Unearthing Ripon’s Great War History: A Community Dig at Hell Wath
The quiet landscape of Hell Wath in North Yorkshire is set to become a hub of historical discovery this week. A new community-led archaeology project is inviting the public to help uncover the hidden remains of a massive First World War military camp that once dominated the local area.
A City Within a City
Between 1914 and 1919, Ripon was home to a sprawling network of training and recovery centers known as Ripon Camp. At its peak, the camp housed over 42,000 troops—a population five times larger than that of Ripon itself at the time.
Soldiers from all over the globe passed through this "township of tents" on their way to or from the battlefields of Europe. Antony Prince, co-founder of the Ripon History and Archaeology Trust (RHATs), notes that the presence of these soldiers fundamentally transformed the city’s economy, streets, and social fabric.
The Excavation: What to Expect
The project, a collaboration between RHATs and the Friends of Hell Wath (FOHW), will run from Thursday, May 21, to Saturday, May 23. The team aims to recover personal items left behind by soldiers, which provide a poignant window into their daily lives.
Volunteers will employ a variety of modern and traditional archaeological techniques, including:
Trenching: Carefully excavating sections of the earth to find buried artifacts.
Metal Detecting: Organized scans to locate metallic relics like buttons, badges, or equipment.
Drone Surveying: Utilizing advanced aerial technology to map the wartime landscape and identify forgotten structures.
Structural Analysis: Investigating surviving concrete remains, such as the "Fairy Steps," to build a case for their future preservation.
How to Get Involved
This event is designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of experience. Whether you want to pick up a trowel or simply observe the latest finds, the organizers have created a welcoming environment for all.
Family Day: Saturday will feature activities specifically designed for children to participate safely in the dig.
Registration: Those interested in volunteering can sign up online.
Donations: The team is currently seeking donations of basic gear, including trowels, buckets, gloves, and sieves.
"It is exciting to see growing community enthusiasm to learn more," said Prince. "Life for the soldiers who stayed here can be found in the ground through discovery of items they left behind."
Preserving Ripon's Heritage
The project is more than just a weekend dig; it is part of a broader mission. RHATs is working toward the long-term goal of establishing a dedicated museum for Ripon to showcase its rich archaeological history. Meanwhile, FOHW continues its work to protect the Hell Wath nature area as a vital community space.
To protect the integrity of the site and respect the landowners, organizers have requested that independent investigations or metal detecting not take place outside of this official, supervised project.
