City farm looking to Iron Ageas it hosts weekend activities

IRON Age-themed activities, including work on the roof of a “roundhouse”, will be taking place at Heeley City Farm in Sheffield on Saturday.

The reconstruction of the Iron Age roundhouse – the first form of housing in Britain – is taking place together with Sheffield University’s archaeology department and has been continuing since October 2008.

Part of a Heritage Lottery-funded project Digging Our Roots, the scheme is designed to encourage young people at Heeley City Farm to explore farming heritage.

On Saturday, members of the public will be given the chance to try their hand at building the roundhouse roof and also take part in a variety of other activities.

Sally Rodgers, community archaeologist at Heeley City Farm, said: “We are very excited about this fantastic opportunity to build the first roundhouse in Sheffield since the Iron Age.

“This open day will give everyone a chance to get involved with the construction process. There will be lots going on for everyone and this will be a rare opportunity to have a go at some traditional skills.

“We will be working on the roundhouse roof, which will be thatched using traditional skills and local reeds kindly donated by Sheffield’s rangers service.

“We will also be finishing daubing – building the walls up with a mixture of clay and straw – so please bring your wellies as it will be muddy.”

Other activities set to take place include Celtic jewellery-making, woodworking using a pole lathe and a design competition.

All sessions on Saturday are free. Those interested in joining in should arrive any time between 11am and 4pm. As well as Iron Age activities, the farm cafe and Energy Centre will also be open.