KAS Newsletter, Issue 1, Spring 1982
Bronze Age Burial in Wouldham
A. C. Harrison, B.A., F.S.A.
An area of some six acres of scrub-land has recently been cleared on the summit of the Downs in Wouldham parish. When a tree was uprooted the owner, Mr. Banfield, noticed fragments of Romano-British pottery and further investigation brought to light four small coins - subsequently identified by Rochester Museum as Constantinian. At the request of the owner an investigation was undertaken by the Maidstone Area Archaeological Group under the direction of the writer and it has to be said at once that, although further pottery and two more coins were found, there has as yet been no evidence of any Romano-British occupation site, though one cannot, presumably, be far away. What was discovered, however, and quite unexpectedly, was a ploughed-out Bronze Age round barrow.
This barrow had a diameter of 46 feet, the ditch surrounding it being 3 feet deep and 4 feet 6 inches wide. Unusually this ditch was tapered to a narrow slot about 4 inches wide suggesting that it had originally contained a timber palisade but, if so, this must have been deliberately removed as the filling was clean chalk. Nothing remained of the mound of the barrow which must in any case have been fairly slight as only a moderate amount of spoil could have been obtained from the surrounding ditch. Two burials were found inside the barrow, firstly a cremation in the exact centre and secondly an inhumation 12 feet to the east of it. The cremated bones had been placed in a circular pit cut into the chalk to a depth of 18 inches, with an urn inverted over them. Four post-holes set around the pit are interpreted as being the supports for a platform on which the body was exposed prior to cremation. The inhumation was in an oval pit and, unlike the cremation, had a capping of flints. The body was in a crouched position and the only object with it was a flint shaped like a small dagger - perhaps a substitute for a bronze weapon too precious to sacrifice. The urn, which expert opinion at the British Museum dates c.1300 a.c., stands 18 inches high and has a decoration of three 'horse-shoes'. While such urns are found in this country - the nearest parallel in Kent being the one from Capel-le-Ferne, illustrated in Arch. Cant. lxxiv (1960) p.52 - they are more common in the Low Countries and are perhaps an indication of crossChannel traffic at this period. One interesting small detail was that there were scorch marks on the inside of the urn, suggesting that the ashes were still hot when it was placed over them.
It is hoped to continue work on the site this summer.
Summer exhibitions
Dartford Borough Museum Summer Exhibition 1982
'The Romans in North-West Kent'. An exhibition, from Saturday, 12th June, to Saturday, 4th September, to illustrate the impact of the coming of the Romans on the local community and the importance of the Dartford area in Roman times. The exhibition will feature a reconstruction of a Roman kitchen, new models of the Dartford and Lullingstone Villas, a wide range of objects from excavations, as well as graphic materials and photographs. Admission free, Market Street, Dartford 12.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Saturday Tel: 27266.
Rochester Museum, The Guildhall, High Street, Rochester
Housed in the magnificent 17th century Guildhall is a fine collection of Local History and archaeological material, arms and armour, models of ships and Short flying boats.
May to June: a special exhibition of Japanese armour from the Anderson collection.
August: an exhibition of Coastal and Inshore Fishing in Kent and East Sussex to celebrate 'Maritime England Year'. Admission free, Monday to Sunday 10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., 2.00 p.m. to 5.50 p.m.
A New Venture
The Kent Archaeological Society was established in 1857 and now has a membership of over 1,500. The vast majority of these are Individual Members but there are some 40 Affiliated Societies and 166 Institutional Members. The affairs of the Society are managed by an elected Council of 24, together with 8 Officers who are elected annually. There are seven Committees, such as a Fieldwork Committee and a Historic Buildings Committee. All the Committees meet regularly to discuss and recommend to Council such actions as will promote archaeology and history in all their branches within the county of Kent.
With such a large and diverse membership communication is not easy. Wishing to ensure that the Society's activities reflected the interests of members a questionnaire was circulated in January 1980. Many useful suggestions were received and a short analysis was published in the Calendar of Events for October of that year. The questionnaires showed quite clearly that the majority of members were satisfied with the present activities, but that more emphasis could usefully be put on publicizing and promoting the existing work of the Society.
