As we welcome in the milder weather and glorious sunshine, we have enjoyed watching the stunning colony of crocuses on Church Lane come into bloom!
This special group of crocuses even has a mention in the Flora Britannica (1997), where they are described as ‘remarkable’, having not only survived but flourished over decades.
The sunshine has also got us looking forward to what’s coming up at Bruce Castle Museum this month!
Read on and find out about the wonderful events we have planned for this March – details can also be found on our website:
Highgate Roman Kiln – National Lottery Heritage Fund Grant
Exciting news for heritage in Haringey!
The most complete Roman pottery kiln found in Greater London will be put on public display, thanks to a £243,550 grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to charity Friends of Highgate Roman Kiln. In the 1960s & ‘70s, archaeologists excavated the kiln from Highgate Wood.
The pieces of this unique find have been in store at Bruce Castle Museum. But made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, a joint project between Friends of Highgate Kiln, the City Corporation & Bruce Castle Museum will return the kiln to Highgate Wood to be displayed in a visitor centre from September 2024.
Londoners of all ages will be able to take part in community & educational activities, including a schools programme, Roman kiln reconstruction & firing, & the creation of a community mosaic in the Wood.
The kiln is one of the best-preserved Roman pottery kilns found in the UK, & thought to be the last one built by Roman potters who worked in Highgate Wood between 50CE-160CE to supply Londinium, the capital of Roman Britain, & southeast England with distinctive ‘Highgate Ware’ pottery.
The Friends of Highgate Roman Kiln was formed in 2018 to work with Bruce Castle Museum & the City Corporation to conserve the kiln, restore it to public view, & allow everyone to learn about an important aspect of London’s Roman heritage. You can discover more about the NHLF grant here: Highgate Roman heritage project set to fire London’s imagination | Haringey Council
Find out more about the project on their website: Highgate Roman Kiln
Walk and Talk about a subject very dear to our hearts at Bruce Castle:
Ancient Oaks of Bruce Castle Park
Sunday 12 March
2-3.30pm
Meet the oldest trees in Tottenham on a walk and talk by ecologist and tree expert Russell Miller. He will guide you into the hidden world of ancient trees.
The Bruce Castle Oak is at least 450 years old.
How do trees live so long? What is the relationship between old trees and fungi? What animals live in ancient trees?
All will be revealed in a walk and talk around the old trees of Bruce Castle Park.
This walk is organised by Russell Miller and tickets must be booked through Eventbrite.
Munch and Listen: Sarah, Tottenham’s only Duchess 1631-1692
Monday 27 March
12.15-1.15pm, doors open 11.50am
Free
Sarah Alston was a wealthy woman from East London who lived and moved in all the right places with all of the right people. As the Dowager Duchess of Somerset who became Lady of the Manor at Bruce Castle from 1682, her wealth helped shape the building we see today – a place that was her home, where she entertained and enjoyed walking in its vast grounds.
A generous philanthropist, Sarah donated much of her riches to helping others during her lifetime. In her will, she bequeathed a large fortune to the local Tottenham Grammar School. A magnificent tomb designed by Grinling Gibbons can be found at Westminster Abbey (the final resting place of in fact two former inhabitants of Bruce Castle).
Come along to Bruce Castle, Sarah’s former home, and hear more about her life and times by Arthur Evans, member of the Tottenham Grammar School Old Boys Association, as he reflects on her legacy.
Please book your free ticket for this in person talk via Eventbrite.
History Walk: Kings, Crooks & Coffin Makers – Philip Lane in Tottenham
Sunday 26 March
11am-1pm
Meet: 11am by the Old Well at the junction of Philip Lane and Tottenham High Road, N15 4JN . The walk will take 2 hours and ends at Downhills Park. Dress for the weather and wear sensible footwear for walking.
Free
Join your guide and local historian Oona Kelly on this hidden history walking tour of Philip Lane in South Tottenham. She will point out places along the route to reveal intriguing stories of those who once lived there – including a king, crooks and a coffin maker. Some of them played important roles in shaping the lives of people and impacting on world events.
The walk is organised by Bruce Castle Museum & Archive with Oona Kelly, local historian and a Friend of Bruce Castle (FoBC). (Donations on the day of the walk to FoBC welcome.)
Places are limited and booking is essential – free tickets are available via Eventbrite.
As these walks are very popular, if you are no longer able to attend the walk, please let us know as soon as possible to reallocate your ticket.
For any queries, please email [email protected]
The last few tickets are available for Avril Nanton’s Haringey Women’s Walk for #womenshistorymonth2023 – all are welcome, book your place via Avril’s website: FREE WALKS | avrilswalksandtalks
All events are advertised on our page Events | Bruce Castle, which is regularly updated.
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