In Great Torrington, archaeologists are hard at work locating the remains of a long-lost ancient fortress. Interesting finds, including medieval pottery, glass, metal, and perhaps even building materials, have already been made.

A continuous stream of people have visited the site to see what is being accomplished, and many of them were eager to get involved even though the deadline for closing the community involvement register was weeks past.

The Barley Grove parking lot, the nearby "tump," and the bowling green have concealed the presence of a big and significant castle in the town's center. The castle is once again center stage for the neighborhood after being mostly forgotten about and, as late as the 1970s, judged to be of no historic interest. A team of expert archaeologists is currently excavating a number of trenches and pits to see if any relics of the castle's past are still present.

The dig, which started on Saturday, September 23, will provide over 100 community members and 120 schoolchildren the chance to participate in every facet of a real excavation. It will last until October 8.

On September 30, the dig organized a general open day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. so that anybody may attend, view the findings, and speak with team members. The following day is a family day, which is fully booked, so that adults and their younger family members can participate together.

A GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) search of the nearby Bowling Green area, which is known to contain many building remnants from later-built portions of the ancient castle, has also been granted permission to the team. The events occurring throughout the older castle ruins will be perfectly complemented by this.

Local resident and lead archaeologist of the voluntary group, Emily Wapshott, says: "Torrington's Norman motte and bailey castle site has not received much specific research attention in the past and there is much we still don't know about the site. We hope to be able to gain a better understanding of what remains of the early earthworks and how they may relate to the areas under the bowling green, some parts of which have been previously excavated. The castle was the seat of one of Devon's great Norman Baronies, so deserves to be put back on the map."

WITH STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS LOOKING ON. CREDIT P.SEED

The Dig the Castle administrative team has spent the last 18 months laying the groundwork for the ambitious project with funding provided by grants and collaborations from the numerous Torridge and Great Torrington councils, councillors, and businesses.

John Eeles, lead administrator, says that the “opportunity for the whole of the community to ‘do’ a bit of archaeology, in their own town, and learn more of the history of the place they live, is exciting, and allied to the recently opened Heritage Trail and website within the town, will provide a legacy for the town’s residents and visitors for the future.”