Iron Age men have been spotted in Parkend , holding hunting spears and axes. These survivors of the Silures tribe, which occupied Gwent and maybe the Forest before the coming of the Romans, were invading from the West Midlands – home of the Silures Society re-enactment group.

They were among those taking part in an action-packed archaeological open day presented by the Dean Archaeological Group (DAG). Originally founded in the Forest of Dean, the Silures Society still numbers two Foresters among its members – "and they brought the whole gang down," reports Dean Archaeological Group secretary Alf Webb, one of the organisers.

As well as welcoming locals to the show, Alf was playing host to 80 members of the Cambrian Archaeological Society. Staying at the Speech House and roundabout for the whole of last week, the Welsh archaeologists inspected the Beaver Hut exhibits before going on to explore St Briavels castle.

Demonstrating Iron Age pottery and cooking techniques were members of the Chepstow and Forest of Dean Young Archaeologists.

"A gentleman visiting was so intrigued he offered to make his factory facilities available to the youngsters to examine the pottery under a microscope," says Alf.

"People poured in during the evening," he adds.

"It was a long day for all those involved but a great success."