Blackgrounds Archaeology Community Event

Archaeologists are running a free event at Chipping Warden Village Hall about the nearby ancient settlement of Blackgrounds on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 February 2022. The village hall will become a temporary museum about the archaeological site at Blackgrounds.

Join us to:

enjoy fun activities for children and families and creatively explore what life was like during the Iron Age and Roman period

get up close to artefacts carefully excavated from the site, including some that were seen on BBC 2 Digging for Britain

watch an archaeologist demonstrate key techniques used to uncover Blackgrounds

take a look at archaeological drone footage, videos and images taken on the site

bring along your own “finds”. If you’ve found an interesting object in your back garden, why not bring it along and have it assessed by the County Small Finds Specialist . Eleanor will be available between 10am and 3pm Saturday 19 February 2022.

Get your ticket

Tickets are free, but you must book a time slot to enter the museum. Each time slot lasts for 60 minutes and up to 30 visitors can book for each time slot. Please arrive on time for you visit and remember that if you arrive more than 15 minutes late you will not be able to enter.

As a museum, we are required by law to request and record the details of all visitors over the age of 16. Please complete the booking form with the name and contact details for yourself and all others from within your family visiting with you.

If booking for someone under the age of 16 please enter the details of the parent or guardian attending the museum with them. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

You will also be asked to check in with a negative lateral flow test when entering the museum.

Lots of people want to visit this event, so please only book a ticket if you are certain you can attend.

Complete the booking form and get your ticket before booking closes at 12 noon on 17 February 2022.

Information about your visit

To allow us to manage the number of visitors on site, we need you to book your visit in advance. Please complete the booking form with the name and contact details for yourself and all others from within your family visiting with you (details of all visitors over the age of 16)

If booking for someone under the age of 16 please enter the details of the parent or guardian attending with them; all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Entry to the museum is through pre-booked timed slots. Each slot is 60 minutes in length and will accommodate up to 30 visitors (adults and children of all ages, please only visit with members of your group up to a maximum of six people). Please arrive promptly for your visit and note admittance will be denied if your arrival is later than 15 minutes from your chosen entry time. The 60 minutes of entry per slot is also strictly adhered to.

Tickets are available now and booking will close at at 12 noon on 17 February 2022.

We would politely request that you only book a place if you are certain you are able to attend. Whilst we appreciate last minute circumstances do happen, places have been in extremely high demand.

Please be aware that recording and filming will be taking place over the two days. Please let a member if staff know on your arrival if you do not wish to be filmed.

Choose your arrival time from the following time slots when completing the booking form. These time slots are available on Friday 18 February 2022 and Saturday 19 February 2022

• 10:00 am – 11:00 am

• 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

• 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

For more information about this specific event please contact: community@fusion-jv.com

Covid-19 Statement:

HS2 Ltd continues to help limit the spread of Covid-19. We are keeping the current situation in England under review, and so there may be the need to change or cancel your booking at short notice. The below statement outlines what to expect from us, and what we expect from you during your visit. If you do not adhere to the guidelines as outlined below, we reserve the right to stop your visit and ask you to leave.

What to expect from us:

➔ We will follow the latest government guidelines - your visit could be cancelled or postponed at short notice if guidance changes

➔ We will try to remain 1 metre apart from you during your visit but should any Government advice change, we will adhere to the latest Government guidance.

➔ The requirement to wear face coverings is mandatory when you enter one of our buildings therefore we will wear face coverings inside the village hall at all times.

➔ We will provide signage for and enforce a one-way system through the village hall

➔ We will provide first aid and emergency care for you if require. In an emergency we may not be able to maintain social distancing, staff providing the first aid will wear appropriate PPE

What we expect from you:

If booking on behalf of others please make them aware of the safety requirements for visiting this archaeological site and share this statement with all members joining you on your visit:

➔ The requirement to wear face coverings is mandatory when you enter one of our buildings therefore we politely request that attendees wear them inside the village hall at all times, unless exempt.

➔ To provide one of the following for each attendee as a requirement for entry:

➔ NHS COVID Pass via the NHS App (NB This is different to the NHS COVID-19 Test and Trace app). It is advised individuals apply no later than 48 hours before attending their event to allow for the application to be processed in time.

➔ Proof of immunity shown by a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, lasting for 180 days from the date of the positive test and following completion of the self-isolation period.

➔ Lateral flow or PCR negative test results text or e-mail, received within 48 hours prior to attending the event.

➔ Social distancing is not compulsory, however we politely request that attendees remain at least 1 metre apart from staff, volunteers and other group participants

➔ You remain responsible for arranging your own travel and checking all relevant risk assessments for travel are in place if required

➔ Not to attend if you have Covid-19 Symptoms or are currently self-isolating

The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:

➔ A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

➔ A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

➔A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

For more information about Covid-19 symptoms please visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/

Other:

Photography is not permitted

Children must be supervised at all times and unaccompanied minors will not be admitted onto site.

Dogs and other pets are not permitted on site, with the exception of guide or assistive dogs.

Facilities on site:

Toilets with disabled access are available and will be clearly signposted. Hand sanitiser is provided within the village hall and close to the toilets.

There are no food facilities or picnic areas for visitors on site; please make arrangements elsewhere for lunch.

Travel to and parking on site:

There is plenty of parking available either outside of the village hall or in the overflow car park and it is free of charge.

Designated and secure pedestrian routes from the car park to the village hall are to be used and volunteers wearing high-vis clothing will chaperone you too and from these locations. For those of limited mobility there are disabled parking points located near to the village hall - this will be available upon prior request.

Accessibility:

The village hall is a step-free space and is wheelchair accessible. Disabled-access toilets are also available. Guide and other medical assistive dogs are permitted in the village hall. Large print text is also available, please request a copy as part of your booking if this is required. For those of limited mobility or in need of any further assistance on site please contact us.

Cancellations:

Do NOT attend if you, or anyone in your group have symptoms of Covid-19 or are self-isolating. In the event a participant or group must cancel due to Covid symptoms or other changes to your plans, please let us know as soon as possible. Cancellation under any circumstances will not incur charge or penalty, but with a limited number able to book for each time slot, swift notification of your cancellation is greatly appreciated and may allow others to visit.

Bookings are non-transferable.

If HS2 Ltd has to cancel, participants will be informed by email at the earliest opportunity.

If you have any questions regarding your booking or in preparation for your visit please email community@fusion-jv.com