Archaeological group really digs £341,000 lottery grant

An archaeological group has been awarded £341,000 lottery funding to help it carry out historic digs across North Somerset.

The Yatton, Congresbury, Claverham and Cleeve Archaeological Research Team (YCCCART) learnt this week it had been successful in securing the cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The award will enable the group to buy equipment to record, for the first time, the extent of the Roman kiln sites in Congresbury and fully survey the nationally important Cadbury Hill Fort and its surrounding environment.

YCCCART members are currently mainly of retirement age, but welcome people of all ages to the group.

The group, which meets once a week, was set up in 2004 by North Somerset county archaeologist Vince Russett.

Mr Russett, who is adviser and supporter to the group, said: "I am delighted with the award.

"Already YCCCART and the other community archaeological groups throughout North Somerset have made an enormous contribution to local heritage by identifying and recording many previously unknown archaeological sites.

"The lottery grant will enable us and other community groups to fully record sites which are of national, as well as local, importance."

The group aims to involve the community in the project as much as possible and their plans include working with local schools.

YCCCART chairman Brian Bradbury said: "This is wonderful news.

"We have received marvellous support from our local villages including the parish council to help fund the project.

"With this grant we can raise awareness of the extent and importance of our wonderful local heritage."