In its first year of incorporation, 2024-2025, Community Archaeology North CIC (CANCIC) designed and implemented the initial stages of several community-centred archaeological projects. These projects are research driven, in accordance with regional research strategies, and professionally run to published industry standards. They provide hands-on opportunities for communities to engage with their local history and heritage through excavation and supporting research. CANCIC does not have shareholders, and any surplus from commercial contracts, community grants and donations is used to fund the running of the CIC and future projects. All projects are inclusive and accessible and are open to the public regardless of prior archaeological experience. Fundraising by CANCIC and partner community groups ensures that attendance is free of charge for volunteers. Full training in transferrable heritage and archaeological skills is provided to all participants. Volunteers are encouraged to engage with the BAJR (British Archaeological Jobs & Resources) Archaeology Skills Passport which provides a record of skills development for both employment and community archaeology participation. A key component of CANCIC’s community projects is the provision of additional skills development for small cohorts of volunteers in excavation supervision, elements of post-excavation, report writing and community outreach. This ‘train the trainer’ programme enables those volunteers to pass on these skills within their local archaeology groups. In Hexham, Felton and Longframlington, Northumberland, six weekends of test pit excavation in domestic gardens were attended by more than 150 volunteers. Prior to the training weekends, open meetings were attended by more than 200 people, and outreach meetings held with local residents to discuss excavation locations. In addition to training volunteers in archaeological and heritage skills, visitors to the sites engaged with ongoing activities and deepened their knowledge of, and connection to, the history of their local areas. Subsequent training days for finds identification and cleaning provided further specialist heritage skills training and engagement for 20 people. All three projects are ongoing during 2026. A Lancashire-based research excavation was undertaken on a commercial basis for the University of Oxford. The surplus from this undertaking benefited the local community by enabling local people and those from a wider area to attend the excavation as volunteers and benefit from training in archaeological skills and deepening knowledge of the local area. The excavation report was lodged with the county archaeologist and Archaeology Data Service ensuring results were freely available for future research. A joint academic-community archaeological training weekend in Marcham, Oxfordshire provided skills development and training for more than 30 University of Oxford students and local villagers, enhancing both vocational skills and community knowledge of the village’s history and heritage. A further 35 villagers visited the sites and engaged with both volunteers and the wider project. The skills training provided has enabled local people to develop and extend the project. Presentations and lectures for community groups, including Local History Societies and Community Archaeology Groups, were attended by more than 550 people. Many of these were precursors to community archaeology projects, which were subsequently implemented and are ongoing. Regular presentations, talks and email newsletters provide updates on ongoing projects and present results of excavations. Outreach and training with children and young people was undertaken in Oxfordshire and Northumberland. Funding was obtained to hold three days of geophysical survey, talks and object handing sessions for more than 90 primary school pupils and young people excluded from mainstream education in Oxfordshire. In Hexham, CANCIC attended an extra-curricular activities fair for high school students and directly engaged with more than 50 young people discussing volunteering and skills development, and with senior school staff to plan participation in a wider community project. In addition to working closely with a variety of community groups and businesses, the CANCIC directors maintain strong links with heritage and conservation professionals, organisations such as Historic England, the National Trust and Northumberland National Park, independent researchers and academics. Regular meetings are held to discuss research projects both ongoing and in development to ensure the support of all stakeholders. The CANCIC directors recognise the importance of CPD in maintaining high standards of archaeological research and professional practice. They regularly attend conferences and professional meetings to remain informed of current research and developments in heritage and archaeological methodologies and best practice. Such meetings facilitate development of professional networks, allowing collaboration and the exchange of knowledge, which supports the continuing development of their own professional skills. This ensures that the CIC benefits from developments in research and practice in the wider profession. The benefits to communities of involvement in CANCIC’s community archaeology activities can be summarised as follows: Participation in community archaeology activities provides active engagement in learning about the history and archaeology of an area, enhancing a sense of belonging and supporting community cohesion. Collaboration with local history and archaeology groups provides their members with support and skills development, facilitating their provision of further activities. Volunteers receive skills training in specific archaeology skills as well as transferable skills including literacy and numeracy, which can be applied not just to professional and volunteer heritage activities, but to other aspects of people’s lives. The health and wellbeing benefits of heritage and outdoor-based activities are well documented, and participation provides a supportive and inclusive environment. CANCIC’s inclusive approach permits volunteers of all ages and abilities from across communities and backgrounds, to interact and work together in a safe and supportive environment. Results from CANCIC’s community archaeology projects are disseminated through talks, lectures and freely available published reports including online via CANCIC’s own website ensuring the widest possible reach.

The company’s stakeholders are those residents of, and visitors to, communities who live and work in the areas in which archaeology projects are undertaken. Stakeholders include those who actively volunteer on community archaeology projects as well as visitors to sites. Consultation occurs through public outreach, meetings and lectures, in-person discussions during projects and training activities and via feedback following completed projects and training days. Community-facing heritage activities are designed and adapted in consultation with stakeholders and taking account of the needs and the requirements of local communities.

The aggregate amount of emoluments paid to or received by all of the directors of the company before taxation was £7,000.00. This sum is detailed in the company’s accounts. There were no other transactions or arrangements in connection with the remuneration of directors which require to be disclosed.

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration