News
A Now and Again Note from Andrew Appleby
23/07/2010 08:35:00
Shedding light on ancient days
During the last digging season at the Ness of Brodgar excavations, the Orkney Archaeology Society was able to establish a wee shop to sell publications, replica ancient pots, T-shirts and the like to help fund Orkney's Archaeology. The shop was similar to a horsebox and was quite good, but limited in its scope to really make the best of our wonderful opportunity. We did, however raise a goodly sum to put back into several projects and especially our Daphne Lorimer Student Bursary Fund. We sold Lottery Tickets by the hundred. We sold many copies of Julie Gibson and Frank Bradford's book, Rising Tides. We had huge interest in our replica prehistoric pottery and flints, along with ceramic brooches and other interesting artefacts.
Of course, the now world-famous excavations attracted attention from the
international media. There were such generous donations to the dig
itself, along with the volunteers who came to excavate from Ireland,
America and Scandinavia.
The visitors to the site increased in volume considerably as well. The
quality and variety of exciting finds continued to astound the
archaeologists and the public. Shock waves seemed to run through the
academic world on a daily basis as one discovery after another came to
21st-century light.
Well, this year that horsebox is no longer available as our shop. We all
knew the potential that it harnessed, so the search was on for another
structure to display our ever-increasing array of items for sale. We
asked around to see if there was possibly a temporary cabin that we
might borrow. There were leads to follow and favours to ask, all of
which we did. However, it was just not possible finally to procure one.
This was a great concern. We knew that with this year's researches
there, even more of the fascinated public would come to see the
discoveries. People are now deliberately booking holidays here, just to
be able to witness what is going on. The site's fame is a big part of
Orkney's attractions as people begin to realise its huge importance in
the world of archaeology.
We have new suppliers from Orkney, who are allowing us to have stock on
sale to boost our funds. We have specially printed postcards of the dig.
The magazine Current Archaeology published a very grand feature on The
Ness of Brodgar Excavations. We have many, many copies of this for sale.
It is a wonderful production and really gives a perfect guide to the
history of the site and the ways in which we can try to understand it.
But we still had no shop.
Well, I took it upon myself, as sort of marketing officer and fundraiser
for the society, to see what else I could procure. I got onto the
internet, which is something I hate doing. I surfed garden sheds. I
found an amazing and confusing array or them. Then I spotted cheap
sheds. Yes, the cheapest sheds on the market. I spent time gazing at
dimensions, specifications, attributes, quality standards, guarantees,
unsolicited testimonials and of course the free transport costs to
anywhere on the United Kingdom's mainland.
I plumped for what looked like the best bargain. I phoned."Cheap Sheds.
Nigel Speaking." Why is everyone called Speaking? I thought to myself.
Anyway we got over my little bit of confusion and continued the
conversation. Nigel explained the virtues of the ten-foot by eight-foot
shed I was attracted to. Just as we seemed to agree on costs, I
mentioned that I was trying to procure this construction for a charity,
namely The Orkney Archaeology Society. "Would there be any reduction for
us?" Nigel's voice reflected the levity of my request with the gravity
of his answer. So, full price on cheap sheds it was.
Then we came to delivery. I proffered my postcode. I heard a
calculator's buttons click expertly over the face of its keyboard. "That
will be one squillion and eighty something squidz plus VAT for delivery
to Orkney." My jaw descended to its lowest.
"Put it to Wick," I suggested. The buttons on his machine depressed rapidly. "We do not deliver to Wick," he explained.
"I will contact my carrier." I told him, "and find their Inverness
address." I hung up. I rang back. Nigel was at lunch. Cheryl answered.
"To Inverness it will be nearly as many squillions." She informed me. I
was flabberghasted.
"But Inverness is part of the UK mainland," I informed her.
"We do not deliver to Inverness, it is too far." Came Cheryl's answer.
"To where will you deliver under the terms of your carriage constrictions?" I enquired.
Cheryl punched holes in her ready reckoner. "Glasgow." She came up with.
"But that's at the other end of the country," I informed her.
I told her I would think about it.
I telephoned Nick Card. He is chairman of The Orkney Archaeology Society
and I am vice chairman. We needed a chinwag. I told him that I was
willing to sponsor some of the shed, but could not do the whole thing.
Nick said, "There's someone in South Ronaldsay, who builds sheds. It is
Willie Beedies. He makes good, strong sheds fit for an Orkney Blast."
Then he found the phone number. I phoned. Willie's wife answered. I
explained who I was and what I was after. She was most helpful. "I'll
get Willie to call you back. He's out with the Fire Brigade at the
moment."
I stopped thinking about Cheap Sheds.
Willie got back to me. I explained just what we needed. I wanted a clear
roof so that we had light from above. Something eight feet by ten would
be ideal and double doors would be an added attraction. A tough floor
was essential too. Willies pencil worked out some details. He asked me
for a drawing. I did one on a brown paper bag and posted it to him.
Willie Beedies got back to me shortly after the mail had arrived in
South Ronaldsay. He told me the cost. I had a mini gulp because,
although really worth the money our society would have been hard pressed
to fund it. I explained this, but added that I would sponsor some of it
from Fursbreck Pottery.
"Sponsorship?" Willie said. "Well, I could sponsor it." I was
flabberghasted. My whole train of thought spun in my giddying brain as
he repeated the offer. "Now go over exactly what you want again." He
asked me. I did. We confirmed the clear roof and other details.
Willie of Gricegarth said. "Right. I will have to order the roof today
to have it ready for you on time. I will make it in sections so that we
can take it apart again. I can deliver and erect the shed for you and
that's it, Andrew. I explained meekly to him that this had made my year.
I was so, so grateful, just as the society would be, when they heard of
his sheer kindness.
Shortly after Willie rang back. "What colour roof frame would you like?"
"Green." I replied, "to fit in with the landscape."
"Green it is," he said.
So, readers, when the dig starts and is open for visitors, do come and look at Willie of Gricegarth's sponsored shed.
Thanks Willie.