Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group (SWAAG)

Our talk this evening, Tuesday 10th June, 7:30pm, is by Professor Paul Pettitt of Durham University on The British Upper Palaeolithic (with special reference to Creswell Crags). It is ZOOM only; if any member has not received the Zoom link then email info@swaag.org, but only after checking your spam folder please.

The walk planned for Saturday 7th June 2025 to look at aspects of historic lead mining on Grinton Moor has been postponed due to adverse weather forecasts. It will now take place on Saturday 19th July 2025; see the Events page.

A Christmas social for SWAAG members at Marrick Priory is planned for Thursday 11th December. More details on the diary page.

It has just been announced that the talk to be given by SWAAG trustee Alan Mills at the group’s meeting on Tuesday 8 July will be on the subject of Medieval lead mining in Swaledale. More information about SWAAG events planned for the summer and autumn months can be found in the website Diary Page.

Just added to the SWAAG website are reports on our latest events concerning the search for King Arthur (April Talks) and a rare exploration within an army firing range (April Walks). See also the SWAAG diary (Diary – Talks/Walks 2025) for events now extending to June, July, September, and October. There are no monthly meetings in May or August.

Just added to the SWAAG website is an illustrated report on a fascinating talk given this month by SWAAG member Jane Harrison about her recent research into the historic copper mines of Richmondshire. You can see it here: Talks 2025.

The next guided walk organised by SWAAG is on Saturday 5 April to the Dark Age and Bronze Age settlements on Dickie Edge, which is within the Feldom Army Range. The walk is restricted to SWAAG members only. For more details, including how members can book a place on the walk, go to the Diary Page.

The guided walk on mining on and around Grinton Moor, led by Alan & Judith Mills, which had to be cancelled at short notice because of unfavourable weather, has now been rescheduled for Saturday June 7th. For more information on this and other events in the SWAAG diary, see our Diary Page.

Also new on the website is a report on the talk given at the SWAAG monthly meeting on February 11th – The legacy of the Kearton brothers, by Helen Guy. See the page on Talks in 2025.

The SWAAG walk scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday 15 February) has been cancelled because of an unfavourable weather forecast. Please look out for information about a rearranged date.

It has just been announced that the talk at the SWAAG monthly meeting on Tuesday 10 June will be given by Paul Pettitt, Professor of Palaeolithic Archaeology at Durham University. In 2003 Prof Pettitt co-discovered Britain’s only known Ice Age rock art at the limestone gorge of Creswell Crags, North Nottinghamshire. Plans are underway for a SWAAG group visit to the gorge and its museum and heritage centre on Saturday 5th July. Interested members have been asked to contact the organiser by Tuesday 18 February. Information about the SWAAG talk tonight (Tuesday 11th February), about the guided walk on Grinton Moor this Saturday, the 15th, and about our monthly talks in March and April is available on this website’s Diary page.