The Marsh Community Archaeology 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.
Learn more about the Marsh Charitable Trust
The Foundation
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 principal areas of work; the Grants Programme and the Awards Scheme.
The Trust supports around 350 charities every year through the Grants Programme and gives around 80 different Awards to individuals and groups from across the charity sector, who make a difference to a cause that they believe in.
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.
Shortlisted nominees will be invited to attend an in-person awards ceremony during the closing weekend of the 2023 Festival of Archaeology on Saturday 29th July.

The Awards have 4 categories...
- Community Archaeologist of the Year - This award recognises an individual volunteer or professional who is going above and beyond their role to contribute to community archaeology. The winner will be awarded £250 to support their future work.
- Community Archaeology Project of the Year - This award recognises and promotes the results of research and/or fieldwork led by community groups which have made a substantial contribution to knowledge and wellbeing. The winner will be awarded £1000 to support future projects.
- Young Archaeologist of the Year – This award is for a young person under the age of 18 who has made an outstanding contribution to community archaeology or a youth engagement project. The winner will be awarded £250 to support their future work.
- Youth Engagement Project of the Year – This award is for a project that has made an outstanding contribution to archaeology and youth engagement, ensuring that the participation of young people was central to the delivery of the work. The winner will be awarded £1000 to support future projects.
How to apply
Deadline for nominations is 12.00 Noon, Monday June 19th 2023
Before applying please read the guidance document for the award you wish to submit a nomination for. The guidance sets out:
- eligibility
- how the award will be judged
- the criteria which it will be judged against (including useful examples and things to think about)
- how to submit online
- it also provides an overview of the questions and material you will need to complete the online nomination form
The nomination forms are digital. However, if you require a large print text version please email [email protected]
Nomination Forms and Guidance
Community Archaeologist of the Year 2023
Community Archaeologist of the Year 2023 Guidance and Nomination Form
This award recognises an individual volunteer or professional who is going above and beyond their role to contribute to community archaeology. The winner will be awarded £250 to support their future work.
If you have any questions or concerns please email [email protected]
Community Archaeology Project of the Year 2023
Community Archaeology Project of the Year 2023 Guidance and Nomination Form
This award recognises and promotes the results of research and/or fieldwork led by community groups which have made a substantial contribution to knowledge and wellbeing. The winner will be awarded £1000 to support future projects.
If you have any questions or concerns please email [email protected]
Young Archaeologist of the Year 2023
Young Archaeologist of the Year 2023 Guidance and Nomination Form
This award is for a young person under the age of 18 who has made an outstanding contribution to community archaeology or a youth engagement project. The winner will be awarded £250 to support their future work.
If you have any questions or concerns please email [email protected]
Youth Engagement Project of the Year 2023
Youth Engagement Project of the Year 2023 Guidance and Nomination Form
This award is for a project that has made an outstanding contribution to archaeology and youth engagement, ensuring that the participation of young people was central to the delivery of the work. The winner will be awarded £1000 to support future projects.
If you have any questions or concerns please email [email protected]
Looking for a bit of inspiration? Take a look at our 2022 winners.


The 2022 Community Archaeologist of the year was........

Andrew Mayfield
Andrew is a Community Archaeologist with the Royal Parks in Greenwich and Kent County Council, 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.
You can watch a clip of Andrew as he finds out he has won the award below.

The 2022 Community Archaeology Project of the Year was .......
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)

The 2022 Young Archaeologist of the Year was......

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.
Jacks three big passions at the moment,which are the Incas, Mayans and World War 2. He loves the variety that the past has to offer and how amazing the diversity is.

The 2022 Youth Engagement Project of the Year was.....
The Stiances Archaeology Project

Newick Primary School’s annual archaeological project has been running since 2010. It has enabled students aged 4 to 11 to have a go at geophysics, excavation and other activities. It has also supported them to learn about the history of their local area. The project is also supported by teachers, parents and the wider local community.
Work in 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019 revealed an assortment of post-medieval finds at the ‘Cottage Site’ including pottery dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries, a significant group of clay pipes, large quantities of brick and tile from the fabric of the cottage itself and an assortment of other domestic artefacts. Test-pitting of other areas of the field has recovered evidence of medieval activity focussed on a number of potential house platforms, and the more unexpected discovery of a scatter of Mesolithic flintwork. Other activities undertaken in the field include site reconnaissance, examination of historic maps, finds identification and plenty of finds washing.