Event - Modelling the Ice Age (Creswell Crags)

As part of National Science and Engineering Week, Dr. David Strange-Walker from Trent and Peak Archaeology will be giving a presentation about his pioneering work laser scanning the ancient caves. The 3D scans will be used to create a mobile application so that future visitors may explore the fascinating gorge through augmented reality. 

Entry is by donation. Sunday 17th March at 2pm in Creswell Crags Visitors Centre.

Event - Celebrity TV archaeologist Julian Richards comes to Creswell Crags

JULIAN Richards, one of Britain’s leading lights in archaeology, is looking forward to his return to Creswell as part of the Limestone Journeys events celebrating the Festival of British Archaeology.


His talk What’s Under Your Feet? will take place on Saturday July 28.

He said: “I lived near the area when I was younger, and I when I came back a few years ago it reminded me what a special place it is. A lot of interesting discoveries have been made at Creswell Crags since then, so it will be good to see what has changed.”

Julian will be talking about his current work with 43 schools around the country on his What’s Under Your School? project.

“Our aim is to encourage children to look at their surroundings, which often have a lot of history but go unnoticed. There are clues everywhere about the past. We have worked with over 1,000 children so far, so hopefully some of them will take an interest in archaeology when they grow up.”

Julian will also bring his expertise to an archaeological dig at the Elm Tree Inn, Elmton, on the same day.

He said: “One of the exciting things about archaeology is you never know what you will find when you dig, so I’m approaching the dig with an open mind.”

Julian’s talk will take place on Saturday, July 28, from 2:30pm – 4pm, at Creswell Crags. The dig will take place on Saturday at the Elm Tree Inn, Elmton, from 12pm – 4pm. There will be a BBQ of the Elm Tree’s award winning food afterwards.

There will also be a history and archaeology exhibition in St. Peter’s Church held by the local history group. The dig and exhibition continue on Sunday 29th July from 12pm - 4pm.

Also during this weekend of events celebrating the Festival of British Archaeology, join Limestone Journeys for two wonderful walks in the local landscape.

Three Vales Walks is a rare opportunity to explore the archaeology of three limestone vales led by Ian Wall, the Director of Creswell Crags. This stunning walk at 11am, on July 27, starts at Creswell Crags and takes in Markland Grips and Burnhill Grips.

Ancient Settings and New Discoveries is also a guided walk around the picturesque village of Elmton starts at 1.30pm from the Elm Tree Inn.

All events are free and food will be on sale at the BBQ, but booking is essential for the walks and Julian Richards’ talk. Please call (01909) 720378.

From: http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/local/celebrity-tv-archaeologist-julian-richards-comes-to-creswell-crags-1-4776939

Event - What’s Under Your Feet? (Creswell Crags)

TV Archaeologist Julian Richards asks ‘What’s Under Your Feet?’ at Creswell Crags


Julian Richards, one of Britain’s leading lights in archaeology, is looking forward to his return to Creswell as part of Limestone Journeys celebrating the Festival of British Archaeology. His talk, ‘What’s Under Your Feet?’, will take place on Saturday 28th July.

Julian will be talking about his current work with 43 schools around the country on his ‘What’s Under Your School?’ project.

“Our aim is to encourage children to look at their surroundings, which often have a lot of history but go unnoticed. There are clues everywhere about the past. We have worked with over 1000 children so far, so hopefully some of them will take an interest in archaeology when they grow up.”

Booking is essential for the talk. Please call 01909 720378.

Event - Bus Tour (Creswell/Anston Stones/Roche Abbey)

On Saturday 16th June there is a free guided bus tour organised by Junction Arts with historian John Charlesworth around Creswell Crags, Roche Abbey and Anston Stones which also includes entry to Pin Hole Cave and Creswell Crags collections which aren’t normally seen by the public.


Places are limited so phone Creswell Crags reception on 01909 720378 to book a place.

