Volunteers are needed to uncover the history of Rose Hill Woods.

The area of land, just behind Gore Court Cricket Club on London Road, was once the site of Rose Hill House, which was demolished in the 1970s but had stood from the late 18th century.

Between Saturday and Sunday, June 21 from 10am - 4pm, a community dig will be held with the aim of unearthing the walls and footings and finding out more about the house and garden.

The project, which is led by the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne (HRGS), forms part of the Woodland Wildlife Hidden History being run by the Mid Kent Downs Countryside Partnership with the support of Swale council and Heritage Lottery Fund.

Richard Emmett, chairman of the HRGS, said: “This is a project that we have been interested in for quite some time as there are still many people around Sittingbourne that remember the house at Rose Hill and have fond memories of it.

“It also gives us the chance to look out for other glimpses into Sittingbourne’s past, and who knows what else we will find, as Rose Hill is close to the Roman road, Watling Street and the Anglo-Saxon site at The Meads.”

Mike Phillips, senior projects officer at the Mid Kent Downs Countryside Partnership, said: “We’re so pleased to be working with a community archaeology group to deliver this project and are stunned by the level of interest that has been shown in the archaeology dig.

“It just goes to show how childhood memories childhoods can be very powerful, and digs like this, can re-awaken an interest in somewhere that they used to play in when they were young.”

For those interested in what is found during the dig, an open day will be held on the top field of the site on Sunday, June 21 between noon and 2pm.

Archaeologists will be on hand to show people around and there will be a display of artefacts discovered over the course of the week.

For more details or to book a free place on the dig itself, call 01303 815170.

Alternatively, email mike.phillips@kentdowns.org.uk