Saxon School Learning Day - Corhampton Saxon Church & Meonstoke School

miles from Wintonceastre (Winchester), the capital of the Saxon kingdom of Wessex and of Saxon England. They are located on opposite banks of the River Meon which runs from East Meon on the South Downs, through the Meon Valley to the Solent at Titchfield Haven. The River Meon formed the boundary between the West Saxons (Wessex) and the South Saxons (Sussex). It gave its name, which derives from a Celtic word meaning 'swift one', to the Meonwara (or Meonsæte) the people of Jutish origin who colonised the East bank of the river Meon in the 5th & 6th centuries. Corhampton Church, which was built in 1020 when Cnute was King of Wessex and England, has been a place of Christian worship for over 1000 years. Excavations in the 20th century led to the discovery close to the Church of Saxon/Jutish cemeteries and a Saxon village. The Friends of Corhampton Church, working with the staff of Meonstoke School and Saxon heritage organisations offered a learning day at the Church for the 80 pupils of the school in April 2010. The attachments tell the story of this event and what was achieved. If you want to know more about Corhampton Saxon Church see the separate Woruldhord submission about it and its history and/or visit www.bridgechurches.org.uk. You can also sign-up at this website to become a 'Friend' to ensure the future of this Saxon icon and to support & participate in future festivals, education and exploratory activities.