Urgent CLASP field centre appeal!

CLASP has unfortunately been told that it must leave its Nether Heyford field centre during the next nine months owing to the business situation of its landlord.

This field centre serves as our working base and archaeological archive store. Having this facility has provided us with a focal point for our members, the majority who come from the local area, to meet and work all through the year. Many of our members are elderly and find this activity an important part of their life, something they can ill – afford to lose.

There is therefore an urgent need to locate alternative premises in the locality, somewhere in the range of no more than ten to fifteen miles from Weedon but ideally less.

Ideally we require a secure building of not less than 100 sq metre to lease for a minimum of three years. Hopefully it would have electricity, water and access to a toilet, together with outside space to stand a small container.

We could pay a small rental but as we are a registered charity there might be wider benefits to the property owner.

Whilst the building would be a permanent store, the use of the building by our members would probably be constrained to a couple of days a week – for archaeological conservation, computerisation and meetings.

If you have suitable premises that could be offered to us please contact us via email at chair_trustees@claspweb.org.uk or Chair OrganisingCommittee@claspweb.org.uk

D F Hayward MBE
Chair of Trustees
June 2020

CLASP brings local archaeology enthusiasts together to investigate their local past.

Our members, all volunteers, are technically led by our professionally qualified Archaeological Director, himself a volunteer. Members are encouraged and enabled to learn skills for themselves, both formally and ‘in the field’, to become confident and self-sufficient in all aspects of archaeological investigation.

CLASP also provides talks and lectures as part of its commitment to encouraging local communities to ‘own’ their archaeological heritage.

For full information and membership details, visit the website: https://claspweb.org.uk/

Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/CLASPWEB/

Whitehall Farm Roman Villa Project – Nether Heyford
A community archaeology project based at Nether Heyford in Northamptonshire, UK. A team of professional archaeologists, students and volunteers has been working since 2000 to uncover the rich history of a beautiful corner of the English countryside.

https://claspweb.org.uk/WHITEHALL/index.html

Local People – Local Past
A study of 11 Roman settlements in seven parishes of West Northamptonshire including Nether Heyford and Upper Heyford.

https://claspweb.org.uk/LOCAL/index.html

Nether Heyford graves of girl and soldier could shed light on Dark Ages (BBC News)
Two graves found in Northamptonshire could shed light on ordinary people’s lives after the Romans left Britain. The graves, near a Roman villa at Nether Heyford, contain a girl and an armed man buried in the Dark Ages. They were discovered by metal detector experts working with the Community Landscape And Survey Project (CLASP)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-34294421

New home needed by Northamptonshire volunteer archaeology charity (Northampton Chronicle & Echo)
https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/people/new-home-needed-northamptonshire-volunteer-archaeology-charity-after-shocking-eviction-notice-2884890