Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums is organising the project, called ‘Hadrian’s Wall and its Legacy on Tyneside’, which will begin in autumn 2012 and aims to uncover more about the history of Hadrian’s Wall.

Councillor Ged Bell, Chair of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums Joint Committee, said: “This is a very exciting project which will reveal more about one of our region’s most important landmarks, from its starting point in Wallsend and heading as far West as Hexham and Corbridge. There will be opportunities for members of the public to get involved in everything from hands-on excavation work to surveying and desk-based research. I’m thrilled that the HLF is supporting the project and can’t wait to see it get underway.”

The project will unearth details about the lesser-known sections of Hadrian’s Wall, including large sections which are hidden under modern roads and buildings, and to raise awareness of the Wall in local communities.

Participants will have the chance to learn a range of archaeological skills and there will be opportunities for people of all ages to get involved, working alongside professional archaeologists and historians.

Trai Anfield, who has just joined the Heritage Lottery Fund’s North East Committee, explains the importance of the project. She said: “This really is a fascinating project and one that I’m delighted to have discussed at my first meeting as an HLF committee member. Hadrian’s Wall and its Legacy on Tyneside will bring different parts of the community together to help uncover the secrets of this lesser-known part of Hadrian’s Wall. It will provide fantastic volunteering opportunities and teach people taking part a diverse range of practical archaeological skills. We are delighted to be supporting this project and look forward to seeing what is unearthed.”

Gateshead Council, cabinet member for culture, Cllr Linda Green, said: “Hadrian’s Wall is one of the most famous and iconic historical structures in the world. To be able to offer the chance for so many people to get hands on with its unique heritage and really contribute to our understanding of it is fantastic. It’s going to give lots of people from the North East the chance to learn more about their surroundings and learn new skills in an inspirational way.”

Cllr George Westwater, North Tyneside Council’s Cabinet member for Community and Regulatory Services, said: “This is great news and it promises to be a very interesting project. Segedunum Roman Fort in Wallsend is the most excavated fort along Hadrian’s Wall and draws visitors from around the world. The prospect of further finds being excavated in the town, combined with the chance for the public to get involved, is really exciting.”

Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, Councillor Alan Kerr, said: “The council is delighted to be involved in this important project. Arbeia once controlled the main port of entry to the Roman Empire in Britain and is one of the nation’s most significant archaeological sites. The project will give people a unique opportunity to discover more about this World Heritage site and potentially discover some fascinating finds which will be of interest worldwide.”

Sections of Hadrian’s Wall which will be a focus for research include the remains of the Roman Fort of Condercum in Benwell; sections of the Wall in Wallsend, central Newcastle and Roman finds from Gateshead; and the ‘lost Roman road’ between Chesters and Corbridge, the route of which is currently unknown; as well as Arbeia Roman Fort at South Shields, for many years the supply base for the Wall.

The project will begin in autumn 2012 and will take place over three years.

Notes to editors

Trai Anfield has been appointed as a new member of the HLF North East committee, it was announced today. Trai attended her first Committee meeting this month where she helped make decisions on the latest batch of HLF applications. Trai will join the existing six other members of the committee. Their expertise widely reflects and complements the range of heritage applications that HLF receives.

Trai Anfield is a high profile presenter, producer, video journalist, editor and trainer for the BBC and independent productions. She is also becoming known for wildlife photography and travel writing with a conscience. In 2011 Trai founded Enlightened Media, an ethical independent film production and photography company firmly based in the North East of England.

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums 
Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums is a major regional museum, art gallery and archives service. The service manages 12 museums and galleries on behalf of the five local authorities of the area. A sixth partner is Newcastle University. 

TWAM is a Core Funded Museum receiving funding from DCMS and a Major Partner Museum supported by the Arts Council England.

Further information

Emma Pybus, TWAM, 0191 277 2309, Emma.pybus@twmuseums.org.uk.

Laura Bates, HLF, 020 7591 6027, lbates@hlf.org.uk.