Our Community Archaeology Project is getting underway once again in the capable hands of Saltscape’s new project officer, Caroline Foster.
Caroline said, “I have worked for Groundwork for a year on a different project and have just had the pleasure of joining the Saltscape team to oversee the Local History and Archaeology side of things. We have lots of exciting events coming up for local history enthusiasts and for those who’ve always wanted to try their hand at a spot of archaeology.
We’re delighted that Dr Mike Nevell, Head of the University of Salford’s Archaeology Department will be running a series of special talks for Saltscape as a prelude to the next of our digs at the site of the old Ollershaw Lane Salt Works in Marston, (just up the road from the Lion Salt Works museum). Those of you who’ve been to one of Mike’s talks before will know just what a great speaker he is and how his talks can really breathe life into industrial history. The first of these talks will run on 16th March here at Groundwork’s offices in Northwich from 7-8.30pm, with another talk 2 weeks later on the subject of Canals and Turnpikes on Thursday 30th.
On April 6th Mike will give a talk on ‘Railways and Engineering’, with a further two in May on ‘Quarrying and Mining’ (Thursday 4th) and ‘Workers’ Housing’ (Thursday 18th). Each talk is at 7pm-8.30pm at Groundwork Offices off Navigation Road in Northwich. Please contact me on 01606 723 160 or email if you’re interested in coming along to any of these talks.”
Then once again we will be looking for volunteers to join Caroline, Mike and the team from Salford University on the next in our series of Archaeological Digs at the site of the former Ollershaw Lane Salt Works from April 24th to 28th. Click here to read more about our previous work on this site.
Here’s a round- up of what’s coming up soon. Further details of our second dig, open days and conference will follow soon
March: Thursday 16th – Talk on Ollershaw Works and Salt Mining in Chester by Dr Mike Nevell, 7-8.30pm at Groundwork Offices, Navigation Road – booking required
Tuesday 21st- History and Hotpot. A talk on the salt industry by local historian Colin Edmondson at 7.30pm booking required.
Thursday 30th- Talk on Railways and Engineering by Dr Mike Nevell, 7-8.30pm at Groundwork Offices, Navigation Road, booking required.
April: Thursday 6th – Talk on 24-28th by Dr Mike Nevell, 7-8.30pm at Groundwork Offices, Navigation Road, booking required.
Monday 24th until Friday 28th – Archaeological Dig Number 2 at Ollershaw Lane, please register interest with
May: Thursday 4th- Talk on Farming and Feeding the New Industrial Towns by Dr Mike Nevell, 7-8.30pm at Groundwork Offices, Navigation Road, booking required.
Thursday 18th – Talk on Living in the Industrial Towns by Dr Mike Nevell, 7-8.30pm at Groundwork Offices, Navigation Road, booking required.
July: Monday 24th -Friday 28th: Archaeological Dig number 3 at Ollershaw Lane, please register interest
Saturday 29th – Open Day at Lion Salt Works. Chance to for families to come and learn more about local history and what we have found on our digs.
September :
Saturday 23rd-Industrial Archaeological conference, at Lion Salt Works 10-4pm run by
Mike Nevell and University of Salford. All welcome. More details to follow…..
