Robert Howard promoting the use of bus services to get round local heritage sites introduces the new, improved No 35 bus model.

Despite the bad weather the day got off to a good start with short presentations in the Lakeside theatre Introduced and Chaired by Dr David Knight, Director of Research at Trent & Peak Archaeology. Mickie Bradley, the site owner of King Johns Palace spoke about work on the palace at Clipstone; Steve Horne gave an overview of the work of The Friends of Thynghowe; John Parker, Chairman of Nottinghamshire Local History Association, outlined the changes and developments in local history; Ruth Imeson, of Nottinghamshire Archives, gave an illustrated talk about archives and heritage.

Stalls and exhibitions displaying regional historical and archaeological projects along with artefact handling were open from 12noon – 4pm.

The finds Liaison Officer for Nottinghamshire and Nottinghamshire County Council was on-hand to identify finds.

There  were handling sessions of material from Nottinghamshire including stone artefacts, coins, pottery and animal bones from the Palaeolithic to the medieval period.

The weather forced the abandonment of outside activities which were promptly moved indoors and provided the opportunity to become a time traveller for the day and become immersed in the past! Archaeological and historically themed characters, allowed visitors to meet some of their ancestors who told about their life and times and demonstrated skills and crafts from the past.