It is with these wishes in mind that a committee dealing specifically with Publicity and Membership was established. This Committee recommended that the 'Calendar of Events' which had been in existence since 1972 be expanded into a Newsletter, including photographs, to publicize the work of the K.A.S. This is the first issue of the new style Newsletter and it is hoped this and future copies will include news of fieldwork and excavations, local history researches, details of the Society's fine series of publications, facilities such as the excellent Library at Maidstone and the system of grants available. In addition, it is the intention also to give publicity to the many activities of the Affiliated Societies.
Enclosed with this newsletter are an Agenda and other papers regarding the Annual General Meeting to be held on Saturday 15th May. Under the Society's Rules only those whose subscriptions have been paid will be eligible to take part in the postal ballot for the election of officers and members of Council. Equally Volume 97 of Archaeologia Cantiana, due to be published in July, will only be supplied to those members whose subscriptions have been paid. The Hon. Membership Secretary, Mr R. Mills, 57 Homemead, Gravesend, will be pleased to receive any outstanding subscriptions.
Also enclosed is a newly printed Membership leaflet, and you are urged to pass this to a friend with a view to his or her joining the Society. Copies of this leaflet are being sent to Local Secretaries and also to Secretaries of Affiliated Societies. Extra copies are available from the Hon. Publicity Officer, Mr Ian Bouskill.
The Kent Archaeological Society Newsletter, as stated above, intends to publicize the activities of the K.A.S. and its Affiliated Societies. Members and Secretaries of local Societies are requested to send me details of their forthcoming excavations, lecture meetings, exhibitions etc. by the 1st September, for inclusion in the Autumn Newsletter, due out in early October.
Ted Connell, News Editor.
AGM 1982 Revision of Rules
Members will remember that at the S.G.M. in November a resolution was passed by a large majority welcoming Council's intention to proceed with a revision of the Society's Rules. A Working Party consisting of Dr. J. Lawrie, Mr. J. D. Noble and Sir John Winnifrith, together with three members of Council, was set up and the proposals set out in the A.G.M. Agenda for 1982 embody its recommendations which were approved by Council. Many of these are purely 'tidying up' amendments but the following are important: - (a) The objects of the Society are broadened to include History as well as Archaeology. This has always been the case, but it seemed as well to say so. (b) Institutions - but not Affiliated Societies - have been excluded from voting. Again this has been the case in practice - most of them being in fact overseas members - but it seemed sensible to regularize the position. (c) The procedure and powers of General Meetings have been clarified.
It was also recommended by the Working Party and accepted by Council that in the future a more thorough reorganization of the Rules should be undertaken so that they could be regrouped under separate headings, as the present order is distinctly haphazard. In the short term, however, these alterations are sufficient to remove anomalies and ambiguities and make the machinery of the Society run more smoothly.
It is hoped that members will make every effort to attend the A.G.M. and approve these proposals. It should be pointed out, perhaps, that they can only be accepted or rejected - amendments of substance could not be in order as due notice would not have been given as required under Rule 36(c).
Current Excavations
Canterbury Archaeological Trust
Further excavations on the important Marlowe Theatre Site will commence in July and continue through to October. Volunteer diggers are most welcome as are any helpers willing to assist with the processing of pottery finds, etc. Anyone who is interested should apply to the Director, Mr T. W. T. Tatton-Brown.
Springhead Excavations
Excavations on the site of the Roman Town of Vagnacae, on the A2 at Springhead, Gravesend will continue throughout the Spring and Summer both at weekends and on some days during the week. Volunteers are most welcome and should first contact the Director, Mr S. Harker.
Garden Hill, Hartfield, East Sussex
Excavations now entering the eleventh year will include a Neolithic/Bronze Age flint-working site, defences of the Late Iron Age Hillfort and Romano-British occupation. Volunteers are welcome for a number of clearance weekends, 10th/11th, 17th/18th, 24th/25th and 29th/30th July and also for the main excavation from 31st July continuously through to 30th August. Campers minimum age 18, daily diggers minimum 16 years. Apply to Mr A. D. F. Streeten, until 26th May, and thereafter to Mr J. H. Money.
