Year 5 were so lucky to have the opportunity to learn more about the fascinating history of Barking Abbey as they toured the ruins with local historian Simone, and about St Mary and St Ethelburga, the saints for whom the parish church is named. They were fascinated by the structure of the abbey and the use of all of the different rooms, one of which was kept warm just for drying clothes! The tour ended at the curfew tower, which rang it's bell until 1900, signalling for the townspeople that it was time to go home for the night. It was a really fantastic way to cement our knowledge of local history.