Suffolk Libraries is working with the National Trust’s Sutton Hoo to help host a series of roadshows which will take place over the next few months whilst the world-famous site is closed for major development work.

Sutton Hoo has now closed until Spring 2019 as work gets underway on a £4 million Heritage Lottery funded project to transform the site called ‘Releasing the Sutton Hoo Story’.

To ensure that people can continue discovering the story of the Anglo-Saxons who buried their king in Suffolk, the Sutton Hoo team will be embarking on an ambitious roadshow that will see them visiting libraries, schools, supermarkets and other venues around the county. The roadshows will include a chance to see the stunning replica artefacts including the famous Sutton Hoo helmet, buckle and shoulder clasp, there will also be activities for children and expert talks about both the site’s fascinating history and its exciting future.

James Powell, spokesman for Suffolk Libraries said: “We’re really excited to be hosting these roadshows in our libraries. It’s a fantastic idea to bring the treasures of one of the county’s most significant historic sites out to the community whilst the site is closed and the team at Sutton Hoo have a range of engaging activities planned which I’m sure will be very popular.”

Allison Girling, property operations manager for Sutton Hoo said: “Closing the site for the work to take place is an essential, so we decided that if visitors can’t go to Sutton Hoo, then Sutton Hoo will go to them. As well as an unusual way to meet the team and discover more about the Sutton Hoo story, it’s also a rare opportunity to see some of our exhibition items up close, ask questions and imagine what life must have been life for a Suffolk king in Anglo-Saxon times.”

There will be several library roadshows from October to March 2019. The full details of library roadshows confirmed so far is:

Saturday 20 October –  Bury St Edmunds Library, with children’s activities from 10.30am to 2.30pm and a talk for adults at 11am.

Tuesday 23 October – Glemsford Library – activities for children from 10.30am to 1pm.

Tuesday 23 October – Lavenham Library, with children’s activities from 10.30am to 12.30pm and a talk for adults at 2.30pm.

Wednesday 24 October – Long Melford Library, with children’s activities from 10.30am to 12.30pm with a talk for adults at 2.30pm

Wednesday 24 October – a talk for adults at Sudbury Library from 7.30pm.

Thursday 25 October – Beccles Library, from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

Thursday 25 October – Stella Peskett Millennium Hall (organised by Southwold Library), with children’s activities from 11am to 3pm.

Friday 26 October – Haverhill Library, with children’s activities from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

Saturday 27 October – Gainsborough Community Library, with children’s activities from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

Future dates, (with full details to be confirmed):

10 November – Clare Library

17 November – Ipswich County Library

24 November – Beccles Library

12 February 2019 – Beccles Library

13 February 2019 – Stowmarket Library

14 February 2019 – Newmarket Library

9 March 2019 – Aldeburgh Library

14 March 2019 – Debenham Library.

For more information about the Sutton Hoo development and other roadshow dates and venues, visit the National Trust website.

www.suffolklibraries.co.uk