30 minutes’ drive north of Portsmouth took 10 VOS members 6000 years back in time! Not as fast as Marty McFly’s DeLorean, but in considerably more comfort, our intrepid group of service users attended the guided tour of Butser Ancient Farm in the rolling Downs of Hampshire.
Discovering Butser Ancient Farm
The sun welcomed everyone to this historic educational site, where the reconstruction of ancient archaeology takes its visitors from prehistoric times through to the Viking era.
This open-air experimental archaeology museum is also an active research centre, where researchers learn and teach visitors about the past by recreating it. Visitors have described it as a highly atmospheric place where you can get fully immersed in history thanks to plenty of demonstrations and hands-on activities.
Butser’s interactive nature and the fact that research constantly takes place there makes it a highly dynamic environment that fascinates visitors old and young. As you explore ancient buildings and take in experiments as they’re happening, you’ll see ancient skills and traditions brought to life, while exciting reenactments put you in the moment.
A special tour for VOS
However, it was the private tour of the Bronze Age that delighted these eager guests as VOS Volunteer Veteran, Kevin Reilly, illustrated how life was some 5500 years ago.
His informative talk featured hands-on items created whilst studying archaeology through Operation Nightingale with the MOD.
Kevin is a practitioner of the chartered institute of archaeology and his knowledge was boundless, but perhaps it was his easy delivery and amusing anecdotes that made the talk so interesting.
One guest maintained that ‘It had been the best trip ever’ – although modesty prevails, as Kevin often supports service users on other more exciting trips with VOS, such as sailing.
Another successful outing
Like many of our outings, this event was very popular, with places booked on the VOS Eventbrite page soon after they were announced via email and VOS’ Facebook page. It’s always a treat to get out of town and do something different!
If you’ve never been on an activity or day out with VOS yet, then you’ll be pleased to learn that they arrange regular outings with plenty of variety to cater for all members – and they’re planned with especial awareness of mobility and dignity issues.
‘These trips have saved my life’ was a statement made recently which can’t be taken for granted,’ said one attendee.
The team at Veterans Outreach Support are there for every member to reach out to and attempt to make a positive change. Thank you for organising this fascinating and uplifting day out at Butser Ancient Farm!
For more details on this and future outings, please contact Wendy at VOS: wellbeing@vosuk.org
- Words & images by Kevin
VOS is here to support veterans from the UK Armed Forces service, the Merchant Navy, and their partners. If you know a veteran (from any time of service) located in Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, Gosport, Fareham or the Solent area, please pass our details along.
If you’re a veteran or partner and are thinking about getting in touch, we would love to hear from you. Call us on 02392 731 767, visit one of our drop-ins, or email admin@vosuk.org.
Please note that VOS is not a crisis service. If you need immediate support, please contact one of the following:
- Your GP or NHS 111
- Attend A&E or call 999 for medical emergencies
- The Samaritans on 116 123 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
- A trusted family member or friend
