Rescue Council is very sorry to report the death in early July of our long-term supporter Roy Friendship-Taylor at the age of 89.
Roy’s first career was as a graphic designer but he was deeply involved in archaeology, and gained qualifications in archaeology as a mature student from the universities of Leicester and Nottingham. He was very well known for running annual excavations by the Upper Nene Archaeology Society on the Roman villa complex at Piddington, Northamptonshire, from 1979 for over 40 years. These excavations provided valuable early experience for many now working in the profession. The Society, again organised by Roy and his wife Diana (Liz), also bought a local Wesleyan Chapel and converted it to a museum space for the Piddington project, with provision for ongoing volunteer activity.
Roy’s involvement with Rescue included a stint as Chair in 2004-2009. He was also active in many other archaeological organisations, including the Council for British Archaeology, the Study Group for Roman Pottery and the Roman Finds Group. He was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 2007.
Council members remember Roy as always helpful, thoroughly nice and thoroughly dedicated to archaeology. We have sent our condolences to Diana, who is a current Council member.
Photo from Piddington Roman Villa Museum
