Celebrating remarkable women at Sherwood Forest
Historian Sharon Bennett-Connolly will be shedding light on the lives of remarkable Medieval women as Sherwood Forest celebrates International Women’s Day next month.
Sharon, who has written several books about the Middle Ages and publishes the History – The Interesting Bits blog, will be one of the guest speakers at the event on Saturday 11th March.
Among her critically-acclaimed books is the Ladies of Magna Carta and it will be this subject that forms the basis of her talk.
The Magna Carta of 1215 remains one of the most significant developments in the creation of the rights and liberties we still enjoy in Britain today.
Sharon, a Fellow of Royal Historical Society, said: “There were so many women who influenced the clauses of Magna Carta and the civil war which surrounded its creation. And there were even more women who were able to use Magna Carta to protect their own rights.”
Sharon’s fascinating talk begins at 12.45pm.
Before then, at 11.30am, Dr Louise Gentle of Nottingham Trent University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, will be talking about her career in conservation alongside RSPB Site Manager for Sherwood Forest and Budby South Forest, Chloe Ryder.
The talks are free to attend.
Throughout the day, members of The Sherwood Outlaws performing theatre group will delivering storytelling sessions and have-a-go archery.
There will be volunteering opportunities running too, so visitors can get hands on with the conservation work being carried out at Nottinghamshire’s only National Nature Reserve.
You can enjoy a guided walk with Maid Marian (£5.50 per person/£4.50 for RSPB members. Booking required via www.visitsherwood.co.uk) and take in a Medieval weapons display too.
An exhibition highlighting the achievements of some of the women who shaped Sherwood will also be held during the day. The display is once again supported by the Miner2Major Landscape Partnership Scheme.
Other March highlights at Sherwood Forest include a Stargazing event on Saturday 18th March, hosted by the Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society (£20 per person; £15 for RSPB Members).
As well as helping visitors to scan the night sky, there will also be illuminating lectures on new developments in space exploration and discoveries.
The following day, Sunday 19th March, is the date for no fewer than three events at Nottinghamshire’s only National Nature Reserve.
With the seasons changing, we’ll be offering a guided Spring In Your Step Walk in the morning (£7.50 per person/£6 RSPB members), highlighting the natural transformations which occur at this time of year.
And talking of remarkable women, we’ll be hosting a Mothers Day Crafternoon with a fun craft activity and a delicious afternoon tea. There’s also the option of a guided walk through the ancient oaks of Maid Marian’s Forest. (£25 per person/£22.50 RSPB members for the Crafternoon; £30 person/£25 per person for the Crafternoon plus guided walk).
And it’s back to the Medieval period in the afternoon with a guided walk that tells the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, 12th Century Queen of England and mother of Richard the Lionheart (£7.50 per person/£5 RSPB members).
To find out more about all our March events, go to our Events page.