Harthill with Woodall Archaeology Group

Following the success of the Community Dig that Milica Rajic from Wessex Archaeology North and myself spent 12 months planning I have founded the 'Harthill with Woodall Archaeology Group' along with the help and support of Ted Mullins (Chair); Andy Warren (Secretary); and Dawn Whittaker (Treasurer).

I had thought that there would be no interest in our Community Dig, but over the 3 week duration of the dig last summer, we had a total of 89 people (including children aged 3 to 16) come along and get involved. It was a great success and a lot of fun.

Half a dozen of us went on to help afterwards with the excavations at the Sheffield Castle site that Mili was in charge of with Wessex Archaeology North. You can view my photos of the Sheffield Castle dig HERE.

The Harthill with Woodall Archaeology Group has a Constitution, a management committee a bank account and approximately 60 members.

I have included a deer on the logo even though, through my own research, I know 'HERTIL' as it was written in the Domesday Book is actually Anglo-Saxon for "HARD" and has nothing whatsoever to do with deers. The Road from neighbouring Kiveton to Harthill is called HARD LANE, so someone was aware of this fact when the road was originally named.

Since the inception of the Group I have been talking to several sympathetic local landowners who share an interest in history and archaeology with a view to running another Community Dig next summer.

I have been looking at several interesting sites I have discovered over 33 years researching the history of Harthill. A couple of sites have already been earmarked, so watch this space for an announcement next year.

In the meantime we are applying for grants to fund next year's community dig.

Roll on 2019. :-)

If anyone would like to join the 'Harthill with Woodall Archaeology Group' please send an email with your name and postal address to: harthillarchaeologygroup@gmail.com for more details.

COMMUNITY DIG - Cuthbright Wood.