www.focusonuk.co.uk

A famous son of Wantage, King Alfred the Great, stars in a year long exhibition
to be opened at the Vale & Downland Museum on Friday 9th October by Phil
Harding of Channel 4’s time Team

Alfred the Great: Warrior, Visionary, Leader, is an exhibition which celebrates the life
and times of the famous King of Wessex and his association with the town of his birth.
The exhibition was originally displayed in the Winchester Discovery Centre and has now
been reassembled with new displays and new objects. It tells the story of Alfred’s epic
struggle with Viking invaders, the transformation of his army into an effective fighting
force and his legacy of culture, learning and craftsmanship. With a grant from
Renaissance South East, the museum’s curator, Ruth Howard, has created a display
especially for the Wantage area. It brings together archaeological finds such as Anglo-
Saxon jewellery, weapons, ceramics and objects from everyday life from the Vale of the
White Horse and beyond. The exhibition gives valuable insight into the lives of the local
population in the ninth century.
Ruth Howard says, “Many of us walk or drive past King Alfred’s statue every day, but do
we ever stop to look at him and wonder why his monument is in the square? This
exhibition gives everyone an opportunity to discover more about this remarkable
monarch and celebrate the fact that he was born here. After the publicity the town
received earlier this year, it is great to see the’ Wantage Rejuvenated’ campaign gaining
such momentum. This exhibition is the museum’s contribution to this movement. By
telling the story of how Wessex was rejuvenated over a thousand years ago by an
extraordinary leader, we hope to attract more tourists into the town.”
Ruth and her volunteer assistants, Sheila Powell and Genevieve Ruse have been
researching and planning the exhibition for over a year. The opening is possible through
the generous sponsorship of David Wilson Homes.
A programme of talks and family activities is now being developed. Details will be
unveiled later in the year.

Vale and Downland Museum website