Event - The Archaeology of Creswell Crags (Various locations)

A talk by local author Matthew Beresford to celebrate the launch of his new book 'Beyond the Ice: Creswell Crags and its place in a wider European context' at the following venues:


• Creswell Crags, Saturday 21st April, 3pm
• Southwell Library, Tuesday 24th April, 7pm
• Newark Library, Wednesday 25th April, 7.30pm
• North Muskham Heritage Group, Thursday 3rd May, 7.15pm
• Friends of Moor Pond Wood, Papplewick, Wednesday 30th May, 7pm
• Chesterfield Library, Tuesday 12th June, 7.30pm
• Lowdham Book Festival, Lowdham, Saturday 30th June, 2pm

Plus talks at Bingham Library & Bolsover Library, dates TBC

For more information contact matt@mbarchaeology.co.uk

Talk - The Beasts of Bolsover & Creswell Crags (Oldcotes)

Two prehistoric Dragonfly fossils, with wingspans over 50 centimetres, were found in the 'Deep Hard' coal seam in Bolsover Colliery in 1978 by Malcolm Spenser. These rare exhibits will be coming back  to Creswell on display beginning this spring www.creswell-crags.org.uk/Whats-On/special-exhibitions.aspx.  Usually in the Natural History Museum London, these Erasipteron Bolsoveri/Whalleyala bolsoveri fossils are rarely seen outside the capital. 

Come and find out more about these Carboniferous Period finds and Creswell Crags itself in this fascinating talk by Helen who works at the Museum and visitor Centre on April 23rd starting at 19.30.

The talk is at Oldcotes Village Hall on the A634 Maltby Road.  Entrance is £3 for non-members or £2 for members.  

News - Notts County Council support for ‘Ice Age’ tourist centre (Creswell)

Nottinghamshire County Council has approved plans to continue to help provide vital funding for the Creswell Heritage Trust for the next financial year.

The Creswell Crags, in Welbeck, near Worksop, sit on the border of both Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, and are recognised as one of Britain’s most important cultural, archaeological and scientific sites. In 2003, archaeologists discovered Britain’s only Ice Age rock art in Church Hole Cave as part of the Crags.

A recent decision made by Coun John Cottee, Cabinet Member for Culture and Community at Nottinghamshire County Council, has approved for £38,000 to support the Trust for the coming financial year.

The money will go towards helping running costs of the museum and visitor centre and the outreach programme for 2012-13.

The Creswell Heritage Trust opened up a new visitor centre in 2009, funded largely by the Heritage Lottery Fund and has had funding since then from both Nottinghamshire County Council and Derbyshire County Council.

Coun John Cottee said: “We are delighted to be able to support the Creswell Heritage Trust for the next financial year with this funding.

“The Crags represent the most northerly place on earth to be visited by humans during the Ice Age, providing a unique opportunity to share an incredible story of life both then and now.”

Nottinghamshire County Council highlights the success story of the Creswell visitor centre with increasing visitor numbers each year. In 2011/12, the Trust was also included on the new UK Tentative List of future World Heritage Site Nominations to UNESCO, and any Government nomination must first involve a challenging technical evaluation process which the Trust must undertake.

Last autumn, a new archaeological publication about Stone Age Nottinghamshire was launched at Creswell Crags. ‘Stone Age Nottinghamshire’ was written by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Conservation (Heritage) staff David Budge and Chris Robinson and edited by Virginia Baddeley, and published by the county council’s Libraries, Archives and Information Publications Group.

‘Stone Age Nottinghamshire’ can be purchased at £7.50 from Nottinghamshire Archives and major libraries. It can also be purchased by post by sending a cheque for £10.50 (including £3.00 for postage and packaging) payable to Nottinghamshire County Council to: Libraries, Archives and Information, 4th Floor, County Hall, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7QP.

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/lifestyle/notts_county_council_support_for_ice_age_tourist_centre_1_4271956

Event - Ice Age tours (Creswell Crags)

Discover what Creswell Crags was like during the last Ice Age on a tour of Robin Hood Cave, the largest cave on site.

Find out who was here, what was here, why they were here and how we know about it.

On until 31st January, tickets £6.50 including exhibition, £4.50 children. Visit www.creswell-crags.org.uk for details.

