20th July 2011, 01:19 PM
Ah but then there is the local society who's members are all retired the kids are off their hands. They are keen, have all the training and are looking for something to fill their days. They are confident they can do as good a job as the professionals (if not better) and many have run their own businesses. So don't dismiss them lightly.
I actually think Mr Hosty is right and they would not be able to sustain working in a commercial environment but I do know there are amateurs out there who are quite prepared to give it ago and think they should be allowed to, I know this from personal experience.
We need a good dialogue going where the amateurs and professionals respect each other and can see each sides point of view. The real threat is Government cut backs that may result in the amateurs being the only recourse as funding and the demand for commercial or academic archaeology dries up. Some of us remember the days before ppg16 & 15 and even before the council units ( as do many local societies which for them was their digging hay day).
I actually think Mr Hosty is right and they would not be able to sustain working in a commercial environment but I do know there are amateurs out there who are quite prepared to give it ago and think they should be allowed to, I know this from personal experience.
We need a good dialogue going where the amateurs and professionals respect each other and can see each sides point of view. The real threat is Government cut backs that may result in the amateurs being the only recourse as funding and the demand for commercial or academic archaeology dries up. Some of us remember the days before ppg16 & 15 and even before the council units ( as do many local societies which for them was their digging hay day).