Brading Roman Villa has secured £10,000 funding through Creative Island, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, for an exciting new community heritage project: Uncovering Hidden Stories of Brading Roman Villa.
Brading Roman Villa’s project will collect oral histories from local people who took part in community archaeological investigations at the site in the 21st century. These stories will be presented in a new exhibition, hosted both digitally and at the museum, at Brading Roman Villa itself. A suite of workshops will give a new generation the chance to try non-invasive archaeological methods on site and respond creatively too.
The funding will support the creation of Brading Roman Villa’s first oral history archive connected to the excavations of the site. Interviews will be recorded with archaeologists, volunteers and members of the local community, helping to preserve important memories and stories for future generations.
Alongside oral history collection and historical research, the project will include non-invasive archaeology workshops, artist-led creative sessions with Lucy Bell, a Festival of Archaeology family event, school resources developed with the Isle of Wight Music Hub, and an exhibition sharing the stories uncovered.
The project will be led by Alfie Murray, who recently completed a ‘Brave Island’ Heritage Placement at Brading Roman Villa, with mentoring support from Heritage and Education Officer Sarah Girling and oral historian Lisa Kerley.
Sarah Girling, Heritage and Education Officer at Brading Roman Villa, said:
“We are delighted to receive support through Creative Island, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This project will help us uncover and preserve stories that have not previously been fully explored, while also creating exciting opportunities for young people and the wider community to engage with local heritage in new ways.”
The project will run from June 2026 to May 2027, with public activities beginning this summer as part of the Festival of Archaeology.
