The Vikings are back….but this time they’re here to help young people reduce their carbon footprint in a fun but educational workshop provided by the Big Heritage Team

Exploring the eco-friendly aspects of Viking life, children are shown how they too can ‘live like a Viking’ and even receive their own piece of Viking silver if they agree to sign the ecoViking pledge! A stunning full-sized Viking boat will also on display.

The centrepiece is a full-sized, 16ft-long oak and larch reproduction of a Viking boat, inspired by the recently discovered Ardnamurchan boat burial in Scotland. Handcrafted in traditional “clinker” style, the boat features an authentic Viking steer-board and sail. The boat is a great reminder of how the Vikings mastered the wind and waves to power their lifestyles – something that is now firmly on the UK’s green energy agenda.

Children are encouraged to pledge to change one aspect of their behaviour, from turning off lights to walking to school. Encouragement comes in the form of a “mean but green” ecoViking, who swaps pledges for gifts such as woollen bracelets and replica Viking pennies.

“EcoViking” (also known as Steve) is a Hiberno-Norse warrior who was cast out into the Irish Sea from Dublin in the 10th century and forced by the god Odin to drift for 1,000 years as punishment for stealing silver. He was offered a reprieve, however, when the gods agreed to return his loot in exchange for encouraging 21st-century Anglo-Saxons to change their polluting ways.

Archaeologist Dean Paton, who is managing director of Big Heritage, a social enterprise that uses British history and archaeology to tackle current social issues, has developed the idea.

For more information visit www.bigheritage.co.uk