IT has been centuries since the Saxons last visited this part of Hampshire, but the Friends of Corhampton Church were eager for their heritage to be passed on to this group of local youngsters.

Armed with shields, swords and spears, the group brought the Saxons back for a day to teach 80 children from Meonstoke Infant School about the ancient Saxon church.

The children rang the church bells, examined Saxon artefacts, dressed in period costumes, listened to Saxon English, sketched the church and saw the 1,000-year- old yew tree in the graveyard.

They also watched a puppet re-enactment, by the local amateur dramatic society, the Riverside Players, of the scenes painted on the walls of the church.

The learning day is part of a programme developed by the Friends to increase awareness and interest in the cultural and religious history of the Meon Valley, of which Corhampton’s ancient Saxon church is an icon.

The Meon Valley is named after the Meonwara tribe who were part of the Anglo-Saxon invasion in the fifth and sixth centuries.