Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1973 AJSnSTUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1973 Council presents its One Hundred and Fifteenth Report and the Statement of Accounts for 1972. OBITUARY Council records with great regret the deaths of Sir Thomas Neame, M.A., F.S.A., President of the Society from 1959 to 1967, of Professor D. E. Strong, M.A., D.Phil., F.S.A., of Sir William Wigham Richardson, Bt., our member since 1929, and of Dr. W. A. Pantin, M.A., D.Litt., F.B.A., F.S.A., our member since 1923. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Annual General Meeting was held at the Corpus Christi Fraternity Hall on 19th May, 1973, when Council's Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for 1972 were received and adopted. Mr. K. A. Pollock, F.C.A., was re-elected Honorary Auditor of the Society. The proposed amendments to the Rules set out in the Agenda were adopted without amendment. In the afternoon Mr. B. J. Philp gave a most interesting and well illustrated talk on rescue work in the County to a large audience of members and their friends. COUNCIL At the Annual General Meeting the following were elected to Council: Mr. J. Bradshaw, Mr. J. A. Newman, M.A., F.S.A., Mr. B. J. Philp, Mr. S. E. Rigold, M.A., F.S.A., F.R.Hist.S., Mr. R. J . Spain and Mr. P. J. Tester, F.S.A. In addition, to fill casual vacancies the following were elected for one year only: Mr. N. H. MacMichael, F.S.A., Mr. J". H. Money, M.A., F.S.A., and Mr. C. P. Ward. LOCAL ORGANIZATION The following changes in Local Secretaries have been made: Dover: Mr. T. D. Crellin in place of Mr. W. T. Allen, resigned. Faversham: Mr. A. V. Gidlow in place of Lt.-Col. A. A. Johnson, resigned. Mr. J. C. Irwin of Edinburgh and Mr. C. L. S. Williams, I.S.O., of Malling have also tendered their resignations. The thanks of the Society are due to all who have resigned for the work they have done and to their successors for taking their places. The Honorary General Secretary would welcome suggestions on matters which might be included in the quarterly Calendar and would remind members that material for inclusion in each issue should reach him by 1st March, 1st June, 1st September and 1st December, respectively. BRANCH REPORTS Maidstone Branch. Reported by P . E. Oldham, B.A. The 1973 programme has consisted of four lectures and two excursions. The lectures were 'Excavations at Boxley Abbey', by P. J. Tester, F.S.A., 'Oasthouses of Kent', by J. J . Pearson, 'Some Aspects of the Romanoxlviii REPORT, 1973 British Industrial Site at Cooling', by A. Miles, and 'The Roman Town at Springhead', by S. R. Harker. The excursions consisted of a visit to Chilham Mill, organized by R. J . Spain, and a perambulation of Maidstone, led by L. R. A. Grove, B.A., F.S.A., F.M.A. Branch meetings have attracted members from other areas as well as recruiting additional members for the Society. Sevenoaks Branch. Reported by Mr. P. E.. Leach. At a meetmg of Sevenoaks and Area members on I l t h May, 1973, it was decided to form a Sevenoaks Branch; the Local Secretary, Mr. P. E. Leach, to act as Secretary supported by a small organizing committee. A useful discussion took place on possible activities and meetings following which a programme of events on a bi-monthly basis would be arranged. The meeting was well attended with some forty members present: it was held in Sevenoaks School to whom our thanks are expressed. Mr. P. E. Oldham spoke on the aims of the K.A.S. and was followed by Mr. C. P. Ward who gave a short lecture on the archaeology of Sevenoaks which was supported by a small exhibition of local finds. Tunbridge WeUs Branch. Reported by Mrs. M. E. Davies, B.A. The 1973 programme included lectures and visits to Michelham Priory, Nutley Mill, Faversham, Rochester and Southborough area. Visits of inspection were paid to Silcocks, Fordcombe and Broadfield Farm, Bidborough, and several other buildings of interest in the area. MEMBERSHIP The Society made a net gain of over 100 members in 1973, and total membership now stands at 1,320. In view of ever-rising costs, it is essential that this welcome increase should continue. An appeal from the President is being sent to all members to ask them to make a special effort to recruit at least one member each in 1974 and so enable the subscription to be held at £2.50. This represents a bargain price for the volume, quite apart from all the other advantages of membership. FINANCE The Accounts for 1972, adopted at the Annual General Meeting, are published with this report. I t would assist in the