Meet the Team
Executive Team
Dr Claire Corkill
Growing up on the Isle of Man meant I was introduced to archaeology at pretty young age. You couldn’t really avoid passing an archaeological site on our family Sunday afternoon walks and with my dad and grandad both passionate about Manx heritage I guess the direction my career would take was pretty inevitable.
My first digging experience was at 16, volunteering at an excavation at Billown run by Bournemouth University before heading to the University of York where I got my degree in archaeology. I then returned to the Isle of Man to do an MA in Manx Studies while working as a research assistant at the Centre for Manx Studies, a small multi-disciplinary research unit that was part of Liverpool University. Working with an incredible team of volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds was one of the highlights of this role along with the opportunities to work with collaborate with researchers from across Europe studying a diverse range of subjects covering everything from traditional music to sustainable geotextiles.
I returned to York to do a PhD looking at the archaeology of First World War internment before starting work at the CBA. Since 2019 I have been project managing the Festival of Archaeology. I also support the network of CBA Groups across England and Wales and work on developing new projects and other CBA led events such as the Archaeological Achievement Awards. Alongside my work I occasionally still dip my toe in academic waters with research on more contemporary archaeology such as the Isle of Man TT races and the evolution of sites associated with fairies and folklore.
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Conservation, Advocacy, and Engagement
Debbie Frearson
I have been part of community archaeology both as a professional and volunteer since I became involved in heritage about 20 years ago. Prior to this I was a Corporate PA. I was renovating a house with an 1888 datestone when I came across an old railway map dated 1838 which had my property on it. This coincided with a local college leaflet arriving advertising GCSE archaeology, how to use archives and investigate your property and that was it… I was hooked. I went on to take a BA in Archaeology and Landscape History as a mature student, followed by a Masters in Archaeology which I finished in 2016.
During the degree other students went abroad for placement but I had a young family so started volunteering at Rutland County Museum cataloguing their archaeology store, and also started an after-school club. I volunteered with the CBA East Midlands group and organised their events programme. As part of the University of Leicester Archaeology outreach team I organised school and community events alongside training students in public engagement. Each of these included taking part in the Festival of Archaeology and offering events.
I still have a strong volunteering commitment I have been the Leicestershire Young Archaeologists’ Club joint leader, Secretary of Hallaton Fieldwork Group and still am the Chair of the Rutland Local History Society. More recently I have been involved in community group training, developing and delivering a project with CBA East Midlands, which recently won a Commendation from the Archaeology Training Forum.
For me, the Festival embodies everything I love about archaeology. It is all about grass roots organisations and individuals showcasing what they are passionate about and are actively doing, alongside the professional and commercial organisations showcasing their skills. It is a window into archaeology for the world to look through and enjoy as a one off or through continued participation as a new or seasoned follower.
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Jim Butler
My background is in museums and heritage learning and events, managing learning services for Leicester Museums, York Museums Trust and the Holocaust Centre North. In 2015, I organised and led all the University of Leicester’s public-facing activities for the reinterment of Richard III, including schools’ programmes, open days, and the Departure Ceremony, which was watched by a global audience of millions.
Although not a trained archaeologist, my passion for archaeology goes back to my childhood when my mum would take me into Leicester’s Jewry Wall Museum and Roman Bath site on our weekly trips into town to do the family food shop. Since then, I have been fascinated with archaeology and history, especially that of my hometown of Leicester. During the Covid lockdowns of 2020 I began a YouTube channel called Hidden Histories of Leicester, which explores the city’s over 2,000 year history through its rich archaeology and, in 2021, the channel was even shortlisted for a CBA Archaeological Achievement Award.
As well as developing and managing large-scale events, like the launch and finale of the Festival of Archaeology, I lead guided walks and cycle-rides of historic Leicester, work with community groups to help engage audiences with local history and heritage through exhibitions and events, and am the Honorary Secretary of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society.
I’m so excited to be working with the awesome CBA team on yet another Festival of Archaeology. As ever, the 2023 Festival is already getting jam-packed full of hands-on, engaging, fascinating and fun events for all ages! What’s even better is that it’s clear that event organisers have embraced this year’s theme of ‘Archaeology and Creativity’, which I think will really capture our diverse audiences’ imaginations. Hope to see you out and about at one of this year’s festival events in July!
- Email:
- [email protected]
Membership
Communications and Publications
Ella Bailey
I've loved heritage for as long as I can remember - I was extremely lucky to have been able to have a childhood shaped by visits to historic houses and museums, and this led me to study History, and then Museum and Artefact Studies, at University. My other love is writing, and storytelling, and bringing these two loves together led to me on a path to working in heritage marketing, and eventually, looking after comms and marketing activity for the CBA!
I'm extremely passionate about the role that marketing can play in getting people involved in archaeology and heritage, and the activity I undertake for The Festival of Archaeology really brings together everything I enjoy. It such an unique opportunity to reach a wide audience and allow them to take part archaeology through different mediums, to bring organisations together to support each other, and to champion event organisers. Telling the "story" of each Festival and its events is such a satisfying experience, and allows me to flex my creativity in so many different ways. Best of all, I get to be part of the action and enjoy events and activities myself, and see the results of all my hard work.
I'm so honoured to be part of the Festival of Archaeology, and I hope it inspires you the way that it does me!
- Email:
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