Dr Brian Iddon MP uncovers the Portable Antiquities Scheme at Bolton Museum

Dr Brian Iddon MP recently visited Bolton Museum to see for himself the work of the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

Dr Iddon met with Frances McIntosh, the Finds Liaison Officer who explained the Portable Antiquities Scheme. It is a system for the voluntary recording of archaeological artefacts found by members of the public.

The Scheme was set up in 1997 both to raise awareness amongst members of the public about the importance of any archaeological finds they might make and also to ensure that records of these finds are made to maximise their educational resource capacity.

Dr Iddon said,

“I was delighted to be able to see the Portable Antiquities Scheme in action at Bolton Museum. They play a very important role in engaging with the public about archaeology and to ensure that records are kept of these interesting and often valuable finds.

However the Portable Antiquities Scheme needs to be secure in its funding stream and I was pleased to be able to raise this issue with the new Secretary of State for Culture in the House at Question Time last week. I would urge the Government to recognise the important contribution made by Schemes such as this one, in engaging both children and adults in archaeology and ensure their funding is secure.”

Editors' notes

1. Dr Iddon visited the Portable Antiquities Scheme at Bolton Museum as part of National Archaeology Week (11^th -22^nd July) There will be another "finds day" at Bolton Museum on 16^th August, for more details please see http://www.finds.org.uk/news/events.php

2. The Portable Antiquities Scheme is a voluntary scheme to record archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales. Every year many thousands of objects are discovered, many of these by metal-detector users, but also by people whilst out walking, gardening or going about their daily work. Such discoveries offer an important source for understanding our past.

3. As well as recording finds on a publicly accessible database (www.findsdatabase.org.uk) The Scheme also do a lot of outreach work. This involves children and adults and they reach many groups who would not normally visit museums or find out about archaeology. During National Archaeology Week the scheme reached c. 6919 people with nearly 45% being children.

4. This is a Government funded scheme via the Museums Libraries and Archives Council. However they are keen to ensure that their funding remains ring-fenced within that budget past 2008.

5. Details of the Question asked by Dr Iddon during Culture Question Time can be viewed by clicking on this link http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070723/debtext/70723-0001.htm#0707231000424

6. For further information, please contact Brian Iddon's Westminster office on 0207 219 2096