What to say about our attendance at the Urdd? I could talk about the over 800 people who visited our stand over the 7 days, or the several hundred spindle whorls created by enthusiastic young people (and Miss Wales). Or the metres of flax that I spun when demonstrating how a drop spindle was used. Or even the miracle of a dry, hot and sunny Eisteddfod rather than the more traditional rain and mud. Instead, I’ll focus on how our presence enabled visitors to see a different side of archaeology.
This was Heneb’s first time at the Urdd, but it was a visit that highlighted the importance of our presence. Across the 7 days, we talked to numerous schoolteachers and governors, who were both fascinated and pleased to learn about the new School’s Levy, which provides Heneb staff to enrich the curriculum at no cost to the school themselves. Three schools have already been in touch with us to start the process of arranging these visits.
We were also able to bring archaeology out into the community; the small handling collection that we took with us containing artefacts from the prehistoric, through Roman to the modern era. One of my favourite moments from the week was seeing the face of a wheelchair-user light up as they held part of a Roman mortarium, before creating their own spindle whorl.
Later in the week, a discussion with a retired local farmer was also fascinating, as he talked about how he and his family had grown and prepared flax for processing into linen in mid-20th century Ireland; he was mesmerised watching the flax we had for demonstration purposes being spun into thread while we talked. Learning about the retting pools and how the flax was pulled by hand so that the entire root was retained, giving a longer and therefore more valuable length, deepened my understanding of the processes that previously had only been ‘book learned’.
Talking to members of the public of all ages and backgrounds showcased Heneb’s broad services; from landowners who were given contact details for our field and planning services to the school staff and pupils. All took away something new and valuable, and perhaps also a better understanding of how Wales’ archaeology and history are intertwined with its language and culture. Roll on next year!
