Over 60 people attended a recent day school which provided a unique opportunity to learn about Wilmslow's most important historical and archeological site.
'Lindow Moss: Origins and Future Prospects' was organised by Transition Wilmslow who are calling for urgent action to be taken to preserve and restore Lindow Moss and provide a fitting memorial to Lindow Man.
Local residents and students from the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University were absorbed by contributions from a range of experts including Rick Turner, the former Cheshire County Council Archaeologist who found Lindow Man at the site 30 years ago.
There was a special guest keeping watch over proceedings in the form of a reconstructed bronze head of Lindow Man which was kindly loaned for the day.
Presentations covered the evolution and history of Lindow Moss and the processes that could be used to restore the area which is currently used for peat extraction. Several speakers underlined why the restoration of this historic, ecologically important local asset is now critical.
During lunch attendees were able to explore exhibitions by local groups including a display from Wilmslow Library on local maps, books and other reference material; and experience, firsthand, investigative techniques such as peat coring, and pollen analysis.
Jean Hill from Transition Wilmslow said: "Rick Turner, in an inspirational and amusing talk, recounted his involvement in the discovery of Lindow Man from his first telephone call from a local newspaper reporter through to his work with the British Museum on the exhumation, examination and preservation of his body. He reminded us of the local and wider significance of Lindow Man. It was an archaeological discovery of international significance, with some of the forensic techniques used to investigate him now evident in CSI Miami and Silent Witness! In his concluding comments Rick made an impassioned plea for Lindow Moss to be returned to an area that Lindow Man would recognise."
Professor John Handley from Transition Wilmslow who chaired the day school said: "We are indebted to the speakers and presenters who have shared their knowledge and experience on the processes required to conserve and restore Lindow Moss; its ecological importance both locally and as part of a wider network of mosses in the North West; and the contribution made by peatlands such as Lindow Moss to reduce our future carbon emissions.
"Together with our workshop in April this year with government agencies and local residents, the outcome from today will further strengthen the case for the restoration of Lindow Moss and increase the momentum that is now growing to protect this local asset."
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