Leonard (Polly) Hayward BA BSc FSA excavated the villa between 1946 and 1952 and again between 1960 and 1963 with the boys of Yeovil School. He produced two reports on his excavations and deposited his finds in what was Yeovil Museum (they’re now held by the CHAC).

The Yeovil Archaeological and Local History Society (who have generously contributed to the current excavations) have their origins in the Yeovil School Archaeological Society established by Leonard Hayward.

The Yeovil Archaeological and Local History Society have two accounts by pupils of the excavations published on their website.

Yeovil historian Jack Sweet recounts that “occasionally  when Mr Hayward and the seniors were absent for a short time we juniors enjoyed re-enacting the Western Front in the trenches and on the spoil heaps!!” So it wasn’t all hard digging!