Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT KENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY The Council of the Society presents its one hundred and thirty-ninth report and statement of accounts for the year ending the 31 st December 1997 AIMS AND ORGANISA TJON The Society is established to promote the study and publication of archaeology and history in all their branches, especially within the ancient county of Kent. The Society's activities are carried out throughout the ancient county of Kent. It has no staff and its officers are only paid out-ofpocket expenses. It cooperates with its affiliated societies and the organizations to which it is affiliated or of which it is a member. In particular it co-operates with the Canterbury Archaeological Trust in promotion of education and the Council for the Protection of Rural England (Kent Branch) in the protection of historic buildings through a joint committee. Its activities are carried out by the committees of the Council and its officers. REVIEW OF THE YEAR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Society's annual general meeting was held at Bromley on Saturday the 17th May 1997 when the Council's annual report and the accounts for 1996 were accepted. Messrs. Reeves and Neylan were re-appointed auditors. The officers and members of the Council were elected; details are set out below under Legal and Administrative Information. The Council was pleased to welcome Mr Robin Thomas as the Society's new Hon. Treasurer. FIELDWORK The training excavation at Minster-in-Thanet continued with a second !iv ANNUAL REPORT season of two weeks in August. Places for trainees were oversubscribed and thirty five took part. Their responses showed that the training was well received. The Society is grateful to the Trust for Thanet Archaeology, Canterbury Archaeological Trust and Dover Archaeological Group for their assistance. About two thirds of the large Roman villa have been excavated and a further season is planned for 1998. A day conference on Medieval Kent was attended by over 100. A booklet on field surveys was produced by Mr Alec Miles and is being distributed. Grants totaling £656 were offered to others to assist their fieldwork and research. There is concern at the gradual destruction of archaeological sites, many of which are not scheduled, and ways of recording these are being considered. PUBLICATIONS Two books (The Bishops and Monks of Rochester, 1076-1214, by Colin Flight and Kent Heresy Proceedings, 1511-12, edited by Dr N. P. Tanner) were published. Work on preparing Kent Church and Chapel 1851 (edited by Miss M. Roake) for printing was completed. Volume CXVI of Archaeologia Cantiana (edited by Dr A. P. Detsicas) was published. It maintained its usual high standard and its contents covered a wide field of archaeology and local history. It was the last to be published by Sutton Publishing Ltd. Publication of the New Records Series continued with the remainder (except an index) of Dr M. Zell's Kent Feet of Fines (Henry VIII), HISTORIC BUILDINGS The Kent Historic Buildings Committee (sponsored jointly by the Society and the C. P. R. E.) continued to consider, and make representations, on proposals affecting listed buildings and buildings in conservation areas. The Shepway, Tonbridge and Malling, Canterbury and Sevenoaks sections of the Kent Historic Buildings Index were published. The annual Conference of Building Recorders took place at Charing in October .. The Churches Committee considered proposals for work at a number of historic churches, making representations and offering help and guidance where appropriate. Modest grants were offered to assist with work at some churches. In particular, measured drawings of the reredos at Adisham Church were produced after much encouragement and a grant from the Committee and work (assisted by the Society) started on conservation of the Darrel family monuments at Little Chart. A successful day school on monuments in churchyards was oversubscribed. Iv ANNUAL REPORT LIBRARY AND COLLECTIONS The Society's library was visited by members and others undertaking research and some 30 queries dealt with by post. Members are normally present on Wednesdays to assist but help is available, given notice, on other days. Because the Library is used for meetings, a prior call is strongly advisable on O I 622-7 54497. Substantial additions have been made to the collections including exchanges with similar societies and many gaps filled in series of journals. Suggestions for acquisitions are always welcome. Substantial progress has continued with computer cataloguing of the massive and growing visual records collection. We have a new store in Maidstone. The Hon. Librarian appreciates the generous contributions of time and experience and gifts of material that have made the recent substantial achievements possible. EDUCATION The Society's Education Committee continued to support education and interest in archaeology among young people. Most of its work was managed by the Archaeological Education Service of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust. While interest was encouraged by visits to schools, arranging visits by schoolchildren to excavations and work experience placements, particular emphasis was given to supporting teachers of history. New projects include hosting In-Service Training days for teachers and providing tuition sessions for student teacher undergraduates. MEMBERSHIP The Society welcomed a record 129 new members during the year, and after allowing for losses ended the year with 1,639 members. Eight members achieved fifty years of membership. Dr F. Hull and Mr M. Moad were elected Honorary Members by the Council. The membership list was put on a computer database which is expected to produce more accurate membership statistics as well as automating some membership administration. The Society is registered under the Data Protection Act. The Kent Defence Research Group and the Kent Underground research Group both ceased to be branches of the Society during the year. While the immediate cause was the implications of complying with the new regulatory regime for charities, it also reflected their success in their own fields which attracted many members who are not members of this Society. The Council wishes them well and hopes to maintain close contact with them. Unfortunately the Medway and Gillingham Branch closed, largely due to problems with accommolvi ANNUAL REPORT dation and failure to find new officers following retirement of its chairman and secretary. The