A capacity audience in the Community Hall saw the unveiling of the replica shield that was found in ‘The Mile’. Phil Gilbank who is Chairman of Pocklington District Heritage Trust together with Roland Williamson, who is one of the countries leading replica makers, unveiled the shield to an audience of 160 people.
The evening commenced with a talk from Dr. Mel Giles (Manchester University) who has studied the Mile shield and is an expert on the Iron Age. She talked about all aspects of the Mile chariot burial and the exciting research that is still ongoing of how the charioteer lived his life on the Wolds after being born and raised in Pocklington, living his life on the Wolds chalk only to return to Pocklington for the last 3 years of his life. All this incredible detail is now possible due to isotope analysis of the teeth of the individual.
A small selection of artefacts were on display, together with the replica South Cave sword that was made by Roland Williamson and kindly loaned for the evening by Beverley Treasure House. MAP archaeologist’s kindly lent us the original shield for the evening. Also on display was the travelling museum that was sponsored by the UK government SPF levelling up fund.
John Barber of Pocklington Horticultural Society presented a cheque for £500 to the Charity Trust as a donation towards the creation of the Museum.
The previous evening held a preview of the shield given to a small group of potential donors and sponsors of the new Museum in Burnby Hall.
