The Marple Website is pleased to be able to publish the following April 2001 Press Release:

Local Heritage Initiative grant for Mellor ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT

The village of Mellor, which is part of Stockport in Greater Manchester, rising from the Goyt valley to the first hills of the Derbyshire Peak District, will soon have a fascinating display of its ancient history. In 1998, archaeologists found a Hill Fort surrounding Mellor Church. The Fort dated from the Iron Age, around 500 to 1000 BC, but was later occupied by Romans around 180 AD. Continued excavations in 1999 and 2000 discovered flints from Bronze Age and Mesolithic times, which shows that use of the site may go back 10,000 years.

The Mellor Archaeological Trust heard today (20th April) that its application for funds to help bring this history to the public has been successful. The Trust has been awarded a grant of over £13,500 from the new Local Heritage Initiative to cover the costs of a major exhibition to be staged later this year featuring excavated artifacts, computer models showing the hill-top throughout the ages and an informative booklet. Visitors will also be able to have guided tours of the site and get involved with the project by trying out archeological techniques for themselves. This Open Day will form the basis of a permanent display in the newly refurbished Mellor Parish Centre, a web-site and information boards for walkers through the area. In future it is hoped to extend the displays to cover the later history of Mellor. The Local Heritage Initiative is run by the Countryside Agency with funding of £8 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £1 million from the Nationwide Building Society. Said Susannah England, the Countryside Agency's Local Heritage Initiative Adviser for the North West "The Local Heritage Initiative recognises that the long term future of our local heritage lies in the hands of those who value it at local level. Even a small grant can make a vital difference to a local community and we are actively seeking enquiries from local groups in Cheshire for funding for heritage work of the type of quality displayed at Mellor."

The excavations at Mellor, which are ongoing, have been carried out by the University of Manchester Archaeology unit with the help of funding by Stockport MBC and contributions by local residents. Explains Prof. Hearle of the Mellor Archeological Trust:

 "Investigations to date have shown that the site was continuously occupied from Mesolithic to Roman times, and probably through the Dark Ages to the known history of Mellor from mediaeval times to the early textile mills of the Industrial Revolution and the modern commuter village. The archaeologists have found many artifacts, including pottery, metalwork, building materials and flints. More work needs to be done, but it is safe to say that it is one of the region's most important sites and we are keen that our findings are displayed so that as many people as possible can learn about the Fort and its fascinating history. The LHI grant will enable us to mount a really high quality exhibition for the public and get lots of people, including volunteer groups and schools, involved in our work at the site".

The Mellor Archaeological Trust was set up to help fund the continuing work. If you would like to make a donation, or would like any further information about the Trust or the dig, please contact John and Ann at the Old Vicarage, Mellor, or by e-mail at contact Ann Hearle.