Old St. Helen’s Church – Conservation Project

Community Archaeological Dig – call for volunteers, April 2012

In June 2011 the Heritage Lottery Fund approved a grant that will see the Conservation of what is one of the oldest buildings in Hastings. Permission to start was granted at the beginning of September and the project is now underway. Volunteers, including members of the Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group (HAARG) participated in a Graveyard Recording Project in September, and badger exclusion works have been completed to prevent further damage to the graveyard.

The Old St Helen’s Church is believed to be the oldest surviving building in Hastings. This and Hastings Castle are the only structures in the town from the 1066 period. The church is currently on the English Heritage ‘at risk’ Register and needs urgent conservation.

The main conservation works to the ruins and the tower will start in May. This work will be preceded by a Community Archaeological Dig. The medieval church remains undisturbed below floor level and has high archaeological potential  for understanding the Saxon and Norman church building. The Dig will be supervised by archaeologists from Chris Butler Archaeological Services Ltd who have been appointed as archaeological advisors to the project. The Sussex Heritage Trust is seeking volunteers to participate in the dig which is likely to last for the whole of the month of April. Training and supervision will be provided along with tools and equipment.

If you are interested in this opportunity or would like to get involved with the project in some other way please in the first instance contact:
Bronwen Griffiths, Education Co-ordinator, Sussex Heritage Trust
01424 430467 or e-mail  bronwengriff@aol.com

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