Ruth’s future lies in the past

A 29–YEAR–OLD woman from Oldham has won one of seven coveted training posts with English Heritage.

Ruth Garratt, originally from Daisy Nook but now living in Levenshulme, beat nearly 1,000 other applicants to claim one of seven places on the Historic Environment Traineeship (HET) scheme.

She will now spend the next two years working with heritage chiefs in Manchester.

The groundbreaking initiative equips the trainees with the skills required to work as historic environment managers and help protect the nation’s priceless heritage in the future.

Ruth is a graduate in ancient history and archaeology at Manchester University who then spent six years employed with the university’s archaeological unit running commercial archaeological excavation projects in the North-West.

She worked with community groups across Greater Manchester on projects aimed at increasing local awareness of and interaction with their cultural heritage and historic environment.

She more recently worked as an archaeological supervisor on projects including a research/field expedition to Peru, excavating an Inca ritual centre on the mountain slopes of the Cordillera Negra.

Ruth said: “I like to look at the past to understand the present and make it part of our future.”

Andrew Davison, inspector of ancient monuments at English Heritage, said: “Protecting historic places is also about making our towns, cities and villages better places to live, which is a fabulous vocation for anyone.

“But gaining experience can be a problem, which this scheme addresses.

“It’s about investing in our young people so they can make their mark in the future.”

For more information about the HET scheme and how to apply, send an email with your contact details to midlands.recruit@english–heritage.org.uk