Meet the winners of the 2026 Marsh Community Archaeology Awards

Every year, the Marsh Community Archaeology Awards celebrate the people and projects opening up archaeology, sharing skills and helping communities explore the stories beneath their feet.

This year’s winners show just how much can grow when someone is given the opportunity to get involved. One began as a volunteer with little archaeological experience. The other brought together researchers, Scout leaders and young people to find new ways of exploring the Viking past.

We are delighted to introduce the winners of the 2026 Marsh Community Archaeology Awards: Tom Hicks and Vikings for Scouts.

Community Archaeologist of the Year: Tom Hicks

Ten years ago, Tom Hicks joined CAER Heritage as an inexperienced volunteer.

Since then, he has become a central part of a project that has helped people across Caerau and Ely in Cardiff discover, investigate and take ownership of their local heritage.

When we caught up with Tom in Wales, we asked him to reflect on that journey. What he did not know was that we also had some rather important news to share: he had been named the 2026 Marsh Community Archaeologist of the Year.

Tom’s own story demonstrates what community archaeology can make possible. He was given an opportunity to take part, learn new skills and develop his interest. He now creates those same opportunities for hundreds of other people.

In recent years, Tom has trained and supported around 700 local volunteers across five community excavations. He has helped establish a youth forum, delivered interactive archaeology and ancient craft sessions for hundreds of pupils, organised heritage trips for local volunteers and supported adults from non-traditional routes into archaeology degrees.

Community Archaeology Project of the Year: Vikings for Scouts

Vikings for Scouts, a collaboration between the University of Nottingham’s Centre for the Study of the Viking Age and Derbyshire Scout Archaeology, has taken academic research beyond the university and turned it into something young people can pick up, investigate and experience for themselves.

Through hands-on activities, artefact handling, archaeological experiments and a new collection of Viking-themed resources, Scouts can explore what archaeology tells us about Viking life and the lasting influence of the Viking period on our towns, communities and lives today.

The project also supports the adults delivering those activities. By combining research-informed resources with outreach training for Scout volunteers, Vikings for Scouts has created a model that can continue reaching new groups of young people long after an individual event has finished.

 Congratulations to everyone at the Centre for the Study of the Viking Age, Derbyshire Scout Archaeology and all the volunteers and young people who have helped bring Vikings for Scouts to life.

We would also like to congratulate this year’s highly commended community archaeologists, Jenny Addis and Richard “Dickie” Bennett, and highly commended projects, the Farm Green Dig Project and Broadfield Park Slopes. 

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 

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

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