A STEP back to the past will be on offer when a Heritage Open Day takes place as part of the Worcestershire Market Gardening Heritage Project.
The open day next Saturday (September 21) will offer an opportunity to uncover the story of a market gardening time capsule hovel at one of three buildings being restored as part of the project.
There will also be an opportunity to press apples, join in a bug hunt and take a short guided walk around Cleeve Prior. Specialist tools of the trade that were used and invented by growers will also be available to view and learn about.
The event will be between 11am and 4pm at Field Barn in Cleeve Prior.
Nina O’Hare, community project officer at Worcestershire County Council Archive and Archaeology Service, said:
“The project was sparked by the discovery of a time capsule from the area’s unique market gardening heritage. Come along for a sneak preview of this hovel, before the building is restored and permanently opened to the public next summer.”
Coun Lucy Hodgson, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for Communities said: “ Our Market Gardening heritage project is a wonderful way to preserve precious memories and facts about such an important part of the region’s history. The open days and volunteer events allow us to share this local heritage and preserve it for future generations.”
The project is also seeking volunteers and more information about market gardening in the area. It was a key part of life within the Vale of Evesham throughout much of the 19th and 20th Centuries, but this heritage is rapidly disappearing.
Volunteers are required to help preserve a record for future generations and share this unique local heritage. The Marketing Gardening Heritage Project is being led by Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service and is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
E-mail [email protected] or call 01905 766352 or visit www.explorethepast.co.uk/projects for more.
