Are you interested in local Salford history, heritage and the wonders to be found beneath our feet?
Then why not join the newly formed Salford Archaeology & Local History Society, who meet for the first time tonight at the Peel Building, Salford University.
The society will partner with the university’s Centre for Applied Archaeology.
They have successfully arranged many community digs, training thousands in practical archaeology and research across the North West.
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Norman Redhead, Greater Manchester Heritage Management Director, told us: “It’s the inaugural meeting tonight and we will be covering quite a few topics as we wish to get the people involved in exploring the heritage of their city.
“We will be doing a short presentations on the archaeology of Salford, archaeological sites over the years and potential sites in the future.”
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“Salford as you know has a long and fascinating history and I was really impressed with some of our earlier digs around the Grengate/Gravel Lane area of Salford in 2008. Since then of course cuts have hampered our digs.
“The area around Exchange Station was the medieval center of Salford and we unearthed thousands of shards of pottery dating back to the Middle Ages. Fortunately the developers Renaker helped pay for a booklet called ‘Archaeology of Greengate’ which is a fascinating read.
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“In the future we are hoping to excavate the Pendleton Old Hall in Charlestown, the home of the mill owner Richard Douglas also the Irwell Bleach works, we have undertaken preliminary digs and are still examining the finds.”
As well as practical fieldwork, activities will include identifying and recording finds, as well as researching the history of the places and the people who lived there using census returns, historic maps and documents.
In fact all the things that professionally-trained archeologists undertake in their work.
And don’t worry if you are unable to do the digging there are plenty of other activities for you to engage with.
Recent Salford excavations include those at Greengate, the New Bailey Prison, the nineteenth century slums and courts on Chapel Street and the Hart Hill Estate at Buile Hill.
Everything from grand houses, workers’ terraces, calico printing works and medieval sites are revealing a new and exciting history of Salford.
Norman said: “At tonight’s meeting we are hoping that enough people attend so that we can set up a committee and join up with other archaeological groups in the country, but it’s early days yet.
“I would recommend going on an archaeological dig for everybody, its not only physically good for you but a fascinating pastime to enjoy and get actually involved, hands on as they say”
So if this sounds like your thing then call in at the Peel Building, University of Salford, The Crescent, M4 5WU, tonight, Tuesday 16 February from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