From: http://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/news/local-news/ice_age_tours_1_4082572?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

News - Investment for historic Crags (Creswell Crags)

HISTORIC Creswell Crags is to receive £1.9 million of investment over the next five years in a bid to make the area “more accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for local communities”.

Bolsover Council has approved the Creswell Heritage Trust’s The Limestone Journeys Scheme.

The project is backed by cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the council has helped match-fund a range of the projects.

Coun Ann Syrett, Bolsover Council cabinet member for social inclusion, said: “This is a very positive scheme.”

Communities will be invited to get involved in projects such as improvements to walks and trails, tree and bush planting, a series of walking and cycling sessions and a range of practical and educational activities to improve the area.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/green-scene/investment_for_historic_crags_1_4080886

Event - Ancient fossil is star of exhibition (Creswell Crags)

HISTORIC Cresswell Crags is hosting a ‘groundbreaking’ new temporary exhibition this spring – focusing on a giant prehistoric dragonfly discovered nearby.

The specimen was found underground at the old Bolsover Colliery more than 30 years ago and is being loaned for display at the crags by the Natural History Museum.

Known locally as ‘The Beast of Bolsover’ the dragonfly had a wingspan of over 20cm and belongs to the now-extinct variety of dragonflies known as ‘Protodonata.’

The fossil dates back to the Carboniferous Period and would have been flying around 300 million years ago.

For the first time in over 20 years, this nationally important geological specimen returns to the region and is being celebrated in a series of events and exhibitions at Creswell Crags.

In 1978, two miners working in Bolsover’s Colliery discovered a fossil of the oldest dragonfly known in the United Kingdom. Creswell Crags are now looking for people to come forward with any information to help tell the story of its discovery in an exhibition that will launch in April.

Contact Cresswell Crags project officer, Rebecca Clay, by calling 01909 720378 or emailing Rebecca.clay@creswell-crags.org.uk.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/green-scene/ancient_fossil_is_star_of_exhibition_1_4036274

Event - Eraspiteron Bolsoveri; The Gracefully Winged of Bolsover (Creswell Crags)

This Autumn Creswell Crags sets out to unearth the real Beast of Bolsover. In 1978, two miners working in Bolsover’s Colliery  discovered a fossil of the oldest dragonfly known in the United Kingdom. Known locally as ‘The Beast Bolsover’ the dragonfly had a wingspan of over 20cm and belongs to the now-extinct variety of dragonflys known as ‘Protodonata.’ The fossil dates back to the Carbiniferous Period and would have been flying around 300 million years ago.  

For the first time in over 20 years, this nationally important geological specimen  returns to the region and is being celebrated in a series of events and exhibitions  at Creswell Crags.   Creswell Crags are now looking for  people to come forward with any  information to help tell the story of its discovery in an exhibition that will launch in April.   Project Officer, Rebecca Clay, says ‘ It is very exciting to have such an important part of the area’s natural history on display near to where it was discovered. It also gives us the opportunity to present the fossil in new way by telling the story of its discovery from the people that were there at the time’  

If you, or any one you know, remembers the discovery, please contact Rebecca Clay at Creswell Crags Visitor Centre on 01909 720378 or email Rebecca.clay@creswell-crags.org.uk.

From: http://www.creswell-crags.org.uk/News/2011/11/

Book - New book about Nottinghamshire in the Stone Age

If you've ever wondered what life was like in Nottinghamshire during the Stone Age, our new book should be on your reading list.

‘Stone Age Nottinghamshire’ has been written by the Council’s conservation and heritage staff David Budge and Chris Robinson, and edited by Virginia Baddeley. It is published by the council’s libraries, archives and information publications group.

The book is the first in a planned series of popular guides to the archaeology of Nottinghamshire. It will be launched at a special event by County Councillor John Cottee, cabinet member for culture and community.

Councillor Cottee said: "Nottinghamshire County Council is delighted to be able to continue to promote the county’s archaeological and historical heritage. The book is well illustrated with photographs including some impressive images of the art and finds from the Creswell Crags caves. It should appeal to both the general reader and also the specialist.”
 

