IT’S BEEN an exciting week at Butser Ancient Farm with the opening of four new buildings, a Government minister’s visit and live TV?weather reports with the help of Petersfield pupils.
Secretary of State for the Environment Liz Truss visited the farm at Chalton, between Petersfield and Clanfield, last Wednesday to look around and meet youngsters from Herne Junior School in Petersfield.
The children from Years 5 and 6 were taking part in activities there as the BBC?presented the weather live on television.
This rounds off a high profile few days at Butser Ancient Farm, with celebrations to mark the opening of a Saxon Hall and a Stone Age area.
These have been worked on by volunteers through the winter, guided by team leaders David Freeman and Darren Hammerston.
The Saxon Hall, built in the traditional way with oak and chestnut wood, will be used for events and activities.
Once a month Saxon re-enactors will be housed in and around the building so visitors can see how our ancient ancestors would have lived and worked.
The Stone Age area features three neolithic houses and they were built based on evidence gathered from north Wales and near Stonehenge in Wiltshire. These have been constructed using wood, wattle and daub and thatch on the roofs.
Farm director Maureen Page said:?“These were the sort of permanent houses people first lived in in this country. Before then they were hunter gatherers and either lived near caves or in temporary shelters made of skins and wooden poles.
“It was a time of huge change and because they had started farming, they needed more substantial houses where they could store possessions and food.”
The new buildings extend the timeline of existing buildings which visitors can explore at the site.
Butser Ancient Farm is now open seven days a week, from 10am to 5pm, with baby lambs to see and lots of Easter activities. Visit www.butserancientfrm.co.uk for more details.