Forest Schoolers enjoy Saxon experience
On the first day back after the Easter break, our Forest Schoolers visited the living history Saxon village at Martin Mere where we met Finn the Viking trader who took us into the roundhouse.
We talked about traditional methods of fire lighting compared to those we use at Forest School. The group looked at all the tools and equipment the Saxons used which were made from natural materials. We examined a longbow used to hunt wild boar, then went foraging, harvesting nettles and different fungi to create our lunch of nettle porridge, ham and mushrooms! Our visiting potter Jen also came with us and served our lunch on the bowls and spoons we had made last term.
After lunch Finn challenged us to a game of hanafatafl – a Viking chess game. Using willow skills to weave a pig pen, we then stripped some willow and rushes to make charcoal pencils and wicks for clay oil lamps, which will be dried then put into then kiln.
All in all, a fabulous day out reinforcing all the skills the Forest Schoolers have developed and the pupils were an absolute delight!
