The Treasure of the Golden Grape book was nominated for the biennial Dorset Archaeological Awards 2013

The DAC Judging Panel described the nomination as:-

"Treasure of the Golden Grape: A Chesil Beach Wreck by Selwyn Williams, Deadmans Bay Publishing, 2012

Self-published by Selwyn Williams, wreck historian and marine archaeologist, this entertaining book tells of the voyage from Cadiz of the Golden Grape owned by Dutch merchants, and its foundering on Chesil in 1641, en route for Dover. A few doubloons and pieces-of-eight have since been found. At the High Court of the Admiralty in 1642 the amnesia of 343 witnesses about 204 people accused of wrecking is beautifully highlighted by a full transcription of the proceedings. An important account of one of Dorset's historic wrecks".

On Friday 11 October 2013 at the Awards Ceremony at Bridport Town Hall, out of the 8 nominations, Treasure of the Golden Grape apparently was narrowly pipped to third place by one of the previous winners. Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe presented one of the prizes to a team that included renowned archaeologist Julian Richards of TV's "Meet the Ancestors", and there was yet another previous prize winning team vying for an award. This gives some idea of the standard of the nominations. Not only was it an honour to be in such esteemed company but to apparently come 4th was extremely satisfying.

2013 EVENTS

2 February 2013 BOOK SALES IMASS Conference, Plymouth

13 February 2013 S&DFHS, St Francis Hall Littlemoor, Weymouth

16 February 2013 TALK Pilgrim House, Weymouth

18 February 2013 FOWM (Friends of Weymouth Museum), St Nicholas Church, Weymouth

16 May 2013 TALK Salway Ash Ladies, Salway Ash Village Hall

29 May 2013 BOOK SALES Pirates & Princesses Day, Portland Museum

4 June 2013 RADIO INTERVIEW Hope FM

10 June 2013 TALK Masonic Ladies, Portland Masonic Hall

12 June 2013 TALK Dorset Wildlife Trust, Chesil Beach Centre

15 June 2013 BOOK SALE Society for Nautical Research AGM, Portsmouth, HMS Victory

29-30 June 2013 BOOK SALES Historical Market, Chalke Valley Heritage Festival

6-7 July 2013 BOOK SALES Portland Steam Fair, Moor Farm, Knights-in-the-Bottom, Chickerell

8 July 2013 TALK NHS Retirees, Dorset County Hospital

10 October 2013 TALK Wyke Regis Womens’ Institute, WI Hall Gallwey Road, Wyke Regis

15 October 2013 TALK Over 50s Club, Wellworthy

18 October 2013 TALK Stratton Village Hall

BOOK LAUNCH

2012 Deadman’s Bay Publishing. All rights reserved