One thing I love about coming back every year is seeing people from so many walks of life. I often wonder what the draw is for everyone? So I thought I'd put it out there. If you're a first-timer, why are you coming? If you're a returnee, what brings you back?

For me, the initial draw was definitely the Wall. I grew up hearing bits and pieces about it-- a mention here in a textbook, a snippet on TV. It sounded so remote & mystical. Then I cracked open a guidebook, and the names reinforced that -- Thorny Doors, the Nine Nicks. Then Time Team (yes, I like it!) did a dig at Birdoswald with the mists & dew, overlooking the cliff edges. It was irresistible! When I learned that Vindolanda takes volunteers, I signed up in a heartbeat.

4 years on, a lot of that's still the same. The morning mists & the ruins are as seductive as ever. But instead of being mysterious, it feels like home now. Catching up with friends at the Twicey, the smell of the morning air, late night runs to Tesco, the chippie at Haydon Bridge, driving at excessive rates of speed on narrow lanes. And then getting on site, seeing everyone; that first spade whack into god-awful iron pan! The digging is great, the finds are amazing, learning more about the site every year is fun. But it's just the sense of place overall that gets me on the plane again every summer! And I just can't -wait- for 07!

What about you?

- Harry

Hi Harry,
I first read about the Wall when I was a child. It was featured in a Rosemary Sutcliff novel and I fell in love with the idea of it as frontier of civilisation. Since then I was determined to visit it one day. I had read about the tablets too when studying for my degree and was fascinated by the story they told. So in 2003 when I got a chance to visit for the first time, I discovered the volunteer program. But it took me until 2006 to be able to find the time to volunteer.
I was a Vindolanda Virgin this year! Loved it so much that I have to come back for more. And I am signed up for two weeks next May. Can't wait. I love the area. As you say it feels like home to me. I would move down there to dig permanently if I could. Who knows, one day I might.
Kate. :)

I's Roman, it's archaeology and its a great bunch of people.....(and they still have me back for my 6th year!!!)
Duncan

What got me started? I come from Orkney - full of prehistoric sites. Also, and more immediately, Robin B. was my history master at school and was the master in charge of the Sea Cadet corps. One summer we had a sea Cadet camp right beside the......er......um....stream that runs through Chesterholm. One of the extra-mural activiites was an evening dig - 2 volunteers. After that i did at least one of the original digs after the trust was set up.

What brings me back? Well, as I wrote recently to Andy, each morning I am like a little kid on Christmas morning wondering what is in the stocking or under the tree. In our case it is: what is in the trench or under the turf! It is also the variety - 2005 found something every other trowel-ful, 2006 - next to nothing (but someone had to shift that rampart and if it had been a newbie they may have been put off for life!)

Like Harry I too enjoy Time Team, I am told that they are appalling archaeologists but they are entertaining.
I was given a form by my daughter 4 years ago for the York Archaeology Trust training digs and decided to apply for one, since then I have dug with them 3 times over a period of 4 weeksa and thoroughly enjoyed it. During the 2005 dig I worked with a very pleasant young lady who had just spent a month working on Vindolanda and was singing its praises.
It sounded great to me, but I wasn't sure if they would take on somebody with so little experience, but applied anyway as soon as the 2006 dig applicatations became available. Much to my pleasure they accepted me with open arms (poor misguided fools), and as Duncan says - Wonderful archaeology (though not too much of it in my trench), Fantastic people, incredible countryside (I found myself looking in Estate Agents windows when I went into town). What more could a person want.
And of course there is the Twicey Pub Quiz ... <_<
Strangely they have allowed me back again this year, so I will see you at the end of May and the beginning of June.
I can't wait...

Clive

We're coming back to Vindolanda for the 3rd year 2007, but braving the April weather this time having previously visited in July/August.
2005 was our first year - mixed weather but very excited to find anyhting never having been on a dig that wasn't on a beach or in the garden!
2006 was a mixed batch of very very hot and not so hot. Even more exited than 2005 when we found leather even if Robin did say "Oh not more leather"! Well I thought it was exciting, anyway.
Thanks to all at Vindolanda for giving the totally clueless like us a chance to dig - long may it last!
Sue and Jo :ph43r:

I have wanted to excavate at Vindolanda since reading about the ongoing excavations during my York University days in the late 80's....but at the time I was based in Kent - and may I say with little spare cash.

in the late 90's I moved northwards, but was largely still without cash in the pocket.


these days I have overcome the cash crises by quitting field archaeology and academia and taking a more main stream job......

This means that I am bored stupid......And its about time that I got digging again.




Thanks for the opportunity to get my hands dirty again Andy.


Chris