Volunteers at Mansfield Woodhouse Heritage Link are working on a mosaic project as part of their plans to mark what would have been the 300th birthday of Major Hayman Rooke.

After retiring from the Royal Artillery around 1780, Major Rooke lived in Mansfield Woodhouse and discovered the remains of a Roman villa nearby.

His discoveries included the mosaic in the photograph and now the volunteers aim to recreate the piece.

Their work has been supported by Mansfield MP and Nottinghamshire County Council leader, Ben Bradley, who has donated £400 to the mosaic project from his Councillors Divisional Fund.

He said: “They are a fabulous group of volunteers and I’m really grateful for all the work they’re doing to fundraise, explore our heritage, and draw the community in.”

Ben, who visited Mansfield Woodhouse Library to learn more about the project and the work of the heritage link, is pictured with some of the volunteers.

Major Rooke is the reason that the Major Oak has its title. He wrote extensively about Sherwood Forest, and it is thought he often stopped to rest and write under the branches of the large tree, then known as the Queen Oak.

It was then renamed Major Oak in tribute to the iconic Major Rooke, who was well known for his love of natural history and meteorology.