The excitement of Time Team comes to Fortrose
The Fortrose Community Theatre welcomed a rare celebrity from the world of archaeology on the 27th October when Professor Mick Aston came to give the last Groam House lecture for this year. Wearing his signature stripey pullover he greatly entertained a packed house of over 150 people as the event was a complete sell-out.
Speaking on ‘The Making of Time Team’ he gave a fascinating account of how the popular Channel 4 programme was born and has developed over 17 series to date, providing many ‘behind the scenes’ insights. His talk covered the key aspects of the selection of archaeological sites to be prepared and presented on Channel 4, and the selection and training of the unexpectedly large number of members of the Team in addition to the “front-men” … director(s), TV camera experts, archaeologists, “diggers”, publicity personnel, legal staff, and personnel concerned with liaison with local authorities and other agencies, transport and so forth. The lecture delivered with the clarity, energy and panache the audience expected, was beautifully illustrated. It was extended to include some exciting information about forthcoming TIME TEAM programmes through 2010.
The lecture was chaired by Groam House Director Dr Eric Grant of Tarradale, who guided the knowledgeable audience through a very interesting ‘comments and questions’ session with Professor Aston afterwards. Later a very well supported raffle of two of the Professor’s books was held and he went on to sign those for the lucky winners as well as other copies that were bought from the accompanying Groam House stall. Some of the audience brought their own well-thumbed copies to the lecture and got those signed too !
The evening was a very successful fund raising event for Groam House and thoroughly enjoyed by all, including Professor Aston. Overall more than £1,000 was raised from ticket and merchandise sales.
Details of the Groam House Lecture programme for 2010 will be published here on the web site in due course.
