ROMAN dig: The archaeological dig starts on Monday, on Insula IX.

I am sure visitors will be welcome once the diggers get settled and the work under way.

CHRISTIAN Aid: The village collection raised around £600. Many thanks to the collectors and givers.

FETE: A big thank you to all who took part. Many hands really did make light work, and I understand around £3,700 has been raised.

TALK: Professor Michael Fulford gave a talk in the village hall last Friday on the findings from the dig last year.

Silchester Association organised the evening and the hall was packed.

CONGRATULATIONS: Firstly, to Vice Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, who has close family in Silchester.

Mark is being promoted to Admiral on Thursday, and will move to Virginia, USA, for two years as Deputy Allied Commander (Transformation).

Secondly, to Elizabeth Lemm, of Hartleys, who entered the UK Intermediate Maths Challenge, via The Willink school, and received a silver certificate for finishing in the top 13 per cent of the UK. She was the best in her school.

Lastly, to Dean Westcarr, of The Hurst school, who competed in the SE Inter Counties Athletics meeting at Ashford, Kent, in the javelin event.

He came second with a personal best of 44.4 metres and qualified for the English Schools Championships in Gateshead later this month.