OPPORTUNITIES to investigate and learn about the rich history and natural heritage of Calstock will soon be available to all, thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund award of £35,500 made to the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The grant will support the Calstock Parish Heritage Project, a three-year project focusing on providing training opportunities for volunteers to find out about and share archaeological information online for all to see and learn from.

Calstock Parish has a rich and deep history, dating from the Neolithic to more modern Industrial activity, and the project will allow people to get involved and gain skills to help look after and interpret this heritage.

All of the activities will be free and run by archaeologists.

They include a chance to join in an excavation near to the recently discovered Calstock Roman Fort, training days in spotting archaeology on aerial photographs, getting involved in geophysics on the National Trust's Cotehele Estate, looking for Medieval gardens and prehistoric settlements and learning all about hedgerows, their heritage, biodiversity and their importance.

Project leader Eloise Kane said: 'It's excellent news that after a year in the planning for the project, we are now able offer free opportunities for people to get involved in investigating local heritage with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

'Our digital resources will mean that old maps and information previously inaccessible will be open to all to view online, to conduct their own research and form their own interpretations.'

Nerys Watts, head of HLF in the South West, said: 'The public's interest in archaeological investigation has increased in recent years thanks in part to popular TV programmes and exciting finds such as the Staffordshire Hoard.

'Consequently we were delighted to be able to support this project, which will provide opportunities for people to gain hands-on experience of the techniques involved while at the same time learning about and helping to protect the heritage of this unique and beautiful landscape.'

There are opportunities for adults to learn how to identify pottery from prehistoric to modern on November 20, at the Tamar Valley Centre, Drakewalls and a field walking day in Metherell on November 27. 

To find out more or to book any of the activities call the Tamar Valley AONB on 01822835030 or e-mail Eloise Kane on [email protected]">[email protected]