Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT KENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL Council presents its one hundred and thirty-fifth Report and Statement of Accounts for 1993. OBITUARY Council records with regret the deaths of Mr C.R. Councer, a member for 64 years and a Vice-President, Mr M. Crane, a member for 34 years and Excursions Secretary and, since the date of this report, Mr P.J. Tester, a member for 46 years, a Vice-President and Local Secretary for Bexley. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Annual General Meeting was held at Ashford on Saturday, 15th May, 1993, when Council's Annual Report and Accounts for 1992 were accepted. Messrs. Reeves and Neylan of Canterbury were re-appointed Auditors to the Society. OFFICERS The following were elected as officers of the Society: President: Vice President: Hon. Editor: Hon. Treasurer: Hon. General Secretary: Hon. Librarian: Mr K.W.E. Gravett, M.Sc.(Eng.), F.S.A. Rev. Canon D. Ingram Hill, M.A., D.D., F.S.A. Dr A.P. Detsicas, B.A., M.A., D.Litt., F.S.A., ES.A.Scot. Mr B.T. Cousins, I.P.F.A., F.C.I.S., M.I.Mgt. Mr A.I. Moffat Dr P.H.G. Draper, B.S.c., Ph.D., D.I.C., F.R.S.C. !viii ANNUA L REPORT Hon. Membership Secretary: Hon. Excursions Secretary: Hon. Curator: Mrs. M. Lawrence Mr M.A. Crane, M.A. Mr H.S. Middleton, B.Sc., A.M.A., M.I.Mgt. PATRON The Viscount De L' Isle, M.B.E., was elected a Patron of the Society. COUNCIL The following were elected members of the Council: Mr N.R. Aldridge, Mr H.G.B. Coast*, Mr E.P. Connell*, Mr A.J. Daniels*, Mr M.C.W. Still and Mr A. Ward. Mr S.J. Stringer was elected for a period of three years to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr M.H. Peters. *Retiring member of Council MEMBERSHIP At December 31st, the membership of the Society was 1,652. This was a reduction of 32 on the previous year 's total of 1,684. The number was accounted for by the election of 106 new members, offset by the resignation of 22 new members, the decease of 12 members and the removal of 104 names from the membership list owing to non-payment of subscription. The large number of removals reflects Council's decision to remove the names of members whose subscriptions are in arrears one year rather than two. The Society has lost several long standing members this year, among them Mr Charles Councer, member for 64 years, Sir Owen Aisher, member for 60 years. Maurice Crane will be remembered for his exemplary work for the Society as Excursions Secretary, Sir John Winnifrith for his researches at Appledore and Mr and Mrs. Dale for their work as founder members of the Bexley Archaeological Group. CHURCHES COMMITTEE The Church of St. Luke, Maidstone, was built by William Seth Smith in the late 1890s in 'Art Nouveau' style and is unusually complete in its fittings which were made by a group of distinguished craftsmen of the period. It is the only surviving church of its style in Kent. An objection was lodged to the radical changes proposed, which included the lix ANNUAL REPORT removal of all pews, reorientation to the south, and the installation of modern equipment not in keeping with the architecture. The Chairman of the Committee, Michael Nightingale of Cromarty, and Dr Nigel Yates appeared before a Consistory Court. Judge Newey came down firmly against granting a faculty, but the Parish has lodged an appeal with the Court of the Arches. Proposals by the P.C.C. for the demolition of Christ Church, Tunbridge Wells, and its replacement by a new complex were finally withdrawn. The Committee hoped that, in submitting fresh plans, the P.C.C. would incorporate the imposing fac;:ade of the old church, but regrettably this has not been done. The little church at Dode suffers from vandalism. The new private owner has arranged an imaginative programme of services and functions in the building and had hoped to build a small Retreat House just outside the churchyard, which would have given some protection. Sadly, this has been rejected by the planning authority, but the Committee hopes that a compromise may be reached. A third Day School was held at Charing in April 1993 on 'Kent Churches after the Reformation'. Papers were read by Dr Rory O'Donnell on Pugin, Mr Donald F indlay on Post-Reformation Architecture, Dr Thomas Cocke on Ordering and Furnishing and Dr Christopher Miele on Rochester Cathedral in 1825, to an audience of some 50 people. For some years concern has been expressed at the poor state of Ruxley Church. It is pleasing to report that as the year closed the private owners were renewing the roof. The Textile Conservation Centre completed the restoration of the medieval cope at East Langdon whilst at Adisham the restoration was undertaken of the important early thirteenth-century reredos, said to be the earliest surviving wooden altar piece in England. EDUCATION COMMITTEE The Committee has recommended a grant towards the purchase of a show-case in memory of Dr F. Jenkins to be on display in the new Canterbury