The City of London Corporation is recruiting for volunteers to check soil heaps for archaeological finds at the largest scheduled ancient monument in Greater London, Farthing Downs.

Farthing Downs, an open space in Coulsdon, is one of seven open spaces managed together by the City of London Corporation known as the City Commons. They lie on the borders of South London and Surrey.

Volunteers will see first-hand Anglo-Saxon barrow fields, ancient iron age field systems, below ground remains and historic trackways left by farmers horse carriages which survived as earthworks.

Volunteers can join the team at Farthing Downs on the following dates and workshops for a fantastic opportunity to learn about the site’s fascinating heritage:

• Free training session on Monday 19 November 2018:
  • 10.00 Guided walk across the site led by Steve Bruce, City Corporation Ranger.
  • 12.00 Workshop by Jane Sidell, inspector for scheduled monuments for Historic England, on field archaeology and how to identify finds in a spoil heap.
  • 14.00 Health and safety brief.

• Official on site two week project starting 28 November 2018.
  • Check soil heaps as they are excavated from the old ditch. Hunt for archaeological finds whilst learning the heritage and nature conservation of Farthing Downs.

Contact 01372 279 083 or email citycommons@cityoflondon.gov.uk for further information and to sign up. Volunteers must be 18 and over.

Health and safety training regulations and induction material will be provided to all volunteers on site.

The City of London Corporation protects and conserves 18 major green spaces in London and south east England – including two ancient woodlands - and over 200 smaller ones in the Square Mile. They include important wildlife habitats, sites of scientific interest and national nature reserves. They are protected from being built on by special legislation.

The City of London Corporation funds green spaces across London. Its green spaces, most of which are charitable trusts, are run at little or no cost to the communities that they serve. They are funded by over £29million a year from the City of London Corporation, together with donations, sponsorship, grants and income generated on site.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

The 18 green spaces run by the City of London Corporation are:

1. Hampstead Heath

2. Highgate Wood

3. Golders Hill Park

4. Queen’s Park

5. Epping Forest

6. Wanstead Flats

7. Wanstead Park

8. City of London Cemetery and Crematorium

9. West Ham Park

10. Burnham Beeches

11. Stoke Common

12. Ashtead Common

13. Coulsdon Common

14. Farthing Downs

15. Kenley Common

16. Riddlesdown

17. Spring Park

18. West Wickham Common