At their meeting on May 8, members of the Feckenham Forest History Society were treated to an imaginary walk over Bredon Hill by Deborah Overton, from Worcestershire Archaeological Service.

Her talk on the Archaeology of Bredon Hill, that well-known local landmark, had members ready to don their coats and boots to explore the variety of sites she described.

On the hill there are Iron Age hill forts, Roman villas, a Norman castle and a deserted medieval village to be seen by following the footpaths.

Few areas can offer such a range of archaeological remains so accessible within such a limited location.

The deserted village of Woollas has recently been explored and the course of the lanes beside the old house platforms can be made out.

The side of the hill was marginal farming land on which it was hard to make a living so the village was gradually abandoned.

How the people in the enormous earth work fort on the top of the hill supplied themselves and how they got water remains a mystery, as does why the fort was abandoned after a massacre by unknown assailants.

The hill also has the remains of several earthwork barrows but many have been ploughed out.

The important Iron Age remains round Beckford and the possible existence of a Henge site, revealed by aerial survey, added to interest of the area.

The audience response indicated that Bredon Hill is a favourite of many local people and the society hopes to follow this excellent talk with a future visit to walk the route described.

The next meeting of Feckenham Forest History Society will be on Thursday, September 11, at 7.30pm at Webheath Village Hall.

Next season, monthly meetings will alternate between Tuesdays at Feckenham and Thursdays at Webheath.

New members and visitors are always welcome.