Abstract of Proceedings 1919-20

( xxxi ) + ABSTRACT OE PROCEEDINGS, 1919-2Q. EEPORT OE THE COUNCIL EOE THE TEAE 1919. The Council of the Kent Archaeological Society herewith presents its Annual Eeport and Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31 December 1919. There has been a satisfactory influx of new members during the year, but great efforts are needed if the Society is to obtain new members in sufficient numbers to meet the greatly increased cost of printing Archcsologia Cantiana. The volume has necessarily been reduced in size, and must remain so, pending a considerable strengthening of the Society's financial resources. Members are reminded that the expenses of the excursion, except the cost of printing and posting notices according to rule, do not fall upon the Society's funds. I t is hoped that Volume XXXIV of Archasologia Cantiana may be issued during the spring. The Annual G-eneral Meeting was held at Maidstone.on 29 July, the St. Hon. Lord Northbourne, President, in the Chair. After lunch, Leeds Castle was visited and described by Sir M. Conway, E.S.A. , Progress was then made to Hollingbourne Church, which Canon Livett, E.S.A., described, and Mr. Aymer Vallance exhibited the embroidered altar cloth worked by the Ladies Culpeper in the time of the Commonwealth. The same gentleman described the Elizabethan Manor House.. After dinner at the Star Hotel, Maidstone, an adjournment was made to the Maidstone Museum, where Mr. Allchin, the Curator, spoke about the old buildings of Maidstone. XXxii PROCEEDINGS, 1919. On 30 July the first stop was made at Aylesf ord Bridge, of which Mr. Vallance spoke in most appreciative terms. The church was then visited, where the Society was welcomed by the Vicar, Mr. Everist. The interesting remains of the Carmelite Eriary were next visited under the guidance of Sir Martin Conway. After lunch the Early Norman Tower of St. Leonard was visited, which Canon Livett and others claimed to be ecclesiastical and not military work. Offham Church was then visited, where the Vicar, Rev. C. H^ Coe, welcomed the Society. A stiff climb then brought members to Dode Chapel, where the Eev. W. Gardner "Waterman read a short paper on this ancient building. The visit to Leybourne Castle had to be hurried owing to lack of time. This completed the second day's excursion. The following Reports from Local Secretaries and others shew that archseological finds in the County are being duly notified: — Chilham Castle.—Roman Coin. Mr. A. S. LAMPEEY. Beat Sandhills.—Tracing of two iron weapons, medieval. Mr. S. MANSEE. List of Roman Coins found at Ripple, first century B.C. to A.D. 337. Mr. S. MANSEE. Sandwich, 19 Upper Strand Street.—Two Photos of Royal Arms and ceiliDg. Mrs. RAGGETT. Folkestone, Old House on the Bayle.—Newspaper outting illustrated. Mr. R. J. FYNMOEE. Newington, Sittingbourne.—Mr. Hewitt encloses a list of finds in this parish from 1882 to present date, ranging from Paleolithic to Mediaeval and later dates. Ttroadstairs.—-Mr. Hurd sends through Mr. Boulter an account of certain remains of late Bronze Age, comprising portions of large Urn, bucket type, also another find of Pottery 1st and 2nd century, much broken. Hover.—Mr. Amos sends a very full and careful account, consisting of his notes made at the time and filling 24 pages, of finds at Dover for some years back. These relate to the Market Place, the Castle, and elsewhere. Captain James continues to make progress with the reparation of the building which spans the stream at the Grey Friars, Canterbury. The walls have been made good; the roof is being strengthened with old oak in the owner's possession; and a clearance of the forcing house on the site of the Eriars' church is now in hand, a process which should enable a measured plan of the foundations to be prepared this summer. Owing to the extreme liberality of our President, arrangements have been made with the authorities of the Canterbury Hospital PROCEEDINGS, 1919. XXxiii which will make possible the excavation of the south transept of St. Austin's Monastic Church, and when this is done a complete ground-plan of the building can be drawn. Ethelbert and other early Saxon kings of Kent were buried in this part of the church, and it is hoped that some remains of these royal interments may be found. The funds, however, for the necessary excavations have to be provided. There could be