A NINE-DAY festival exploring the archaeology and history of the Blackdown Hills is set to open this month.
The Blackdown Hills Festival of Heritage will run from Friday, September 11 to Saturday, September 19 as part of Heritage Open Days, the annual nationwide celebration of history and culture.
Visitors will be able to handle archaeological finds, create artwork using natural pigments and local clay, and explore sites dating from prehistory to the second world war.
The festival is organised by the Blackdown Hills National Landscape Partnership, which receives core funding from Devon County Council.
Devon County Council’s cabinet member for climate change and biodiversity, Cllr Jacqi Hodgson, said: “This festival gives people the chance to explore the area’s history for themselves alongside experts, artists and local communities who know and care about these special places.
“Whether you want to handle an archaeological object, make something creative, enjoy a guided walk or discover a story on your doorstep, we would love you to join us.”
The programme includes a family-friendly art workshop at the Thelma Hulbert Gallery in Honiton on Saturday, September 12, using pigments and clay drawn from the surrounding landscape.
Visitors can also tour the historic airfield at RAF Culmhead, lead by the Brian Lane-Smith, chair of South West Airfields Heritage Trust on Tuesday, September 15.
The former Royal Air Force station was built during the Second World War. Its location on high, flat land in the Blackdown Hills made it the ideal base for air crews protecting supply ships in the English Channel from attack by German submarines.
During the tour, you’ll find out about the base’s role during the Second World War and its significance in shaping aviation history.
A creative writing workshop is also being led by historical fiction author Vanessa de Haan on Friday, September 18.
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