News
2025
Hodnet Heritage
Wings to the Past thanks Sir Algernon Heber Percy and Lady Jane, Hodnet Charities, and Dr Martin Huggon of Lincoln Bishop University for their support in the recent geophysical survey at Hodnet Hall. Using Ground Penetrating Radar, resistivity, and GPS surveys, the team and volunteers identified promising features near the brook that may relate to a medieval mill, including a deep riverbed section and an iron blade. Despite minor technical issues, valuable data were collected, with results expected in late 2025. Lincoln Bishop University has also doubled its academic contribution, extending the project into 2026. The weekend brought together community members and military volunteers, received excellent feedback, and inspired plans for further surveys in 2026.
Norton Disney Documentary
Time Team has launched a 3-part documentary covering the dig at Norton Disney in 2024.
The full documentary will be available for free on YouTube.
We are excited to offer a range of archaeological opportunities for serving personnel, service leavers (within one year of exit), and their families. These projects provide hands-on experience in archaeology, working alongside experts to uncover history.
Projects for 2025
2024
2024 Impact Report
Wings to the Past have partnered with Norton Disney & Time Team
We are excited to announce that we have partnered with Norton disney to provide opportunities for serving personnel & their families to participate in a dig whilst Time Team are on site.
Wings to the Past have won the Flora Murray Award
Wings to the Past won the Flora Murray Award for our archaeological work in lincolnshire and attended the award ceremony hosted by the Society for Lincolnshire History & Archaeology.
Wings to the Past Impact Report 2023
Wings to the Past are delighted to share our 2023 Impact Report, this report has been generated from the feedback our participants have provided following their attendance at 1 of our projects. The feedback not only lets us see how we have done in 2023 but it also allows us to more the programme forward and develop new projects.
2023
The Marsh Community Archaeology Awards
Wings to the Past were delighted to have been shortlisted for the Marsh Community Archaeology Awards 2023. To check out our nomination and the other finalists follow the link below.
We have partnered with Dig Hartlebury
Wings to the Past partners with Hartlebury Castle and Dig Hartlebury, offering 2 RAF personnel or a Service person and family member the chance to excavate a possible English Civil War bastion for 2 days. It's our first project outside Lincolnshire, near Kidderminster. Dig Hartlebury provides 2 spaces on their excavation for July 27 and 28, 2023. Open to all RAF personnel and family members (over 18). Learn more about it below.
Archaeological Field School Bursaries Awarded
We have awarded 2 individuals and a father and daughter places on the Bishop Grosseteste University archaeological field school. These lucky people will spend 2 weeks on an amazing site! Archaeological Field School Bursaries For RAF personnel and their families in June/ July 2023—worth up to £5000. Wings to the Past and Bishop Grosseteste University are delighted to offer 2, 2-week bursaries for RAF personnel and their families to attend their university summer archaeological field school in June/July 2023
Project announced near RAF Cranwell
Wings To The Past worked on a project on July 1st and 2nd, 2023, with permission from the landowner and support from our partner, Bishop Grosseteste University. We welcomed interest from all RAF personnel and their families. The project used various survey methods to learn more about the site, which has not been explored archaeologically. This study will help us understand the site better without disturbing it.
James our Digital Manager attends London awards night
James the inspiration for Wings to the Past and our digital manager at just 15, attended the Celebrating Force Families Awards in London on 28 Apr 23. A finalist in the Young Person Award: Giving Back to the Armed Forces Community, James was treated to a black tie gala dinner. Although he did not win his nomination highlighted his exceptional efforts supporting Wings to the Past.
2023 - Operation Bishops Challenge Project Report
After a very successful fieldwalking weekend on 18 - 19 February we asked our participants to tell us what they thought of the event. We found some great finds and had some great feedback and have now written our report on the event.
2021
AVAR Project
US and UK Veterans searched for Crashed WWII Bomber Crew.
Wings to the Past have been supporting American Veterans Archaeology Recovery on their latest project, click the link below to watch a video of the project.
Wings to the Past needs your support.
We urgently need funds to allow us to maintain Wings to the past.
Whatever you can give is most gratefully received and accounts will be published after each project to show what your money has been used to support.