Image: Tancread, Flickr, Creative Commons License
If you go down to the York city walls on Wednesday 1st February you might get a surprise! A team of intrepid staff and volunteers from the Young Archaeologists’ Club (YAC) and Council for British Archaeology (CBA) will be dressing as Romans and carrying Roman equipment whilst attempting to walk six laps of York’s city walls.
Bootham Bar (gatehouse), part of York City Walls. Image: Cavie78, Wikimedia Commons
It’s all in aid of the Dig Deep for YAC campaign which aims to raise money to save YAC’s Branches. YAC Branches provide young people with unique opportunities to get involved with archaeology on a regular basis. Branches are part of the CBA, an educational charity based in York, and can be found all over the UK. However cuts to the CBA’s funding mean that the Branches are at risk of closure. The Roman themed walk was inspired by an idea from a YAC member and it is hoped that upwards of £2,000 can be raised to help secure the future of YAC’s Branches.
Dig deep for young archaeologists
YAC’s President, Tony Robinson from Time Team, says:
‘I am proud to be YAC’s President! YAC is unique in its brief of stimulating the imagination of the young about all things archaeological. It would be a serious blow to the future maintenance of such an important part of our heritage if YAC’s influence is diminished or indeed lost.’
Walmgate Bar. Image: Krystian Hasterok, Wikimedia Commons
‘We hope that by carrying out this challenge we’ll be able to raise much needed funds for YAC Branches and also raise awareness about YAC’
Wendi Terry, Head of YAC, said. ‘Roman soldiers were at the peak of fitness and we certainly aren’t so this could be interesting! I think we’ll be needing the high energy Roman snacks that we’ll be carrying as part of our kit. People can find out more about YAC and the Dig Deep for YAC Campaign by visiting our website www.yac-uk.org We hope lots of people will sponsor us to help us reach our target. If you are on the city walls on the 1st February give us a wave and pledge your support!’
Source: Young Archaeologists’ Club
More information:
If you’d like to sponsor the team you can visit their JustGiving fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/teams/YAC. Alternatively you can donate by text by texting YACR12 followed by the amount you want to give (£1, £2, £3, £4, £5, or £10) to 70070. All money raised will help support YAC’s vital work.
If you are aged up to seventeen and are not a YAC member you might like to join – find out how!. Adults can join the Council for British Archaeology and receive a range of membership benefits including British Archaeology magazine.