River Don gets comic relief from youngsters

Doncaster youngsters are taking part in a project to bring the River Don area's past up to date in comic form.

Stone Age Supermen and Ice Age icons took illustrated form as youngsters aged between seven and 11 got together, crayons at the ready, at workshops at Conisbrough, Mexborough and Sprotbrough libraries to bring the past to life.

Their work will be published in February next year in the form of comic books and a graphic novel, which the youngsters will produce with Bunty illustrator Marvin Harding and manga artist Louise Ho.

"This is part of a programme called Discovering the Ancient Don Gorge, which aims to bring the archaeology of the Don Gorge to life," said Peter Robinson, of Doncaster Museum.

"There's a real wealth of history and archaeological remains down there, which isn't really that well known.

"Doing work on it in comic form makes it more relevant to youngsters - it's just a fun way of getting history across to kids. They also learn new skills as well.

"Of course they all do art at school, but seeing the work that Louise and Marvin do gives them an insight in using art in the real world, and actually making a living out of it."

The next event in the Discovering the Ancient Don Gorge programme is tomorrow when Conisbrough Castle will be plunged back into the Ice Age.

Visitors to the castle will be able to handle 8,000-year-old prehistoric artefacts, which have never before seen by the public.

The Ice Age will be recreated by actors, playing parts including a prehistoric hunter making tools from flint and bone, Iron Age warriors in dazzling combat displays and an Iron Age cook and metalsmith.

A prehistoric flint expert will be on hand at an 'Ask The Expert' stall and ancient artefacts found in the Don Gorge can be dropped in for identification and recording.

There will also be the chance to hear a talk about the archaeology of the Don Gorge and have a go at hands-on activities provided by guests from the Creswell Heritage Trust and the Portable Antiquities Scheme. Deputy Mayor of Doncaster Margaret Ward, chair of the Don Gorge Strategic Partnership, said: "This event at Conisbrough Castle will bring Doncaster's pre-history to life and engage the whole family.

"It's incredible to think about what the borough would have been like 8,000 years ago, and to get to handle objects left untouched or unseen for thousands of years."