Archaeologist says vandals won't beat Flag Fen centre
Professor Francis Pryor and some youngsters dig at Flag Fen (7DL0722054). Picture: DAVID LOWNDES
A WEEK after yobs went on a wrecking spree, the archaeologist who discovered Flag Fen Bronze Age site said the world-renowned tourist attraction would recover.
Professor Francis Pryor insisted the closure of cash-strapped Flag Fen would be an "insult" to Peterborough.
Prof Pryor, Flag Fen's director of archaeology, was speaking at the launch of The Big Discovery Dig yesterday, a three-year Heritage Lottery-funded project enabling children to dig up their own artefacts.
The opening came at the end of a troubled week for Flag Fen, after a joyriding car wreaked havoc when it burst through gates, rammed the Bronze Age Centre and damaged picnic tables and a Roman herb garden.
However, the week ended on a high when Flag Fen patron Peter Boizot handed over a £5,000 cheque to help the centre's fund-raising efforts.
Speaking to The Evening Telegraph, Prof Pryor said: "We are determined to carry on. It's been like this for 20 years. We opened in 1987 and it's been hand-to-mouth ever since. We have tried everything in our power to keep going.
"Flag Fen is so important that it would be an insult to Peterborough to leave it. As a charity, we have to remain solvent, but I am still optimistic.The thing about Flag Fen is that it is pioneering, always breaking new ground."
City businessman Mr Boizot admitted Flag Fen had a special place in his heart and said the centre's appeal was under-sold.
He said: "When people come up from the south, they should stop for a night in Peterborough and have a look at our wonderful cathedral and this Roman settlement.
"It is a great shame that we do not make more of this in Peterborough."
Meanwhile, money woes were the last thing on the mind of youngsters who were the first to try out The Big Discovery Dig.
It aims to recreate as closely as possible the processes and techniques involved in a real archaeological dig, including excavation, recording and interpretation.
Shannon Busley (9), from Langtoft, near Peterborough, said: "I found it really interesting, because I would like to be an archaeologist."
Another Langtoft youngster, Charlotte Okubadejo (11) added: "I really enjoyed it and dug up some pottery and pieces of mosaic."
Flag Fen is open throughout the summer holidays, except Mondays, between 10am and 5pm.
External link:www.flagfen.com.
Last Updated: 23 July 2007 12:43 PM
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