The Stone Age
The guide covers the period known as the Stone Age, because metals had not yet been discovered and tools made of stone were widely used instead. This period comprises the following ages which are all covered in the book: Palaeolithic (meaning old Stone Age), Mesolithic (middle Stone Age) and Neolithic (new Stone Age).

Creswell Crags, a dramatic limestone gorge close to the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire border, is an appropriate setting for the guide’s launch. Archaeological and environmental evidence excavated from the caves show the caves provided shelter for nomadic human groups through a crucial period of human evolution between 55,000 and 10,000 years ago, and stone, bone and ivory tools from the caves reveal Middle and Upper Palaeolithic occupation.

Buy the book
You can buy a copy of ‘Stone Age Nottinghamshire’ from major libraries in the county for £7.50.

You can also order a copy by post by sending a cheque for £10.50 (including £3.00 for postage and packaging) payable to Nottinghamshire County Council to: Libraries, Archives and Information, 4th Floor, County Hall, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7QP.

Event - Local History Fair ar Creswell Crags (1st October)

Many thanks to everyone who attended the Local Heritage Fair at Creswell Crags today.  The event was yet again a great success and lots of people attended.


It was nice to see some of the people who read the blog and to be able to put faces to you all - hope you're enjoying this beautiful autumnal day (which I believe is meant to set history as the hottest October day ever recorded)

One sad piece of news is that Shireoaks History Society will be ceasing their operations at the end of year due to lack of people attending meetings, this is happening to a lot of societies so if you can please go and visit you local history society's next meeting it may keep them going.

Dave C

Event - Local History Fair (Creswell Crags)

The 2nd annual Local History Fair will be held this year at Creswell Crags Visitors Centre. Parking is free and a shuttle bus will operate between the car park at Lafarge to the centre.  Over 20 local societies will be there with artifacts and exhibitions on our local history.

The Event starts at 10.30

Event - Local History Fair (1st October 2011) (Creswell Crags)

Come and join us at Creswell Crags and learn more about your local area.

On Saturday 1st October from 10.30am until 4.00pm, Creswell Crags will be hosting the now annual Local History Fair. This special event gathers groups together from across the region and gives visitors the opportunity to find out more about their local area. The event will be opened officially by the director of the Creswell Heritage Trust, Ian Wall at 11.00 and a playlet will be performed at various times through the day by the Friends of Sheffield Manor Lodge. Presenters from over 20 societies will be displaying artefacts and on hand to answer questions. We invite everyone with an interest in the area to come along and join us. Additional parking will be available at Lafarge Car Park with a shuttle bus ferrying visitors back to the museum.

The event is free and parking at the centre is by donation.

From: http://www.creswell-crags.org.uk/Whats-On/Events/2011/10/local_history_fair_

Event - Local History Fair at Creswell Crags (1st October)

Following on from lasts years highly successful event at Shireoaks, this year see's the Local History Fair at Creswell Crags on 1st October starting at 10.30. Due to the large numbers of visitors expected additional parking will be provided at Lafarge Quarry with a free shuttle bus to Creswell Crags Museum from their car park.

Most of local history and archaeology groups are taking part in this years event:
Barlborough Heritage
Bolsover Civic Society
Clowne History Society,
Elmton with Creswell Local History Group
Gringley History Club
Harthill Memories and History Society
Kiveton and Wales History Society
Langwith and Whaley Thorns Heritage Centre
Norton and Cuckney History Society
Priories Historical Society
Retford Historical and Archaeological Society
Todwick Historical Society
Whitwell Local History
Woodsetts Local History Society
Worksop Archaeological and Local History Society

Events – CBA Festival of British Archaeology (Worksop area)

Saturday 16th July

Creswell Crags: Prof Chris Stringer Afternoon Lecture: ‘The Early Human Occupation of Britain’ £3.50 14.00
Worksop: Priories Historical Society at Worksop Library, Memorial Avenue. FREE 10.00-16.00

Sunday 17th July
Creswell Crags:Excavation Activities Free 11.00-15.00
Worksop: Priories Historical Society at Worksop Library, Memorial Avenue. FREE 10.00-16.00

Saturday 23th July
Carlton in Lindrick: Bassetlaw Museum at Carlton in Lindrick Centre, off Long Lane FREE 10.00-15.30

