Wings to the Past Expands Archaeology Opportunities for Military Personnel, including those who have recently left Service, and their Families in 2025.
Wings to the Past is a pioneering programme that uses archaeology and heritage to bring together military personnel, those who have recently left Service and their dependant families. Founded in 2019, the initiative provides opportunities for Service personnel to spend quality time together, connect with local communities, and develop new skills through hands-on archaeological projects.
Since its launch, over 150 Service personnel and their families have participated in Wings to the Past projects, gaining insight into history while fostering resilience, teamwork, and intergenerational engagement. The programme expanded in 2024 to include all three Services and veterans within one year of leaving the military, reinforcing the Armed Forces’ aim of helping personnel settle into civilian communities.
By fostering relationships between Service personnel, their families, and local residents, these projects create lasting memories and meaningful connections, ensuring that heritage is not just about the past—but also about building stronger Service personnel and communities for the future.
2024: A Year of Growth and New Partnerships
2024 was a landmark year for Wings to the Past, seeing the programme expand with a defined purpose and opening our opportunities to all three Services and veterans within one year of leaving the military. We also broadened our reach, working with new partners and community groups to provide unparalleled archaeological experiences for our participants.
Key highlights from 2024:
- Norton Disney Roman Dig – Service personnel were embedded into the internationally renowned community project that discovered the Dodecahedron in 2023.
- The Digging Market Garden Project – A WWII-focused excavation in collaboration with Professor Carenza Lewis, exploring the wartime past of the East Midlands.
- Norton Disney Time Team Dig – Service personnel worked alongside local residents, excavating test pits in villagers’ gardens, fostering military-community connections. This di is to feature in a Time Team Episode in mid-2025.
- Caistor Roman Project – Service personnel spent time working on this Roman site in Norfolk who continue to annually unearth more of Caistor’s Roman past.
- Expanding Veteran Support – Research continued into the benefits of archaeology on personal resilience, among Service personnel and their families.
Wings to the Past is honoured to work with, and could not operate without, our amazing partners. Dr Derwin Gregory, Associate Professor at BGU, has provided incredible opportunities, including the fully funded bursary places. We also established new partnerships in 2024 with the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group, the Caistor Roman Project, and Professor and South Kesteven Council through the Digging Market Garden excavation. We also welcomed a new and significant partnership with Mr Richard Parker and the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group, whose support was instrumental in offering Wings to the Past places on their Roman excavation of international significance. Also in 2024, Professor Carenza Lewis—one of the founding members of Wings to the Past—returned to support the programme. We are now working closely with her to develop exciting projects for 2025 and beyond.
These collaborations will bring even more exciting projects in 2025 and beyond.
Expanding Research on Archaeology and Resilience
Archaeology has been shown to support resilience among veterans, and Wings to the Past extends this benefit to military personnel and their families. Research by Professor Carenza Lewis highlights how heritage projects help young people develop STEM skills and confidence, while Service families find purpose and connections through community engagement.
At the Norton Disney Time Team dig, military personnel worked alongside local residents, excavating test pits in villagers’ gardens. The project not only unearthed historical finds but also provided a unique opportunity for meaningful conversations and shared learning experiences.
Past participants have shared overwhelmingly positive feedback:
“A thoroughly enjoyable and immersive experience in which I never expected to make the discoveries or learn the range of skills I did throughout the week.” “Watching my son unearth a 16th-century buckle, seeing the archaeologist explain what it was, and then watching my daughter share that knowledge with visitors—priceless!”
The 2025 projects will further explore how military and civilian communities benefit from shared heritage experiences, aiming to expand research into archaeology’s impact on personal and community resilience.
Upcoming Projects for 2025
Norton Disney, Lincolnshire (June 2025)
A Roman industrial and domestic site excavation with the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group, featuring the internationally recognized Roman dodecahedron discovery.
- Dates: 3–6 June & 9–13 June
- Spaces: 2 per week
- Age: 18+
- Cost: £10 per person payable to the NDHAG
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) Summer School, Lincoln (June–July 2025)
A fully funded, two-week archaeology summer school, valued at £2000 per participant. Participants will work alongside university students and experts on a multiperiod site excavation.
- Dates: 9–20 June & 23 June–4 July
- Spaces: 2 per session
- Age: 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by a participating parent/guardian)
- Cost: Free
South Common, Lincoln (July 2025)
A community test pit excavation exploring the area’s hidden past, bringing together local volunteers, archaeologists, and students.
- Dates: 11–13 July & 18–20 July
- Spaces: 12 per session
- Age: All ages (under 18s must be accompanied by a participating parent/guardian)
- Cost: Free
North Shropshire Village Project (August 2025)
A non-invasive archaeological survey examining the evolution of a rural village. Findings will inform future excavations and exhibitions.
- Dates: 8–10 August
- Spaces: 15–20 participants
- Age: All ages (under 18s must be accompanied by a participating parent/guardian)
- Cost: Free
How to Apply
Applications close approximately one month before each project begins. Spaces are limited, so early applications are encouraged.
For more information and to apply, visit www.wingstothepast.org.
