Swaffham recives more Historic England funding for projects

Mr Carter - who grew up in the town - was the archaeologist who discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt in 1922.

Historic England has given The Swaffham Cultural Consortium - led by The Friends of Swaffham Heritage - £45,000 so it can continue its cultural development projects.

The group was established to celebrate the links between Swaffham and the famous Egyptologist.

Sue Gattuso, chair of the friends group and events lead of the consortium, said: “We have been very fortunate to have received the funding for these events. 

“Our aim in everything we do is to bring the town together to celebrate our legacy, to get to know each other a little better and to enjoy.”

The consortium is made up of volunteers, including some from Swaffham Museum, which is now expanding its programming to celebrate Swaffham’s bygone heritage.

Sue Gattuso, chair of Friends of Swaffham Heritage and events lead of the consortium

 During 2022 the group, funded by Historic England, held a community archaeological dig in Campingland and hosted various talks on Howard Carter's search for Tutankhamun's tomb.

Howard Carter peers into the tomb at Tutankhamun's sarcophagus (Image: Courtesy of Swaffham Museum) (Image: Courtesy of Swaffham Museum)

During 2023 the consortium will host a series of events to celebrate the Market Place. This will include a community supper at the Buttercross - the Grade I listed market cross in the Market Place - and a digital library of past and present images of Swaffham. 

And a new pyramid statue will shortly be unveiled in Swaffham as an enduring legacy of Howard Carter’s work.

The project has been renamed from 'Carter 22' to 'The Eye of the Buttercross'.

Tony Calladine, Historic England's regional director, said: “I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s programme of events come to life and for local people to discover more about the Buttercross, such an important landmark in Swaffham, and its enduring legacy of community spirit.”