Our Medieval Village

On Saturday, a large group of Year Six pupils arrived at the CDT room to
learn about medieval house construction. Mr. Maddock told us all about
'wattle and daub', and the activity opened with everyone making a small
wattle panel. Much to their relief, the children were not given the
ingredients for 'daub', although the rather revolting mixture is a very
effective construction material and might have been useful perhaps, later in
the morning. The children arranged themselves into groups, each of which
were given a kit of parts from an enormous collection kindly prepared by Mr.
Dodwell. Soon, 'crucks' and 'lintels' and 'purlins' were being assembled
into small cottages, with the expert help of Mrs. Upton and Mr Maddock,
whilst a small group worked with Mr. Baker to build a model tithe-barn.
A morning later, some beautiful little thatched houses had grown from the
ordered piles of cardboard, wood and straw, and a small medieval settlement
has been arranged in the Yard Hall for everyone to see.

J Baker

Click here to see some photos