The archaeology department of the University of Exeter were awarded the grant to launch a new community-aimed project to encourage and support local archaeological research in Devon.

XARCH was designed to provide a range of community and education workshops in practical techniques, with the overall aim of acting as a catalyst for further community research.

The three-year project planned to deliver weekend archaeological field workshops to community societies, groups and individuals. Plans also included delivering school workshops exploring trial excavation and survey techniques, and workshops for community groups to learn how to research the development of their local settlement and landscape patterns.