smooth running of the Society if members would pay their subscriptions by Banker's Order and, if possible, enter into Seven-Year Covenants to enable the Society to recover Income Tax on their subscriptions at no cost to themselves. Forms for both these purposes are obtainable from the Hon. General Secretary, the Hon. Membership Secretary, or the Hon. Treasurer. ARCHMOLOGIA CANTIANA Volume bcxxvii was published early in 1973. The volume maintains its unbroken high standard, under the editorship of Mr. A. P. Detsicas, M.A., F.S.A., and the papers it contains cover a wide field of Archaeology and History, catering for the interests of every member of the Society. xlix 4 REPORT, 1973 EXCURSIONS 1973 Three excursions were arranged to the following sites: Saturday, 26th May. The Open Air Museum, Singleton; Little Halnaker, Boxgrove; and Goodwood House. The Society is grateful to Mrs. N. McGrath, for her permission to visit her garden and the ruins of Halnaker House. Saturday, 23rd June. St. Margaret's-at-Cliffe Church; the Donkey Wheel at Court Farm; Dover College; St. Radegund's Abbey; and Denton Court. The Society is grateful to Mr. S. E. Rigold, M.A., F.S.A., F.R.Hist.S., for leading the party and for his advice. Also to the Rev. Easter of St. Margaret's, Mr. Husk of Court Farm, Mr. K. W. E. Gravett, M.Sc.(Eng.), F.S.A., the Headmaster of Dover College, Mr. T. D. Crellin and members of the Dover Society, and to Mr. and Mrs. Gostling of Denton Court, for their kindness and help. Saturday, 15th September. The Society's excavations at Leeds Priory; Charing Church and the remains of the Archbishop's Palace, Charing; the Chapel at Court-at-Street; Lympne Castle; Bilsington Church and Bilsington Priory. The Society's thanks are due to Mr. A. C. Harrison, B.A., F.S.A., and Mr. P. J . Tester, F.S.A., for conducting the party over the Leeds excavations, to Mr. and Mrs. Ryan, members of the Charing Society, and to the owners of Palace Farm, for their assistance and advice, to Mr. J . Bradshaw, for his help and guidance, to the Rev. J. Peacock, of Bilsington, and to Major and Mrs. H. R. Pratt-Boorman, for their kindness and hospitality. The Excursions Secretary would always be glad to hear from members if they have any suggestions for future visits. EXCAVATIONS COMMITTEE The following grants were made to assist excavations in the County during 1973: £ Canterbury (Greyfriars) .. .. .. .. 120 Eccles Roman Villa and Training School .. . . 100 Horton Kirby Training School .. .. .. 50 Leeds Priory .. .. .. .. .. .. 100 £370 Reports on excavations which received support from the Society appear elsewhere in this volume, including an account of the Society's investigation at Leeds Priory. Applications for grants to assist excavations to be undertaken in 1975 should be made to the Hon. General Secretary not later than the end of October 1974. Forms of application are available, and it is requested that information as to how the grant is to be spent and what other financial support is available, if any, should be supplied. The Committee organized a conference on Archaeological Field-Work which was held at Maidstone Museum on 1st December, 1973. This was well attended, with a large representation of young people, the theme being the importance of discovering and adequately recording antiquities 1 REPORT, 1973 above ground. I t was emphasized that excavation entails responsibilities which are sometimes beyond the capacity of amateur workers who can, nevertheless, make valuable contributions to archaeology by means of field surveys. Three speakers, all members of the Society who are well known for their activities in this direction, gave short talks, opportunity being provided at the end of each for questions and discussion. Mr. J. Bradshaw showed slides of aerial views revealing roads, earthworks and other antiquities in East Kent. Mr. J . E. L. Caiger provided an admirably clear introduction to methods of simple surveying and map making. Finally, Mr. M. A. Ocock indicated the wide range of material which should be included in a comprehensive survey of a parish or other defined area of investigation. Members are asked to convey to the Excavations Committee any suggestions they may have as to the form and subject of further conferences on these lines. REPORT OP THE KENT HISTORIC BUILDINGS COMMITTEE, 1972-73 A very large number of applications for listed building consent to demolish buildings included in the Statutory List have been forwarded to the Committee by Kent County Council during the twelve-month period. I t has not always been possible