Digging up our lost history

Amateur archaeologists ‘The Time Travellers’ are based at Whirlow Hall Farm, where the only Iron Age-Roman settlement to be identified within Sheffield, was discovered in 2011.

Their new Heritage Lottery Grant will enable members of the group - which started five years ago and currently has over 80 members - to determine the extent of the site, its condition and how to best protect and better manage it for future generations.

Fiona Spiers, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Yorkshire and the Humber said: “This is a fantastic project which will allow people, young and old to learn about the history beneath their feet.

“The discovery at Whirlow Hall Farm in 2011 is particularly significant and thanks to National Lottery funding the local community can get involved, learn new skills and discover more about this fascinating aspect of Sheffield’s history.”

The Time Travellers chairman, John Baker, added: “We are delighted to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and are confident that the project will extend the knowledge of Iron Age and Roman Sheffield, while increasing an interest and knowledge of our heritage within the wider community”.

The project will also involve volunteers from local schools and the community to learn about Sheffield’s Iron Age and Roman heritage,.

As part of the project they will also be able to learn new skills, such as excavation, while they are under the professional supervision of experts.

The overall aim is to tell the story of the site to the many visitors to the popular farm.

Tony Pedder, chairman of the Whirlow Hall Farm Trust, said: “Everyone at Whirlow Hall Farm Trust is excited about the generous Heritage Lottery Fund support for this Time Travellers led project.

“Many youngsters will be involved before and during the dig, and all the children and adults who visit the farm afterwards will be able to learn about the fascinating story of this part of Sheffield, up to and including Romano British times.”