Beth Asbury is the Assistant Archaeologist at The Historic Environment Record (HER) at West Berkshire Council. In this lighthearted interview, Beth discusses her role and events available to the public. Her role involves a register of all known archaeological and historical sites in the unitary authority of West Berkshire. The database, with linked digital mapping includes an index of fieldwork and excavations, bibliographic references and found archaeological objects. It also contains information on designated assets (Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, Registered Parks & Gardens and Registered Battlefields) and the West Berkshire Local List of Heritage Assets. The HER holds details of characterisation projects in the District (Historic Landscape Characterisation, the Newbury Historic Character Study and Historic Environment Character Zoning) and there is a library of reports, journals and books which can be consulted by appointment in offices in Newbury.
Events
‘Meet the Archaeologists’ and ‘Finds Surgery’ at West Berkshire Museum on the second Wednesday of every month, 12:30-3:30pm.
‘Hoards’ exhibition on at West Berkshire Museum until 26 July 2020‘
Villa’ exhibition on at West Berkshire Museum until 4 July 2021
‘Focus On Stratfield Mortimer’ exhibition on at West Berkshire Museum until 5 July 2020 (then ‘Focus On Pangbourne’ until 28 February 2021)
‘Dressed for Battle’ exhibition on at Shaw House until 24 April 2022
Berkshire Archaeological Society Day School at St Nicolas’ Church hall, Newbury, on Saturday 28 March
The Festival of Archaeology national event on 11-26 July