IPPLEPEN’S archaeological dig will reach more of the community this year thanks to National Lottery funding.

The University of Exeter, which manages the annual dig, has been awarded initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a £222,500 grant and development funding of £38,500.

This money will help fund the community dig in Ipplepen; landscape surveys and workshops in Ipplepen, Bere Ferrers and Cotehele; and archaeology activity days in local schools.

The Ipplepen dig in June will enable people to research the history of Roman, Iron Age and medieval settlements.

Cllr Alistair Dewhirst, county councillor for Teignbridge South, said: ‘I’m delighted the department of archaeology at the University of Exeter has received this generous award. 

‘I’ve always supported the important and exciting work taking place in Ipplepen and the university’s Professor Rippon’s commitment to involve local people in the project.  

‘Villagers have been trained to take part in the actual digging, and there’s been a fascinating information point in our community hub during the period of the excavations.

‘Last year the site open days attracted more than 1,000 visitors to our village. We’re all richer for the knowledge gained about our ancestors and the way they lived.’

The dig is a partnership with the University of Exeter, Devon County Council, Cotswold Archaeology, and the British Museum/ Portable Antiquities scheme.

Finds from this year’s excavation will be on display at Torquay Museum, hopefully in 2018.

The National Lottery funding was awarded to archaeologists Professor Stephen Rippon and Dr Chris Smart at the University of Exeter.

Professor Stephen Rippon said: ‘We’re delighted the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support.

‘The villages and countryside all around us are full of history, and this project will allow communities at Ipplepen and in the Tamar Valley to start unlocking this heritage.

‘We, and our project partners, are excited by the opportunity to help communities understand the past that’s hidden within these historic landscapes.’

Dr Chris Smart added: ‘We, and our project partners, are excited by the opportunity to engage new audiences with the past hidden within these historic landscapes.

‘The generosity of the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable us to help communities record some of the most important archaeological and historic sites within the region, and provide a knowledge-based legacy that will provide a benefit for generations to come.’