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History of Cawood Castle Garth Twenty years after the village acted to purchase Garth site to protect it from housing development, the LHI scheme offered us a life line. It gives us the chance to get expert advice on the site, its history and wildlife potential and, to plan for its future uses. We want to learn about the site's history. English Heritage's Keith Emerick and Neil Redfern encouraged us to research and write a conservation statement. This summarises the documentary evidence we have gleaned from scheduled monument records, earlier historical accounts of life in Cawood and it will outline our plans for ensuring its protection. One of the archaeologists on our group started work on a topographical survey - we will piece this data, together with the evidence from our later surveys - to build up an account of the site's past life. The group was also concerned about the difficulties people with disabilities (and with pushchairs) have when trying to cross the paths on the Garth. Getting advice on how to improve access without changing the character of the site was a priority. We aim to bring our research findings to life - we'll update the information panels on the boards at the site, produce nature trail and archaeological trail leaflets, an education pack about the site and give some talks about our findings. The crucial step before we can do all this is to agree with English Heritage which areas within the site need special protection measures and which areas can be used for community activities. We will use the events page on this website to give details of the activities we are planning over the course of the project. If you would be interested in helping with any of our surveys or training events do please get in touch. History Leaflet A leaflet has been compiled, showing many of the historical features of Cawood and in particular the Garth. This proved to be a huge success at the recent Cawood Craft Festival. You can download the history leaflet in PDF format by clicking on the following link, but bear in mind this leaflet was designed to be printed and folded, so parts of it appear upside down! Cawood History Leaflet Finds Day 2008 In June 2008, the Garth Group held another Finds Day at Cawood Primary School. This was well attended and supported by the Yorkshire Metal Detector Society as well as the WI providing refreshments. A Viking historian gives a talk A specialist in Viking Spinning explains the methods involved Metal detecting on the school field Children playing in the hall Cawood Sword Another picture of the sword The hall was packed for the talk about the Sword The winner of the childrens' Viking dress competition The old photos of Cawood are always a hit Some of the Finds brought for examination Somebottles brought in for Finds Day The Finds beginning to be catalogued Old Picture of Cawood Castle A Group listening to Al Oswald by the Castle on the village history day, June 2006 A Group listening to Al Oswald by the school on the village history day, June 2006 Waiting to enter the Castle Gatehouse on the village history day, June 2006 Listening to Al Oswald from English Heritage in Cawood Churchyard in the rain October 2005 Listening to Al Oswald from English Heritage by the Castle Walls in the rain October 2005 Examining the old mill Walls on village history day June 2006 Timbers in the River Ouse at Cawood A series of timbers lie on the bank of the River Ouse at Cawood, submerged at high water and regularly exposed daily at low water. Their age and origins are a mystery. It has been suggested that dendrochronology would help to accurately date the timbers, but doubts have been raised as to the degree of invasion and damage the technique would require. Speculation about the timbers' origin suggests that they may date from the days of active service of Cawood Castle, having formed a part of the wharf for landing craft. Alternatively they may be part of a more recent wharf or bridge. Close up view of timbers in River Ouse at Cawood Timbers in River Ouse at Cawood Timbers in River Ouse at Cawood Timbers in River Ouse at Cawood Long view of timbers in River Ouse at Cawood