The University of Winchester invites members of the public to explore the history of its campus and Winchester city as part of Winchester Heritage Open Days 2018.
From 13-16 September, the University will host a number of free history-themed guided walks, talks, exhibitions, panels and workshops on campus and across the city.
Professor Joy Carter DL, CBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester, said: “We are delighted to be taking part in Winchester Heritage Open Days this year. As an institution, our history is tightly interwoven with that of Winchester city and we look forward to celebrating the historical life of our city and campus. This is a fantastic opportunity to open our beautiful, award-winning campus to visitors and for our academics to share their research and expertise with the local community.”
The University will highlight its heritage at several events on campus, including:
Other events include an exhibition on the contribution of female theology experts to environmental movements and a guided tour of the Cosmic Walk, a theology- and cosmology-themed arts garden at West Downs Student Village.
Winchester academics will also present a number of events at venues across the city centre.
The secrets of West Hill Cemetery will be revealed in a walking tour delivered by history experts from the University of Winchester on 14 September. The tour will unveil findings from an ongoing University research project, revealing the history of the site and telling the stories of some of the notable people buried there.
Additional talks and workshops will be presented by Dr Katherine Weikert , Senior Lecturer in Early Medieval European History; Dr Ellie Woodacre, Senior Lecturer in Early Modern European History; and Gabrielle Storey, PhD expert in Angevin queenship, throughout the event period.
On 12 September, three historians from the University of Winchester will also take part in a special fundraising event for Winchester Heritage Open Days. A panel discussion will focus on the role of Anglo-Saxon women, Alfred the Great and the city of Winchester in shaping the foundations of England. Led by prominent historian, film maker and Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester, Michael Wood, the panel includes Winchester academics Professor Barbara Yorke, Emeritus Professor of Early Medieval History; Dr Ryan Lavelle, Reader in Early Medieval History at the University of Winchester; and Dr Katherine Weikert. Tickets cost £12.15 and can be booked through the Hampshire County Council website shop: https://www.hants.gov.uk/shop/
Katherine Weikert said: “Winchester was a crucial place of political power in the earlier middle ages, and this history is etched in the city's streets and buildings. I'm excited to share my love for Winchester and its history through Heritage Open Days' wonderful programme of events."
Winchester Heritage Open Days is a four-day festival celebrating Winchester’s history and cultural heritage. It is organised and run entirely by volunteers from Winchester City Trust. The festival offers a unique opportunity to discover the hidden places and history of Winchester through a diverse and local programme of events. The event is part of the wider national Heritage Open Days scheme, which runs over 5,000 free events across the country every September.
A full programme of University of Winchester Heritage Open Day events, with details of how to book, can be found here: www.winchester.ac.uk/events
Find out more about Winchester Heritage Open Day and other events on their website: https://www.winchesterheritageopendays.org/