Roman Museum. A grant in aid of the publication by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust of the booklet Roman Canterbury was recommended and approved by Council as well as the annual grant to the Trust in aid of their education service. A questionnaire, seeking to assess the nature of historical and archaeological resources available to schools in Kent, has been sent to affiliated societies and schools and the replies received were being analysed. lx ANNUAL REPORT EXCURSIONS The programme of excursions was curtailed by the sad death of Mr Maurice Crane, our Excursions Secretary, shortly after a very successful excursion to Brittany in May. Mr Crane had organised a most interesting and enjoyable visit, based at Dinan, which was only marred by his absence and that of his wife, Jean. At short notice, Mrs. Joy Saynor bravely organised an enjoyable visit to Meopham and Nurstead, ending with tea at Nurstead Court. FIELDWORK COMMITTEE The Committee has met on several occasions and has recommended to Council four grants for fieldwork as well as financial support towards the preparation of the final report on the excavations at the site of the Eccles Roman villa. A day-school on samian ware, led by Dr A.P. Detsicas, was held in June 1993,and a one-day conference on the theme of Nautical Archaeology around Kent was organised in October 1993. A day-school on medieval pottery, led by Dr A.D.F. Streeten, is to be held in February 1994. KENT HISTORIC BUILDINGS COMMITTEE This Committee is made up of eight members each from K.A.S. and from C.P.R.E. The K.A.S. members are K.W.E. Gravett - Chairman, R.H. Hiscock - Vice Chairman, R.C. Higgs, R.A. Cockett, Mrs. M. Lovering, A.I. Moffat, M.A. P eters and A. Webster. C.F. Friend is the Hon. Secretary. It is funded jointly and is responsible for commenting on, and, if necessary, objecting to planning applications affecting listed buildings throughout Kent where there is any element of demolition involved. The Committee acts as agents to the Council for British Archaeology, which is one of the bodies statutorily consulted on listed buildings. During 1993 there were 183 applications considered, many of them of a minor nature; however, the constructive comments made by the Committee were often heeded and had the result of a more acceptable proposal being agreed. The resurvey of listed buildings in Kent was completed by the publication of the green book for West Malling district. However, the details in a number of areas vary very considerably and the standard often appears to reflect the personal opinion of that inspector. The K.H.B.C. is preparing an index of Historic Buildings and has already published Gravesham, Dartford, Gillingham and Rochester lxi ANNUAL REPORT with all other Kent areas to follow in due course. These index lists will be of invaluable use in making the existence and location of Historic Buildings known to members. The booklet on the line of the Channel Link was published in December and gives details of the route as it affects listed and Historic Building. Unfortunately, the final decision on two areas has yet (January 1994) to be confirmed. MEMBERSHIP AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE During the year the Society has received publicity through the Mayoralty of our member Mr Paul Oldham. An exhibition featuring the work of the Society was displayed at Maidstone Town Hall by the new V isual Records Group and was viewed by hundreds of the Mayor's guests from Historical and Amenity Societies. The development of publicity display work has been a most pleasing aspect of the year. Another exhibition featuring conservation was mounted by the President, Mr Kenneth Gravett, in conjuction with the Kent Historic Buildings Committe at Chatham Dockyard. A new leaflet with updated information was prepared as were large directions signs for Society events. The lecture series held in various locations around the County, attracted 366 members and a Day School at Shoreham on Aspects of Kent History and Archaeology attracted an attendance of 110. There were two social occasions during the year. A Country Social evening with barbecue supper was held in the Great Hall of Cobham College, attended by 120 members. A talk on the monumental brasses in Cobham church was given by Mr Philip Lawrence. By kind invitation of the Mayor the Christmas Buffet Lunch was held at Maidstone Town Hall attended by 100 members who were entertained by the Thomas Clarke Quire featuring music sung in parish churches before the church organ era. Many members continued to the Archbishop's Palace Heritage Centre. The Committee is pleased that personal contact between members is being made through the lectures and social events. The publicity stall continues to be popular and the quality of the three editions of the Newsletter is maintained by the Editor, Mrs. Nesta Caiger. PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Volume CX of Archaeologia Cantiana was issued in 1993. The