OUR AIMS & OBJECTIVES
From the 1997 Constitution
The object of the Association is the advancement of education and conservation by promoting, undertaking and making public historical research and archaeological investigation into the landscape of the Parish of Sedgeford in the county of Norfolk and of adjoining and neighbouring Parishes (hereinafter together referred to as "the Research Area"). The results of the work will be disseminated by publications, exhibitions, public lectures and other means
Annual report
- 2023 2024
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The 2023 Archaeological Season
The 2023 season was a great success despite a large change in the charity committee, and wider site and excavation team.
There was also the need to replace a fridge/freezer, and a decision was made to replace it with a new machine with warranty as second hand equipment was becoming a false economy. An assessment of the other repairs and improvements necessary was made.
There were three main excavation areas in 2023. The work on the malting site continued with kilns 3 and 4 being excavated, and more work carried out on the South of the trench to investigate kiln 5. The malting trench was used for most of the volunteers and BERTs. An evaluation trench was dug on Boneyard to determine whether the skeleton discovered in 2018 was isolated or part of a larger second cemetery. This trench uncovered three burials, dated to the Early Medieval period. More recording was also carried out on the trench in the woods, where two ditches were identified, so this could be backfilled.
In addition to the archaeology in 2023 we were busy with a school visit from Heacham primary, several homeschool groups and also a local Brownie pack. We also carried out a variety of tours for many different groups including local U3A, NW Norfolk History Society and Fenland Archaeological Society. We also built new connections with two groups helping those with poor mental health, Pit Stop and the Restoration Trust. Our archaeology festival raised an impressive £1300. Another development was a SHARP display in the local Hunstanton Heritage Centre, and we ran a launch event as well as a tour of SHARP for their volunteers.
We also trialed Solar power as a source of electricity for the season activities, as part of our sustainability plans. This while more expensive to hire used much less fuel and was both greener and quieter benefiting everyone on site and the wider community.
The financial situation, and apparent lack of funds meant that we tried to cut costs where possible, however during the season it became necessary to repair many of the water infrastructure.
2023-2024 Trustees Report
In February 2023 a new committee of past and current SHARPies was supporting the remaining trustees in making decisions to ensure that the season went ahead smoothly. As part of this initial change an assessment was made of the issues that led to the change of committee, and also several faults in how the governance of the charity was not being followed, that needed rectifying, including the lack of AGMs. There was also more attempts to do consultation with the wider membership. We also held an AGM to vote in the new trustees, and improvements to our website to ensure our governance is as fully transparent.
In addition to this there was a need to look forward, and secure a more sustainable future for SHARP. The cost-of-living increases, hire costs and issues related to deliveries, meant that we were consistently left after each season with few funds for - larger repairs or for larger post excavation work or new projects,
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SHARP wouldn't exist without the huge amount of volunteer time spent behind the scenes before, during and after the season. A huge thank you to all those people who make it possible.
TRUSTEES
or to increase our bursary funds.
Related to this, it also came to light in August 2023 that the resigning treasurer Pamela Bent had been stealing from SHARP between the years of 2019, and even after stepping down as treasurer. There were suspicions before the season that something was wrong, and during the season this became even more clear but there was no firm evidence. On being informed by the police, we then worked with them and produced a full report on the theft and fraud from the charities account, including falsifying bank statements and charity commission annual returns. This report led to Pamela being charged and pleading guilty later in 2024, new procedures were immediately put in place, the bank mandates changed, and a full report has been produced publicly available on our website. The charity commission was kept informed throughout.as made.
Gareth Davies; Chair 26/7/23 Sam Atkins; Treasurer 26/7/23 Richard Hancox; Secretary 26/7/23-26/9/23 Eleannor Blakelock; 26/7/23 Secretary from 12/10/23 Yvonne Bolton-Smith 26/7/23
Terry Baxter; 26/7/23 Dan Cockling; 26/7/23 Tiggy Harris; 26/7/23 Steve Horn; 26/7/23 Owen Morgan; 26/7/23 Pamela Bent - Treasurer; resigned 26/7/23
Committee Members from 26/7/23
Ann Smith Andrea Beckham; to 5/10/23 Sophie Beckett Hannah Gibbs Bill Howard Kali Graham
Tom Cross; stepped down 26/7/23
A special thanks to all the team of volunteers who helped support the season, their hard work makes the whole project possible.
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FUNDING & FINANCE
- Gross Income for the period £46,650 - Expenditure for the period £33,793
Grants from the Headley Trust & Norfolk Community Foundation helped support the 2023 season
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