We’ve got exciting news from the GHAS committee – there’s an upcoming chance to get hands on in our search for the Green Hammerton Roman Road! We have permission with the landowner for a surface survey of the field between Ambretone Park and Helenfield. This has been organised around the current crop rotation so our access window is very limited.
Consequently on Sunday 24th September we’re asking for your support in doing a field walk to look for evidence of the road.
In the morning we’re focusing on adults who want to get involved. We’re asking for people to arrive for a 0930 start at which point we will provide training on how to participate in the survey. We’ll break for lunch around 1 (at which point there won’t be onsite support and all surveying will stop), and then in the afternoon we’re opening the field walk out to those who have children who want to participate. Please arrive after 1345 for a start time of 1400 at which point we’ll repeat the instructions on what is required in the field walk.
We’re aiming to wrap up the day by about 1630 when we’ll pack up and head to the Bay Horse for a drink and chat. Feel free to come and say hi even if you can’t make the walk itself. We’ll likely be the ones with muddy feet!
Don’t worry if you can’t stay for the full day – any help would be appreciated as it’s a big field. However we do need people to arrive at the start of either session as per the times above so that we can ensure everyone is signed in and has heard the instructions for participating in the field walk.
Further things to be aware of:
- The meeting point should be easily identifiable as you come down the lane. Walking from The Bay Horse in Green Hammerton down New Lane, past the Ambretone Park site towards Red Lane/Helenfield, we will have a table set up at the entrance to the field on the right.
- The field will be uneven and likely muddy so please wear suitable footwear and come prepared with suitable clothing for the activity and weather (sunscreen/hats/waterproofs etc). You may want to bring gardening gloves.
- To avoid traffic issues please do not drive down Red Lane/New Lane to drop people off or park. Please also be aware to not park in the pub car park – that is reserved for customers only. Please be considerate if you need to park in the Green Hammerton village.
- Children will need a guardian to stay with them while on site.
- We’ll be doing a sign in sheet for everyone to complete – this will ask for your contact details and will be used as a participation disclaimer.
- We’ll also be taking photos of the event itself – please let us know if you’re not happy for your (or your children’s) face to be shown in any photos we might share on social media.
- This is just a surface survey at this time – we will not be using metal detectors or doing any form of digging on this occasion. The field walk is the first step to get any further evidence of the Roman road – we may organise other types of investigations in future if possible.
- There will be no toilets on site but we have arranged with the Bay Horse that we can use theirs, just a short walk up the road.
- We will have some hot and soft drinks available but please feel free to bring your own refreshments – however we ask you remove all rubbish as you leave.
- There is the possibility (in the case of extreme weather) that we may need to cancel this event. Due to the very limited window we have access to the field we’re obviously hoping this isn’t required but we’ll keep an eye on the weather and will try to give as much notice as possible via email and Facebook if there is any change of plans. Fingers crossed we’ll be ok!
If you have any questions in advance of the day itself then please reach out on Facebook or via the GHAS email. We hope to see lots of you on the 24th!