Volunteers praised for their dedication to uncovering Hartlepool’s history  

Published Wednesday, 19th March 2025

Volunteers have been praised for the important role they play in helping to preserve and research Hartlepool’s heritage.

A dedicated team of volunteers support Tees Archaeology, both taking part in archaeological digs and behind the scenes in its Hartlepool headquarters, cleaning, researching and cataloguing finds.

Councillor Gary Allen, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Adult and Community-Based Services Committee, paid a visit to see some of the work in progress and found a team hard at work re-checking Iron Age and Romano-British finds in the archive from a previous 2008 dig at Catcote to make sure they are all properly labelled and catalogued.

He said: “It’s been fascinating to meet some of the volunteers and find out more about all the work they are doing.

“They have an impressive amount of knowledge and experience and their enthusiasm and commitment is second-to-none.

“They are much-valued members of the Tees Archaeology team and are doing a marvellous job in an important role.”

Councillor Gary Allen (far right of picture) with (from left) volunteers Sue Wilson, Steve Walker, Cliff Cordiner, Archaeologists Rosie Banens and Emma Watson and volunteers Judith Arber, Debra Willison and Lee Harrison

Councillor Gary Allen (far right of picture) with (from left) volunteers Sue Wilson, Steve Walker, Cliff Cordiner, Archaeologists Rosie Banens and Emma Watson and volunteers Judith Arber, Debra Willison and Lee Harrison

The volunteers clearly enjoy the work.

Debra Willison said: “It’s lovely to meet like-minded people and learn about the history of Hartlepool.

“It’s also great to get involved in the ‘behind the scenes’ of archaeology – normally as a volunteer you’re out on a dig, but here you’re learning about what happens after the dig is finished – it’s fascinating.”

Lee Harrison is clear about the benefits he gets from volunteering.

“It has done my mental health a world of good,” he said. “I have met some really great people from different backgrounds and I’m constantly learning new things.” 

Fellow volunteer Sue Wilson added: “I never knew volunteering was so good – I wish I had done it earlier and I would encourage more young people to have a go at it too.

“You learn so many different skills, including washing and researching the finds.”

For more information about the work of Tees Archaeology, visit www.teesarchaeology.com