Piddington Roman Villa Museum

29/08/2026

A shift in time for our Autumn Conference: we're focusing on the Anglo Saxons. The date is Sunday October 11th, ( closing date Wednesday October 7th) Venue Hackleton Village Hall. Expect another excellent day with lunch. What's not to like!
Full programme below.

22/08/2026

Our last Sunday event on 30th August features metal objects not usually on display, including a mystery object: maybe you can identify it! We will be here between 2 pm and 5pm

17/07/2026

We are very sorry to write to you so soon with further sad news. Roy Friendship Taylor died on Monday July 6th. Some of you will know this already, some of you will have known Roy since the earliest days of the Piddington dig over 40 years ago and some of you may not have known Roy at all but the dig, the award winning museum and UNAS would not exist today without the imagination, dedication and determination of Roy and Di/Liz Friendship Taylor.

Roy was very well known in archaeological circles in Northamptonshire and beyond and respected for his professional skills, which included graphic art, and his desire to raise the profile of the profession. Always kind and generous with his time and knowledge, Roy inspired many professional and volunteer archaeologists to begin their careers, extend their knowledge and skills and develop their own areas of interest. The museum has provided unique and rare opportunities for volunteers. For some those have been life changing. As one colleague put it "Roy was a legend in his own lifetime.

Roy's legacy will go on with those he inspired, with the museum and the continuing work there and with UNAS and we are looking at a number of other ways to commemorate Roy's life and work. To that end please feel free to share any memories and recollections either by email or one of the pages, I dug at Piddington or Piddington Roman Villa Museum.

07/07/2026

We are very sad to tell you that Joan McPherson has died. Lots of you will know that Joan has been at the heart of UNAS activities for many years. In addition to being Vice Chair until 2025 Joan was a member of the Museum Management Group, the committee and a dedicated organiser of conference infrastructure , dinners and events. Her eye for detail was invaluable in ensuring they all ran smoothly. Joan was also part of the Education Team and her quiet, calm approach ensured that children and adults alike paid attention and enjoyed their learning. Joan was a constant presence in the museum on Sunday afternoons. In short, Joan was always there.

Joan was so knowledgeable, her interests were wide and she loved learning. Up until the last week of her life Joan was attending Latin class and participating in UNAS meetings.

Joan was intensely proud of her family. Her brother, nephews and nieces were always in her thoughts and in her heart. Joan will be sorely missed by us all.

04/07/2026

Fancy joining us next Wednesday July 8th, 2pm at the Higgins Bedford? We're having an outing to see the exhibition of the pottery found with the Sutton kiln ( see British Archaeology July/August 3026). Volunteers from Piddington, amongst many others, washed some of the 180 buckets of medieval pottery. We are looking forward to seeing the results of our efforts. We'll meet in the foyer where the display is situated.
# HigginsBedford # medievalpottery

01/07/2026

Lovely, busy afternoon at the museum for our Last Sunday pottery event. Charles, Rupert Bear and Katherine discussing all things Roman.
Keep looking for details of our Last Sunday July event.

20/06/2026

Our next "Last Sunday of the Month". is on June 28th between 2 and 5pm at the museum when we will be featuring some of the fascinating and diverse pottery from our store. It's been a hard job choosing as there is so much of interest for you to see from local to continental wares.
It is also Hackleton Open Gardens so you could have a great day out especially with a pub lunch or afternoon tea.

31/05/2026

Here we are up open and ready to show you our special coin afternoon. We are here till five come along and see.

22/05/2026