Victory Wood MAPPING THE PAST UNIT IN BRIEF. Nr Whitstable, Kent

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1 MAPPING THE PAST KS2 WORK UNIT 2 OF 6 UNIT IN BRIEF The purpose of this unit is to understand how landscapes change over time. At Victory Wood children follow a number trail on a map and identify present-day features of the site. Back in school they role play Memories of an ancient tree. Children will learn: To investigate how an aspect of the local area has changed over a period of time (NC History, Local History Study). To use maps and plans (NC Geography, Geography enquiry and skills). To ask geographical questions, for example What is this landscape like? (NC Geography, Geographical enquiry and skills). STRUCTURE ACTIVITY TITLE TEACHER NOTES STUDENT WORKSHEETS Introduction Unit in brief 1 None A brief history of Victory Wood 2 None Victory Wood trail Post visit activity Memories of an ancient tree 5 8 1

2 A BRIEF HISTORY OF VICTORY WOOD KS2 WORK UNIT 1 OF 6 This lesson can be presented to whole class. Brief summary of land use The land known today as Victory Wood has a long and complex history, with many different owners throughout the centuries. Most of the changes that occurred have resulted from the clearance of trees for farming purposes. The land was previously part of Lamberhurst Farm. The name Lamberhurst Farm can be traced back to the 12th century when it was part of the estates of Faversham Abbey which was founded by King Stephen in Archaeological surveys have found no evidence of any part of the site being used as a settlement by the Romans, probably because it was wooded at the time. These were ancient woodlands that would not have been planted but evolved over time from the original wild wood which established itself over thousands of years after the last ice age. The wild wood would not have been tamed or managed. Later there may have been some planting of trees to meet particular needs, e.g. oak and more recently sweet chestnut for building, tanning, hop poles and fencing. Earlier maps show two old track-ways. One may have provided an important route linking Blean Wood down to the marshes. This route would have been used to deliver fuel to the extensive medieval salt industry, which gave its name to Seasalter. Fuel was in the form of faggots, bundles of underwood, some of which were gathered from Blean Wood. At that time the Victory Wood site was called North Blean. The route ran from High Street, past Lamberhurst Farm, curved round the west side of Clay Hill and out to Denstroude Common. A 19th century map would show the woodland still virtually in tact, but was always interspersed with small fields which were used for farming. What you will need: Current map of site (type Yorkletts into search box) paper (online ordering): OS Landranger Map sheet 179 Canterbury and East Kent 19th century map of site paper (online ordering): Over the next 100 years, the extent of woodland is greatly reduced. Deforestation was primarily in response to the demand for land for farming, but some would have been used as timber. Between 1940 and 1970 ancient woodland south of Clay Hill was cleared to create grazing land for cattle. Later the land was used for growing crops. In 1954, after a violent storm which devastated much of the east coast of England, part of Clay Hill was stripped of sub-soil clay to repair the sea defenses at Reculver to prevent further floods. In 2004 the Woodland Trust purchased the site and is now working to recreate a woodland of a similar scale to the original shown on 19th century maps. 2