Archaeology in Dartford
by Michael Bryant
From the first decade of the century, the Dartford District Antiquarian Society carried the burden of archaeological field work until the 1960s. Among their most notable excavations were the Roman site at Farningham, the Saxon cemetery at Riseley in Horton Kirby, and the Manor House of Henry VIII at the Priory site, Dartford. For a number of reasons, the work of the Society's archaeological section then ceased. It was in this period of inaction that Roger Walsh, the then Director of Fawkham & Ash Archaeological Group, who was already evolving a scheme to form a local archaeological group, was alerted by the announcement of plans for the redevelopment of Dartford to the opportunity that this would provide to uncover more evidence of Dartford's past. Accordingly, he consulted the Principal of the Adult Education Centre, East Hill House, and in the autumn of 1972 some 16 students were enrolled in an introductory course, entitled 'Digging up the Past' of which Roger was the tutor. Students from the first course (12 in number) decided in December 1972 to form the DDAG and were quick to enroll students from second, third, and subsequent courses. Roger Walsh agreed to fill the post of Director.
From these small beginnings, membership has grown to around 80 of which there is a substantial hardcore of regular diggers. In addition, an associate membership scheme was introduced in 1976 which today numbers about 70; we are greatly indebted to them for their valuable contribution to the interests of the Group. It may be of interest to note that the age of the active membership is from under 17 to over 75 years, all of whom are on first-name terms and working most amicably together.
As the Group enters its tenth year, it is fast approaching its 50th dig. Some of the earlier digs which we can look back on with special pride are, for instance, the medieval community site at Pond Field, Littlebrook, where Thames-side embankers and marsh 'inners' worked during the 14th-15th centuries; the search for the 'missing' Wilmington Romano/British villa which was resolved in 1975; and in the same year the commencement of trial excavations at Darenth Park Hospital, by courtesy of the Kent Area Authority, which eventually led in 1978 to the discovery of the Darenth Bowl - our major discovery to date - and to the increase of our knowledge of the Saxon cemetery; next a rescue excavation at the site of Henry VIII's Manor House completed in 1976; and, in 1979 after long and sometimes negative results, the uncovering of the Dartford Romano/British villa at Tenter's Hill Fields, which dig was conducted with kind permission of the Wellcome Foundation; and last year in Lowfield Street, the excavation of Horsman's Place, on which site a series of mansions have stood from as early as the 14th century.
The Group has also given assistance to neighboring groups with emergency work: for instance, in 1973 to SELAG at the Royal Tudor Dockyard, Woolwich, early in 1974 to the Otford Historical Society with work on the remains of historic Otford Palace, and in late 1975 (on a reciprocal basis) to FAAG at the Iron Age farmstead site, to which we returned again for Phase 2 in late 1978.
Another facet of the Group's activities is the surveying and recording of old buildings, such as the old farmhouse, Homefield House - part 16th century- and Rose Cottage, both at Sutton-at-Hone and sadly now demolished.
It was when Stewart Marlow qualified for his pilot's license that the group moved into the sphere of aerial survey and have since made a series of photographic flights. Following the establishment of a photographic section which issued its first report in 1977 - the section has started a long-term project 'Dartford in the 1980s'.
The Group's newsletter made its first appearance a year after formation and at present issue number 29 is being readied for publication.
Perhaps the most significant and far-reaching factors in the Group's history were the holding of a practical training course for supervisors in 1974 from which our two energetic assistant directors emerged, and the acquisition, in two stages, of the much-needed research center in Lowfield Street which, after renovation and repair, came into commission in 1975 to be followed by an extension that is regularly used as a meeting place and lecture hall. Here, in addition to the many and varied archaeological activities, the Dartford Branch of the Kent Archaeological Society meet and in this way the Group maintains close and helpful links with its mentor - the county's parent Society through our group and individual members.
