03 Jul 2026

Meet the Marsh Awards Shortlist 2026

Community Archaeologist of the Year

Tom Hicks

Tom with Love our Hillfort volunteers Alice, Frankie and Catherine during the team’s visit to the Scottish Crannog Centre in 2025 as part of Reconnecting Archaeology. Image credit: Vivian Paul Thomas

Richard “Dickie” Bennett

Dickie taking to other MOLA CiM team members copyright MOLA CiM

Jenny Addis

Jenny designs and delivers archaeology and heritage workshops in her local community which are aimed at breaking down barriers between archaeology & communities; something she is incredibly passionate about. These sessions are either free or low cost; an active choice Jenny has made to make archaeology accessible to everyone, including the most vulnerable in her community. Jenny also delivers archeology lectures in her local community, with a similar object in mind. To make archaeology as accessible as possible and provide a point of access for those that have an interest in their heritage and just need to be given a chance.

@addisarchaeology @leapinghareheritage

Tom Hicks

Tom’s ten-year journey from inexperienced volunteer to community archaeologist for the award-winning CAER Heritage project (CAER) is inspirational. In recent years, Tom has trained and supported 700 local volunteers over five community excavations, overseen the establishment of a CAER youth forum for local young people, delivered 20 interactive school visits to 600 local pupils engaging them with archaeology and ancient crafts, organized 5 heritage trips for local volunteers who rarely get such opportunities, facilitated community participation on the CBA’s UK-wide Reconnecting Archaeology project, inspired/supported 5 non-traditional adult learners onto archaeology degrees and introduced countless community members to archaeological wonders beneath their feet.

CAER Heritage Web Page: https://www.caerheritage.org

Action in Caerau and Ely Web Page: https://www.aceplace.org/caer-heritage-project/

CAER Heritage Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CAERHeritage

CAER Heritage Podcast series: https://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/caer-heritage-podcast

Dickie Bennett

Dickie has made a sustained and demonstrable contribution to community archaeology in the UK over the past three years, working across professional, voluntary, and research contexts to broaden participation, strengthen skills development, and improve the inclusivity and impact of community-led projects. Dickie has consistently inspired others to engage with archaeology through his work with veteran communities, particularly through initiatives such as Operation Nightingale and Breaking Ground Heritage.

www.linkedin.com/in/dickie-bennett-999785261

Community Archaeology Project of the Year

Broadfield Park Slopes Restoration Project

Local people excavating a post-medieval dwelling on the Broadfield Park Slopes during the Rochdale Big Dig 3.0 Credit: Rochdale Development Agency

Farm Green Dig Project

Filming Day for Brighton YAC presenting discoveries after post-excavation and analysis. Photo credit: F Thompson

Vikings for Scouts

Vikings for Scouts is a collaboration between the University of Nottingham’s Centre for the Study of the Viking Age (CSVA) and Derbyshire Scout Archaeology (DSA). From research-informed resource development and outreach training for adult volunteers, to exciting and interactive activities for Scouts, the project aims to inspire young people in the East Midlands to investigate how Viking period archaeology reveals the lasting impact of the Vikings on our towns and communities, and on our lives today.

DSA: https://www.derbyshirescouts.org/activity/archaeology

DSA FB: https://www.facebook.com/DerbyScoutArch

DSA Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@derbyshirescoutarchaeology

CSVA: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/csva/index.aspx

Farm Green Dig Project

The project explored a previously overlooked medieval and post-medieval farm complex hidden beneath a community park in Bevendean, one of Brighton’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods. In total, 732 individuals aged 3 to 93 engaged across the project. Led by Brighton Young Archaeologists’ Club (YAC) and delivered through a partnership with Brighton & Hove Archaeological Society (BHAS), and Bevendean History Group (BHG), it placed local people at the centre of uncovering their own history. This represents a significant shift in Sussex archaeology practice towards a co-created, community-led heritage model.

Brighton YAC Tiktok Facebook Instagram Twitter

Brighton & Hove Archaeological Society TikTok Facebook Instagram Twitter

Bevendean History Group Evaluation Report Interactive Map, Film and Blog

Archaeodiscovery – Impact Study and Blog

Broadfield Park Slopes

Starting in June 2025, the project has delivered a total of 22 archaeology work placements, completing 1094.5 volunteer hours, working with local university/college students and local people, providing skills development opportunities in excavation, community archaeology, map regression, finds cataloguing and display design, among others. All participants reported having gained new skills and increased confidence, as well as a large majority reporting that the placements have changed their thoughts/actions about heritage, particularly accessibility to careers.

@rochdale.creates
@heritagefunduk
@rochdalecouncil
@elderarchaeologycic
@rochdaletownhall

Join us online at 11am on Tuesday 28th July as we announce the winners of this year's Marsh Community Archaeology Awards.

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What are the Marsh Awards?

The Council for British Archaeology is delighted to partner with the Marsh Charitable Trust in delivering the Marsh Community Archaeology Awards. The Trust supports organisations and people who make a difference within the charity sector. We fully support the Trust's view that it is people who are at the heart of the charity sector and who voluntarily or professionally go above and beyond to make a difference.

The Marsh Community Archaeology Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of these people who are committed to social, cultural, and environmental causes.

The awards showcase excellence in archaeology, celebrating the passion and dedication of individuals and the outstanding contribution of archaeology projects that create social, cultural, and environmental benefit.

Who are the Marsh Charitable Trust?

Marsh Charitable Trust supports small charities and individuals working in social, cultural and environmental causes.

The Marsh Charitable Trust was founded in 1981 with the sum of £75,000 by its current Chairman, Mr Brian Marsh OBE. His aim was to create a sustainable way to give something back to society, by supporting the organisations and people who are making a difference, as best he could.

From the outset the Trust has aimed to create long-standing relationships with the organisations it supports and partners through both its principle areas of work; the Grants Programme and the Awards Scheme.

The Trust supports over 500 charities every year through the Grants Programme and gives around 100 different Awards to individuals and groups from across the charity sector, who make a difference to a cause that they believe in.

Meet the Marsh Awards Shortlist 2026