New home needed by Northamptonshire volunteer archaeology charity after 'shocking' eviction notice

A Northamptonshire community archaeological charity is looking for a new home after being told by its landlord to leave its current base within the next year.

CLASP (Community Landscape Archaeology Survey Project) has only been based at a farm in Nether Heyford for less than two years - despite being established in 2002.

But the volunteer archeologists could become 'homeless' if it does not find somewhere else to store several tonnes of artefacts as well as other equipment.

Chair of trustees Dave Hayward said the eviction notice came as an 'extreme shock' to the charity but hopes the community will come to its aid.

“We ideally require a secure building of no less than 100 sq metre to lease for a minimum of three years," he said.

"Hopefully it would have electricity, water and access to a toilet, together with outside space to stand a small container.

"We could pay a small rental but as we are a registered charity there might be wider benefits to the property owner.

"Today I am appealing to anybody who may have suitable premises, in an area within say 10 to 15 miles of Weedon, to contact me via our website www.claspweb.org.uk.

“Whilst the building would be a permanent store, the use of the building by our members would probably be constrained to a couple of days a week - for archaeological

conservation, computerisation and meetings.

"If you have suitable premises that could be offered to us please contact us.”