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Footprint Newsroom
| Client: |
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust |
| Issue date: |
6 September 2010 |
'Digging For
Britain' takes on Shakespeare
Stratford-upon-Avon’s Dig for Shakespeare will be the subject of BBC Two’s latest history documentary, Digging for Britain, on Friday 10 September as presenter Dr Alice Roberts turns her attention to the Tudor period.
A film crew from the show has been visiting the site, at New Place in Stratford, for the last 12 months, charting the progress of the archaeological excavations of Shakespeare’s final home in Stratford, and watching as the foundations of Shakespeare’s home were revealed for the first time in over a century.
“It has been wonderful to have the Digging for Britain team on board with our dig, and the show will offer a fascinating insight into the project, from the digging of the test pits late in 2009 to the full-scale excavations that you see today,” says Diana Owen, Director of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, which commissioned the dig. “We are delighted that people all over the country – and indeed, the world – will have the chance to see the work that our team has done, and it will hopefully prompt them to come and look at the dig for themselves!”
The Dig for Shakespeare launched in March this year and has given thousands of visitors a chance to look at the remains of Shakespeare’s final home in Stratford upon Avon. Archaeologists continue to work at the site – with visitors able to watch over their shoulders from specially constructed walkways – until the end of October.
Indeed, seven days a week, visitors can actually get involved in the search for artefacts themselves, with literally tonnes of soil removed from the site still requiring sieving for any tiny artefacts – from beads to bugs – before it is returned to the dig site later this year. The dig is open to the public seven days a week from 10.00am to 5.00pm until the end of October 2010. Admission prices are £12.50 for adults, £11.50 for concessions and £8.00 for children, which also includes entry into two other properties owned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Hall’s Croft. The ticket is valid for 12 months, so visitors can come back as many times as they like to see the progress of the dig.
It is planned to resume the dig in April 2011.
For more information, or to book tickets, please visit www.digforshakespeare.com or call 01789 292325.
Ends.
Notes to editors: The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, founded in Stratford in 1847, is the guardian of the world’s greatest Shakespeare heritage sites, comprising Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Nash’s House & New Place, Hall’s Croft, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Mary Arden’s Farm. Offering a unique Shakespeare centred experience, The Trust is a truly global brand that has been attracting visitors to the houses since as early as the 17th century. At the heart of all things ‘Shakespeare’, the Trust is not only at the forefront of academic learning, but also an iconic destination in the UK and the cornerstone of the region’s identity and tourism economy. The five houses offer a multi-layered experience for visitors unlike any other, giving people from all over the world the opportunity to learn about the life of the world’s greatest playwright, discover his work and experience a real sense of the times that influenced him here in Stratford. Anyone wishing to volunteer at the Dig for Shakespeare can do so by contacting Helen Arbron on 01789 204016, or email volunteering@shakespeare.org.uk. The dig is open seven days a week, and volunteers aged 14 or over are required every day.
Birmingham Archaeology is the commercial arm of the Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity at the University of Birmingham. It comprises three teams; Birmingham Archaeology Heritage Services, the Visual and Spatial Technology Centre (VISTA) and Birmingham Archaeo-Environmental (BAE). Each of the groups is responsible for the undertaking of commercial projects and services, the development of research projects and the delivery of postgraduate and professional training via taught Masters programmes and Continuing Professional Development workshops.
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,900 projects, allocating £4.4billion across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk
The Shakespeare Houses and Gardens are winners of the Gold Award for ‘Best Tourism Experience in the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards 2009. For further information about the houses, please visit www.shakespeare.org.uk F
or further information and press enquiries please contact: Jay Commins PRO Dig for Shakespeare Tel: 0113 251 5698 Mobile: 07810 546567 Email: jay@fim.org.uk
A film crew from the show has been visiting the site, at New Place in Stratford, for the last 12 months, charting the progress of the archaeological excavations of Shakespeare’s final home in Stratford, and watching as the foundations of Shakespeare’s home were revealed for the first time in over a century.
“It has been wonderful to have the Digging for Britain team on board with our dig, and the show will offer a fascinating insight into the project, from the digging of the test pits late in 2009 to the full-scale excavations that you see today,” says Diana Owen, Director of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, which commissioned the dig. “We are delighted that people all over the country – and indeed, the world – will have the chance to see the work that our team has done, and it will hopefully prompt them to come and look at the dig for themselves!”
The Dig for Shakespeare launched in March this year and has given thousands of visitors a chance to look at the remains of Shakespeare’s final home in Stratford upon Avon. Archaeologists continue to work at the site – with visitors able to watch over their shoulders from specially constructed walkways – until the end of October.
Indeed, seven days a week, visitors can actually get involved in the search for artefacts themselves, with literally tonnes of soil removed from the site still requiring sieving for any tiny artefacts – from beads to bugs – before it is returned to the dig site later this year. The dig is open to the public seven days a week from 10.00am to 5.00pm until the end of October 2010. Admission prices are £12.50 for adults, £11.50 for concessions and £8.00 for children, which also includes entry into two other properties owned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Hall’s Croft. The ticket is valid for 12 months, so visitors can come back as many times as they like to see the progress of the dig.
It is planned to resume the dig in April 2011.
For more information, or to book tickets, please visit www.digforshakespeare.com or call 01789 292325.
Ends.
Notes to editors: The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, founded in Stratford in 1847, is the guardian of the world’s greatest Shakespeare heritage sites, comprising Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Nash’s House & New Place, Hall’s Croft, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Mary Arden’s Farm. Offering a unique Shakespeare centred experience, The Trust is a truly global brand that has been attracting visitors to the houses since as early as the 17th century. At the heart of all things ‘Shakespeare’, the Trust is not only at the forefront of academic learning, but also an iconic destination in the UK and the cornerstone of the region’s identity and tourism economy. The five houses offer a multi-layered experience for visitors unlike any other, giving people from all over the world the opportunity to learn about the life of the world’s greatest playwright, discover his work and experience a real sense of the times that influenced him here in Stratford. Anyone wishing to volunteer at the Dig for Shakespeare can do so by contacting Helen Arbron on 01789 204016, or email volunteering@shakespeare.org.uk. The dig is open seven days a week, and volunteers aged 14 or over are required every day.
Birmingham Archaeology is the commercial arm of the Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity at the University of Birmingham. It comprises three teams; Birmingham Archaeology Heritage Services, the Visual and Spatial Technology Centre (VISTA) and Birmingham Archaeo-Environmental (BAE). Each of the groups is responsible for the undertaking of commercial projects and services, the development of research projects and the delivery of postgraduate and professional training via taught Masters programmes and Continuing Professional Development workshops.
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,900 projects, allocating £4.4billion across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk
The Shakespeare Houses and Gardens are winners of the Gold Award for ‘Best Tourism Experience in the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards 2009. For further information about the houses, please visit www.shakespeare.org.uk F
or further information and press enquiries please contact: Jay Commins PRO Dig for Shakespeare Tel: 0113 251 5698 Mobile: 07810 546567 Email: jay@fim.org.uk