no better way of testifying appreciation of our President's generosity than by subscribing towards the work. To the noble donor the heartiest acknowledgment and thanks of the Society are due. Local Antiquarian Societies have been formed at Canterbury and Ashford and have been affiliated to the central Society. By this means it is hoped a greater interest in the history and antiquities of the immediate locality of Canterbury and Ashford may be stimulated. The Council wishes these local societies every success, and hopes that their members may also be members of the parent Society. The Council desires to record its profound sense of the loss which the study of Archaeology has incurred through the decease of our honorary member, the distinguished archaeologist, Sir "William St. John Hope, who died at his residence in Great Shelford, near Cambridge, on 18 August. Membership of the Society 31 December 1919 :— Life Members . . . .126 Ordinary Members . . . 530 Honorary Members . . . 2 658 New Members . . . . 56 Deaths . . . . 14 Resignations . . . . 9 23 Net gain . 33 The members of the Council who retire by rotation are :—Rev. R. TJ. Potts, Rev. C. H. Wilkie, E. H. Day, Esq., "W. G. "Woods "Wollaston, Esq., M.V.O., Bichmond Herald, Aymer Vallance, Esq., Hon. Editor, G. Cotton, Esq., E.R.C.P. By order of the Council, RICHARD COOKS, Son. Sec. c XXXIV PROCEEDINGS, 1920. REPORT OE THE COUNCIL EOR THE TEAR 1920. In the year 1920 the Council elected sixty-five new members to K.A.S., of which number fifty-five have already paid their subscription. "Under pre-war conditions this would be a very good result, but owing to the enormous increase in the cost of paper and printing, great difficulty will be found in issuing a yearly volume of Arehceologia Cantiana, if only half the size to which members were accustomed before 1914. Every endeavour therefore to secure new members should be made by each individual member, since nothing is so efficacious as personal application. In the year 1920, counting only those who have paid up, there is a net gain of twenty-five. Archseological Reports for the year 1920 have been received from thirteen Local Secretaries and others, and are now deposited for reference in the Society's room at Maidstone. At the Grey Eriars, Canterbury, nothing further of interest to the Society has been carried out since the last report. The Council has great pleasure in recording that excavations have already been carried out at St. Augustine's, Canterbury, beginning with the opening up of the south wall of the Refectory —an operation which, though undertaken as far back as 1867, was then only partially effected. Eurther, a trial trench has been dug southward from the rear of the ancient Abbey church. The situation of this last work, which has disclosed two lines of foundations running east and west, is on part of the site belonging to the Canterbury Hospital. It must not be thought that there is no further need of monetary help to enable these excavations to be completed.' Moreover, the cost of publishing the account of previous excavations on the site, the MS. of which, left by the late Sir "W. St. John Hope, has been generously placed by Lady Hope in the hands of the Hon. Editor of Archmologia Cantiana, must prove a considerable drain on the funds of the Society if it is to be done in a fitting manner. Since our last Report was issued Mr, George Payne, who for upwards of fifty years was a member of our Society, a constant contributor to our publications, and at one time our Hon. Secretary, has passed away. Practically the whole of Mr. Payne's fairly long life was devoted to Archaeology, and the Council desire to put on record how highly they appreciate the extent and value of his PROCEEDINGS, 1920. XXXV work, of which a more detailed account will be published in the next volume of Archmologia Cantiana. Membership of the Society 31 December 1920 :— Life Members 125 Ordinary Members . . . . ' 549 Honorary Members . . . . 2 676 Members who have been elected, and paid, 1920 . . . . .55 Deceased 15 Resigned 15 30 Net gain . 25 Members of the Council who retire by rotation, but are eligible for re-election, are: T. M. Biden, Esq., R. Griffin, Esq., Major Powell-Cotton, Arthur Einn, Esq., H. "Western Plumptre, Esq., Captain H. "W. "Knocker. By order of the Council, RICHAED COOKE, Hon. 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