Press Release from Hyde900
Local community organisation Hyde900 are staging a “Meet the Experts” event in conjunction with the Hampshire Cultural Trust at the City Museum Winchester between 29 July and 1 August. The event will feature the experts who have supported and advised Hyde900’s community digs on the site of Hyde Abbey on the outskirts of Winchester, and who contributed to the successful identification of many details of the cloisters of this important abbey, the final resting place of Alfred the Great.
Professor Martin Biddle to join in Winchester event!
Hyde900 are delighted that Professor Martin Biddle has agreed to take part in the Hyde900 Festival of Archaeology. David Spurling, event organiser and Hyde900 trustee, commented “we are absolutely delighted that Professor Martin Biddle has agreed to join our event on Friday afternoon, 30 July. Martin has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Hyde900 project to research the abbey and organise the community digs. It will be a great opportunity for visitors to the event to meet such an important contributor to the development of medieval and post-medieval archaeology in Great Britain.”
Professor Martin Biddle explained “Hyde900 have put together a great team for the successful staging of five digs in the previously unexplored area of the great church of Hyde Abbey and its adjacent cloisters. The discovery of such a large amount of stonework from the original 12th century cloisters has enabled us to appreciate the amazing quality of workmanship that went into this great abbey”
Visitors can have a guided tour of the 12th century cloister arch in the City Museum and hear about its amazing discovery just centimetres below the grass in a Hyde garden! Also on display is a selection of finds from the gardens, many found by those of all ages who have taken part in this community project. Children will be able to rebuild parts of the abbey and can enjoy hearing the voices of Winchester’s many important historical characters.
Hyde900 publications will be on sale as well as the excellent Excavations at Hyde Abbey 1972 to 1999, just published by Hampshire Cultural Trust. Members of the Winchester Excavations Committee will be joining us outside the City Museum with a selection of publications for sale.
The event is open from 10am to 5pm each day, and those interested in taking part in this year’s dig (August 19 to 22) can hear more about what is planned and can book on the Hyde900 website at https://www.hyde900.org.uk.
