In its 7th year, the Nottinghamshire Festival of History and Archaeology has become a popular and exciting date each summer in our calendars. This year, the festival will take place digitally with a series of talks, activities and a selection of blogs about recent research and local groups, suitable for all ages.
Dr Clare Pickersgill, Keeper of the University of Nottingham Museum reflects on the journey of the past years in the lead up of our online event on Saturday 20 June.
The festival was initiated to showcase the work of community groups and societies involved in local projects. The aims were to bring as many groups together, as possible, to highlight the amazing work taking place in the city and county; to give a platform to community groups to show their work and make it accessible to everyone; and to enable different community groups to meet each other.
However, so much more has come from the event. People have joined excavations and community projects for the first time and societies have shared resources and knowledge with other community groups and schools.
In total 59 different community groups have participated, since the start, of which 30 – 40 join us each year. The event continues to expand and includes archaeological units, museums, heritage organisations and universities. There are also experimental archaeologists, reenactors, musicians, storytellers and craftmakers.
This year, due to covid-19, we are moving the event online following an open invite for groups and organisations to participate. I am grateful to the groups and organisations who have contributed at this difficult time. This will introduce some of the work that takes place. Thank you also to Michelle Johnson who has organised bringing the festival together this year.
I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who takes part and joins us each year and I hope that next year we can welcome back both old friends and new community groups.
Moving forward we want to continue to increase the number of community groups joining us and ensure that the festival reflects the diversity of people and histories in the region. We would welcome people getting in touch – my email adress is Clare.Pickersgill@nottingham.ac.uk
Top photo: Looking at Samian Roman pottery with Dr Gwladys Monteil
This year's festival will take place online for the very first time.
We invite you to enjoy talks, read about local groups and recent historical and archaeological projects, or engage with a fun activity for children on Saturday 20 June.
Check the festival page to join in the fun!
