Masham’s hidden treasures uncovered in new channel 4 show

The Great British Dig, Channel 4’s new archeology documentary, has unearthed Masham’s hidden past.

The show includes four episodes running through February and March and Masham is the focus of episode two. The show works with local people to dig up their back gardens in search of hidden parts of history.

The show is hosted by actor and comedian Hugh Dennis who is working with a team of archeologists.

The production company behind the show, Strawberry Blond, had to work around lockdowns to film. Executive Producer, Steve Wynne, said the people of Masham were eager to get involved.

The researchers knocked on numerous doors in Masham in hope everyone would say yes to archaeologists digging up their gardens.

The production team knew of a lost cemetery in Masham and wanted to see what could be unearthed around the rest of the town. They used the Town Hall and the square as their base and began their dig.

Hugh Dennis at Masham

Hugh Dennis stood in front of Masham’s blue plaque for the lost cemetery. Photograph: Strawberry Blond TV

The show promises to reveal “incredible discoveries” including a number of skeletons. Some were used to show how people lived 1000 years ago.

Steve Wynne said:

“I cannot tell you how incredibly warm and welcoming the people of Masham were.  From the amazing bacon sandwiches from Lucy at Bordar House Teas, to Colin at Johnny Baghdad’s on the Square.

“The residents were only too happy for us to turf up their gardens (and beer garden at The Bruce Arms).  The team at the Town Hall gave us the run of the place for our unit base, and the local vicar was a fountain of knowledge about the history of the town.”

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The episode featuring Masham will air on More 4 on February 24.

The series also features digs in South Shields, Nottingham and Newcastle.

Hugh Dennis visits Masham for Channel 4 programme

The comedian Hugh Dennis is filming in Masham this week for a Channel 4 programme that aims to uncover more about the town’s ‘lost cemetery’.

Mr Dennis is expected to be in the North Yorkshire town for another couple of days filming for The Great British Dig: History in Your Back Garden.

It follows numerous discoveries of Anglo-Scandinavian skeletons dating back to between 679 and 1011 AD around the centre of the market town.

Building works in 1988 and 1999 uncovered the remains of 58 skeletons.

Many locals believe there is much more to discover.

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Neil McIntosh, who works in tourist information for Visit Masham, told the Stray Ferret:

“This is fertile ground for excavations. So far we have only found just over 50 skeletons but if the cemetery was in use for more than 300 years there will be plenty more to find.”

Mr McIntosh says the crew for the programme is digging up the garden of a former butcher.

He added that the show could find some animal bones as well as human remains from hundreds of years ago.