Peter Reynolds

This programme was dedicated to Peter Reynolds, who featured in it for his expertise on ancient industrial techniques and died after it was made. Peter, who appeared in several Time Team programmes, is best known for his work in experimental archaeology, particularly his reconstructions of Iron-Age round houses, pottery-making and other techniques. For 30 years, the centrepiece of his work was Butser Ancient Farm, whose experimental and educational work will continue despite his death. The following statement about the Farm's future was issued in February 2002.

That the Ancient Farm has managed to survive for 30 years is a tribute to Peter's tenacity and determination. Since its move to Bascomb Copse in 1991-92, Butser Ancient Farm has relied on income from the educational programme to maintain the research element on which the Farm is based. This was possible because Peter Reynolds did not take a salary. However the maintenance of the site and its research became increasingly difficult to sustain without outside funding.

The team at Butser, under the leadership of the new director, Christine Shaw, is determined that the work of the Ancient Farm should continue and is in discussion with interested parties as to how this should best be achieved. The level of support from the academic and heritage world has been very encouraging and much appreciated by an organisation devastated by the loss of their friend and inspiration. Giving up or remaining static is not an option – experimental and educational work at Butser will continue and new projects will be initiated, probably in partnership with other institutions.

Inevitably some changes have had to be made while sources of funding are explored. In the short term, the resources at Butser are spread very thinly. It has therefore been decided to open to the public only on the last weekend in the months from March to September with each weekend having a theme. School parties, group visits and lecture tours will continue all year round as usual and there will also be a programme of Day Schools during the summer. Further information can be found on the Butser Ancient Farm website at www.butser.org.uk