Historic England have commissioned MSDS Marine to engage with non-traditional audiences with protected wreck sites and wider maritime heritage; through fifty pop-up events this summer to celebrate fifty years of the Protection of Wrecks Act and protected wreck sites.

Traditionally maritime archaeology outreach, and engagement with protected wreck sites, has focused on areas that are closest to the sea, and to the wrecks themselves. Many UK counties are landlocked but two frequently claim to be furthest from the sea: Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands.

There are many residents of these counties who do not have the opportunity to visit the coast and to engage with maritime heritage, yet the areas have strong links to the sea and maritime history that are little known. Examples include Nelson’s monument and the three ships on Birchen Edge, lead ingots originally from Derbyshire and recovered from protected wrecks that are housed in the Peak District Mining Museum, and the technology employed at the Derwent Valley Mills which helped to inform the redevelopment of Portsmouth Dockyard.

In addition, the East Midlands has traditionally been a recruiting ground for the Royal Navy and HMS Sherwood in Nottingham has provided a focus for Royal Naval Reserve training and activity in the East Midlands for over fifty years. The project will draw out these links and present them to the public.

The project aims to increase sector wide capacity for maritime heritage engagement delivery through three paid student placement opportunities designed to provide hands on experience in the sector and opportunities for volunteering throughout the project. The first volunteer events to let people find out more about getting involved are being held on 13th June 3-4pm and 7-8pm.

A number of dates have already been booked but venues, schools and youth organisations such as cubs and scouts are invited to contact MSDS Marine to book in visits. A full list of dates and venues where the roadshow will appear is available here and will be added to over the coming weeks: https://msdsmarine.com/projects/public-engagement-and-volunteering/pwa50-landlocked-and-looking-out/

Alison James, MSDS Marine Project Manager, said:

As a maritime archaeologist who comes from Derbyshire its brilliant to be able to bring what we do to new audiences in this way. Protected Wreck sites are very special wrecks and I am looking forward to sharing them with the people of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. We can’t wait to work with local schools too: archaeology can excite learners as a unique subject and help develop  wide range of skills. It can also easily be incorporated into various subjects: Maths, Art, Geography, Social Studies and Science. There is a little bit of everything in Archaeology!

Sue Hampson, Chair for the Shardlow Inland Port Steering Group, said:

We are very pleased MSDS Marine are bringing their pop-up workshop Roadshow to the 2023 Shardlow Inland Port Festival in September. The workshop is a great way to pique everyone’s interest in maritime heritage and archaeology and what better setting than a fun family weekend of entertainment celebrating the history and heritage of the canals. We couldn’t be much further from the sea here in Shardlow so it will be interesting to learn about maritime heritage set against the authentic backdrop of historical working canal boats and canal buildings surrounding London Wharf in the heritage rich Inland Port of Shardlow.

Hefin Meara from Historic England, said:

The investigation and research that has taken place on Protected Wreck sites over the last 50 years is amazing, and it’s great to be able to share these stories with the public through this project and several others over the course of the year. The story of our maritime heritage isn’t only relevant to coastal communities, and projects like this one help to uncover the fascinating links between the sea and communities all across the country.

Check out the list of events and find out more here: https://msdsmarine.com/projects/public-engagement-and-volunteering/pwa50-landlocked-and-looking-out/