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Tribrach flint

Welcome to the website of the

VECTIS ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST (VAT)

Registered Charity No. 1174499

The 'Vectis Archaeological Trust' is a descendant of
The 'Isle of Wight Archaeological Committee' (IWAC).


Click here for a Short History of VAT.


Vectis Archaeological Trust are honoured to have two leaders in their professions who have agreed to be our patrons:

Professor Tracy Borman.

Vectis Archaeological Trust is pleased to introduce Professor Tracy Borman, the well-known historian and author as our Patron (Historical).

Professor Tracy Borman
Image of Professor Tracy Borman

Professor Borman studied and taught history at the University of Hull and was awarded a Ph.D. in 1997.
She then went on to a successful career in heritage and has worked for a range of historic properties and national heritage organisations, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, The National Archives and English Heritage, including a spell on the Isle of Wight.

Professor Borman is now Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust, a charity that encourages children to visit and learn from historic properties through the Sandford Award scheme, and joint Chief Curator for Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that manages Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace, the Banqueting House, Whitehall and Hillsborough Castle.

She regularly appears on television and radio and is a contributor to history magazines, notably BBC History. She also gives talks on her books across the country, including being a regular visitor to the Isle of Wight Literary Festival.

She is proud to be a trustee of The Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust and The National Archives Foundation, as well as a Patron of Lavenham Library, the Friends of Marble Hill House and the Chalke Valley History Festival, and Patron (Historical) of the Vectis Archaeological Trust. In 2017 she was awarded an honorary degree (DLitt) from the University of Hull; in 2020 was made an Honorary Fellow in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen Mary University of London and in 2021 an Honorary Professor at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. She is also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Vectis Archaeological Trust was thrilled to learn that one of our Patrons, Professor Tracy Borman, was honoured by His Majesty King Charles III, in his Birthday Honours, with the award of an OBE for services to Heritage.

The Trustees would like to congratulate Professor Borman on this well deserved
honour for her work.


Julian Richards

Vectis Archaeological Trust is pleased to introduce Julian Richards, the well-known Archaeologist and author as our Patron (Archaeology).

Julian Richards
Image of Julian Richards

Julian is a professional archaeologist, author, television
and radio presenter. He has over 40 years of involvement with Stonehenge and its landscape. He is an archaeologist; educator, author and former presenter on radio and TV (‘Meet the Ancestors’ ‘Blood of the Vikings’ ‘Mapping the town’).

He has been involved with Stonehenge since the 1980’s when he directed the Stonehenge Environs Project for Wessex Archaeology.

The author of the current Stonehenge guidebook, ‘Stonehenge - the story so far’ and ‘The amazing pop- up Stonehenge’, Julian has an extensive collection of ‘Stonehengiana’ which has been exhibited at many Wessex museums and the Stonehenge Visitor Centre.

You will find both Tracy's and Julian’s books for sale at Amazon.



VAT Library

The VAT library is under construction, with many books already available and new ones being added on a regular basis.
Our intention is to put in place a research resource covering all aspects of archaeology/
history with a strong emphasis on the Island’s heritage. We have a collection of hardcopy books and electronically stored books on DVD. As well as our library, you will find further research material in the link below.

Vectis Archaeological Trust and the Friends of Brading Roman Villa would like to thank the many people who have donated books to the combined libraries.

In particular:
David Reeves.
Robert Pitts.
Bryn Walters.

From the estates of:
Marten Harris
John Hamblin
Eric Jackson Hignett.
Mark Corney. (Time Team)
Anthony Beeson.

VATs library lending policy




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