spear completed a demand analysis for ‘A Town Unearthed: Folkestone Before 1500’, a community history archaeology project jointly run by Folkestone People’s History Centre, the Canterbury Archaeological Trust and Canterbury Christ Church University.

The project focused on Folkestone’s pre-1500 heritage and incorporated a range of activities from guided walks to community workshops. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the purpose of the analysis was to ascertain public, educational and provision demand for activities associated with A Town Unearthed.

Key Findings

• Perceived benefits of the Project included community cohesion, civic pride and economic regeneration and family engagement, capacity building support for local teachers and supporting skill development and student engagement
• Stakeholders felt that the focus should remain on the younger generation and the visitor markets and schools were keen to see the Project develop in such a way to allow interschool relationships
• Awareness raising and publicity were seen as key weaknesses of the Project, therefore key barriers to future engagement

Date: 2013
Client: Folkestone People’s History Centre, the Canterbury Archaeological Trust and Canterbury Christ Church University