AN EXHIBITION giving a new insight into the past of the Washburn Valley has opened in Fewston.

The display at Washburn Heritage Centre focuses on the finds of an archaeological excavation carried out in 2009 before the venue, beside Fewston Church, was built.

The Fewston Assemblage: Churchyard Secrets Revealed combines the results of scientific research with social history to tell the story of some of the people who lived in the area hundreds of years ago.

More than 150 sets of human remains were moved during the dig and then reburied, following extensive examination*, at a special service in the grounds of the Church of St Michael and St Lawrence last September.

A pair of reconstructed heads, showing likenesses of former residents George Lister and Elizabeth Dibb, form the centrepiece of the exhibition.

They were created, based upon the pair's remains, by the Face Lab at Liverpool John Moores University.

The Right Rev Nicholas Baines Bishop of Leeds officially opening the display on Saturday, January 7, declaring it 'excellent'.

He added: "This has been established with great imagination by great people."

The opening was also attended by living descendants of some of the Assemblage individuals.

Otley resident Mervyn Lister, who is the great-great-great grandson of George Lister, said: "We had previously done much family history research, but this project revealed many new facts about my family.

"I never expected to 'meet' my great-great-great grandfather!”

Other guests included the archaeologists from York and Durham who undertook the osteoarchaeological research, and the heritage centre’s volunteer social history researchers.

The event ended with The Fewston Musick performing The Fifteenth of September, a piece - written by volunteer Ken Fackrell - originally sung at the reburial service.

The exhibition, which runs through into April, can be viewed on Sundays from 11am to 4pm when the venue's tea room will be open.

An accompanying programme of events has been organised to tie in with it - for more details visit washburnvalley.org.

*The research and the exhibition have been funded principally by the Heritage Lottery Fund, with additional support from the Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation and the heritage centre itself.