Anglo Saxon reenactment group take to the hills of Kingley Vale to raise money for struggling local heritage sites

Fishbourne Roman Palace, Britain’s largest Roman villa, is one of a number of historic properties at risk of permanent closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Sussex Archaeological Society, one of the oldest archaeological societies in the UK, is appealing for urgent, financial help from the public, to raise £1m worth of lost income, and secure the future of its prised assets, which also include Lewes Castle, an 11th-century Norman fortification, and Michelham Priory, a historic house and garden near Hailsham. Hampshire-based Anglo Saxon re-enactment group, Herigeas Hundas, took to the hills of the South Downs on Sunday to raise money for the struggling heritage sites. Group members donned their finest Saxon clothing and footwear to tread beneath the ancient yews and amongst the Bronze Age burial mounds of Kingley Vale, near Chichester for a sponsored walk. Group media officer, Jen Atkinson said: “One of the additional effects of the terrible COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown has meant that heritage sites and tourist attractions have been struggling to survive in these difficult times. When our group members heard about the urgent fundraising appeal for the Societies’ Celebrating 175 campaign, we decided we wanted to do what we could to help.” The group of socially distanced Anglo Saxons braved the heat to take to the trails of the nature reserve, dressed in full authentic Anglo Saxon clothing, including footwear, with several members marching in full combat gear including helmets, shields and an extra 18kg of maille shirts. Jen added: ‘It was a warm morning and the hills were definitely hard work, especially for the guys in amour and with shields, but we were rewarded with stunning views at the top, pausing for a well- deserved rest on the Devil’s Hump ancient burial mounds. We are thrilled to have raised over £500 so far for struggling local heritage sites, and we hope to raise even more money with our second and final sponsored hike in August.” You can donate to the cause by visiting https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/herigeashundaswalk/ and https://sussexpast.co.uk/please-donate-now.