"The Evening Leader", Chester
October 1999
By Lindsay Alderton

Archaeologists excavating a site on the outskirts of Chester have received a much needed boost from the World Wide Web and two of Britain's leading actors.

The team carrying out a dig at Poulton to the south of the city, have received hundreds of hits on their website from enthusiastic well-wishers. Mike Emery, floor director, and Peter Peer, senior supervisor of the Poulton Project said they were excited by the ideas that were being put forward, especially from America.

Mr Emery, foster brother of actors and project supporters Joe and Ralph Fiennes, is particularly keen on one idea that has been put forward. "It has been suggested that a lecture tour take place, starting in Virginia, sometime during the spring of 2000 to increase awareness of our activities and hopefully enable us to raise more funds that are so desperately needed," he said.

A lack of funding has meant that the digging has had to be put on hold recently, even though the site is renowned as an invaluable resource for training and discovery.

The suggested American tour would coincide with the publication of the Poulton Project's second book, which has been eagerly awaited by foreign fans.

Excavation at the graveyard and abbey, which were founded in 1146, has unearthed a number of skeletons, prehistoric pottery and Roman relics.

Ancient Tiles

The historical significance of the site was discovered by Mr Emery in 1995 when he was searching for somewhere to carry out a research project towards his doctorate at Liverpool University. He decided to investigate after hearing that farmer Gerry Fair, a former Lord Mayor of Chester, had come across ancient tiles at the site in the 1970's.

Mr Emery has now set his sights on developing the area, which is used as a trainee excavation area for undergraduates at Liverpool University. He said: "Our long-term aim is to provide opportunities for everybody to work in archaeology, and for Poulton to be recognised as a true community-based project of research, education and training."

He and his colleague, Peter Peer, are also lecturing at the West Cheshire College in Handbridge, and hope to develop their work with special interest groups. But the cost of managing the site and implementing health and safety regulations meant that last year £29,000 was spent on keeping it up and running.

Mr Emery added: "Although we have been very lucky in receiving support from the county council, local farmers and the Duke's Estate, as well as generous donations from my brothers, we have received only limited support from local businesses we have approached."

He went on to say that he was thrilled at the proposed tour of the States, but was grateful for support closer to home.

Originally it was his brother Ralph, star of Oscar winning "The English Patient", who provided funds towards the running costs. Now, because of the success of "Shakespeare in Love", his younger brother Joseph has been able to help out. Joseph has become an ambassador for the children's charity The Princes Trust, and Mr Emery now hopes to forge a partnership with the charity to actively raise cash and develop its work with special needs groups.

"We want to confirm to any interested parties in the local area that, after the financial difficulties of 1998, we are optimistic about the fresh opportunities and support which is arising from the millennium," he said.

"Archaeology is important for people of all ages and abilities; it is only by truly understanding our past that we can understand ourselves."