Tuesday 30 July 2013

Aftermath!!!!!

To say that I've had a busy week....and it's only Tuesday, is an understatement!!! 

Sunday's launch has produced a massive interest in the workshops, the first of which is this weekend.
The 2 topics to be covered are Project Design and Desk-based Assessment. There are still spaces left for the Project design if anyone is interested. Just post and I'll get back to you. 

We've already filled some of the workshops, namely the Roman Pottery and Roman Small Finds so I'm afraid we've had to disappoint a handful of people. Sorry about that. There will be other opportunities to handle and process the finds. For me that's the best bit (or one of them) to know that when you picked it out of the ground, the last person to have touched it was just short of 2000 years ago! How amazing is that?

We've had some great feedback from Sunday's launch, least of all from Steve Deeming who brought to show us some lovely Roman finds that he's picked up on his farm. All good stuff. We will just have to see what there is out there over the course of the project. 

Just a reminder of all those wonderful organisations helping us: 

Main Sponsors

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 Thank You

Monday 29 July 2013

The Launch

Well all those sleepless nights and all that hard work finally paid off on Sunday 28th July at 13.30 when people started to arrive. Before we knew it, the place was heaving and people were stuck in the lobby, unable to get into the hall..

But let me start at the beginning.

We arrived at 11ish, unloaded the cars and started to set-up. Tools were downed as the kettle went on for a nice brew and then before we knew it, it was 2pm and time to start the afternoon's proceedings!

I started with a welcome speech, giving some of the newcomers a bit of background history of the site, why we were here, what we were going to do etc. After thanking the committee for all their hard work, HLF for believing in us and granting us the funds, AOC for coming on board to help us achieve our goal, and Heart of England Community Fund, CBA Challenge Funding and Peugeot for sponsoring us, I handed over to Kev to introduce our 2 guests: Margaret Rylatt MBE and Dr. Kevin Leahy from the Portable Antiquities Scheme, both of which happen to be our Vice-presidents.



 Both gave a brief speech which enthused everyone and this was followed by a joint presentation from Kevin (vice-chair) and Paul Mason (AOC). This was then followed by the cutting of the official BAIT launch cake by Thelma Gee, who started all this malarkey back in the 90's.


The cake went down very well, although I did have to take some to work the following day to finish it off!

The rest of the afternoon was a bit of a blur as I tried to get to see as many of the people who turned up as I could. Then before I knew it, it was 4pm. People drifted off, and the hard work of dismantling started, although I have to say it didn't take that long. My lounge looks like a tip at the moment but it was all in a good cause.

Thanks to everyone who turned up. I hope you all had a good afternoon.


Monday 22 July 2013

Not long now

Quite frankly I'm terrified  that no one will turn up Sunday, but I'm sure my fears are unfounded. Even now we have a large volunteer base - approx 40 - and we're looking
forward to meeting as many of you as  possible on Sunday at the launch.

So, what can you expect? Well, arrive for 2pm and you'll find out, but I can promise you 
cake!!!! There will be a chance to look at some of the finds already un-earthed since the site was discovered back in the early 90's.There will be lots for the children to do, and a chance to meet a real live Roman family.

I've just turned on the news to see that Kate has had her baby and I'm sure you will join me in wishing Kate, William and their new son all the very best for the future.


Monday 15 July 2013

And so it starts!!!!!

....well not quite, but in a few weeks. I cannot believe how much work there is still to do. Thank goodness for my trusty committee who are busy beavering away in the background.

We've sent the finds from previous field walking to 2 specialists: 1 to look at the pottery and another who will look at the small finds. The DBA (desk-based assessment) is also well underway. You will be meeting the people involved in this preliminary work during 1 or more of the workshops we have planned for you.

So, news to date.

Since AOC, and more specifically Paul Mason, have come on board, we have been busy sorting out dates'n'stuff for the various workshops and events. The first of which I can now announce as being . . . . . .  (ideally accompanied by a drum roll  . . . . ) 

The BAIT Launch

This will take place on Sunday 28th July between 2-4pm at the Broadwell Victory Hall. For those of you using SatNav, the nearest post code is CV23 8HD.

There will be a short "opening ceremony" to officially launch the project, followed by a brief presentation to let people know why we are running this project and what we have in store.

After this you have plenty of time to wander round to look at the displays. There will be a children's corner, Roman craft re-enactment and refreshments will be available, but more importantly it will give you the opportunity to talk to the people who are making this possible, CADAS and AOC, in partnership with......