The Forestry Commission and the Friends of Thynghowe are joining forces to learn more about an ancient meeting place called Thynghowe, which was discovered in the forest three years ago.

Rainworth residents Lynda Mallett, Stuart Reddish and John Wood discovered the mound-like feature with the help of a document dating back to 1816.

The trio were surprised to find that the hill still existed along with historic boundary stones and their research also suggests that it may once have marked the boundary between the Anglo Saxon kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria.

Forestry Commission ranger Andrew Norman said: "Our forests in Nottinghamshire contain many historic sites, but it's down to the efforts of local people that Thynghowe has re-emerged from the shadows."

Involvement

The Friends of Thynghowe group was formed after the find to investigate the site's history and encourage wider community appreciation and involvement.

Al Oswald, an archaeological investigator with English Heritage, recently inspected the site and says the discovery is a national rarity.

"The site had vanished from modern maps and was essentially lost to history until local people made their discoveries," he said.

'Disputes'

"There are only a handful of such sites surviving in the British Isles in places like Orkney and the Lake District.

"Basically, Thynghowe was a place where people came to resolve disputes and settle issues — quite literally where people came to talk about things.

Lynda Mallett said: "Our research has shown it really is a window into the past of Sherwood Forest and there is probably much more to be discovered."

People can tread in ancient footsteps and visit Thynghowe as part of a walk re-tracing the so called Warsop Boundary Perambulation on Saturday, meeting at 10am at Budby Pumping Station. Booking is essential on Mansfield 822447.

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