Lack of space precludes the inclusion of much relevant matter and also the naming of members who play a leading part in the work of the Group.
The Faversham Society
by Arthur Percival, M.B.E., B.A., F.S.A.
Among societies affiliated to the KAS, the Faversham Society is rather unusual in serving both as a local amenity society and a local history society for its area. Since its formation 20 years ago, it has been very active in both capacities, for example, fighting and winning a major public inquiry to prevent the construction of a destructive (and unnecessary) Inner Ring Road and publishing a series of 17 monographs on different aspects of the town's rich past. In a small town of 15,500 people, it is doubtful whether two separate societies would have achieved as much.
The Society is also unusual in owning and operating its own Heritage Centre and Museum, in having a small satellite museum at the Government-owned Maison Dieu in Ospringe (on the outskirts of the town), and in managing the Chart Gunpowder Mills, which are the oldest of their kind in the world and which it restored.
The Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre was the first of its kind in the south of England when it opened in 1977. Well-situated in Preston Street, the town's main shopping street, the building is an old inn where the plot to murder 'Arden of Feversham' was hatched in 1551. A Heritage Centre differs from a museum in the sense that it sets out to tell a coherent, comprehensive story, using museum material only where it is relevant. So the Fleur de Lis tells the story of Faversham, using up-to-date display techniques. Since it has to be self-supporting, there is a modest admission charge, but most visitors agree that this is well-spirited. An audio-visual is followed by displays on local housing through the ages, local industries such as brewing, brickmaking, and shipbuilding, medieval religious foundations, and the whole infrastructure of the town (education, entertainment, hospitals, and 'mayors and markets'). Interspersed are set-piece museum displays, including an old village P.O., an old cottage hearthside, and an Edwardian barber-shop, which we have been told is better than the old one in the Museum of London! In the cellars (mind your head!) are all sorts of fascinating and unusual local bygones.
There is an excellent Kentish bookshop (profits help the Society's work for the conservation of the area), and the idea is that having first seen the Heritage Centre, visitors will explore the town, seeing it in a new light if they know it, or think they know it, already. Notwithstanding that Faversham is still basically (as it always has been) an industrial town, it happens to be one of the most attractive in the country, where history really comes to life. Faversham people are proud of their town and have prevented it being wrecked by developers and highway engineers, as other towns have been. We have 400 listed buildings (yes, 400!), and as well as seeing the house in which Thomas Arden was murdered, you can see others where Henry VIII, Charles I, and James II stayed (the last under duress!).
The Chart Gunpowder Mills (about 10 minutes' walk from the Fleur de Lis) were threatened with destruction before the Faversham Society rescued and restored them in 1967/8. They date from 1760, just after the factory of which they formed part had been nationalized by the Government - we think the first private business to have been brought into State ownership. Picture the powder being mixed under the huge 3-ton edge-runners and remember that without it Nelson could not have won Trafalgar or Wellington Waterloo.
The Fleur de Lis is open throughout the year during normal shopping hours (early closing Thursday). Society volunteers staff it, and, like the Windmill Theatre, it has never closed. The Chart Mills are open on Sundays from the beginning of March to the end of November, 2.30-4.30 pm.
There is no admission charge at the Mills, but money is still needed, so donations are welcome. For visiting parties, the Mills and Fleur de Lis can be opened outside normal hours if need be. Like most other societies the Faversham Society also offers visiting parties guided tours of the town - but there is so much to see we don't like being appended as an afterthought to Canterbury, Leeds Castle, or Rochester! The Society itself can provide parties with light refreshments, if given notice - we have our own very pleasant Hall at the rear of the Fleur de Lis. Otherwise, there are 35 pubs (all but a handful 15th/18th-century buildings) and several good eating-places.
And how to get to Faversham? No part of Kent is more than an hour away by car, and the M2 interchange is just 3 minutes' drive from the central car park. There are three trains an hour from Bromley South and the Medway Towns and two from Thanet, Dover, and Canterbury. The Station is only 3 minutes' walk from the Fleur de Lis and town centre. What more could you ask? If you haven't yet been, we hope you'll come. You'll get a friendly welcome, and you won't regret it.
