What’s next
The results of the project will add value to many people: residents of Cookham and neighbouring towns and villages, visitors to Cookham, historians, archaeologists, and students of all ages. We are building a plan for outreach to engage with all of these stakeholders. We want our findings to enhance the lives of residents of Cookham, neighbouring communities and visitors.
There is a lot of interest in the dig: in the four weeks of 2023’s excavation, over 1,600 people visited the site. Many were local, from Cookham, Maidenhead, Slough and neighbouring areas, but we also welcomed holidaymakers and river users from other parts of the UK and overseas.
Using archaeology to empower local communities.
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More than 1,500 people visited the dig in 2023.
Future digs
The excavation programme has been extended for a further five summer seasons, with the permission and goodwill of the Parochial Church Council, which owns Paddock Field next to Holy Trinity Church
For schools
The Anglo-Saxons are an element in Key Stage 2 of the National.
We are working with Salt Hill VR to develop immersive augmented reality experiences of the dig. This has been piloted successfully with several local schools and children’s groups.
If you would like the Friends of Cookham Abbey team to deliver a workshop or assembly at your school or for your community group, please email our Community Engagement Manager, Sarah Parfitt.
Community outreach
We’re developing an outreach programme for local interest groups, Cookham residents and visitors.
A ‘Dig Showcase’ presentation, as part of the 2024 Cookham Festival, was attended by over 120 people.
Financial support
Friends of Cookham Abbey will continue to give financial and practical support to the project.
The cost of conserving and lab analysis of Anglo-Saxon finds is about £20,000 each season.
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