About BAJR....

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Who is BAJR?

BAJR is many things to many people, but to be honest, it's a husband and wife team (now that I have retired my mother at the age of 82 as the accountant). I am David Connolly and my wife is Margaret Struckmeier, who also runs the Past Horizons Toolstore and Volunteer Archaeology website... www.pasthorizons.com.

You will be glad to know that I do know a bit about archaeology and working in it, from Digger to Director, from Curator to Consultant... in fact you name it, I have probably done it. and whats more I still do! I run community excavations, work abroad, carry out surveys, work with metal detectorists, record and analyse historic buildings, act as consultant on capital projects for TPS planning ( http://www.tpsplanning.com/ ) and act as the NTS consultant contractor for southern Scotland (acting as Robin Turners assistant). I still dig and I still direct, I am also a development control archaeologist for Midlothian Council (small but beautifully formed). Currently I am working on establishment of a Heritage Trust and also trying to help create a national level tourist resource in Roslin Glen. Maggie and I are also producing a new Magazine called - Past Horizons and manage a new Heritage YouTube system at www.pasthorizons.tv

This means you can be confident that I know what I am doing, I know what you need and I will always put archaeology and the archaeolgoist FIRST... its in my blood. Heres a brief CV:

Archaeological experience:

1981-1999 Various posts from Digger to Draughtsman and Surveyor at sites across the UK including York, Ribchester, Cambridgeshire, Scotland, Yorkshire Wolds, Snettisham, Europe and Middle East inclusing Iraq, Jordan, UAE, Turkey, Turkministan to name a few. Periods ranged from Upper Palaeolithic to Second World War defences.

1991-1999 Director of Backtrack Archaeology, a survey and illustration company specialising in Landscape and building survey and analysis. Sites ranged from Wallington Designed landscape to castle and house surveys such as Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle. Was also a pioneer in new techniques such as remote excavation and photo modelling in 3D.

2000-2002 Co Director of Addyman Associates, specialists in Designed landscapes and Building Analysis. Sites included Queensberry House, Edinburgh (part of the present Scottish Parliament) several National Trust properties and famously the Cowgate Fire site in Edinburgh, where revolutionary techniques recorded the entire cityblock as a 3D model that could later be studied. Public relations for archaeological company.

2003-present Director of the UK website BAJR (British Archaeological Jobs and Resources) www.bajr.org - one of the largest heritage websites in the UK providing employment, information and guides. DC Archaeologist for Midlothian, providing Development control for the council. Contractor/Consultant to capital projects. NTS Contractor/Consultant

What is BAJR?

Among the national institutions, such as the IFA, CBA, Rescue, etc there is now an established and trusted independent organisation run by an archaeologist for archaeologists.

There is no committee, no formal membership and no subscription; BAJR is run with major decisions, guidelines and documents put out to public vote and/or consultation from interested groups.

BAJR is here to provide and exchange practical information and services about the historic environment and employment and training within that sector.

It also acts as an independent platform for the workers in archaeology and heritage related occupations, providing advice and protection on an informal basis, empowering the workers with facts and data concerning all aspects from Health and Safety to Employee Rights. As our heritage belongs morally and ethically to us all, BAJR supports all those who adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards. To this end, BAJR provides information to groups as diverse as Local History Societies, the Portable Antiquities Scheme, Metal Detecting Groups, Developers, as well as Archaeological Contractors.

The IFA Code of conduct is recognised as the minimum standard that should be adhered to and as such, BAJR has adopted the IFA Code of conduct as the condition for Archaeological Contractors to both be included in the database of contractors and to advertise on the jobs pages... this does not however mean that membership of the IFA is a requirement to be part of BAJR, it is a baseline that, as archaeologists, we must strive to conform with.

Who uses BAJR?

A range of groups and individuals both professional and amateur use BAJR. Our visitors come from universities, contracting units, development control departments, museums, conservation laboratories, environmental.

They come from metal detecting clubs, local societies, building development companies, architects firms, schools and colleges, but all have one thing in common

Need for easy to find and easy to use information. Every week, over 10,500 unique visitors from across the globe visit BAJR.

What does BAJR do?

To maintain the intentions within our mission statement BAJR has the following aims

To provide a employment service for all.

The primary function of BAJR is to provide an advertising service for Heritage Organisations, whether Contracting Units, Council Services, Higher Education Institutions or Heritage Body.

This is updated daily, with access to hundreds of jobs a year. In addition there is the CVs Online service, where a large searchable database of individuals is held that can be accessed freely by employers looking for staff.

Over the past 5 years, BAJR has now become the primary location for job adverts in UK heritage.

BAJR provides information services to all. Gathering information and making this easily accessible to all has become an important goal for BAJR. To this end, the following datasets (continually updated) were gathered and are available as fully searchable databases online;

1. Council Curators (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man)

2. Local History Centres

3. Educational Institutions

4. Heritage/Archaeology Courses (HERA)

5. Archaeological Contractors

6. PAS and Treasure Trove centres.

7. Young Archaeologist Club Locations

8. Funding Sources and Grants (Heritage based)

9. National Organisations

10. Resources in Archaeology (Maps, Software, useful sites)

We recognise that the CBA along with the IFA contain many useful datasets, and we will work closely with them both to avoid over duplication of effort. It is not the intention of BAJR to challenge the pre-eminence of these organisations in this aim, more to enhance and provide an additional parallel source for the public and archaeological/heritage professionals alike. BAJR is about inclusion and cooperation.. and also works with the Metal Detecting groups who wish to help bring archaeology to all.

So now you know! ... Best of all, its the fun of doing it.. and helping people, who in return often help me. You all know who you are, and I could not do it without you, I won't embarress you by naming you, but thanks to you all.

All the best

David Connolly 2008