Any time is a good time to come to Faversham, but specially good days this year will be Saturdays 26 June and 3 July when the Society is holding its annual Open House scheme. This enables you to see over historic houses and other buildings in the town not normally open to the public. Usually between 10 and 12 participate in the scheme. You buy a programme (about £1) from the Fleur de Lis and, as well as admitting to all properties, this contains detailed historical notes on each one. Some people have even been known to buy the programmes just for the notes.
The best Saturday of all will be 3 July, being celebrated as Maritime Faversham Day. What? You had forgotten that Faversham is a port? The oldest Cinque Ports charter actually belongs to Faversham, not any of the Head Ports. On 3 July, special events will be organized on and around Town Wharf. The 15th-century Town Warehouse (now the T. S. Hasarde) will be open to the public, there will be special exhibitions, and the S. B. Decima will be moored nearby for visitors to see over. And don't forget to bring your camera - Faversham's quite the most photogenic town in Kent.
The Society's Library
by Peter Draper, Honorary Librarian
Most members will know of the serious fire at Maidstone Museum in June 1977, which began in the room next to our Library.
Because of the decision to restore the building in traditional ways and because of the extent of hidden weakening caused by earlier alterations, the task of restoration has been a most difficult one and is even now not complete.
However, the Society's Room has been transformed by the Maidstone Corporation, in full consultation with your Council, into a room of considerable style and attractiveness. The melancholy tasks of disposing of burnt and water-soaked volumes, their transfer to the County Council's store, and subsequent return are now completed.
The collections have been reorganized, most volumes treated with special polishes, whilst a program of rebinding and replacement continues. The collection of slides, blocks, maps, and miscellaneous documents and notebooks are mostly reorganized.
Individual members are now, therefore, invited to make use of the collections. The Library is open during the normal Museum opening hours, namely 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Monday to Saturday inclusive.
Mrs. W. F. Bergess, F.L.A., a former Senior member of the County Council Library Service and co-author of the Kent Bibliography and Supplement, has very generously given her services to the Society in accessioning and cataloging. She is normally working in the Library on Thursdays from about 10.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. should you require assistance.
The policy which has been adopted, in view of the value of much material and its rarity and the limitations of space, is to put on open reference shelves some 39 series of Journals from other societies in the United Kingdom together with a section devoted to local topographical, genealogical material, etc. Other rare or valuable material is available on request only. Some foreign Journals are also available.
The collections are an enviable inheritance left in trust to us by past generations, the results of whose scholarship and generosity form a remarkable archive.
Adherence to a few simple rules is therefore insisted upon as a prerequisite to entry and use of the library.
a) Admission is at the discretion of the Hon. Librarian, the curator of Maidstone Museum, or the Society's Curator.
b) Admission is for Individual members whose subscriptions are paid up. Membership cards must be shown on demand, and the admissions book signed at the Museum Desk on arrival and departure.
c) The Collections are for examination in the Library only and may not be removed without written permission from the Hon. Librarian. Certain valuable items are only available by prior arrangement.
d) Members will appreciate that smoking, eating, and drinking in the Library are forbidden without the express permission of the Hon. Librarian.
Future plans include the holding of informal Saturday Seminars on specialist subjects and exhibitions of current finds and acquisitions. Other ideas and suggestions are welcomed.
Our President; Frank Jessup - A Note of Appreciation
Frank Jessup - A Note of Appreciation
When I first became friendly with the Jessup brothers in 1948, Ronald had already put Kent's archaeologists in his debt with his pioneer work The Archaeology of Kent (1930). He also produced the seventh edition of Methuen's Little Guides to the County (1950) for which Frank contributed the section on place-names. Although a member of Council, Frank at this time seemed to be more of an educational administrator than an antiquarian pundit. He had been called to the bar at Gray's Inn in 1935, had made his mark as Deputy Education Officer for Kent, and published a book on Problems of Local Government in England and Wales in 1949 as well as Local Government in Outline.