Council is grateful to Mr Michael Moad (Curator of Rochester Museum) for acting as chairman of the Branch for some twenty years and Mr Alan Ward for his long service as its secretary. ACTIVITIES FOR MEMBERS The series of half a dozen public lectures organised by Mr Terry Lawson around the County were well attended and two successful day schools, reported elsewhere, were held. The Hon. Membership Secretary again organised the now traditional social events, a barbecue at Yaldham Manor and the Christmas buffet lunch at Wye College. Thirty eight members visited Normandy, lead by the Hon. Excursions Secretary, stayed just outside Bayeux and visited historic sites, many with Kentish connections. Afternoon visits were made to the Archbishop's Palace at Croydon, Malling Abbey and Nurstead Court. Three editions of the Newsletter (now produced by Mr and Mrs L.E. Hott) kept members in touch with the activities and concerns of the Society. RELATIONS WITH OTHER BODIES The Society appoints members or representatives to a number of other organisations. In particular, it has received regular reports from C. B. A. South East and the Standing Conference on London Archaeology. There was a further meeting of representatives of the county archaeological societies in southern England which provides a useful forum to discuss matters of common interest and learn about what other societies are doing. The Society has regularly been represented at meetings of the Kent History Federation and received reports from representatives on the County Archives Advisory Committee and Canterbury Archaeological Trust. REVIEW OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AND AFFAIRS The accompanying financial statements show the current state of the Society's finances which its Council considers to be sound. They comply with the Council's understanding of the current statutory requirements and the requirements of the Society's rules Last year it was reported that after books belonging to the Society were sold by a non-member an admission of liability was received. Payment has been received in full. The Society relies on its officers and other members giving their time freely to organise its activities. Without those contributions it would have to spend a substantial sum on salaries. !vii ANNUAL REPORT The Society administers the Allen Grove Local History Fund which was given in the will of the late Allen Grove. Its objects are to promote research, preservation and enjoyment of local history. These objects are consistent with those of the Society. It is a restricted fund and is invested separately from the Society's other investments. In accordance with the terms of the legacy, decisions on how the fund is to be spent are taken by the Society's officers. During the year seven grants totaling £1,600 were made. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION The Society is a charity registered with the Charity Commission under number 223382. It is an unincorporated association governed by its rules which are published in Archaeologia Cantiana from time to time and copies of which can be obtained from the Hon. General Secretary. It is also registered as a charity with the Inland Revenue which has made a direction under section 201 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 which permits certain members (generally those whose employment is related to the Society's activities) to obtain income tax relief on their subscriptions to the Society; further details can be obtained from the Hon. General Secretary. The principal address of the Society is The Museum, St Faith's Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME 141 LH. However, correspondence should be addressed to the relevant officer. The governing body of the Society is the Council whose members are its charity trustees and are elected by the members of the Society at its annual general meeting in May each year. During the period covered by this report they were: K. W. E. Gravett President A. I. Moffat R.G. Thomas• M. Lawrence P. H. G. Draper A. P. Detsicas J. Saynor P. E. Leach C. W. Chalklin A. C. Harrison R. H. Hiscock D. Ingram Hill L. D. Lyle E. Melling N. Nicolson J. Whyman Hon. General Secretary Hon. Treasurer Hon. Membership Secretary Hon. Librarian Hon. Editor & Vice President Hon. Excursions Secretary Hon. Curator Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President !viii N. R. Aldridge** D. G. Anstey D. Bacchus S. Broomfield N. D. Caiger D. A. H. Cleggett E. P. Connell** B. T. Cousins• A. J. Daniels** P.A. Harlow D. W. Harrington L. E. llott R. F. Le Gear A. Miles M.A. Ocock P. E. Oldham Mrs J.V. Page• F. H. Panton R. N. Rolinson R. J. Spain M. C. W. Still"'* S. J. Stringer• .. A. Ward*"' C. Ward P. Winzar ANNUAL REPORT • denotes elected at the annual general meeting on the 11th May 1997. Mrs Page was elected for one year (to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr M. Burden) and Mr Cousins previously held office as Hon. Treasurer. ** denotes re- elected at th at meeting for four years. ••; denotes ceased to hold office at that meeting. Mrs P. Winzar resigned on the 12t September 1997. The officers ( other than the Vice Presidents) hold office for one year, the Vice Presidents for seven years and the other members for four years. The Society's main agents and advisers are: Bankers: National Westminster Bank pie, 91 High Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 lXU Auditors: Reeves & Neylan, 37 St Margaret's Street, Canterbury, Kent, CTl 2TU Solicitors: Martin Tolhurst Partnership, 7 Wrotham Road, Gravesend, Kent, DAll OPD Stockbrokers: Laing & Cruickshank Investment Management Ltd, 5 Appold Street, London, WC2A2DA Stockbrokers' nominee company holding the Society's investments: Productive Nominees Ltd, 5 Appold Street, London, WC2A 2DA. The Society's activities are restricted by the terms of its objects set out elsewhere in this report. In particular its area of benefit is mainly (but not exclusively) the ancient county of Kent which is considered to be the administrative County of Kent and the London Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and part of Lewisham. The Society's investment powers are those contained in the Trustee Investments Act 1961 as amended. Its rules do not give it any special investment powers. The Council has delegated some of its investment powers to Laing & Cruickshank Investment Management Ltd in accordance with a scheme made by the Charity Commissioners on the 18th April 1994. 2sth February 1998 lix By Order of the Council A. I. Moffat, Hon. General Secretary