Digging up Welshpool's past

Archeologists are hoping to unearth 3,000 years of hidden secrets from an historic site overlooking Welshpool and, this weekend, residents have the opportunity to see what they have discovered.

Beacon Ring is an iron age hillfort on the Long Mountain and the site was acquired by the Clwyd-Powys Archeological Trust in 2008.

With little known about the site, the month-long dig hopes to clear up some of the mystery surrounding the site, which could date back to 1,000 BC.

And this weekend, free shuttle buses are available to take local residents to the site for guided tours to find out the latest developments.

“The site has never been excavated before, and some aspects of its construction are enigmatic,” said Dr. Paul Belford, CPAT Director. “The form of the bank and ditch suggests that it may have been rebuilt, so the archaeologists are looking for evidence of how and when this took place.

“The south entrance is unusually wide, and again may have been modified, perhaps with a timber gateway. The hillfort is also covered with trees, and the excavations are intended to see what impact their roots have had on the archaeology.”

Although it is visible from Broad Street, many Welshpool people may not have had a chance to visit Beacon Ring.

The excavations, which are funded by Cadw, will be open to the public on Sunday and Monday.

There is no parking on site, so CPAT will be providing a free minibus to transport people to the site on both days for a guided tour.

The minibus will leave the Welshpool railway station car park at 10am, 12noon and 2pm on both days. The tour - led by the Dr Belford - will take about an hour and a half.

Visitors are also welcome on foot, following the Offa's Dyke trail from Forden or Buttington.

For more information please email: community@cpat.org.uk.