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Time Team's Phil Harding opens Chilsedon's new village museum

Phil "Flint Knapper" Harding from Channel 4's popular archaeology show Time team was on hand to do the honours at the official opening of Chiseldon Local History Group's new museum - ahead of the museum's public open day on Saturday 7th August 2004.

More info...

• Chiseldon Museum was officially opened by Phil Harding from Channel 4’s ‘Time Team’ show on Monday 2nd August 2004.

• The Museum is located in one half of a former Chapel of Rest in Butts Road.

• The Museum has been supported by Chiseldon Parish Council (who use the other half of the Chapel of Rest!)

• There is an official public open day on Saturday 7th August 2004 between 1000 and 1600 BST.

• The theme of the day is “An Illustrated History of the Parish of Chiseldon”.

• The exhibition features local photographs, documents and artefacts.

• Entry to the Museum is free during the Open Day.

• For more information see the links in the right-hand box.

Q: How do you feel about the idea of people handling archeological finds – as you can do here at the new Chiseldon Museum?

A: If you look at an average museum, most of the collection is in store and there's a hell of a lot of that stuff which never gets looked at. A lot of it we don't actually know where it comes from, but there's no reason at all why the public can't handle it and if it's the more valuable pieces then to hell - you make a replica! We're not in this business to be interested in the glamourous and valuable stuff - that's nice, but what we're interested in are the finds and, more importantly, what they tell us about the people that used them and the way they ordered their lives - we're interested in the past, full stop.

Q: What about issues about metal detectors? Are they becoming more acceptable?

A: I suppose the easiest way to define them is a tool, like a JCB excavator, something like that – and if you don't know how to use a JCB excavator or you use it in the wrong way you can cause a hell of a lot of damage. But used in the right way it's saves so much back breaking work. It's exactly the same with a metal detector. In the right hands, used in collaboration with archaeologists, they can actually be very useful. But if you got people just going out scavenging the countryside, all they're interested in is the pounds, shillings and pence, then I'm afraid I have to suggest that I think they're a damn nuisance.

Q: What about people who use metal detectors just to make money from archaeological finds?

A: The point of it is you give them £70,000, everyone says "cor, ain't that great!" If I found that same object, I don't want £70, 000. I know most of your listeners and readers are going to go, "what!? Phil's a lunatic! Phil doesn't want 70,000!" well, I'm not in it for £70,000, I'm in it because I'm an archaeologist and I love my archaeology - that's why I do it. I've found gold coins before now, called the supervisor over, [they’ll say,] "Oh, gold coin, I'll get you a bag for it." The last thing that occurs to me is how much is it worth? I don't give a damn.

Q: With regard to the Chiseldon Museum, what could they make from something like this and interest people further?

A: I've been trying to hammer home to them - and I'm sure they will take it on board - that it is not merely for the present generation it's for the future generation. They have got such a wonderful resource here for people of all ages, but they've also got such a wonderful educational resource. Get the schools in here, get the kids in here - get the kids handling the material, get them learning - not just about archaeology: there's a whole range of subjects that they can learn by just studying this museum collection. It’s just such a wonderful resource and I hope that now that they've got it they will make it not pay financially but pay socially and ethically and just get so much reward for their hard labour.

last updated: 04/08/04

Have Your Say

pete
I'm from Canada and a friend from the UK turned me onto Time Team. I think Phil is such a great character. I'd like to know where he plays guitar and banjo. Both my son and I play and would love a chance to pick with him. anyone know where in Wiltshire he picks and grins?

