Hello! THE UPDATE - if you have already read the below and can remember it, I have decided and enrolled onto another archaeological course with Birkbeck - archaeological ceramics. This will be a 24 week course starting 24 September 2007 in Russell Square, London. The course sounds extremely interesting and will definately help me when excavating. I also mentioned the course to a fellow BAG member and Martin Baker who is already our pottery expert has signed on as well. Our training excavation in August went extremely well. We had 9 attendees,which was sufficient as it was our first training week - so they were basically guinea pigs for a week. We received great feedback from them all. So, if anyone is interested in archaeology but has only some time once in a while - why not join your local archaeological group. Visit our website - www.bag.org.uk for further details. Clare Gillett Bexley Archaeological Group September 2007 EARLIER INTRODUCTION TO MY HOBBY..... I was first introduced to the world of archaeology by my colleagues at work. They are a practice of conservation architects and I have now been here for 12 years working as a PA. Life could not be much nicer!! Six years ago, I decided to do a 12 week, once a month course on my local history. I was not planning on doing anything after this, but one of the speakers mentioned about our local archaeological Group and next thing I know I have signed onto a years course on Pre-History. I wasnt aiming for a qualification - just interest, but before I knew it, I was writing essays, carrying out research etc. Three years later, and I had completed my Certificate in Field Archaeology. Then what? I decided to do a Diploma in Field Archaeology - Study of Artefacts. - Extremely interesting but having to write a 7,500 word essay whilst working full-time absolutely killed me - but I did it!! and passed!. So this year, I decided what next - I did the post-diploma course in Bioarchaeology of Human Bones - fasinating course. I didnt have to do an essay but I have decided to and am halfway through writing it!! Now I have come to a stand still - and unsure what to do next. I really cannot to do a degree or have the time - work did say have a year off work - nice of them - but unfortunately I have a mortage to pay. Anyhow, if a course comes up that sounds interesting - I will continue studying... In between all these courses, I joined Bexley Archaeological Group in Kent. At first the excavations were far and from but now our Site Director Pip Pulfer has them coming in thick and fast and we need more manning levels!! Due to my qualification, the Group has made me a Field Officer - and I am now in charge of a couple of sites - more report writing - by hey!! all that excavating and finds! What pleasure. When do I do this you may ask?? Well, at the weekends - I couldnt expect life to be more pleasurable. Last month at a Field Officers meeting I came up with the suggestion of opening the site in Bexley for a week - "why not have a training excvation I stated?" - Hence, I have now booked a week off work in August (6th-10th) and will be digging to my hearts content. As I am a Field Officer, I will also have to supervise and obviously train those who want training.... We have many people now in our Group just completing their A-Level in Archaeology - one woman is nearly 70 years old!! Therefore, come along to our site in August or at the weekends. If you want to participate in the weeks excavation the fee will be £32 - this includes annual subscription to our group as well. The extra £20 is for those wanting to those - ie insurance, certificate, admin etc. Email our site director Pip Pulfer at pips_pad@tiscali.co.uk or visit our website www.bag.org.uk. Join Today, Dig Tomorrow! Clare