Yet again the forecast was wrong, but this time not in our favour, as wet weather drifted across the site during the afternoon, but it did absolutely nothing to dampen spirits as remarkable progress kept everyone excited. Coldfair Primary came in the morning, together with the Rev Celia Cook who addressed the group and said modern and Anglo Saxon prayers for those buried at Barbers Point. With a strange mixture of ancient and modern things, the day was also marked by a very low level fly past by a WW2 Spitfire.
After lunch Sam Newton, the academic and TV presenter probably best known for his work on Saxon history and Sutton Hoo, came to see the latest finds - as he did in 2010. Today he re-emphasised how significant our site has become for the study of early Christian Saxon burials, and closely examined the child's grave where the bronze 'coin' was found.
At the end of the day Jezz Meredith took everyone for a site tour, reviewing the progress and outlook for each section, and threading together the whole project ready for the open day on Sunday. Weather permitting, all should be in place for a great experience for members of the public willing to walk from the car park!
After lunch Sam Newton, the academic and TV presenter probably best known for his work on Saxon history and Sutton Hoo, came to see the latest finds - as he did in 2010. Today he re-emphasised how significant our site has become for the study of early Christian Saxon burials, and closely examined the child's grave where the bronze 'coin' was found.
At the end of the day Jezz Meredith took everyone for a site tour, reviewing the progress and outlook for each section, and threading together the whole project ready for the open day on Sunday. Weather permitting, all should be in place for a great experience for members of the public willing to walk from the car park!
We end the week with a tribute to Colin Fletcher (left) and Tim Haxwell (with the rucksack) who have together made such a magnificent job of setting up the schools visits. Colin is a retired teacher, and has organised the visits for all 3 digs at Barbers Point. He's not sure whether mattocking open the hard ground is more or less straining on the constitution, but is well pleased with how things have turned out this year. All the schools have been positive, and two in particular have been outstanding with their preparatory work. Tim is a retired head teacher, helping Colin for the first time, and has never been involved with archaeology before. He is particularly impressed with the collaboration between professionals and volunteers on this project, and the free sharing of ideas or information. For the school visits he is delighted with the children being given real archaeology to do, and commends the open, direct and honest answers given to all their questions.
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