dave
why not post the hundreds of comments on how Phil sucks.people who metal detect are not a damn nuisance as he put's it.We disscover the sites that you and your time team decide to plunder and dig up with JCB'S

shaun
Phils comment about metal dectors is very insulting Quote But if you got people just going out scavenging the countryside, all they're interested in is the pounds, shillings and pence, then I'm afraid I have to suggest that I think they're a damn nuisance.Were such a nuisance are we and scavengers ? most of us are very intrested in history and you would not have half the majortreasures disscovered displayed in museums without metal detectorsPhil you dig up graves, and remove grave goods isent that called grave robbing ?Phill you use machines to take of around 3 foot of soil isent that distoying archeaolical evidence ? we only dig around 6 inches on ploughed fields.Phil im sure i have seen detectors been used on time team, and then you have the cheek to slag us off, grow up man

Catherine
So many women agree with me on how hot Phil is, he is just so damn sexy, i would love to meet him and...... :)

Steph
I'd love to know if ur married, if ur not watch out lol

Austin Donaldson
I think Phil is just great. He's a big, sexy hunk of a man & a fabulous archaeologist. Keep up the good work Phil!

SAXON
TIME TEAM IS THE BEST EVER PROGRAMME.WHENPHIL HAS A PIECE OF FLINT IN HIS HANDS HE MAY AS WELL BE HOLDING THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE, HE LOOKS AT IT AND TALKS WITH SUCH PASSION.ARE YOU MARRIED PHIL? I'VE LOVED YOU SINCE THE FIRST TIME I SAW YOU, SO HANDSOME.GET IN TOUCH,YOUR SAXON, BY THE WAY I AM A WOMAN! DO YOU WANT ANY HELP IN YOUR TRENCH? COME AND DIG NEAR WHERE I LIVE COS I LOVE YOU.XXXXXXXXXXX

maz
you can keep your prettyboy pinups.phil so sex on legs!!!!!

Dee
It's great to hear a professional person being open minded about detecting. We aren't all bad and we don't deserve the bad press. Good on you Phil for having your own opinion!

Raewyn&Chris
IN France we watch on sky T.V ... Phil and the team keep us sane! many thanks

Don Walker
Why isn't BBC America running this terrific show the past few months?

jon h
hi phil [come an av a look at this]harding.

charlie
phil is the best exevter in the wold

Christopher Bergman
Phil - this is your old friend and fellow knapper Chris Bergman. I had heard tale of your exciting activities from Nick Barton. I was in Illinois the other day and someone mentioned the Time Team program. I said I'll bet that is my friend Phil Harding and it is. Cheers and congrats, Chris

Robin
Love the show Do you remember Chippenham Archers?

Pawel / Poland
Phil, please - digging in my country.

paul
keep digging ' drinking ale many thanks

John / West Frisia (NL)
Always love to see Time Team and Phil in particular. Only problem, we do not get to see much of Time Team overhere....

Jenny
Phil Harding, Ambassador for the West Country! Well Done me dear

christian wadsworth
phil, your like a modern day indiana jones, but you have a slighty different accent....ooh god argh!.

lee barrat
phil quote "tell you what, if you had to shift 2 square metres of sand, thats a hell of a lot of sand to shift".

Ewa / Poland
The sexiest archeologist ever! Love You!

Caroline x
oh how we luv gorgeous phil, keep on digging, you've inspired me n i'm right behind you!

Lia / The Netherlands
If only I could see you, and the rest of Time Team, here in our little country!! Ihope we'll meet someday.

brenda
Rock on Phil!

diddy
you have unearthed a great interest to me !!!!

Joop/the netherlands
Always wonderful action on Time Team !! Bye...

Lady Jan Marie Sansing
Phil Harding is very dedicated to archeology and he is lots of fun to watch on Time Team.

jo
i met phil about 4 years ago on the isle of wight on a dig love him x

Joe
Great show, Phil. Sunday afternoons are in a league of their own when Time Team is on.

tony holmes
how can i get in to archaeology

Slaire
You are a fantastic man! If only i could marry you! Keep on digging! xXxXx

Wendy
He's the man! luvverly! x

Yan
Please keep digging!!!!!!!

Michelle
You are such a sweetheart! Love you lot's. xxxxx

eric
yay! Phil rocks!

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