These were happy days for the Society's Council. The very worst occurrence at AGMs was the popping up of member Tracy Beale (1893 vintage) to complain to President Major Max Teichman-Derville that he didn't think that Lord Cornwallis should be included in the list of Vice-Presidents. Every member of Council looked forward to the Summer meeting at the President's home, The Red House, Littlestone. There, with recent memories of Forces hard tack and ration cards still clear before us, we were regaled with splendid victuals and wines. And with us·pre-War stalwarts such as the Falstaffian figure of Frank Elliston Erwood (of happy memory) dispensing wit, wisdom and obiter dicta and genial Sir Edward Harrison, master of the tactics of the Inland Revenue.
Archaeologia Cantiana for 1949 (lxii) contained two noteworthy items. Frank Jessup had taken over the General Secretaryship from Sir Edward and had produced an article on 'A New Romney Mayoral Dispute' which showed in which direction he was going to allow his legal and documentary knowledge to take him. To emphasize the point he and Ronald produced a book on The Cinque Ports in 1952.
But then Frank decided to desert the County for a while and departed for Oxford in 1952 to become Director for External Studies. We saw him occasionally as he still retained the Secretaryship (until 1961). He relinquished the Directorship in 1976. We were all pleased when in this same year he became involved with the British Library Advisory Council. Meanwhile in 1973 he had become Vice-Chairman of the Universities Council for Adult Education. He was now moving in exclusive, national circles. In 1976 he returned to our fold as President, no sinecure as it meant long sojourns on our temperamental railway system in order to maintain the level of attendance which he imposed on himself!
During his period in the wilderness he had not been idle Kentwise. An encounter with the Feet of Fines in 1956 was followed by virtually a best seller in A History of Kent (1958). This book was a pioneer one for the county and did much good when circulated round our schools. There was also a pamphlet (published by the Kent Education Committee), modestly called The History of Kent - a select bibliography (1966) - most useful for those finding their way amidst Kent's myriad tomes. It accompanied his Kent History Illustrated also published by the K.C.C.
In 1965 Frank wrote Sir Roger Twysden 1597-1672 and sent me a copy which he inscribed 'a little token of gratitude and friendship'. I hope that this little note in honour of a departing President is written in the same spirit. In Who's Who 1981 Frank's hobbies are listed as reading, music and gardening. Long may he peacefully enjoy them.
Allen Grove
Sevenoaks Finds
By J. A. Pyke
A gold object (fig. 1) was recently found in a private garden in Amherst Road, Sevenoaks. The object measured 60 mm wide, 96 mm long, and 20 mm thick and was made of thin sheet gold weighing 24.7 grams. It would appear that the gold had originally been wrapped around another object to decorate it, and the scene shown in fig. 1 was repeated on the rear surface.
The object was taken to the British Museum where it was examined by Mr. John Cherry, Deputy Keeper at the Department of Medieval and Later Antiquities, who suggested it might be a gold dagger chape of possibly Indian origin, dating to the 17th or 18th century. Analysis of the metal showed it to be 99.6% gold with slight impurities of silver and copper.
The chape was subsequently considered at a Coroners Inquest at Tonbridge on 3rd November 1981, with Mr J. Cherry present. The Jury decided that the object did not constitute Treasure Trove and it was returned to the owner of the land Mr B. Bishop.
There may be some significance in the fact that Lord Amherst, who owned much of the land in the area in the 18th and 19th centuries, had been Governor General of India from 1823-1828.
The KAS Bookshelf
The Roman Villa at Lullingstone, Kent by Lieut.-Col. G. W. Meates, F.S.A. 28 x 22 cm., 219 pages, 30 plates and 35 figures. Hardback cloth bound with full-color dust wrapper. Price: £18.
This work is the first in the new Monograph Series of the K.A.S. which has Mr. Detsicas as the General Editor. It is also the first volume of an intended two-volume publication and is a definitive report on the Site. It deals in full detail with the excavation and the structures found there. It is very fully illustrated with both drawings and photographs two of which are reproduced in full color.
The second volume which will deal with the finds made at this important villa is now in preparation.
