The Council for British Archaeology originated as a campaigning organisation, and advocacy on behalf of the historic environment is a key role of CBA North West. We work independently, as a member of the North West Historic Environment forum, and in partnership with  county archaeological curators, local societies and other amenity organisations.

We fight for all three stages of the 'archaeological cycle':

Protection: Once the past is gone, it's gone for ever. Most of our efforts are devoted to trying to ensure that the historic environment is properly valued in local and regional planning policies, that national guidelines and local expertise are taken account of; and that monuments, buildings and areas of local as well as national importance are recognised.

Investigation:  Without investigation our knowledge of the human past stagnates. History degenerates into myth-making - and not all myths are healthy ones! Members of the Group played a large and active role in formulating and publishing the regional archaeological research framework, and our journal Archaeology North West  sustains the momentum.

Appreciation: The visible remains of the past do much more than provide material for academic research: they enrich our lives aesthetically, emotionally and socially. They are a link to past people, events and ways of life; they provide sensory stimulation; and they provide a focus for collective memory. Our Spring meetings, hosted by local societies,  are held in places of historic interest in the region, and our newsletter contains snippets of local news and descriptions of walks of historical interest. We are also actively involved in promoting archaeology courses and events in the region, working with new and existing providers.