Sunday 24th July
Creswell Crags: Children's Period Pottery Workshops £2 per child £5 family of 4
Creswell Crags:Excavation Activities Free 11.00-15.00
Kings Clipstone: Pageant at the Palace King John’s Palace £1 14.30-18.00

Saturday 30th July
Creswell Crags: Ice Age Creswell Crags £10 Adult £6 Child £9 concessions 11.00-15.00
Throapham: Friends of Throapham Church/Priories Historical Society at Throapham Church, FREE 10.00-16.00

Sunday 31th July
Creswell Crags: Ice Age Creswell Crags £10 Adult £6 Child £9 concessions 11.00-15.00
Creswell Crags: An Afternoon with John and Val Lord £3.50 15.00
Throapham: Friends of Throapham Church/Priories Historical Society at Throapham Church, FREE 10.00-16.00

Event - Commemorating the lives of the Canadian Aircrew (Creswell Crags)

On Saturday 21st May the Canadian High Commissioner is paying a special visit to Creswell Crags for a ceremony to mark the unveiling of the memorial stone which marks the tragic loss of life of five Canadian aircrew whose Wellington Bomber crash landed in 1944 close to the site. The event has been made possible through the kind gift by Joseph Plant who, in his will, wished to create a lasting memory of the airmen by erecting a memorial stone in memory of his friend Herbert Keeton.



Gerald Plant from Creswell and a key figure in the Memorial Committee said ‘We have been working hard to fulfil the wishes of my late brother. All of the Canadian relatives of the airmen have been contacted and at least twenty relatives are due to travel to Britain for the event. Earlier in the week we have also arranged for the relatives to visit the graves of the airmen at Harrogate Cemetery and Gamston airfield from where the crew flew.’


Colonel Paul Keddy, Air Force Advisor to the United Kingdom at the High Commission of Canada, said ‘The High Commission is extremely grateful for the recognition this event will provide for our brave Canadian airman. We are especially pleased about the Committee’s hard work to ensure that the relatives of the airman and Canadian veterans in Britain, who will also be attending the event, are able to remember their countrymen in this way.’


The ceremony will take place following the High Commissioners arrival at 10.55am and will be concluded by a Lancaster Bomber fly past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at 1.50 pm
 

From: http://www.creswell-crags.org.uk/News/2011/5/

News - New Attractions At Creswell Crags

Visitors are getting up close and personal to Britain’s oldest art thanks to £91,000 worth of improvements at historic Creswell Crags.

The limestone gorge and caves, bordering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, now boasts interactive museum exhibits and a new viewing platform in Church Hole cavern – location of ancient Ice Age wall engravings.

Donations of £45,000 from Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK through the Landfill Communities Fund and £46,000 from Bolsover North East Derbyshire LEADER Approach made the scheme possible.

Ian Wall, Director of Creswell Crags Heritage Trust, which manages the Crags – location of Europe’s most northerly Ice Age art – said: “The new platform and interactive museum zone are now fully open and visitors love them.

“The idea was to enhance visitor experience to Creswell Crags and really help bring to life the story of our Ice Age ancestors. Thanks to the generous funding from Lafarge and the LEADER we believe we have achieved this.

“The new metal platform looks more fitting against the landscape and ensures visitors get a great view of the Church Hole cavern paintings, while the interactive exhibits really let people get hands-on with history.

“People can dig for artefacts in a simulated excavation display and use a giant microscope to examine animal teeth and bone fragments.”

David Atkinson, Senior Planning and Estates Manager for Lafarge, which has a quarry nearby and is a long-standing supporter of the Heritage Trust, said the additions were impressive, adding: “We are proud to continue to support our neighbour the Heritage Trust with a significant donation towards this project.

“The new amenities are a wonderful addition to the existing excellent facilities at what is one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe.”

The Church Hole engravings and bas-reliefs, discovered in 2003, were a momentous discovery as before then it was thought no Ice Age cave art existed from that era in Britain.

The drawings, including deer, bison, birds and horses, remain the most northerly finds in Europe and put Creswell Crags firmly on the archaeological map.