volume, under the editorship of Dr A.P. Detsicas, maintains its high standard and its contents cover a wide field of Archaeology and History. lxii ANNUAL REPORT Volume CXI, a collection of essays in memory of Allen Grove, was also issued in December 1993. Parts 7 and 8 of Volume 1 (1991) of the new series of Kent Records, Stuart Yeoman of the Darent Valley, edited by Dr W.G. Duncombe, was issued to subscribers in December 1993. The Committee continues being indebted to the Society's President for the type-setting of this series. The texts promised for the Monograph Series are still awaited. CONFERENCE OF BUILDING RECORDERS The thirtieth annual Conference of Building Recorders was held at the Barn at Charing on the afternoon of Saturday, October 16th, 1993. First, Kenneth Gravett reported that he had found photographs of Fairfield Church, before it was restored. These were taken by the Architect, W.D. Caroe, but were very faded. The exterior views showed that the timber frame had been enveloped in brickwork, but that this had been done in sections, rather than in one building campaign. The interior view, looking east, appeared very similar to its present state, showing how careful the restoration had been. The west end, however, was reconstructed and a photograph, looking west, showed that the removed interior wall was different in character and later in date than the rest of the frame of the church. He was followed by David Martin from Robertsbridge who gave a very stimulating talk on a number of buildings in the Rape of Hastings in Sussex. These had been identified documentarily as detached kitchens and many of these were found still to exist. Several of these were found to be more complicated than is usual for a kitchen and some could have been mistaken for a second house sharing a plot. Kenneth Grav􀁐tt then briefly described the detached kitchen at Fairfield, Eastry, and also a building he was studying at Shoreham. Unfortunately, he had no slide of this, but Mrs Saynor kindly brought along a watercolour painting. Both of these buildings are of two bays, one open and smoke-blackened and one built with a floor. Edward Lade then described his house at Yaldham Manor, Wrotham. This has a fine large, stone, fourteenth-century hall, but beyond the service end is a separate building, timber-framed of three bays, with a simple roof of collars and rafters, without purlin and smoke-blackened. Whether this represents a previous hall or a detached kitchen is not yet clear. Finally, the Chairman thanked the Charing P.C.C. for the use of the hall, Miss M. Ruglys for the tea and Mr Coast for setting up the projector and screen. The next Conference of Building Recorders will be held in the same venue on Saturday, October 15th 1994. lxiii ANNUAL REPORT KENT DEFENCE RESEARCH GROUP Membership of the Group now stands at eighty-one, including five overseas members. The Group's quarterly journal Ravelin continues to appear regularly but there was no Ravelin "Special" in 1993. The Group is, however, continuing to collaborate with the Palmerston Forts Society in the compilation of Fortlog. A circular has recently (November 1993) been sent to Kent secondary schools inviting them to join the Group and/or bring its existence to the attention of students, and offering a special rate for students, but it is too early yet to report any results. During 1993 members of the Group undertook a photographic survey of Fort Borstal at the request of the owners. Some members of the Group, together with members of the Palmerston Forts Society, visited Garrison Point Fort at Sheerness to record the remains of the Brennan torpedo station there. It was established that there were three conning positions (Garrison Point was the Brennan torpedo school). A little later in the year several members visited Hoo and Darent Forts on islands in the Medway and in November a few members were able to visit the Admiralty Pier Fort, or Dover Turret. At New Tavern Fort, Gravesend, a serious deliberate fire in the magazine caused considerable damage, but work to reinstate the magazine has brought forward the refurbishing phase and the magazine will be open to visitors in 1994. Both 6-in. breech-loading guns have now been provided with sheilds. The Group is helping the County Archaeologist, English Heritage, the Groundwork Trust and the White Cliffs Countryside Project with information, recording and conservation advice. The Group has also been asked for information by the Oxford Archaeological Unit, who are surveying the proposed Channel Tunnel rail link for Union Railways. This year's Fortress Study Group conference at Truro was organised by a Group member and several other members attended; and in November several members of the Group attended, and three addressed, a one-day seminar on twentieth-century defences sponsored by the Council for British Archaeology and held at York. The Group were hailed by the C.B.A. as pioneers in defence heritage recording. KENT UNDERGROUND