3 VICTORY WOOD TRAIL KS2 WORK UNIT 2 OF 6 On arrival at the car park give each child a copy of the Victory Wood Trail (2 pages). Each point could be photographed as you go so a display of the trail can be made back in school. Orientate the map so children are clear where they are on the map and explain the trail. Information relating to each point 1 HMS Victory Sculpture This is made from a tree from the Forest of Dean, planted at Lord Nelson s request 200 years ago. It was cut using a chainsaw and represents Lord Nelson and HMS Victory. Encourage the children to identify aspects of the ship shown: canon balls, gunpowder, rope, ship s wheel, the capstan, sails, the date and names of trees used in building the ship. 2 Victory Copse Trees representing each species used in the building of HMS Victory are found here. It took 6000 trees to build HMS Victory and approximately 5000 of them were oak. The names of the trees used to build the Victory can be found on the sculpture, others on the information boards. Here are a few examples of the many ways wood was used: the three masts were made from pine or fir because these timbers are supple and light; the lower masts took 5 or 6 trees each and had to be carefully shaped and fitted together; toilets, dishes, mugs, plates and even the bins to hold the gunpowder were all made of wood. 3 Footprint of HMS Victory 35 posts mark the outline of HMS Victory, from one end to the other measuring 69 metres. Gather the children inside to get some idea of the size of the ship. There is more information in the crow s nest and further posts that mark significant points on your way to the next feature. Posts are labelled with information. What you will need: Victory Wood Trail (pages 6 and 7) one copy for each child Pencils Clipboard Camera (optional) quick quiz (page 9 optional) 4 Eight Holm Oaks These trees were planted to show the relative position of the Spanish and French ships as Victory approached. Being in full sail and travelling fast, HMS Victory cut the line of enemy ships in two, getting into a position where the ships closest could not open fire because their guns were on the side not the front. cont d page 4 continues on page

4 VICTORY WOOD TRAIL KS2 WORK UNIT 2 OF 6 5 Hawkins Dyke This dried up stream provides a wonderful habitat for many plants and creatures. Notice how it runs through the valley, curving round the slopes. 6 New woodland The Trust purchased the site in 2004 and plans to plant enough trees to take Victory Wood close to the original size of woodland pre Some of these young trees were planted by local school children. Across the country the Trust has over 1000 woods and planted in excess of 4.5 million trees since being founded in Chain link sculpture This two metre tall timber chain link represents the site s connection with the Battle of Trafalgar and the link that the new woodland will make with the two areas of ancient woodland, Blean and Ellenden. The sculpture will provide the names of features 8 and 9. 8 and 9 Blean and Ellenden These ancient woodlands to the south west and north east of Victory Wood form part of a huge area of ancient woodland which stretches from here toward Canterbury. There is a good view of the Thames Estuary from this point on top of Clay Hill from where you can imagine HMS Victory sailing out to the open sea. On your way back to the car park and number 10 on the trail you might, if you have time, make a short diversion to Ellenden Woods by going back across Hawkins Dyke and turning right to look over the stile in the corner of the field. This detour gives the children an opportunity to see mature woodland and so increase their understanding of how Victory Wood might look in years to come. Please do not enter this woodland as it does not belong to the Woodland Trust. 10 The ancient tree Once in the car park look across the road to number 10, the ancient tree. Notice how it has lost part of its crown and some of its branches. Ask the children to imagine some of the things that have happened in its lifetime discuss what life would have been like when an acorn fell to the ground and this tree began growing e.g. none of the following: water in the homes, electricity, oil, plastic, railways, tracks for roads. It is amazing that this tree has lived for such a long time and still produces leaves each year and provides a home to other animals and insects. Settle the children to make a careful sketch of the tree. Unfortunately it has to be from a distance as we don t wish to disturb the kestrels and owls which nest in this tree. 4

