As we have done for several years, the Friends again funded National Archaeology Day in July. Both Gavin and the committee feel that this co-operation between museum staff and the Society is one of the best ways of using the Friends’ financial resources when official funding is very limited. Interaction with the public, particularly with children, is vital in maintaining and building interest in the museum and increasing visitor numbers.

A warm, sunny day enabled the “dig” to be a centre of enthusiasm for many hours. An area of turf had been removed and planted with small objects. Staff from Cambria explained the techniques for excavation: careful digging with the trowel, gentle brushing when something came into sight and then removal of the objects to a nearby area for identification and cleaning.

The seriousness with which they went about their tasks was a joy to see and it was pleasing that several had come last year and were still enjoying it.

Other activities took place throughout the day and it was gratifying to see adults, with or without children, taking part. In the grounds children made pots and dressed up as Romans. The quiz, as always, was an excellent way of enabling young people to learn as they have fun. Colouring, both on faces and on paper, was popular. In the library, a lecture by Charles Hill, one of the Cambria staff, on the wooden castles of Wales was a revelation to the chairman, who had no idea of the complexity of the structures. Unfortunately she was not able to stay for the second lecture, on the Bronze Age burial at Fan Foel.  

A computer had been set up in the main hall with access to Cambria’s records. This was of great interest to young people and their parents, as can be seen in the photograph. They were researching the archaeological sites in the Llandyfaelog area— before being temporarily distracted by being given copies of The Friend.

Archaeology Day was a very worthwhile exercise. Not only did it bring history alive for the relatively few lucky children who attended; it provided an opportunity for some publicity for the work of the Friends. Almost everyone from the morning session went away at least aware of our existence and with copies of The Friend, some expressed an interest in our activities and one or two said they would come to events in the autumn with a view to joining. And everyone enjoyed themselves.

Jill Davies