to forward observations within the 21 days allowed, and in a very few cases it has not been possible to forward observations at all, due usually to no-one being available to report on the application. We, however, have reason to believe t h a t the Committee's observations carry considerable weight before a decision is reached at County Hall, as it is well known that the Committee includes members with high qualifications for expressing an opinion. Reference was made in last year's annual report to the proposed demolition of several listed buildings within Sheerness Dockyard which is now owned by the Medway Ports Authority. Largely as a result of pressure from the Committee, site meetings have been held, and members of the Committee have also been allowed to take photographs of the listed buildings concerned. It is felt that, as a result, the Authority is now giving more sympathetic consideration towards the possibility of incorporating any of the buildings into the proposed redevelopment of the dockyard. Concern continues to be expressed about Bourne Park, Bishopsbourne, which is still for sale. I t would be a real tragedy if this beautiful Queen Anne mansion, in its most attractive setting, is allowed to remain empty and to deteriorate. There is also anxiety about HoUingbourne Manor. Work continues on the restoration of the ancient Commandery of St. John at Swingfield. Much concern has been expressed locally at the apparent lack of progress, but it must be remembered that the building has been protected by a plastic cocoon, and a temporary roof, in order to protect the interior while its own roof timbers are undergoing extensive repair and treatment by the Department of the Environment's Ancient Monuments' craftsmen. When the roof work is finished the masons will turn to the rest of the fabric. The Committee rightly looks upon the decision to acquire and restore this most interesting relic of the past as one of its major success stories, and it must be remembered t h a t t he Kent Archseological Society contributed a generous sum of money towards its compulsory purchase by Kent County Council. li REPORT, 1973 Though the Committee can take no credit for this, as it had found itself unable over the years to offer any solution, the fine Crabble watermill at River-in-Dover has been most beautifully restored, and the machinery put into perfect working order, through the generosity of Mr. F. E. Cleary, M.B.E., and the Trustees of the Cleary Foundation. The Hon. Secretary was honoured with an invitation to attend the opening ceremony of the mill which was carried out by the Countess of Dartmouth, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the United Kingdom Counoil of European Architectural Heritage Year 1975, on 24th May, 1973. She not only thanked Mr. Cleary for his public-spiritness, but pointed out that this was the first project to be completed by private enterprise under the European Architectural Heritage Year scheme. The Greater London CouncU, lessees of Ingress Abbey, Greenhithe, applied for listed building consent to demolish it as being too costly to restore and convert to educational use. I t had been in use as H.M.S. Worcester, and the demolition was part of a scheme of redevelopment involving the construction of a Thames Residential Nautical Training College by the Inner London Education Authority in the grounds to the north and west of the house. The Committee opposed demolition, considering that it could be admirably incorporated in the present schemes for the Merchant Navy College, just as Wombwell Hall at Northfleet, a building of similar period, was incorporated in the Technical College when they took over the grounds for educational purposes. Kent County Council refused permission for the demolition of the building and informed the G.L.C. accordingly. The Kent Buildmg Preservation Trust is negotiating with Tenterden R.D.C. for the acquisition and restoration of the Ferry Cottages, listed with the Ferry Inn as a Grade I I group, at Stone-in-Oxney. They are owned by Courage (Eastern) Ltd., who wish to demolish them, a proposal which is viewed with dismay most strongly locally. What is being considered is that Tenterden R.D.C. would compulsorily acquire the cottages and sell them to the Trust. No final decision has been reached so far. I t is most regrettable that, after having given so much encouragement to the Committee to form the Trust, and every indication that financial assistance would be forthcoming, Kent County Council, in spite of repeated requests, has replied that they 'did not feel