Shropshire archaeological digs lead to WWI finds - with pictures
Excavation of an old World War One site saw experts scrape back land to uncover pieces of history.
The archaeological dig held at one of Shropshire Wildlife Trust's newest nature reserves at Prees Heath Common near Whitchurch and organisers say it was a huge success.
Experts say the reserve is on Hospital Lane and was very close to the site of a First World War troop hospital that once housed hundreds of wounded soldiers.
Kirsty Brown, from the Meres & Mosses Landscape Partnership Scheme, said: "It has been going really well. We have found some really interesting things - some old electrical items, a rusty old nail, a lovely leather Winklepicker Shoe, that was my favourite one.
"There have been some fantastic finds today, we are really very pleased.
"We have trays and trays of things here."
The project was run by the Heritage Lottery funded Meres & Mosses Landscape Partnership Scheme (LPS) and is receiving technical support from the Whitchurch Heritage Centre volunteer team.
An excavator was also loaned by Vernon’s Plant Hire to thinly scrape a few small parts of the site surface.
The group of about 20 people worked in areas measuring one by two metres squared and between 20 and 40 centimetres deep to find historical objects, which will go on display at the Whitchurch Heritage Centre.
Meanwhile, by scraping back the top layer it has removed invasive vegetation and could lead to a habitat for plants and insects.
Mrs Brown added: "We never expected to find hardly any of these things, we really have found all sorts.
"Afterwards we are going to return the earth to the areas we have moved it from."
The historical items will all be assessed by the heritage team in Whitchurch before they go on display.
Mrs Brown said that because of the success of the dig, it is possible the teams could return to the site again.
