Campaign launched to help bring rare Roman find into Wakefield’s collection
Friday, July 17, 2026
Wakefield Council has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help acquire a rare Roman silver-gilt brooch discovered near Hemsworth and bring it into the Wakefield Museums and Castles collection.
Dating from around AD 75–175, the highly ornate brooch is a rare and visually striking example of Roman craftsmanship. It provides a remarkable connection to the people who lived, worked and travelled through the Wakefield district nearly 2,000 years ago.
The importance of this brooch has been recognised by the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, which has generously awarded £2,000 towards its purchase. The museum service is continuing to raise funds to support the acquisition and the research, interpretation and public engagement work that will follow.
"This project is about giving local people the opportunity to be part of an important moment in Hemsworth's heritage. By bringing this rare find into our collection, we can learn more about our local history, share that story with future generations and celebrate an important part of the district's past.
"The support already received from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund recognises the significance of this remarkable object. We're now inviting local people to help us secure its future and maximise the opportunities it creates for learning, research and community engagement."
Cllr Lukasz Borcz
Cabinet Member for Culture and Sport
The brooch was discovered near Hemsworth and has been identified as an unusual silver-gilt example of a Roman brooch type more commonly made from copper alloy. It is particularly important because relatively little Roman-period archaeological material has previously been recorded from the Hemsworth area.
Wakefield Council is committed to acquiring the brooch for the public collection at Wakefield Museums and Castles. Alongside support from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, the crowdfunding campaign will help raise the remaining £2,000 needed for the acquisition and support the wider public programme associated with the object.
If successfully acquired, the Council intends to display the brooch in Hemsworth Library, close to where it was discovered, before it is shared more widely through exhibitions, learning activities, events and digital interpretation.
To find out more and support the campaign, visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hemsworth-roman-brooch
Further information
Wakefield Museums and Castles have set aside funding to acquire the brooch if required.
If the Council reach or exceed the target: additional funds will support interpretation, conservation, learning activity, and digital content linked to the brooch and the wider Roman collection.
If the Council do not reach the target: the museum will still acquire the brooch, and all funds raised will be used to support related public facing work in line with museum policy and charitable objectives.
All funds will be held and managed in line with local authority financial procedures.
The Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund is a government fund that helps regional museums, record offices and specialist libraries in England and Wales to acquire objects relating to the arts, literature and history. It was established at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in 1881 and continues to be part of its nationwide work. The annual grants budget, currently £745,000, is provided by Arts Council England National Lottery Funding. Each year, the Purchase Grant Fund considers some 150 applications and awards grants to around 100 organisations, enabling acquisitions of around £3 million to go ahead. Find out more at: www.vam.ac.uk/purchasegrantfund
