(Above) The Roman Villa overlooking East Wear Bay in Folkestone
An internationally significant Roman villa on a cliff-top in Folkestone will be excavated after a windfall of nearly £300,700 was confirmed by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
It could be Kent's final chance to explore the rich and fascinating history of the site, which is under threat from environmental damage having already suffered erosion and an earthquake since its last excavation in 1989.
Volunteers from local organisations Folkestone People's History Centre, Canterbury Christ Church University and Canterbury Archaeological Trust will assist with the project.
History Centre Secretary Colin Stephens says the helpers are already full of enthusiasm. "Some volunteers have already started digging test pits in the gardens of houses in the vicinity of the Roman Villa," he added.
The dig is a key part of a wider community-run project called A Town Unearthed: Folkestone Before 1500, funded by the HLF to raise awareness of the heritage behind Bronze Age, Iron Age and Anglo-Saxon settlements in the town.
FPHC Director Lesley Hardy, who also lectures at the University, applauded the HLF for enabling "significant work" that would "ensure that the rich and ancient heritage of Folkestone is further explored and celebrated."
There has been a high level of interest in the project from local groups including schools, who will be provided with archaeological research kits containing artefacts, teaching resources and a prelude to guided visits to the excavation sites.
Partnership funding of £50,000 for the project has come from The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust. Chairman Roger De Haan said: "The funding we have helped secure will enable people in Folkestone to get actively involved in discovering the rich history of the town so that we can develop our understanding of the area's heritage."
The overall sum from the HLF amounts to £298,700, covering 57% of the costs of the project.
