Lottery cash for Roman hoards
Museum of Liverpool and Congleton Museum to exhibit treasures
The Museum of Liverpool and Congleton Museum have received £65,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for an exciting project that will help to acquire two locally-discovered hoards of Roman treasure.
The Hoards of Cheshire project includes objects found by metal detectorists in Knutsford and Malpas which were reported to archaeologists through the Portable Antiquities Scheme, funded by the British Museum, and declared ‘Treasure’. Following their cleaning and cataloguing at the British Museum, they will return to the North West for display.
The Knutsford hoard contains three gilt brooches, two finger rings and over a hundred coins; the Malpas hoard incorporates Iron Age and Roman coins.
The Hoards of Cheshire project will also enable local young people to work with archaeologists and museum curators to learn about the region’s Romano-British period. The outcome of which will feature in an exhibition opening at the Museum of Liverpool later this year, followed by a run at Congleton Museum.
Janet Dugdale, Director of the Museum of Liverpool said:
“We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund for this exciting project to bring these important archaeological finds back to the region. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Congleton Museum to ensure that these two fascinating collections will be retained in the North West for future generations to enjoy.”
Ian Doughty, Collections Manager at Congleton Museum said:
“The hoards tell the story of the early history of the region, and point to links between the Cheshire salt fields and the coastal trading centres in and around Merseyside. We’re delighted that with Heritage Lottery Fund support, visitors to our museums can learn more about the region’s history.”
Liz Stewart, Curator of Archaeology at the Museum of Liverpool said:
“We’re pleased that through the Cheshire Hoards project we can offer young people valuable experience working alongside archaeologists to interpret the finds and make a real contribution to the creation of the exhibition.”
Sara Hilton, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund, North West said:
“These important finds hoards will reveal previously hidden clues as to the way our ancestors lived and how the community around here developed into what it is today. By delving into this history, volunteers will not only expand their knowledge and learn lots of new skills, but it will also provide a unique record of the area for others to learn, enjoy and be inspired by.”
Notes to editors
Museum of Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool is the largest newly-built national museum in Britain for more than a century, demonstrating Liverpool’s unique contribution to the world. Opened in July 2011, it attracted more than 2 million visitors in its first year, and is the first national museum devoted to the history of a regional city. It showcases popular culture while tackling social, historical and contemporary issues and is a fantastic, free family day out.
The Museum has received generous support from several major funders, along with grants from trusts and foundations, corporate support and individual donations. Major funders include the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS)
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) was responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England’s Northwest and had five key priorities: Business, Skills and Education, People and Jobs, Infrastructure and Quality of Life.
The European Development Fund (ERDF) is making a real difference to people and businesses in the North West. With €755 million to invest between 2007 and 2013, ERDF is enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s economy by supporting growth in enterprise and employment. ERDF in the North West is managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government – for further information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf.
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 30,000 projects allocating £4.5billion across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk
About National Museums Liverpool
National Museums Liverpool comprises eight venues, including some of the most visited museums in England outside of London. Our collections are among the most important and varied in Europe and contain everything from Impressionist paintings and rare beetles to a lifejacket from the Titanic. We attract nearly 2.7 million visitors every year. Our venues are the Museum of Liverpool, World Museum, the Walker Art Gallery, Merseyside Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum, Border Force National Museum, Sudley House and the Lady Lever Art Gallery.
About Congleton Museum
Congleton Museum Trust, a registered charity, was formed in 1985 by a group of local history enthusiasts to pull together as much as possible of the history of Congleton and to explore ways of exhibiting it to the community. It was 2002 before the Trust managed to open the museum in the former police station next to the Town Hall. There was by then a wealth of fascinating artefacts to display, including an Anglo Saxon log boat, a burial urn from 1500 BC,two major coin hoards from the 17th Century, plus numerous items of historical interest from more recent times. http://www.congletonmuseum.co.uk/
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
From the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife, we use National Lottery players' money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about. www.hlf.org.uk.
About the Portable Antiquities Scheme
The Portable Antiquities Scheme is a DCMS funded initiative to encourage the voluntary recording of archaeological objects found by members of the public. Visit https://finds.org.uk/ for more information.