Runnymede!
Testing the Rucksacks - Hannah Owen, Gatton Trust's education trainee reports:
What a day outdoors we had. The
sun was shining and the bugs were flying creating the perfect setting for a fun
family day out, if of course you had one of our green rucksacks to zip up, pack
up and take on a hunt around the meadows and woods for some juicy finds, facts
and figures.
Here we stood on the same ground that King
John and his barons had met nearly eight hundred years ago to sign the Magna
Carta, the written promise that the king would govern England in accordance to
the feudal law. This moment marked an attempt to stop the abuse of power and the
suffering of England’s people by a king, much to King Johns disdain.
Nearby sits the JFK memorial and the Kennedy
steps, which once conquered provide a beautiful view of the surrounding meadows
and the River Thames running by. The information provided at each memorial in
combination with the booklets and fun facts in our rucksacks created an
enchanting hunt through history suitable for both adults and children, keeping
everyone happy.
The theme of freedom rang true in every
essence of the day, families were given all the tools they needed, a few hinters
and then allowed to venture off in search of their treasures – be it woodlice or
inscriptions in stones.
It also provided a chance to get your heart
pumping and feet stomping (big and small) in and amongst nature, learning about
a poignant time in our heritage along the way too.
It’s safe to say from this trial day, the
rucksacks are here to stay! And if that’s not enough to
entice you there’s easy road access, parking and a café to refresh and recharge
those much needed batteries.
Left: the trial team, testing HQ - thank goodness it was a sunny day - and featuring rucksack no. 5
Left: the trial team, testing HQ - thank goodness it was a sunny day - and featuring rucksack no. 5
Gatton Trust provides the specialist Education input to the Landscapes Live! project
