Unearthing Stories of Archaeological Discovery in Rockbourne and Damerham

Friday, 30 November 2012

Hampshire County Council will work with community partners to explore the unique discovery stories behind two significant archaeological sites in South West Hampshire, thanks to a grant of £8,800 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The Council's Arts and Museum Service together with the Rockbourne Community Partnership, will use grant funding from the All Our Stories scheme to bring to life the discovery and history of Rockbourne Roman Villa and the prehistoric complex in the neighbouring village of Damerham.

The Rockbourne Community Partnership of local heritage and learning interest groups, has been working together to enable more people to enjoy and discover Rockbourne Roman Villa. The grant programme aims to encourage people to become involved in their local heritage. Through funding and support, community groups are then able to carry out activities that help people explore, share and celebrate their local heritage.

The project will focus on discovering more about each of the sites and presenting the stories in a variety of ways. Plans include a group of local young people working with storytellers to creatively interpret the information collected by the research team made up of local volunteers, encouraging more local schools and groups to visit and explore the sites, and also increase the online archive of records and photographs of the findings.

During the project, which will see research and events run throughout 2013, Hampshire County Council will be working in partnership with the Damerham Archaeology Project, community organisation - FunQuest, Western Downland School and Fordingbridge Museum.

Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Keith Chapman, said: "Rockbourne Roman Villa and Damerham are two of Hampshire's richest archaeological sites. This project promises to involve the local community to reveal more about the history of the area, and educate others in a fun and engaging way."

Stuart McLeod, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund South East, said: "Clearly the success of All Our Stories has reinforced the fact that we are indeed a nation of story tellers and that we want to explore and dig deeper into our past and discover more about what really matters to us. This is exactly what the grant will do for the Rockbourne and Damerham Community Archaeology Project, as they embark on a real journey of discovery.

• Rockbourne Roman Villa

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