CONSTRUCTION of new facilities is underway in Northumberland National Park.

The Vindolanda Trust's Roman Army Museum, based at Greenhead, Brampton, is building new facilities including an activity centre and a yurt to provide more space to offer an improved programme of events at the museum.

The museum extension, now underway, is part of the Vindolanda Trust's Roman Magna Project which started earlier this year. The project is supported by a grant of £1.6m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Magna Project focuses on the impact of climate change on our cultural heritage. It will enable a five-year research excavation at Magna Roman Fort, and also facilitate enhanced activity and engagement programmes in the Roman Army Museum.

The work in the museum includes constructing a new activity centre and space for volunteers who join the excavation programme.

The activity centre and yurt will provide space to run a more comprehensive programme of events throughout the year at the Roman Army Museum. Events will also highlight scientific research that is taking place at the Magna excavation site, specifically looking at how climate change is impacting sensitive archaeological deposits.

Dr Andrew Birley, Vindolanda Trust CEO and director of excavations, said: “We are grateful and delighted that thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to deliver this ground-breaking project at our important Roman site at Magna next to the Roman Army Museum, on Hadrian’s Wall.

"In a year when we have marked 1,900 years since the construction of Hadrian’s Wall began, we must also look to the future to protect this irreplaceable monument for the next 1,900 years and beyond. This project will help us understand the environmental pressures our site is under and enable us to plan appropriately for its future management."

Anne Jenkins, executive director of business delivery at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “It’s fantastic news that in the year we celebrate the 1900th year of Hadrian’s Wall, the Heritage Fund is supporting this forward-looking project from the Vindolanda Trust. Not only will this project share the diverse and untold heritage of the Magna site, but it will address the impacts of climate change on this significant archaeological site and undertake work in order to alleviate these effects.”