Mick Aston, who was known for his colourful jumpers and sharp wit on Channel 4’s Time Team, has died aged 66.
Mr Aston lived on Hill Road in Sandford with his wife, Teresa, and was a key community figure, getting involved in Friends of the Church and other societies.
He took part in the Winscombe and Sandford project, writing many academic papers on the archaeological history of the area.
Archie Forbes, who was friends with Mick and took part in many historical projects with him, said: “He was a smashing bloke.
“My wife Maria and I have been friends with him for 25 years. He was a brilliant archaeologist and a super friend.”
Mr Aston was also a professor at Bristol University, and honorary professor at Durham, Exeter and Worcester Universities.
Time Team’s official Facebook page and Twitter have paid tribute to their former colleague, saying: “It is with a very heavy heart that we’ve been informed that our dear colleague Mick Aston has passed away. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Mr Aston’s son, James, also lived in Sandford. He also has a stepdaughter, Kathryn.
He died on Sunday night, June 23, although the cause is yet unknown.
For more on this story, see this week’s Mercury newspaper.
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