£8k Boost for Interactive Medieval Walkway at Manor Farm
The Road to Agincourt project has bagged a smashing £8,000 from Tesco’s popular Bags of Help campaign. This cash injection will fund an interactive digital trail through Manor Farm Country Park, celebrating the area’s rich medieval history and the legendary Grace Dieu shipwreck.
Step Back in Time on The King’s Great Ships Trail
The new King’s Great Ships Trail will lead visitors through the woods to the wreck of the Grace Dieu, King Henry V’s flagship resting at the River Hamble’s bottom. Using cutting-edge digital technology, the trail will bring history alive with medieval tunes, fascinating facts, and stories about how the “biggest ship in the world” was built in southampton/" title="Southampton" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Southampton Docks.
Tesco’s Bags of Help Brings History to Life
Caroline Silke, Tesco’s Head of Community, said: “Bags of Help has been a fantastic success. The overwhelming support from our customers means we can help bring exciting local projects like this to life. Nominations reopen in April – we can’t wait to back more community ventures.”
Tesco teamed with Groundwork to channel the 5p bag charge into grants for environmental and heritage projects. Public votes decide which ventures get £8,000, £10,000, or £12,000 each.
Launch Set for Medieval Weekend in July
The King’s Great Ships Trail will officially open during a free Medieval Weekend at Manor Farm Country Park on July 30-31. Families can enjoy:
- Historic reenactments
- A medieval village with leather workers, pole turners, and felters
- Traditional cooking and singing demonstrations
- Meet archaeologists exploring the Grace Dieu wreck
- Medieval sports and dancing
- Live storytelling and more
Celebrating 600 Years Since Agincourt
The Road to Agincourt is a two-year cultural project marking the 600th anniversary of the famous battle. Led by Eastleigh Borough Council’s Culture Unit, it highlights the historic ties between Hampshire’s landscape and this iconic English victory. The initiative partners with The Berry Theatre, schools, and community groups to explore new ways to share medieval history.
Dr Cheryl Butler, Eastleigh’s Head of Culture, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Tesco. This award will help us enhance the trail and share a vital part of England’s maritime heritage with visitors and locals alike.”
