We are excited to announce a series of community archaeological digs to uncover Charnwood Forest’s hidden histories.
Charnwood Forest Geopark will be working in partnership with the Professor Carenza Lewis (University of Lincoln and Time Team) and the University of Leicester’s Archaeological Services (ULAS) to offer the residents of four villages the chance to get their hands dirty and come face-to-face with the history beneath their feet!
These community digs are made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to the Charnwood Forest Landscape Partnership Scheme.
With the expert guidance of Professor Lewis and the ULAS archaeologists, the volunteers from Newtown Linford, Stanton-Under-Bardon, and Woodhouse & Woodhouse Eaves will dig up to 30 test pits in private gardens and public spaces across each of their respective villages. These test pits will reveal clues to help us better understand how each village, and Charnwood Forest as a whole, has evolved over the course of history.
The community digs will happen on the following dates:
Newtown Linford – Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May
Stanton-Under-Bardon – Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May
Woodhouse & Woodhouse Eaves – Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July
Each test pit will be just 1 metre square and no deeper than 1 metre. They’re carefully excavated layer by layer, and at the end of the weekend all soil is replaced and turf relaid — leaving your garden as it was beforehand. Previous digs in Rothley and Anstey uncovered fascinating finds like pottery and flint tools, revealing how those villages developed over time.
To find out more and to register your interest, local residents from each village are encouraged to attend one of the following Community Meetings:
Stanton-Under-Bardon – 7pm, Thursday 12th February, Stanton under Bardon Village Hall, 2 John Cole Crescent, LE67 9AE
Woodhouse & Woodhouse Eaves – 7pm, Monday 16th February, Woodhouse Community Hall, 207 Forest Road, Woodhouse, LE12 8TZ
Newtown Linford – 7:30pm, Wednesday 4th March, Newtown Linford Village Hall, Main Street, Newtown Linford, LE6 0AE
Unable to attend of have a question? Contact Joe Bartholomew (ULAS): jb792@leicester.ac.uk