Council for British Archaeology Announce Shortlist for the Marsh Community Archaeology Awards
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) and Marsh Charitable Trust have announced the shortlist for the Marsh Community Archaeology Awards.
The awards showcase excellence in archaeology, celebrating the passion and dedication of individuals and the outstanding contribution of archaeology projects which create social, cultural and environmental benefit.
The awards have four categories:
- Community Archaeologist of the Year
- Community Archaeology Project of the Year
- Young Archaeologist of the Year
- Youth Engagement Project of the Year.
After a successful nomination process, that saw a whole host of inspirational projects and individuals highlighted for their achievements, the shortlist has been finalised.
The shortlist is as follows:
Community Archaeologist of the Year Award
Andrew Mayfield
Andrew is a Community Archaeologist with the Royal Parks in Greenwich and committed to sharing his passion for and knowledge of archaeology with others. Outside of work Andrew commits his time to supporting voluntary archaeology groups including Shorne Woods Archaeology Group, Young Archaeologists' Club and the Enabled Archaeology Foundation.
Cat Lodge
Cat Lodge is a county archaeologist in North Somerset and active supporter of archaeology in the local area including the Rusty Club Young Archaeologists' Club. Cat also works with a local museum to deliver activities, including throughout the recent pandemic and helped to develop Know Your Place a digital mapping website highlighting the local heritage of the west of England.
Ian Grant
Ian Grant is a Senior Archaeologist with Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust and leads community focused fieldwork teaching people of all ages. Ian also leads Cwmwd Iâl, a medieval reenactment group, bringing the past to life and engaging the wider public in Welsh heritage.
Kevin Mounsey
Kevin Mounsey has worked as an archaeologist in the North West for over 20 years. Despite retiring, Kevin continues to fill his time with archaeology, supporting a number of community projects such as the community excavation of Carlisle Cricket Club where he shared his passion and skills with over 300 volunteers.
Community Archaeology Project of the Year Award
Caistor Roman Project
Caistor Roman Project is a well-established community archaeology group researching the area in and around the Roman town of Venta Icenorum at Caistor St Edmund, Norfolk. The group enable a wide range of people to participate in their work offering training and support, including partnerships with Operation Nightingale and the British Legion.
Main project website: https://caistorromanproject.org/
2021 Excavation blog https://templefield2021.wordpress.com/
Caught in a Tudor Web
Caught in a Tudor Web is a project led by volunteers at the Colchester YCA and supported by Colchester Castle Museum and Roman Circus House. Members of Colchester YAC researched the experiences of protestants in Essex during the Tudor period working with graphic designers to turn their research into a leaflet and heritage trail for the community.
Blog: https://yacpandemic.blogspot.com/2022/02/a-from-ordinary-to-extraordinary-story.html
Uncovering Roman Carlisle
Uncovering Roman Carlisle was a community excavation which centred around the site of a Roman bathhouse and provide a unique opportunity for residents to connect with the Roman history of the city. The project provided skills training, improved wellbeing, particularly through the pandemic, and helped participants discover more about the place they live.
Uncovering Roman Carlisle is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and led by a partnership between Carlisle Cricket Club, Wardell Armstrong LLP, Carlisle City Council and Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery.
Twitter Accounts:
Wardell Armstrong @WA_LLP, Carlisle City Council @CarlisleCC, Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery @TullieHouse, Carlisle Cricket Club @carlisle_cricke
Websites:
Uncovering Roman Carlisle | Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery,
Archaeology and Heritage Services in the UK | Wardell Armstrong (wardell-armstrong.com)
Young Archaeologist of the Year Award
Jack Goodchild
Jack has been interested in archaeology from a young age and enjoys exploring heritage sites around the UK and around the world. Jack is a YAC member and Cub Scout and recently achieved his archaeology badge.
Evan Pearce
Evan is a keen experimental archaeologist and has recently built his own Saxon house in the garden. Evan also enjoys digging and has been developing his skills on a number of excavations including a Saxon burial site and a medieval abbey.
Ben Dobson
Ben is a Young Leader at his local Beaver Scout Group and has been developing activities for and running the delivery of the Derbyshire Scouts Archaeology Badge for the club. Ben hopes to go on to study archaeology at university.
Youth Engagement Project of the Year Award
The Secret Life (and Death) of Pets
This project was co-created and delivered by members of Brighton YAC and saw them create an interactive map revealing the stories of the residents of Preston Manor’s late Victorian and Edwardian pet cemetery in Brighton.
Social media:
www.instagram.com/brightonyac/
The Stiances Archaeology Project
Newick Primary School’s annual archaeological project has been running since 2010 and has enabled students aged 4 to 11 to have a go at geophysics, excavation and other activities and learn about the history of their local area.
Old’s Cool Archaeology Project
A youth-led intergeneration archaeology project exploring the heritage of the coast and waterways of Leith, Scotland. Old’s Cool brought together helped young people develop skills in exploring and recording archaeology and enabled them to develop a range of creative outputs including a Top Trumps game and heritage walk.
Social media:
Citadel Youth Centre : Intergenerational Work
The Awards Ceremony
The winners of each category will be announced at the launch event of the CBA’s Festival of Archaeology taking place at Segedunum Roman Fort, Newcastle on Saturday 16th July.
After the ceremony we will be joined by Dr Chloe Duckworth for a talk exploring community archaeology.
The event will be live streamed via the CBA YouTube channel: click here.
There and Back Again: Falling Back in Love with British Archaeology
Blurb: I didn't mean to be an archaeologist. Growing up, I didn't even know it was an option, and even when I began a degree in the subject, I was mainly keen on travel. And travel I did, working on archaeological sites in Greece, Iran, Italy, and Spain. It was a privilege, and I never thought I'd look back. Until I did.
Community archaeology, via my role in The Great British Dig, made me fall in love again, with the wonderful diversity of British communities and British archaeology, and heck, even the somewhat less wonderful diversity of the British weather. And woven through all of that is a real engagement between paid archaeologists and those who undertake it in their spare time.
Some of the best archaeologists I have ever worked with were amateurs, or had come to the profession later in life. In talking about my own journey, I will also be talking about theirs: the people who have been so influential on my path. They are all different, but they are us: the eccentric, interesting collection of oddballs that make up archaeology.
I wouldn't change it for the world.
Find out how to join us on July 16th here:
