The Blackden Trust

Our courses include practical activities that add to the knowledge of the land and the history of its buildings, and also encourage participants to develop skills that can be applied elsewhere.

Visitors experience a place where work is still very much in progress.

Blackden has the resonance of an ancient site and the vibrancy of a place that is still developing. Almost every week more is found; more markings on the timbers, more flint and more pottery from the garden and adjacent fields.

This atmosphere is reflected in the activities offered to visitors. Because we are constantly reassessing the evidence, all our courses involve an element of research. They are both an opportunity for participants to learn about the history of Blackden and also a chance to become involved in its life and development.

Visitors see details of the two timber-frame houses and the emergence of new information and ideas about the site. By debating the significance of new finds, visitors' suggestions can point the way to new interpretations, or even new areas of research, while the insights the visitors gain can be applied elsewhere.

To maintain the immediacy of this kind of exchange, and also to protect the fabric and intimacy of the place, numbers on individual visits are restricted. Usually, there will be no more than ten students to each tutor or no more than ten visitors on each conducted tour. In this way, The Blackden Trust gives every visitor an opportunity to take part in the process of writing history.

In addition to the public events, the Trust organises educational courses for schools and supports research.

Calendar of events

These events are suitable for adults and students over the age of 16. Attendance at all events must be booked. Click here to book your place.

Click on the bold events for details of a future event or for a report of a past event. Shaded boxes contain events that have now passed.

2009

Date	Event	Participants	Places available
Saturday 4th April	Witness to a Century Tutor: Richard Morris	16 and over
Wednesday 8th April	Conducted tour
Wednesday 13th May	Conducted tour
Friday 22nd May	Conducted tour for U3A Macclesfield
Saturday 23rd May	Tudor Herbs and Spices Tutor: Sue Hughes	16 and over
Wednesday 10th June	Conducted tour
Sunday 21st June	Medieval Music for Midsummer Musician: Richard York	16 and over
Saturday 27th June	Friends of The Blackden Trust at Goostrey Rose Day
Saturday 4th July	Pilgrimage and Protection Tutor: Tom Hughes		Yes
Wednesday 8th July	Conducted tour for Friends of Historic Houses		Yes
Saturday 18th July	Conducted tour for Alderley History Group		Yes
Wednesday 22nd July	Conducted tour for Friends of Historic Houses		Yes
Saturday 1st August	Conducted tour for Festival of British Archaeology		Yes
Wednesday 12th August	Conducted tour		Yes
Friday 21st - Thursday 27th August	Archaeological dig Directors: Richard Morris, Mark Roberts	16 and over	Yes
Wednesday 26th August	Conducted tour of Archaeological dig for Friends of The Blackden Trust	12 and over	Yes
Wednesday 9th September	Conducted tour		Yes
Saturday 12th September	Conducted tour for Heritage Open Day		Yes
Saturday 19th September	Archaeology and Outer Space Tutor: Professor Mark Edmonds	16 and over	Yes
Saturday 26th September	Archaeology of Conflict Tutors: Glenn Foard and Richard Morris	16 and over	Yes
Saturday 3rd October	Science meets Archaeology Tutor: Bob Cywinski	16 and over	Yes
Wednesday 14th October	Conducted tour for Goosfest		Yes
Friday 16th October	Conducted tour for Goosfest		Yes

The Blackden Trust - events

Conducted tours take place from April to October on the second Wednesday of each month at 2.00 pm. Additional tours for groups of ten can be arranged

Public courses are open to adults and young people over the age of sixteen.

Bookings for all our events must be made in advance

Please complete our booking form.

Fees per person

Courses
Students: £35 University students: £40
Adults: £45

Check the details of the courses, as some will be charged at different rates.

Concessionary rates may apply in individual circumstances and there will be a reduction of £5.00 on subsequent courses for people who attend more than one course in any season.

Conducted tours
Adults: £5

Contact for all events

The Blackden Trust
Blackden
Holmes Chapel
Cheshire CW4 8BY

Tel: 01477 571 445
Email: