Living History
Westcentingas recreates a wide variety of early mediaeval everyday activities and specialised crafts on its successful Living History Exhibit (LHE), ranging from cooking to metalwork. As you stroll through the LHE encampment, you can observe at first hand the care and detail of the structures and equipment used.
In an attempt to better understand the civilian activities that took place during our period, members spend a great deal of their time researching manuscript illustrations and archaeological artefacts. It is through these 'windows' into our period of interest that we learn about our Anglo-Saxon ancestors, what they wore and what they did. Authentically recreating their lives is always a challenge, especially as our chosen period is one of the least documented.
Having researched a particular item, whether it is an item of clothing, a piece of furniture, or an agricultural or industrial tool, members will understandably want to use it, see how it feels, works, etc. There is no better way to bring that research to life than to do on our LHE what our ancestors did with their tools. It is a revealing experience and allows our members to 'live' history in a very novel way. It is useful too and fulfils a valuable function within historical research.
The Westcentingas Wicstow
'Wicstow' is an Old English word for encampment, this refers to our group's collection of authentic tents. In order to explain why everyone is in tents, we agreed the only adequate explanation is if we are the Lord's household on campaign, complete with all the paraphernalia of war. Many members have their own personal tent, complete with authentic furnishings and equipment.
At the centre of our wicstow is the Lord's tent, fully furnished and busily attended to by members of his household. Near to this is the cycene (kitchen) complete with the preparation of authentic foods for the Lord's high table. Surrounding the whole are smaller tents and shelters for the lesser warriors and soldiery (geoguth). Beyond that are the artisans with their workshops. Accompanying it all is the smell of wood smoke and food, and the ambient sound of the wicstow's inhabitants - possibly even the sound of music being played somewhere among the tents.
West Stow - 'The First English Village'
Described as 'The First English Village', West Stow has been reconstructed on the archaeological remains of buildings that formed West Stow's original Anglo-Saxon settlement during the 5th and 7th centuries. It is a very special place and one that uniquely evokes our Anglo-Saxon past.
In 2009 Westcentingas won the contract to provide West Stow's living history display during their busy August Bank Holiday weekend. Our plan was to bring the village to 'life' and enable visitors to experience an inhabited village. This involved furnishing its various buildings as if they were in constant use, using the 'Hall' as the village's natural focal point. Westcentingas members chose a relevant character to portray and remained 'in role' throughout the weekend. This successfully enabled the public to view the buildings, and the village as a whole, in greater context.
Our display has been extremely well received, and according to the site's Heritage Staff, there was an extraordinarily large amount of positive feedback from the public, with terms such as 'mesmerizing' and 'spectacular' being common place.
Further Information
For details of the Village, the Educational Service, the Country Park, and other information, please telephone the Visitor Centre on 01284 728718, fax 01284 728277, e-mail: weststow@stedsbc.gov.uk or visit the West Stow web page at: www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/weststow/