Lost Glass from Kent Churches by C. R. Councer, F.S.A.
Kent Records Volume XXII
22 x 14 cm., 170 pages, 15 color plates plus many text figures. Hardback cloth bound with full-color dust wrapper.
Price: £16 (£8.50 to K.A.S. Members until the 31st May, 1982).
The author's interest in Kentish antiquities was first aroused during his school holidays which he spent with relatives in Deal. This led him on later to the serious study of painted glass and of buildings, especially monastic houses. He came to live permanently in Kent in 1928 and from 1934 has been a regular contributor to Archaeologia Cantiana and the Journal of the British Society of Master Glass Painters.
Mr. Councer's excellent work consists of a complete alphabetical list of all the churches, together with an introduction, a full list of all the works consulted and two complete indexes - one of armorial bearings and the other a general index. There are "some particularly attractive color plates.
This Records volume should be on the bookshelf of all those concerned with the subject as well as all those who have more than a passing interest in it
Collectanea Historica edited by Alec Detsicas.
28 x 22 cm., 315 pages, 65 plates, 65 other illustrations. Hardback cloth bound with two-color dust wrapper.
Price: £20 (£9.50 to K.A.S. Members until the 31st May, 1982).
This substantial volume bears the subtitle - Essays in Memory of Stuart Rigold, and this completely sums up this work. There are 33 essays, each an exhaustive account of the author's chosen subject. These have an enormous range from Roman Shore-Forts through Dutch floor tiles to an atmospheric piece on landscapes.
Mr. Rigold was a Principal Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Public Buildings at the Department of the Environment and the greater proportion of these essays are from that army of civil servants. The Editor has achieved a very high level of production excellence in this work and all the illustrations and figures are most clear.
Excavations at Canterbury Castle by P.Bennett, B.A., S.S. Frere, C.B.E., M.A., Litt.D., O.U., F.B.A., F.S.A. and S.Stow, B.A.
- 28 x 22 cm., 236 pages, 16 plates, 106 other figures. Hardback cloth bound with two-color dust wrapper.
Price: £15 (£7.50 to K.A.S. Members until the 31st May, 1982)
This new book is the first volume of The Archaeology of Canterbury, which is a new series being published jointly by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust and the Kent Archaeological Society and containing full reports of the large excavations undertaken by the Trust since 1975.
This volume includes a full account of Professor Frere's excavations at the Norman Keep from 1953 to 1955, and large sections on pottery and finds from the excavations as well as measured drawings and a history of the Keep by D. F. Renn.
Excavations on the Roman and Medieval Defenses of Canterbury by P.Bennett, B.A., S. S. Frere, C.B.E., M.A., Litt.D., O.U., F.B.A., F.S.A. and S.Stow, B.A.
28 x 22 cm., No. of pages, plates and figures to be advised. Hardback cloth bound with two-color dust wrapper.
Price: £15 (£7.50 to K.A.S. Members until the 30th June, 1982)
The second volume in the Archaeology of Canterbury Series published for the Canterbury Archaeological Trust by the Kent Archaeological Society is in the last stages of preparation.
Medieval Art and Architecture at Canterbury before 1220
Published jointly by The British Archaeological Association and the K.A.S.
25 x 18 cm., 128 pages, 36 plates and 107 illustrations. Hardback cloth bound £16 (£10 to K.A.S. Members until the 1st September, 1982)
Limp covers £12 (£7.50 to K.A.S. Members until the 1st September, 1982)
This is the fifth volume in the series of Conference Transactions of the British Archaeological Association which brings together the results of recent archaeological, historical and art-historical research on major cathedrals. This volume is not intended to be a comprehensive monograph in its own right but rather a collection of studies of important aspects of these great buildings and of the art which is associated with them.
All the above works are available on the K.A.S. Traveling Bookstall, together with very many other publications which are of interest to members. Alternatively they can be obtained by post direct from Mr. E. P. Connell, allowing £1.50 per volume for postage and packing.
Summer Excursions
Saturday, 22nd May
If there is sufficient interest, a mini-bus will take members and friends to Combe Bank, Sundridge Church and Squerrys Court.
