East Cambridgeshire District Council

Just under a thousand years ago the Normans landed in England and changed the future of a nation for centuries to come.

The impact of the last invasion to successfully conquer the country is being celebrated by a special series of programmes by the BBC and as the centre of one of the greatest Norman buildings - there will be a host of activities in East Cambridgeshire this summer.

These include the chance to build your own model cathedral, hear how life changed for the Saxons as the Normans took over the country and even meet a Norman warrior.

The events will be taking place at locations across Ely over the next month and are designed to capture the imagination of the children and explain to adults a little more about the impact the Normans had.

Cllr Peter Cresswell, Chairman of Community Services at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "It is amazing to think that our lives, culture and nation would have been vastly different had the Normans not landed in England. They changed our language, our laws and it could be argued the future direction of the country.

"With the BBC celebrating the impact of the Normans with a special series of programmes it was obvious they would come to Ely to visit the majestic cathedral but we also have other impressive Norman buildings such as the church in Isleham. I would urge everyone to make time to go along to one of the events that have been organised over the next month and discover a little of how the past has changed our future."

Events throughout the summer include:

Oliver Cromwell’s House Ely:

Now until Friday 13 August: The Tapestry of Bayeux continued…

Come along for a visit to Oliver Cromwell’s House and compare the Saxon battle scenes with those of the Civil War. Have a go at dressing up with helmets and costumes, meet the characters on Cromwell’s Tuesdays and help us to complete our version of the Tapestry of Bayeux with your artistic skills.

Admission Prices: Adults £4.50, Concessions £4.00, Children £3.10, Family ticket £13.00.

For more details please ring 01353 662062

Ely Museum

Tuesday 10th August - For children aged 5-15

1.30-3.30pm - Hereward the Wake A story of a Saxon warrior that will surprise you!

Tickets for each session are £1.50 (booked in advance at the museum.)

Thursday 12th August 11am-12.30pm

The Normans are Coming! Meet a Norman warrior and create something crafty.

For more details please ring 01353 666655

Stained Glass Museum Ely:

Tuesday 9th August, 2pm Coats of Arms

Create your own coat of arms out of recycled materials based on heraldic

panels in the gallery. Price £2.50 (please book in advance)

Ely Library:

Sat 7th August - Sat 14th August - Heroic Hereward the Wake Colouring Competition

Colour in a dramatic scene from the heroic story of Hereward the Wake by Charles Kingsley* and you could win a PRIZE! [*illustrated by H C Selous, 1870]

FREE to enter ~ please return your completed entry to Ely Library. ALL Ages

Friday 13th August - 10:30-11:30am - Make Your Own Norman Shield

Make yourself a Norman Kite Shield and become a soldier in William the Conqueror’s army. You can then bring it along on Sat 14th August (at 2pm) to be displayed in the Cathedral’s Lady Chapel.

Price: £1.50 (Tickets in advance from Ely Library) Age: 4+

Ely Library will also be hosting a fascinating display of novels about Hereward the Wake, normally held in the Cambridgeshire Collection ~ ask at the Library for details.

Ely Cathedral

Wednesday 11th August 10am -12noon

FREE drop-in session with a Norman theme! Build a Norman Cathedral of your own and then explore the real thing.

NORMAN LIVING HISTORY FAIR

Saturday 14th August 2pm -4pm, Cross Green

Living History! Saxon and Norman re-enactors. Join us on this spectacular afternoon filled with free activities.

ENDS

Notes for editors

Political contacts: Cllr Peter Cresswell (Con) 01638 661138, Cllr Pauline Wilson (Lib Dem) 01353 740617 and Cllr Derrick Beckett (Ind) 01638 780476.

For further information contact Tony Taylorson in the Communications Team on 01223 699285.