Tuesday, June 25

Mick Aston (1 July 1946 - 24 June 2013)

Woke up this morning to find that Mick Aston [clicky] had died... probably not the best known of characters, but he was a (very) prominent archaeologist, and one of the original team that helped to create the magic and wonderment that was "Time Team" [clicky]...

I've been watching with huge interest for years, and I'm still not convinced that I wouldn't like to take an archaeology course when the government finally lets me retire - and that interest is all thanks to this program, and in particular this bloke along with Phil, and Tony Robinson...

RIP with many thanks for the huge number of interesting archaeological digs you and the team managed to bring to life through your enthusiasm....


10 comments:

  1. Sad to hear, I liked him and Phil!

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  2. I was shocked by this too! Love Time Team. I actually wanted to be an archaeologist when I was at school until I saw how much they earned!

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  3. I enjoyed watching him, seemed like a nice bloke too.
    I'm sure his colleagues on Time Time will be gutted.

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  4. Definitely someone who will be missed. It was always good to see his obvious enthusiasm for the subject and passion for explaining it to the public.

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  5. Time Team is my guilty pleasure and have been watching it for as long as it has been on Aussie TV. Even my wife, who does not think it is that great, knew who Mick Aston was when I told her the news. He made a good show great by being on it.

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    1. Thanks guys - it would appear you agree which is always nice.... Shaun - you hit it on the head - him and the other guys were undoubtedly the reason why the show went on as long as it did.....

      Never got to meet him, I did burble drunkenly at Phil one Christmas (oh the shame) when I was in Salisbury (he drinks in the Hopback pub, the "Wyndham Arms"), always thought he'd be happy to sit and have a chat over a beer though.......

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  6. I too was upset to hear the news this morning, been watching Time Team for as long as I can remember and have recently been working back through loads of episodes on YouTube as oddly enough I also find it the perfect 'listen' when I'm painting. I loved Mick Aston's enthusiasm for bringing archaeology to 'the people' by connecting them with the past via personal objects etc. A great man who will be missed.

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  7. Very sad. You wrote a very nice tribute, Steve.

    May I offer a kindly-meant suggestion? Take this moment of reflection and appreciation, and use it to let the surviving cast and crew of the show know how much your appreciated Mr. Aston, and how much you continue to appreciate their show. I'm sure they would love to hear it, especially now.

    Please understand, I don't mean this in ANY kind of critical way. I find that taking the time to act on those moments when I realize how much something means to me helps me deal with the loss that sparked the appreciation in the first place.

    Cheers. Best regards,

    Wil

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    1. Wil - that's a cracking idea... well done....

      All, if you also would like to do this then I think you can contact the show via the Channel 4 website:

      http://www.channel4.com/4viewers/contact-us

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  8. agree with all the above realised how much the program has meant to me over the years when I heard the news this morning. A time team special should be put on on a site that Mick would have wanted investigated as a fitting memorial including as many of the archaeologists involved with the program over the years.

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