‘HIDDEN treasures’ is the theme of the 11th Euroregional Days of Fortified Sites – taking place at three visitor attractions in Essex and Medway on the weekend of 26th-27th April 2014.
Festive and fun programmes of activities will create a fresh understanding of fortified heritage at 30 sites in four northern European regions: Nord-Pas-de-Calais, the Province of West Flanders in Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK.
The participating UK attractions and a selection of their special events are:
• Jaywick Martello Tower, Essex: Guided walk from the tower to the nearby nature reserve on 26th April at 11am, Concert with Riotous Assembly and the 95th Rifles on 27th April at 3pm, events are free, call 01255 822783 for booking details www.jaywickmartellotower.org
• Coalhouse Fort, Essex: The Fort at War Weekend including re-enactments www.coalhousefort.co.uk
• Fort Amherst and Great Lines Heritage Park, Chatham, Medway: Guided access-all-areas visits on 26th and 27th April at 11am www.fortamherst.com
The aim is to encourage people to explore the sites and their hidden treasures, historical secrets, and unexpected architectural or natural valuable heritage.
There will be many fascinating things to discover around the 30 European sites: the casemates and powder stores of military fortresses will be revealed during guided tours, surprising stories will be shared during costumed visits and re-enactments, and there will be a number of discovery trails to explore.
Visitors of all ages will come to a better understanding of this fortified heritage during educational workshops, exhibitions and conferences.
There will also be an emphasis on how to better preserve this valuable heritage via a series of talks.
Many events will be free of charge or discounted rates will apply.
County Councillor John Jowers, Cabinet Member for Libraries, Communities and Planning, said: “This initiative brings our fortified heritage to the forefront and gives us a unique chance to discover some historic hidden treasures.”
More details and a full international programme of the 2014 Euroregional Days of Fortified Sites are available online at
http://www.wallsandgardens.eu/index.php/en/records/56-euroregional-days-of-fortified-sites.
