Leicestershire and Rutland Archaeological Network

A partnership between Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council and Parishes

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Leicestershire County Council has a policy of improving partnership working with Parish and Town Councils and Parish Meetings, delegating services to these most locally based of representative bodies.

Leicestershire County Council’s Heritage Services (LCCHS) has been developing Community Archaeology since the mid-1970’s, establishing and co-ordinating Fieldwork Groups right across Leicestershire and Rutland, built from the ranks of enthusiasts.

These two strands are now being woven together to produce the Leicestershire and Rutland Archaeological Network (LRAN), in partnership with Rutland County Council.

To establish Archaeological Wardens in every parish in the two Counties, who will develop our understanding of the past in their parishes, promote sympathetic interest in archaeology, and improve communication between the general public, LCCHS and Rutland County Museum.

Every parish’s representative body will have received a letter outlining the scheme, and inviting them to appoint an Archaeological Warden in consultation with LCCHS.  The Fieldwork Group members and other archaeologists in the Counties have been advised of the scheme, and encouraged to approach their Parish Councils etc and offer their services.  The Network is co-ordinated by LCCHS’s Archaeological Services Team, who can put parish representatives and local archaeologists in touch with each other, and with Heritage Wardens and Heritage Watch Groups.  Parishes and Archaeological Wardens incur no costs by joining the Network.

Wardens are provided with a summary of the Archaeological Sites and Monuments Record of their Parish; this lists and maps all known archaeological sites and finds, together with a selected range of building and industrial features. They also receive an Information Pack covering aspects of archaeological practice. LCCHS’s archaeologists can offer training, advice and the identification of objects.  Wardens are informed of the progress of the LRAN through a regular Newsletter, and will be given information about neighbouring Wardens to aid co-ordination of local initiatives. An Annual Report is distributed to all Parish Councils etc and Wardens.

One of the joys of archaeology is that it is such a diverse subject, the pursuit of which embraces a wide range of skills. Local knowledge and enthusiasm are invaluable assets for a Warden to have. Archaeology exists in every parish, sometimes patently obvious, sometimes hidden, and everyone can contribute to recovering and recording it.

The commitment of a Warden is open-ended, dependent upon the time and skills individuals can offer.  Some may choose to actively seek out archaeological sites and finds, while others may prefer simply to be a recorder, reporting on information brought to them.

The former is more likely to bring rewards in discovery, leading to preservation or recording, of sites and features, but the importance of collecting records of finds and information received from others should not be understated.

The following are some suggestions of initiatives Wardens could take.

If you would like to become a Volunteer Archaeological Warden, or represent a Parish or Town Council or Meeting interested in making an appointment, or would simply like more information of the Network or any aspect of the Counties' archaeology, please contact Richard Pollard or Peter Liddle.  We can be found at Leicestershire County Council Heritage Services, Room 500, County Hall, Leicester Road, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8TE , telephone numbers: (0116) 305 8324 and 8326 respectively; Fax 305 7965; e-mail rpollard@leics.gov.uk.   Personal callers are welcome, but an appointment is necessary to ensure that we will be able to receive you.