THE Saxongate Community Learning Centre in Hartford Road, Huntingdon, due to open in the autumn, is one of the region s largest projects for some time. Its name was inspired by excavations on the site that revealed a series of massive early postholes, or

THE Saxongate Community Learning Centre in Hartford Road, Huntingdon, due to open in the autumn, is one of the region's largest projects for some time.

Its name was inspired by excavations on the site that revealed a series of massive early postholes, or post-pits, from the Saxon period, believed to form part of a gateway.

As part of The Hunts Post and Papworth Trust's appeal to raise the final £250,000 for the £2 million project, Saxongate Week takes place in the town from February 4-11.

Businesses are giving their own versions of Saxon Support.

Members of Hinchingbrooke Rotary Club will be dressed as Saxons when they hold a street collection for Saxongate in Huntingdon on Saturday, February 4.

The following week, on Saturday, February 11, a Papworth Trust team will collect again in Huntingdon town centre. There will also be collection boxes in Huntingdon shops including Marks & Spencer, Colemans and Julian Graves.

The centre is a facility being built for everyone in the town. It will offer adult education courses as well as helping to equip people for day-to-day life, with life skills courses. It will also have meeting and training rooms available for clubs and businesses. Sarah Coward, development director at the Papworth Trust, said: "As Saxongate will be a centre for everyone, we hope that everyone in the town will get involved in Saxongate Week and raise money in any way they can to help us reach the target."

One of the highlights of the Week takes place at 6pm on Wednesday evening, February 8, with a set of talks on recent archaeological work in Huntingdon at the Commemoration Hall in Huntingdon High Street.

As well as displaying recent finds in the town, staff from the county archaeology office will hold their own version of Antiques Roadshow and identify any archaeological artefacts brought along by the audience. Tickets, with all proceeds going to the appeal, are available now at £5 from the Papworth Trust on 01480 357257 or email saxongate@papworth.org.uk. Tickets can also be bought on the door for £6.