able to prune its general grant programme to the extent that would be necessary were a grant made to the Trust sufficiently large to be useful'. Thus all that the Trust can hope for is a grant under the Local Authorities (Historic Buildings) Act, 1962. I t may not have escaped notice that the joint Committee for the Protection of Rural Kent/K.A.S. has changed its title to Kent Historic Buildings Committee. When giving evidence at public inquiries, and in similar circumstances, it was often found difficult for our representative to explain exactly whom he was representing. LIBRARY AND COLLECTIONS The foUowing books and booklets have been added to the Library: The Carmen de Hastingae Proelio of Guy Bishop of Amiens (Ed.) Catherine Morton and Hope Munz, given by A. B. Webster; Medieval Iron-Workings in Minepit Wood, Botherfleld, Sussex, by J. H. Money (offprint from Medieval Archccology, XV), given by the author; Anglo-Saxon Charters I: Charters of Rochester (Ed.) A. Campbell, given by Canon B. J . Wigan; The Church of The Holy Trinity, Milton Regis, by I an Bethune, given by the Iii REPORT, 1973 author; Current Research in Romano-British Coarse Pottery (Ed.) Alec Detsicas (C.B.A. Research Report No. 10); Kentish Sources I-VI (Ed.) Elizabeth Melling; I, Some Roads and Bridges; II, Kent and the Civil War; III, Aspects of Agriculture and Industry; IV, The Poor; V, Some Kentish Houses; VI, Crime and Punishment; Scientific Methods in Medieval Archceology (Ed.) Rainer Berger (purchased). RECORDS PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE This has been an unfortunate year for which little progress can be reported. Difficulties arose with Messrs. Phillimore & Co. over the setting of the Custumale Roffense both in regard to the standard of their off-set litho reproduction and also because of their own staff difficulties. As a result it has proved impossible to continue with this volume which has been recalled by the editor, Canon B. J . Wigan, who himself resigned from the Committee in December. At the same time Mr. C. R. Councer took over the chairmanship of the Committee and Mr. D. Kelly the secretaryship. The immediate plans now are as follows: Kent Feet of Fine, Edward I-II, editor Mr. N. H. MacMichael; Lost Glass from Kent Churches, editor Mr. C. R. Councer; The Medway Navigation Waste Book, editor Dr. A. J . Allnutt; A Miscellany of Burghal Records, general editor Dr. F. Hull; The Diary of Sir Edward, Dering as Justice, 1626-1635; and Archbishop Warham's Visitations, editor Dr. K. R. Wood-Legh. The publication of these volumes will be proceeded with as speedily as possible. CHURCHES COMMITTEE The Committee has had a successful first year of existence. It was decided that the first priority should be the restoration of the Hugesson and Roper memorials in Lynsted Church, and a considerable sum of money has already been raised for this purpose. The Committee has also taken part in discussions which it is hoped will lead to a scheme for the preservation of Nurston Old Church, which was threatened with demolition. Representations have also been made in the appropriate quarters about the sale of a twenfth-century sculpture at Minster-in-Sheppey and the scheme for use of the redundant Church of Holy Cross at Canterbury, which is now being reconsidered. Mr. A. Cronk took the place on the Committee of Canon B. J. Wigan, resigned. REPORT ON THE TENTH CONFERENCE OF BUILDING RECORDERS HELD IN THE MUSEUM, MAIDSTONE, ON SATURDAY, 13TH OCTOBER, 1973 This year's Conference was held at Maidstone, on Saturday, 13th October, 1973, under the chairmanship of Mr. R. H. Hiscock, LL.B., F.S.A., and some forty members were present. The first speaker, Mr. R. Walsh, spoke on his excavations at Scotsgrove Manorial Enclosure and the building remains which he found. Unfortunately, Mr. P . Lambert was prevented by illness from contributing, and Mr. K. W. E. Gravett, M.Sc.(Eng.), F.S.A., attempted to compensate for this by showing his slides from his paper at the recent British Association meeting. These enabled members present to review the progress Iiii REPORT, 1973 which had occurred in the understanding of our buildings since the series of Conferences of Building Recorders commenced in 1963. Finally, thanks were returned to the Bentlif Trustees and Mr. L. R. A. Grove, B.A., F.S.A., F.M.A., for acting as hosts to the meeting. The next Conference of Building Recorders will be held at 2.30 p.m., on Saturday, 5th October, 1974, in the Museum, Maidstone. By Order of the Council, A. C. Harrison, Hon. General Secretary 1st January, 1974. liv