Saturday, 12th June, Windsor.
The first part of the day will be taken up with a visit to the Tudor House of Dorney Court, near Eton and the neighboring 13th century church of St. James. Dorney Court, which has been in the same family since 1600, is only in its second year of public opening. In mid-afternoon a Salter's Steamer will carry us from Windsor Bridge to Old Windsor Lock. On leaving the river we shall visit the famed Saville Garden, this year celebrating its Golden Jubilee. The garden is one of the finest of its type in the Northern temperate region of the world. Tea will be taken at the Garden. The coach will leave Ashford at 9.30 a.m., Maidstone at 10.00 a.m. and the Tollgate at 10.20 a.m. Bring a picnic lunch to eat on the coach. Price £7.50.
Saturday, 18th September. Smallhythe and Tenterden
We shall be visiting the Vineyard at Spots Farm, Smallhythe. Opportunity will be taken to visit once more Smallhythe Place and the interesting Tudor Church nearby.
After a light lunch we will visit St. Mildred's Church in Tenterden. Members may wish to tour this interesting country town or visit the Kent & East Sussex Railway which now extends to Bodiam. The cost of the excursion will be dependent upon what other attractions can be arranged and transport details advised in accordance with demand.
For booking and further details of all these excursions please write enclosing S.A.E. to Mrs M. A. Cleggett.
Lecture Panel
It is through K.A.S. Branch and local Society lecture meetings that members may learn about the various local history research and archaeological fieldwork being undertaken in the County.
Mr. Roger Walsh is at present engaged in revising and updating our Panel of Lecturers List and would be most grateful if members who are willing to give talks would contact him. He will need details of the subject of your talk, the fee charged, and whether this is inclusive of traveling expenses, and the area of Kent to which you are willing to travel.
Lecture Diary
Fawkham & Ash Archaeological Group
Friday 30th April - An introduction to Vernacular Architecture by Mr Ian Bouskill. 8.30 p.m. Village Hall, New Ash Green.
Dartford & District Archaeological Group
Monday 10th May - Recent Excavations at Darenth Park Dartford by Mr David Batchelor of the D. of E. 8.00 p.m. D.A.D.G., Research Centre, Lowfield St., Dartford.
Orpington & District Archaeological Society
Wednesday 12th May - Inns of Kent and Kentish Inns by Mr E. J. Haywood.
Wednesday 9th June - Recent Archaeological Excavations in Canterbury by Mr Paul Bennett. Both at 8.00 p.m. Methodist Church Hall, Sevenoaks Road,
Orpington.
K.A.S. Annual General Meeting
Saturday 15th May - 11.00 a.m. A.G.M. Business Meeting. 2.30 p.m. Medieval Almhouses of Canterbury by Canon Ingram-Hill at Grammar School for Boys,
Barton Road, Maidstone.
East Kent Mills Group
The Group was formed in 1974 with the principal object of preserving old mills for posterity. Activities include discussions and lectures, visits to old mills and actual restoration work. Some future talks and activities include:-
Tuesday 11th May - Mill Machinery - 8.00 p.m. Woodchurch Village Hall
Wednesday 19th May - Mills of East Kent - 7.30 p.m. Charing Church Hall
Thursday 17th July - Tour of Canterbury Mill Sites - 6.30 p.m.
Saturday 31st July - Visit to Mills in Mid-Kent - 10.00 a.m.
For further details of our full programme of lectures and visits and Group membership contact: Hon. Sec. Mr B. D. Barber.
One Day School - School of Continuing Education
Saturday 13th July - Early Brickwork in South-East England. Morning lectures and an afternoon Coach
Tour by Mr Ken Gravett - details from Mr Tom Blagg, Rutherford College, The University, Canterbury.
Council for Kentish Archaeology
Saturday 13th November - The Excavation, Survey and
Recovery of the Tudor Warship Mary Rose by Margaret
Rule and Andrew Fielding. 2.15 p.m. Christ Church
College, Canterbury. Tickets 80p
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