RESEARCH GROUP Over the last year the Group has continued the work of recording sites in the County and the south-east of England. Our members have been called on to survey and investigate several features including mediaeval deneholes, nineteenth-century cess-pits, various wells and even a WW2 radar control centre. lxiv ANNUAL REPORT At Easter a joint field trip with members of the Weald Cave and Mine Society was held in Cornwall with members of the Carn Brae Mining Society acting as guides. The visits included several trips underground in various tin mines as well as surface sites. Field trips to other counties give members the opportunity to see the differing techniques used in metalliferous mines. The investigation at the site of a chalk mine at Pratts Bottom, near Orpington, as reported in last year's report has been concluded. It had been hoped that access could have been made to further galleries of the mine by digging through a roof fall. As work progressed, and further surface surveys were made, it became apparant that almost all of the mine had collapsed - probably because the miners had excavated the adits too near the surface. The remaining galleries have been gated to prevent human access during the winter as the site is used by hibernating bats. Several of our members have been assisting other mining historians on other counties. At Yattendon in Berkshire a chalk mine known to exist from written records has been located and access gained with help from our surveyors. Active members on the Isle of Thanet have recorded and surveyed a number of small chalk mines thought to have been dug for the lime burning industry. The 'Margate Caves', a tourist attraction, has been resurveyed and an investigation into its true origins is underway. Sadly, we have to record the deaths of two of our members during the year. Leslie Dale was a very active amateur archaeologist in the Bexley and Dartford area in the 1950s and 60s, digging with Peter Tester and John Caiger. His interest in underground sites came in 1950 when a denehole shaft opened in his garden at Baldwyns Park, Bexley. Dr Laurie Done was extremely active and spent time teaching first aid and rescue techniques to our members. Both will be sadly missed. MEDWAY BRANCH Between February and November 1993 the Medway Branch of the K.A.S. held three lectures at the Guildhall Museum, Rochester, and undertook one field trip. The Director of the Dover Archaeological Society, Keith Parfitt, gave a lecture on his group's excavations at Mill Hill, Deal. The small but very active Dover group have been excavating on this site for several years and the important discoveries of the Iron Age 'crown' burial and the Roman 'Deal Man' chalk figurine were found here. Post-medieval ceramics were described by John Cotter of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust. Several examples of typical sixteenth- to eighteenth-century wares were available for study, lxv ANNUAL REPORT including 'Wrotham ware'. Although post-medieval ceramics are the most common find on many, if not most, archaeological sites, it is only in the last few years that they have received serious academic study. In October, Dr Tom James of King Alfred's College, Winchester, gave a lecture on the 'Palaces of Medieval England'. This lecture gave our new season an excellent start. With a mixture of academic knowledge, anecdote and dry wit Dr James gave a lecture providing a mixture of historical, archaeological and architectural information. It is hoped that Dr James will return to give another lecture on his other speciality 'The Black Death' in the not-too-distant future. In November, at the invitation of Dr James, a few members of the Medway Branch, along with adult education and G.C.S.E. students, visited the ruined royal palace at Clarendon near Salisbury. This important archaeological site, on private land and not accessible to the public, was partially excavated in the nineteenth century and again in the 1930s. For the twenty or so individuals who made the trip the visit was an 'eye opener' to just what can be found in the middle of the countryside. Recently cleared of trees for the first time in three hundred years the palace complex covers several acres with the deer park and forest of Clarendon beyond. Wandering across the 'lunar landscape' of old excavations, spoil-heaps and felled trees the visitor saw the outlines of the royal apartments, kitchens and the massive wine cellar about 25 x 10 m. and 3 m. deep. It is to be hoped that Dr James's work on Clarendon over the last decade, bringing the information from previous excavations together, will lead to a programme of excavation and conservation on this impressive site. A further field trip can be arranged, if there is sufficient demand from K.A.S members. Our field trip included a tour of the Iron Age hill fort of Danebury, itself an impressive monument of a different era. 1 st January, 1994 lxvi By Order of the Council A.I. Moffat Hon. General Secretary