HALLATON MUSEUM

The committee of Hallaton Museum is delighted to tell you all that at the Heritage Awards for Leicestershire and Rutland 2009 which were this year held at Stapleford Park Hotel, Hallaton Museum won two awards: 'BEST EXHIBITION' and also 'BEST MUSEUM' of the year.

These awards are held annually for independent museums throughout Leicestershire and Rutland and are keenly contested. As our museum is not only the smallest by far but is run completely by volunteers and exists pretty much on a financial shoe-string we have a great deal of which to be proud.

Of course this is by no means the only time we have won an award in face of stiff competition and we are highly regarded in the wider community.

Our thanks go to everyone who supports us.

We need as many visitors as possible, so please come along, bring your friends and pass the news on.

HALLATON MUSEUM OPENS 2009 EXHIBITION
'Rituals, Hoards and Helmets'

Photograph showing from left to right:
Rural District Councillor David Beatty, Mrs Kershaw, Mrs Beatty, Tony Kershaw Chair of Leicestershire County Council and Vicky Score archaeologist.

On May 23rd Hallaton Museum opened their new exhibition ‘Rituals, Hoards and Helmets’ which tells the story of the discovery of the coins and other items which make up the Hallaton Treasure.

The exhibition was declared open by Vicki Score, the archaeologist in charge of the excavations who also gave a short introduction to the history of the site.

About 100 people attended the event in the Stenning Hall including many villagers, Local, District and County Councillors, Professor Colin Haselgrove and members of the Archaeological Department of Leicester University who had been involved with the site from the beginning, together with representatives of several funding organisations and Harborough Museum.

Jane Bray of the Heritage Lottery Fund said how impressed she was with the community involvement of such a small village and what had been achieved.

'Rituals, Hoards and Helmets'

Rituals, Hoards and Helmets tells the exciting story of the discovery of the Hallaton Treasure by a group of amateur fieldwalkers.

Originally the site appeared to be typical of many fields containing Roman pottery but subsequent exploration produced several Iron Age (or Celtic) coins. This is an extremely rare occurrence and the professionals were rapidly contacted and subsequently funding was found to excavate the site.

Over three digs many items were discovered beneath the surface of the ploughed field. These included approximately 5,500 coins, a rare Roman cavalry parade helmet, a silver bowl and other precious items. Large amounts of pig bones were also exposed and the experts agreed that what had been found was an important Iron Age religious centre where the local tribe, the Corieltauvi, gathered to feast and make offerings to their gods.

Entitled 'Rituals, Hoards and Helmets’ the exhibition at Hallaton Museum relates the story of this exciting find in photographs, text, displays and the words of the local amateur group who first discovered it.

There will be opportunities for children to try on a replica Roman helmet; drape a ‘Roman’ cloak round their shoulders and have their photograph taken, and piece together a broken pot and sort sherds of pottery.

Market Harborough Museum is mounting a major exhibition of the coins and the history of the site which is due to open in September. The exhibition at Hallaton, which is intended to complement their exhibition, offers an opportunity to see the story from a different perspective.

Open Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 2.30 – 5.00pm until the end of October. Entry free, donations always very welcome.
(or at other times by prior appointment when a small charge will be made.) Group village tours can be arranged. Contact 01858 555305.