5 MEMORIES OF AN ANCIENT TREE KS2 WORK UNIT 2 OF 6 Children work individually, in pairs or groups. Begin by re-capping the ways in which the site has changed over time and then talk about the people that might have walked passed the ancient tree, which the children saw during their visit. Hunters came in the 14th and 15th centuries to hunt boar. They would have used a long bow or bow and arrow. Many were wealthy people out to enjoy a day s sport. Ploughmen throughout the centuries farmed parts of the site. Ploughing took place in the 15th and 16th centuries, probably using oxen to pull a simple plough or a hand plough. In the 18th and 19th centuries a horse drawn plough would most likely have been used and in the 20th and 21st centuries a tractor drawn plough made the work easier. Faggot sellers traded faggots, bundles of underwood (small twigs) which were used in the salt producing industry to burn under the dishes of sea-water so that the water evaporated and only salt was left. In the 14th and 15th centuries wood from the site may well have been used for this purpose. The salt industry in Kent stopped around the 15th century because it was easier to get salt from the ground in other parts of the country. Foresters managed the woods from earliest times. Their job is to look after the trees and manage the use of timber. They might also be involved in felling trees, burning scrub and cutting back undergrowth. Herdsmen looked after the cattle, making sure they are on the right pasture, have plenty of water to drink and, if they are dairy cattle, are milked regularly. What you will need: Memories of an ancient tree student worksheet (page 8) ICT extension activity: A tree s memory Dairy Maids milked the cows and might even have delivered the milk to the wealthier members of the community. Conservationists today work to protect wildlife and their habitats. People who work for the Woodland Trust are conservationists. They are working to increase the number of trees by replacing woods that have been cleared. School children can be conservationists too, many helped to plant the trees at Victory Wood. Children are given a copy of Memories of an ancient tree. In pairs they choose a century and discuss the work they might do, where they live, why they are walking past the oak tree, how old they are, do they have a family, their clothes etc. One child is the interviewer, the other child is a local character from history. 5

6 VICTORY WOOD TRAIL WORKSHEET 1 OF 2 Follow the instructions written on this work sheet and make some fantastic discoveries at Victory Wood. Starting in the car park you will see something very large and made of wood. Look at it carefully, there is a lot to see. Write what you think it is called in the box below. A line is drawn from that box to the number 1.You will be asked to draw in the lines that link the rest of the names around the map to the correct number as you follow the trail. You start here in the car park Posts marking the footprint of HMS Victory Hawkins Dyke a dried up stream New Woodland Victory Copse 5 8 Holm oaks evergreen oak trees 6 7 Ellenden Wood 9 Clay Hill Blean Wood Chain link sculpture trail clues continue on the next page... 6

7 VICTORY WOOD TRAIL WORKSHEET 2 OF 2 Number 2 is close to number 1. Draw a line on your map linking the name of the feature to 2. Write down the name of one tree that was used on board HMS Victory. To reach number 3 go through the next gate and up the hill in front of you, number three is out of sight until you get quite close. What do these 35 posts show? Walk straight ahead away from the point (the 35 posts come to a point) to reach number 4. What are those eight small boxes on your map? Walk downhill to number 5. Knowing another name for a stream would help you out here. There s a hedge in front of you, walk along until you reach a gateway, go through it and you will see number 6. What is it? It s quite a climb to number 7. Following the paths, you ll reach the top with its great view. Find the compass Here you ll discover the names of the woods that are numbers 8 and 9. wood wood Have a rest before setting off on your return walk to the car park. Having reached the car park, look across the road and you will see something very special (Number 10). What is it? Thanks for visiting Victory Wood come back soon 7

8 MEMORIES OF AN ANCIENT TREE Century 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th 21st Boar hunting takes place in the wild woods. Small fields are farmed. What was happening in Victory Wood? Some trees are cut and their timber is sold. Small fields are farmed. Bundles of underwood, called faggots, are gathered and sold for the salt panning industry at Seasalter. Small fields are farmed. Some trees are cut and their timber is sold. Farmer let small fields to villagers, referred to as penny fields, the amount they paid in rent each year. Some trees are cut and their timber is sold. Some trees are cut and their timber is sold. North Kent Railway built nearby After severe flooding in 1954 clay was stripped off Clay Hill to rebuild the sea defenses at Reculver. Large areas of woodland were cleared for farming between 1940 and The Woodland Trust bought the site in 2004 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. School children help with tree planting which will make the wood almost as big as it was in the 16th century. Working in pairs, choose a century and discuss the work people may have done then, the houses they lived in, what clothes they wore, what they carried with them etc. One of you is the interviewer and the other a local character from history. You ve met under the Victory Wood oak tree. Describe what the tree looks like think what time of year it is and how old the tree was. Find out where the local character is going and why. What other things do you want to know eg how old are they, get them to tell you about their family, what did they see on their way here today? 8