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Meet the Vikings this Half-Term

On Friday 30th and Saturday 31st October, Viking re-enactors will be taking over the City Museum from 10am until 5pm each day.

As it will be Halloween, you can expect to hear the Vikings talking excitedly about their “Winter Nights” festival - the Viking equivalent to Halloween.

Katya, the Viking lady, will be telling visitors all about the Viking Gods, with stories of Odin, Thor and Freyja, and their home at Asgard.

Sigurd, the Viking warrior, will be dressed for battle in chain mail, helmet, battle axe and shield, but has promised to be on his best behaviour this half-term!

Members of the local branch of The Vikings Re-Enactment Society will be coming along to show us what life was like 1,000 years ago.  During the interactive sessions you will also be able to handle replica objects from the period.  You can also try on a Viking helmet for size; hold a sword or battle axe, or grind flour with a quern stone.  Visitors will find out all about life in Anglo Saxon and Viking Winchester. This latest visit will be an enjoyable and interesting experience for the whole family.

Robin Iles, Education Officer for Winchester Museums, said: “In the Wintanceaster Gallery at the City Museum are spectacular discoveries from Anglo Saxon and Viking times in the city.  Look out for the hogsback gravestone of Gunni the Viking or spot the Viking runestone.  Fine jewellery and silver coins from the time are also on display, together with more everyday items like a child’s shoe, bone combs and gaming pieces.”

Cllr Patricia Stallard, portfolio holder for culture, heritage and sport, added: “This is a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to find out more about Viking times in the city. The City Council’s museums are great places to take the family for fun and plenty of hands-on activities during half term week. And it’s all free!”

No booking is required and admission is free.

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