Appleby Archaeology Group saw increased membership and successful project completions in 2023.

The annual general meeting for the group was held on January 11.

Richard McGregor, chair of the group, gave a positive review of the year.

He said: "This has been a good year for Appleby Archaeology and has seen our numbers increase.

"Thanks to Martin Railton and Trish Shaw our project Dig Appleby has been brought to a successful conclusion and Martin’s booklet is proving a popular addition to the literature about the town."

He encouraged more people to get involved in various aspects, stating how important the work is for the town's community.

In addition to the review of the year, the AGM included new officer assignments.

Martin Railton was elected vice-chair, Val Kendall took up the post of secretary, Martin Joyce was chosen as treasurer, and Chris Wilson was designated membership secretary.

David Boote, Cathy Hooper, Thish Shaw, and Adrian Waite were also elected to the committee.

The AGM was also enriched with presentations on archaeology.

Martin Railton spoke about existing evidence for Roman activity near Appleby, including potential fortlets and signal stations, hinting at the prospect of further archaeological investigations in 2024.

Richard McGregor also updated members on the preservation of fourteenth-century gravestones from the Loch Awe school, now placed inside the church at Dalmally, Argyllshire.

These gravestones originally covered the graves of the earliest MacGregor chiefs whose homeland was the three glens of Glenorchy, Glenlochy and Glenstrae in Argyllshire.

The project was funded by clan members and through grant funding.

Adrian Waite's talk centred on medieval arms, armour, and experimental archaeology.

He showcased a replica suit of fifteenth-century armour. He also brought replica weapons including swords and polearms.

This was akin to what was historically worn by men of Appleby who followed Lord John Clifford during the Wars of the Roses.

Chris Taylor, a member of the audience, got an opportunity to try on the replica armour and handle the weapons.