Year 4 Viking Day

Our annual visit to Ravens Wing Vikings in the Malvern Hills was blessed with good weather, and despite the attentions of Callum, the naughty Viking, the children will have learnt a lot from Rowan and Callum as they organised another effective day. Callum is the cook and we enjoyed his roast pork cooked over the open fire, even though we all ended up smelling of smoke. He is also very knowledgeable on Viking law and their methods of fighting – he showed the group different fighting techniques though he might have slightly scared one or two of the children who he “picked” upon to attack. After his demonstrations they were allowed to try on the helmets, the chain mail and feel the weight of the axes and shields – the strength needed by a Viking warrior really came home to them then. Rowan led the entire group through archery training and 6 of the children managed to hit the Gold bulls-eye with their arrows – a great achievement. They were a little less impressed when they realised that as nine year olds, they were old enough in Viking law to be married, and girls would often be expected to have a baby when they were ten. Further activities in weaving led to all producing a bracelet and many enjoyed their weaving so much that they enlarged their work to make necklaces. Many tried to use the grinding stones to make flour and a large number of helpers prepared salads and bread as an accompaniment to the roast pork for lunch. There was so much for them to experience and enjoy that only when they get back into lessons will they really begin to realise what they have learnt from the day. Thank you to Miss Anderes and Mrs Busbridge for the organisational efforts – Mr Baker and myself thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Below are some comments from members of 4B about their day

Today I went to the farm. When I arrived there were lots of dogs and cats. I was so excited because I love animals. One dog can catch a ball and others just run around. I was so happy to visit the farm. It was fun! - Meg 

Today I had a school trip to Ravens Lodge and I got to have a go with a bow and arrow. When we had lunch the fire was very smoky and my eyes watered - Edward F

We did some archery and I hit the centre and I won a pendant which was really cool! - Max P

At the Viking centre, there was this arena and you had these foam wacking sticks. I beat all the boys. I was the best girl Viking warrior. In archery I got a gold. I bought a bow and arrow. So I guess that bulls eye with archery was meant to be - Case L

We had a Viking day today. It was great fun! We cooked our own food, learnt about different types of arrows and we learnt to weave! - Megan M

Today was very fun and I enjoyed doing all the things that we did. I really liked the dogs and they were definitely better behaved than Callum. I liked lunch the best and it was tasty - Charlotte M

Today it was probably the best Wednesday yet. It was very exciting fighting with the bows and arrows. I helped grind the wheat and oats into flour too. Overall it was a brilliant day at Ravens Lodge Viking Centre - Oli H-J

We went to Ravens Lodge in Worcestershire. It was great fun. Callum tested some arrows on me. I was one of six people who got gold in archery. I had great fun weaving and I made a lovely orange necklace - Duncan P

Today we went on a Viking trip. We did archery, weaving and some sword fighting. I had pork, grated carrots, cheese and apple. We had flapjack dipped in honey, strawberries and cream - Christabel H

Today we went to Ravens Lodge. We did some archery, weaving and we also looked at some of the Vikings’ weapons. There is an axe that is used to hook the shield and disarm it from the opponent so he has nothing apart from maybe another weapon - Sebastian P

The Viking trip was very fun. I think archery was my favourite. Making flour was quite good too - Ben N

Click here to see some photos