Excavations at the caves show they were used as shelter by our early human ancestors between 55,000 and 10,000 years ago and animals such as hyenas, mammoths and woolly rhinoceros roamed nearby.

From:  http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=125917

Event - Fitting tribute to some of Canada's bravest warriors (Creswell Crags)

THE Wellington bomber was clearly in trouble, the engines dying, the pilot struggling to maintain control.

It was August 1944. Teenager Gerald Plant was cycling along the lanes near his home at Creswell, on the Notts/Derbys border, when he saw the Wellington approaching, low and fast.

His attention was drawn to it because of the unusually loud engine noise it was making.

Gerald could see one propellor on the twin-engine aircraft was not working.

As it drew nearer, to his horror it went out of control, performed a half spin and crashed in a field at Hennymoor Farm.

The five crew members, all Canadians, did not stand a chance.

Pilot Willis Murdie, 26, navigator Lowell Brehaut, 21, wireless operator James Clarke, 20, bomb aimers Walter Cooper, 32, and John Lee, 19, died together and were later buried side by side in Stonefall Cemetery, Harrogate.

Although it was nearly 70 years ago, those five Commonwealth heroes have never been forgotten, certainly not by Gerald Plant who still lives in Creswell.

He said: "I am constantly reminded of seeing the plane crash, as I pass within 100 yards of the crash site on average twice a week.

"The vision of the plane flying on one engine, the roar of the engine, the sudden deathly silence and the sight of the plane diving vertically into the ground is seared into my memory." The tragedy also made an impression on Gerald's elder brother Arthur who died last year, leaving enough money to pay for a memorial stone.

That will be dedicated on May 21 at Creswell Crags visitor centre in a ceremony to be attended by more than dozen family members of the crew, whose expenses for the trip from Canada were also paid by Arthur Plant's bequest. There will be a fly-past by the RAF and it will be attended by representatives of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian High Commission.

The five airmen came from all over Canada. Some, like James Clarke and John Lee, were single and just out of high school. Others, like Walter Cooper, were older, married men with families. Local poet Craig Griffin, who has written a special verse for to honour the men, has been in contact with relatives.

"What has come through very strongly from the relatives is that they were a grand bunch, some of Canada's finest sons.

"Each had their own talents, passions and aspirations from dancing to model making to mathematics to teaching – hopes and plans for the future that events cruelly put an end to.''

The crew were training with No 86 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at RAF Gamston (now Retford Airport). They would have come together as a crew for the first time at Gamston and would have spent several months there training.

On August 5, 1944, the crew were flying in a Vickers Wellington on a long-range navigational exercise which had taken them down to the South Coast before returning to Gamston. The flight would have been one of the crew's last at 86 OTU before moving on to the next stage of their training.

Craig said: "For reasons unknown they flew the whole flight about 10 knots faster than the briefed airspeed and consequently ran out of fuel in the vicinity of Creswell. We don't know why they did not land at Gamston but a navigational error could be the reason."

"I was over the moon when the poem I wrote was not only accepted but I was told it would be used on the actual day and in the commemorative booklet to mark the memorial. I think that the organisers should have credit for their achievement in getting this project off the ground and their efforts to never forget those that allowed us to live our lives freely."

Craig's poem:
At Hennymoor Farm
In a field rarely seen
A young schoolboy witnesses
The end of so many dreams
As the Wellington they flew
Fell horribly from the sky
Navigation or lack of fuel
May have been the reasons why

Some of Canada's bravest were lost
On that August summer's night
Training to protect our island
As Fascism this world did fight
Willis, Lowell, James
Walter and John Lee
Heroes to our island
Forever you will be

And the only way we can say it
As the moment is now long gone
Is with a fitting memorial
So your names
Will eternally live on

The memorial is situated to one side of the visitor centre at Creswell Crags, site of a prehistoric cave system where evidence of Britain's earliest inhabitants has been found. The unveiling ceremony on May 21 will start at 11.15am.

After lunch at the centre guests will take the short walk to the Crags gorge and at 1.50pm an RAF Lancaster bomber will perform a fly-past.