Summer Half Term

As well as the usual school holiday activities a traditional charcoal burn will be taking place at the Dean Heritage Centre this half term. We are one of the only places in the country where you can still see a traditional charcoal burn in progress. The stack will be built on Thursday 2nd June, lit on Friday and harvested on Saturday. Expert volunteers will be on hand to explain the process of transforming locally sourced wood into charcoal and give an insight into the life of a charcoal burner. Discover how this ancient tradition was an integral part of the iron industry in the Forest of Dean and now produces what is considered to be the best barbeque charcoal around!

There will be the usual craft and hands on activities for visitors to have a go at including fire lighting and pyrography. You can experience a Victorian schoolroom session and explore our Forester's cottage.

Monday 30th May: Meet Ma Meek in the Forrester's Cottage & join Amanda in the craft hut

Tuesday 31st May: Pyrography in the craft Hut with Ken

Wednesday 1st June: craft in the hut with Wendy

Thursday 2nd June: ken will be back in the craft hut and there will be a schoolroom session with Miss Wright in the afternoon.

Join volunteers as they build the stack ready for the charcoal burn 

Friday 3rd June: Craft in the hut with Amanda and lighting of the charcoal stack