Chatteris Museum has received a £7,900 Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant for a project exploring the ancient human occupation of the town it was announced today (Wednesday).

The exciting project led by curator Ian Mason, was first publicised in this paper two months ago, has been given the cash to identify man made items in local and national museums, up to 1,000,000 years old, that were found in Chatteris, and to arrange loans to mount an exhibition.

Heritage Lottery believe the project will illustrate the wealth of the town’s local history and help stimulate a sense of pride in the community, and in particular help local school students better understand their Stone Age heritage.

The Church Lane Museum volunteers in Chatteris will also produce posters, maps and pamphlets, give presentations and guided tours of the exhibition and go out to community organisations and schools to promote, inform and build local interest in the town’s unique heritage.

The wealth of artefacts and evidence of occupation by various species of humans during the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages is truly staggering.

All townsfolk, young and old, will be amazed at the quantity and quality of the items being brought together for the first time in the new displays being planned.

To help enhance the experience replica Bronze Age weapons will be available to handle and visits to Flag Fen Archaeology Park near Peterborough are also being organised for the schools.

Commenting on the award, Jenny Furlong the senior curator said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to give Chatteris an interest and pride in a period of the Town’s long history that has not been possible before. It’s great that we have been awarded this grant and we can’t wait to get started. We are all really excited about telling other people about our Stone Age treasures and sharing our heritage and history with them.”

Robyn Llewellyn, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund East of England region, said: “Sharing Heritage is a wonderful opportunity for communities to delve into their local heritage and we are delighted to be able to offer this grant so that Chatteris Museum, local school pupils and the wider community can embark on a real journey of discovery. Heritage means such different things to different people, and HLF’s funding offers a wealth of opportunities for groups to explore and celebrate what’s important to them in their area.”