoor space for year round performances, activities and exhibitions Prehistory Gallery with British Museum artefacts Training area for Apprentices and Volunteers Full disabled access and facilities
Become a Celtic Ambassador
Join our Fundraising Network Support our Events Become a Volunteer Donate online
celticharmony.org/support-us
Phase one of the Prehistory Centre is complete with the kind support of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
Celtic Harmony is an award winning charity, providing hands-on cultural heritage education of ancient Britain to increase understanding of the natural world and create a more sustainable way of life for future generations.
www.celticharmony.org