Hug a Hillfort!

Old Oswestry Hillfort has been described as the ‘Stonehenge of the Iron Age’ and ‘one of the greatest archaeological monuments of the nation’. Yes, it really is that impressive! And I am lucky enough that I grew up just a few miles away from it, just over the Welsh/English border.

The land surrounding it is currently under threat from development, so there are lots of exciting proactive events taking place that you can get involved in, including the chance to Hug a Hillfort!

I feel very honoured that I have been asked to speak at the Old Oswestry Conference on Saturday 11th February 2017. I will be talking about the social function of Old Oswestry and other hillforts within the wider landscape.

Old Oswestry Conference Programme

The conference ‘Old Oswestry Past and Future: Landscape, Community and Heritage’ has a fantastic line up of speakers. It will run from 10am-4.30pm at the Memorial Hall in Oswestry, Shropshire.

Tickets are free, but limited and so are already going fast! You can register to book a place at the event via Eventbrite.

The Sunday, 12th February, will host the annual Heritage Hug where everyone is invited to Hug a Hillfort, by joining hands and making a 650+ human chain around the summit of Old Oswestry Hillfort!

And this year something even more special is happening- it’s not just hugs around the hillfort this year, but hearts! Organisers are aiming to make heart bunting reaching over 1km long to stretch hearts around the hillfort during the event. But they need your help! You can send in a heart with a message about why you love Old Oswestry or greenspace/heritage in general by 10th February 2017 or bring your own along on the day.

Details on all of the events can be found at the Old Oswestry Facebook page and Twitter Feed.

I really hope you’ll join me and the rest of the team at the Old Oswestry hillfort conference on Saturday 11th February 2017 and then to join hands with other hillfort lovers just before Valentine’s day at 1pm, Sunday 12th February!

Meet you at the Western entrance to Hug a Hillfort!