Funding received to improve our Visitor's Centre

We are excited to announce that we have received funding from the Farming in Protected Landscape Programme (FiPL) to renovate our information centre into a Heritage Education Centre. They have 100% funded the project, which means we won’t have to crowdfund to top it up, although SHARP will need to cover some of the costs of infrastructure around the build. This funding will allow us to completely strip out the cabin and create from scratch a much more inviting and informative space, custom built to SHARP's needs.

For many years we have been using old desks, tables, display cabinets that are not really fit for purpose (broken, difficult to open, or just not very secure). The new improvements and design for the Heritage Education Centre will allow for far more artefacts to be on display, with two temporary displays rotating each year, and other larger displays changing fairly regularly. It will also allow some of our bulk find collections to be displayed, such as Neil’s flint collection, in specially created display drawers. And for a new full sized skeleton case to be constructed!

To top off the display cases we will have new poster displays around the centre, these again have been designed so they can be changed regularly, so we can provide new and upcoming research. A new interactive digital display will be set up which will allow users to explore Sedgeford’s history and provide better access to our research and results.

Additionally, there will be improvements to the merchandise area, primarily with more space for displays, which will benefit volunteers and visitors alike. A new merchandise storage area will make things easier to find and keep them out of sight of visitors, and the space generally tidier. Our publications will take pride of place on the new bookcase, and we will be able to continue to sell second hand archaeology books. A new local history display area will provide space for other history societies to advertise their groups, with further space for folders or books on local history provided. The admin desk will be used by our team, but it may also be available to use by researchers wanting to carry out local history research.

This funding has additional benefits for the wider site. A new outdoor notice board will inform visitors about SHARP, and we will have two larger picnic tables, one with wheelchair access, installed which can be used by visitors and volunteers alike. Another display board will be in the marquee, providing a storage space for items during the season, and a place to display research. Finally, a phone charging station will be installed in enviro, with lockers to ensure devices can be charged securely.

We have already started to empty the cabin, but next comes finalising plans (based on rough sketches and carpenter plans) and then the main work to start in the new year. All this should be ready in time for our 30^th Anniversary Season. We expect it will create a space that will benefit SHARP and the wider community for many, many years to come!