RAMM launches fundraising campaign to keep Dawlish Hoard

Museum needs £12,000

Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum has launched a fundraising campaign so it can buy the Dawlish Hoard. 

This treasure was discovered in 2017 by two metal-detectorists in a field near Dawlish. 

It's thought it was buried for about 3,000 years, since the late bronze age. 

It consists of four gold bracelets (found deliberately folded up), seven fragments of bronze ingot, two fragments of axe and a section of bronze sword. This combination of gold bracelets with bronze weapons and bronze ingots is unique in the British bronze age.

Tom Cadbury, RAMM Assistant Curator says: “If RAMM can't acquire the hoard then it may be sold off and never seen again. To secure the Dawlish Hoard for the people of Devon we need to raise £12,000 to buy, conserve and interpret the treasure."

The Friends of the Royal Albert Memorial Museums and Art Gallery  have already committed £500 to the cause. Chair Alan Caig says “it is really important that we keep something of this quality and age in the area. It was found, and probably made here and that’s what Friends is about. It is here to help the museum and complement its collection.”

Donations towards the campaign can be made online by visiting the Friends’ Donate page or text GOLD to 70331 to donate £3, to 70970 to donate £5 and to 70191 to donate £10. Donations can also be made by cheque or by phone: call 01392 265960 during opening hours (Tues – Sun, 10am – 5pm). Cheques should be made out to FEMAG and posted to the Development Officer, RAMM, Queen St, Exeter EX4 3RX.