Search for the Norse Impact on the Cultural Landscape

The Vikings and Faeries' tent: a brilliant combination!

In May 27th and 28th 2008, Grampus Heritage & Training held a Viking and Faeries tent for the festival "Spell bound in the lakes" at Trotters World of Animals, in the Lake District. If the reunion of the "historical" Vikings to the "magical" faeries can surprise more than one, it enabled to join nature and local history in an entertaining and moreover educational event. The Grampus' crew included Helen Elvin, a coppice managing apprentice, who has astonished number of little girls and boys by making with them magical wands and wings, faeries' crowns, whistles and even weaving wooden fishes!

Ferocious Viking cub-scouts of Keswick
Two young ladies display their creations of the day in their Viking gowns

On the Norse side of the tents, Charlotte Marinos, Jamie Brough and Delphine Jasmin-Belisle have unravelled a little the mystery around the Vikings. The trio of Archaeology and Environment students set up a space where children and their parents could get dressed as Vikings; hear storytelling related to the Viking archaeological remains of the area or dare to listen to the prediction of their future by making their own rune. Despite the rainy weather, many families of tourists and locals and the Keswick cub-scout' group have been keen to get involved in the variety of activities offered. To the extent that some of them asked Faerie Helen to put more magic on their wand as it was not working properly!?!

Charlotte carefully predicts the future based on the runes the children have chosen
Faerie Helen in the process of making wings

 

As it has been mentioned before, the results went further than simple entertainment, fulfilling the objectives of the days. Indeed, the faerie creations of Helen Elvin taught the audience that the simplest branches of willow and hazel can become the most elegant props with the help of will power and a bit a craft, the basis of sustainability. Moreover, the work of Charlotte, Delphine and Jamie humanized the legendary figures of the Vikings, telling about the local history and helping the communities to get closer with their ancestors. Thus, there is no mistake in associating the Viking to Faeries in order to have a fantastic, educational - and magical - family day.

Rune-making with the greatest care

Grampus Heritage and Training Ltd, Ashgill,Threapland,

Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 2EL, United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0) 16973 21516

Fax: +44 (0) 16973 23040

E.Mail: enquiries@grampusheritage.co.uk