Introducing our newest YAC: Cornwall

We’re delighted to introduce the newest branch to the YAC network: Cornwall YAC!

Club leaders Tanya and Iain tell us more about this new club and their plans to launch in winter 2025…

Hi! I’m Iain, the co-branch leader for Cornwall Young Archaeologists’ Club. I am delighted that now, with support from the Council for British Archaeology, our new team and existing partners, we can offer engaging and exciting activities for budding archaeologists right across Cornwall.

And I’m Tanya, the co-branch leader for CYAC. I’m excited to help our branch spark an interest in archaeology, connect with our local history and heritage, and build valuable skills that go far beyond the field.

We’re so pleased that Cornwall, once again, has a Council for British Archaeology-managed club for budding archaeologists! Our re-launch event in the west of Cornwall will be held at the Museum of Cornish Life, Helston from 11am on Saturday 29 November.

For many years Cornwall had a successful and vibrant Young Archaeologists’ Club with Tony and Dot Blackman nurturing a whole generation of archaeological and heritage enthusiasts and professionals. Tony unfortunately became seriously ill and sadly passed away well before time.

The Cornwall National Landscape’s Monumental Improvement (MI) project, funded primarily by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, realised from events they were running across Cornwall that there was a real need to pick up where Tony and Dot left off. Cornwall Archaeological Society and Meneage Archaeology Group, who had both long wished to pick up the baton again, and the MI project delivery team, held discussions with colleagues and fellow professionals across Cornwall, which proved fruitful. A core team of around twelve heritage professionals agreed to support an application to re-start the club and to share the responsibility of hosting events at locations across Cornwall.

As an organisation without a building and with Cornwall being so long and, in many cases, poorly connected it will be impossible to run monthly events that everyone who is interested could easily attend. So, over the last twelve months our MI team along with partner organisations and individuals have been piloting archaeological activities for young people right across Cornwall with amazing attendances and enthusiastic appreciation.  

The Cornwall National Landscape, Monumental Improvement project team would like to thank all of the organisations and individuals who have given their time and support freely to help get the club off the ground again. The Cornwall Young Archaeologists’ Club team would also like to thank the Council for British Archaeology for their help and patience throughout the application process.