Whilst the historical survey on Groby Old Hall was being carried out in the latter part of 2009, I was looking at the part medieval wall to the rear of the Hall and commented to the archaeologist that there must be so much more beneath the ground and that surely someone would want to do an archaeological dig. Little did I realize what those throwaway words would lead to!
After the initial phone calls and emails, a scouting party from Time Team visited us early February 2010. We crowded into our temporary kitchen along with the archaeologist, who had researched and authored our historical survey, the local conservation officer, a representative from English Heritage and Martha, our Great Dane. Everyone seemed very positive about the proposed venture and following a further visit and careful look over the site, an April diary date was confirmed.
Between then and the arrival of the setting up party on the 12th April, we received a lot of detailed information which was really helpful; we knew what we should expect. Indeed the level of detail went down to a draft script and the words and actions that might take place to drag me from my noisy rotavator and get me involved in pot cleaning at one of the trenches. Needless to say, it didn't happen like that on the day and the rotavator never came out, such was my interest in all that was happening on site. The draft script remained just that and I was impressed by the way that the unfolding information led to a very natural reporting to camera... albeit that I needed a few prompts!
The farm buildings adjacent to the Hall were to be used as a base for operations. The setting up party, led by Kerry and Emily, arrived early on the 12th April and wasted no time in clearing out a number of the buildings which were soon turned into a canteen area, an area for the 'techies' and a room in which to do some filming. Plans and enlarged photos were hung on the walls and along with the catering van and mobile toilet block all seemed set for the dig to begin.
That night we were invited to meet with the team at a Production meeting that they were having at their hotel. We were warmly greeted by Nick, introduced as the producer and director, who led the presentation, supported by colleagues. I confess that we'd only started watching the Time Team programmes since contacted by them, but nonetheless recognized Phil by his accent before we saw him and Mick, across the other side of the room, by his colourful sweater. We were also introduced to Philippa Gregory whose interest and authoring of a book about Elizabeth Woodville, The White Queen, had led to her being invited to the dig. We found what she had to say to be fascinating.
The next day, the first of the three days of filming, saw many people arriving early and it wasn't long before I was asked to join Tony and Tim, from English Heritage, to film the introduction to the dig. Being filmed during a fairly natural conversation about how we came to live at Old Hall was fine the first time, but when you're on take 2, 3, 4 or 5 it becomes somewhat harder because you've to remember what you said and in what order you said it and what facial actions or movements accompanied your conversation. It was a good first hand lesson in what it means to be an actor... for some it seems to come naturally and then there are others, like me!
The first morning seemed to be slow and it wasn't until just before lunch that the first trench was begun. I was told its most always that way, by contrast to the afternoon of day 3 when everyone's going flat out to complete before the day ends. Sure enough it followed the same pattern here.
Much as we'd had all sorts of information to help prepare us for the Time Team visit, I don't think we had quite taken in how many people and what level of activity there would be. We had asked that the team only come inside the more secluded walled garden if it was necessary, rather than use if as a path through to the trenches and they were all very good in honouring that request. Notwithstanding this it did feel at times that we were in a goldfish bowl, but that was okay, we knew that it was only for a short time and were delighted that archaeologists were applying their expertise to find out for us what was in our back garden.
I confess to being astounded by the knowledge they had between them. One of the first things that Paul Blinkhorn did on arrival was to walk over to the standing medieval wall, pick up some bits off the field and then come back to tell me that the pottery covered a number of centuries dating back to early Norman times. He then described the places within the building that the pieces would have come from and looked excited at the prospect of finding so much more. Later Mick was to enlighten me not only with an understanding of the archaeology on site but also encouraged me to propagate from the wild rose that had been removed to enable further excavation of the Norman tower, which lay beneath the motte.
The final day of filming saw more people on site, not least agreed groups of visitors having a guided tour. One of these tours was for our family and friends and all were fascinated with the size of the dig, discoveries made and the commentary of the team as they took them round. By this day too it seemed that word had got out everywhere and the church wall boundary was lined with folk watching all that was happening; many had brought chairs and a flask to keep them warm. I remember doing a closing piece with Tony and then it seemed that within moments most everyone had gone. We were left with many photos, maps and other documents that had aided the team over the course of their three days.
It took another two days to record all the archaeology, to infill trenches and for the two Ians, the digger operators, to assist me with moving a little soil around in the orchard (very helpful)... and then they were all gone.
Whilst we wouldn't want it repeating on a regular basis, the Time Team visit was a great experience, we met some lovely people and we look forward to seeing the programme.
