Museum to benefit from television's Time Team book auction

THE stars of Channel 4’s Time Team have pledged their support for the Museum of Somerset fund-raising appeal by donating for auction a signed copy of their book ‘Archaeology Is Rubbish’ (pictured, left).
Co-written by Tony Robinson and Professor Mick Aston, the book guides the reader through an imaginary archaeological excavation, and provides answers to frequently asked questions such as what to do if you come across human bones or find buried treasure in your back garden.
The book is to be sold on eBay by the Friends of Somerset County Museum, a charity established to help raise funds for the museum.
It will be available to bid on from December 1 until December 11, and the money from the winning bid will be added to the £80,000 already raised toward the £250,000 fund-raising target.
The book can be found by typing ‘Book Signed by Mick Aston, Tony Robinson and Time Team’ into eBay’s search facility.
It coincides with the news that people can now donate online to the Museum of Somerset appeal by visiting www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/culturecommunity/museums, where they can also find out all the latest news about the Museum of Somerset project.
Professor Aston (pictured, right) said: “I have always fully-supported the bid to create the Museum of Somerset.
“By donating this book, we hope to raise another little bit towards the appeal.
“Every single penny counts, and, as we said when we launched the appeal, if everybody in Somerset gave 50p, we would reach the fund-raising target.”
County council portfolio holder for adult and community services, Councillor Justin Robinson, said: “The council is committed to conserving the history of the county and providing opportunities for people to learn about their heritage.
“We believe that this will be best achieved through the creation of the Museum of Somerset, and over 10,000 people have publicly backed our plans.
“We are very grateful to Time Team for donating this fantastic book, which would make a unique Christmas gift for somebody to treasure.”
The Museum of Somerset fund-raising campaign was launched earlier this year and aims to raise £250,000 toward the total £6.5 million cost of the project.
All single donations in excess of £500 will be permanently acknowledged in the museum by way of a commemorative display.

Archaeology forum to focus on historic buildings on Exmoor

THE seventh annual Exmoor Archaeology Forum is to be held on Saturday, December 1, in the Dunster Tithe Barn with this year’s focus on Exmoor’s Historic Buildings.
Organised by Exmoor National Park Authority, the day will comprise a series of brief illustrated talks looking at the kinds of historic buildings which make up Exmoor’s historic built environment, delivered by those working on aspects of historic buildings.
Ian Constantinides, an expert on the repair of historic buildings, will deliver a keynote speech ‘Why Does Conservation Matter?’.
Mr Constantinides is a director of St. Blaise Ltd, a company set up 25 years ago specialising in the repair of historic buildings and is well-known as a lively and colourful speaker.
Other presentations include ‘Restoration of the Dunster Tithe Barn’ by Graham Lamacraft, ‘The Conservation of Exmoor’s Historic Buildings’ by architect Jonathan Rhind, ‘National Trust Farm Buildings on Exmoor’ by Isabel Richardson, and ‘The Setting of Buildings: A Landscape Perspective’ by Caroline Garrett.
National park archaeologist Rob Wilson-North said: “I am really pleased that this year, for the first time, the Exmoor Archaeology Forum will be focusing on Exmoor’s historic buildings.
“They are such an important part of the landscape and tell us so much about the lives and economy of the local community - but a great deal of work is still needed to tease out the stories that they contain.
“Historic buildings can be fragile. They are vulnerable to change, neglect, and unsympathetic owners, but some are in good hands and will survive into the future.
“These are very uncertain times for many of Exmoor’s buildings and it is right to focus on why they matter and how they contribute to Exmoor’s distinctiveness.”
Tickets for the archaeology forum cost £15 per person, which includes tea and coffee, but those attending will need to make their own arrangements for lunch.
There is a choice of venues in Dunster or delegates can take a packed lunch if they prefer.
Places are limited and booking is essential by emailing smparkman@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk or telephoning 01398 323665.