Today was a fantastic day. You know I worry about Open Days – my blogs from year’s gone by show this…..but once we start…and people pour in…..all the worries disappear and we just concentrate on showing off! We have a wonderful site to share…and the day just works! All of the students play a full part – and really enjoy themselves. Mike and I talk ourselves hoarse (I did 4 tours and talked for over 4 hours!) and we have the chance to mingle with all sorts of people, many of whom have been faithfully coming to our Open Days for many many years. Thank you to everyone who came along and donated…not just money to a good cause, but also their enthusiasm and love for the project. We really appreciate it.
Some pictures to sum up the day! First of all, my Meeters and Greeters at the gate:
Left to right: Matt, Harry and Laurence: flip flops and trowels!
Jan’s Pitstop did brisk business!
Mike and I did our usual Site Tours on the hour, every hour:
Joe takes bookings for the Site Tours
Me – talking….by Kevin Standage
Over there everyone! A Kevin Standage photograph
An intent audience…..Kevin again!
Mike this time…..giving his all…thanks, Kevin!
Mike doing the quickstep
Over to the Finds team now!
Public Finds washing with Jenny and Lorna
Sam challenges our public to a game of Merils…can you beat her?
Elspeth explains how a Roman mortarium works
Science@Silchester in action…..
Cindy explaining our on-site scientific techniques
Emily and Zoe at the environmental sieving tank
Childrens’ activities were extremely popular:
Making and breaking pots!
The ever-popular ‘digpit’ for the youngsters!
Childrens’ activities and fun for all the family!
Our dyers and weavers – working with Iron Age techniques and producing cloth dyed with woad and other Iron Age colours.
The shop – Helen and Nikki holding sway…
Nikki and Roman Ducks
And, finally, Sarah Lucas’s team – best bib and tucker!
The day for me was a warm blur of images – people everywhere, a wonderful atmosphere and a real sense of a common interest. best of all – we achieved 1107 visitors! A record. Thank you to everyone, but especially Ross who oversaw everything with a calm purpose. Couldn’t have done it without you!
Open Day successfully over and out!