KAS Newsletter, Issue 11, Spring 1987
Major West Kent Discovery: A Roman Villa Excavated
by Roger Cockett and Ted Connell
Throughout the latter half of 1986, members of the K.A.S., assisted by many local people, have been excavating a newly discovered Roman building at Sedgebrook, Plaxtol, Kent.
The Site
The site is in a field on a slight promontory above the upper course of the River Bourne, a tributary of the Medway. It is approximately at the junction of the Wealden Clay and Greensand beds and is on the natural springline.
Earlier work on the site
Ploughing in 1956 brought to light Roman tiles and pottery and resulted in the antiquity symbol being shown on the O.S. map. The field has remained under permanent pasture since then. Trial trenching in May 1984 by members of the Tonbridge School Archaeological Society encountered a Roman tile layer and a mortar floor.
Prospective development
The field and the whole estate has recently changed hands and the new owners intended to improve the land by laying a field drain across the site and by subsoiling the whole field. Subsoiling involves passing a chisel blade and mole across the whole area to a depth of at least half a metre, to lift and crack the soil pan. Members of the Plaxtol Local History Society asked for permission to carry out exploratory excavations to define the extent and nature of the site before it was destroyed. The Kent Archaeological Society Fieldwork Committee were approached for assistance and Roger Cockett very kindly agreed to direct the ensuing excavations.
The Excavation
On a fine Sunday in early July last year, more than thirty people gathered to commence the excavation. Amazingly, the initial 2m wide trench immediately found a wall and mortar floor. A grid was set out and over the following months area excavation of the topsoil uncovered all the wall tops of a building, except for its SW corner where its extent is uncertain (see plan and photo). Excavation of the undisturbed layers then began in and around the building with the continuing help of many K.A.S. members, members of nearby Affiliated Societies, and people from the Plaxtol area.
The Building
The building is a winged-corridor type house, 25m x 11.5m, facing east. The walls are of white ragstone in yellow mortar, around a rubble core. As the house is sited on the edge of a slope, the walls on the West and North West are up to 1m deeper than elsewhere. The central room of the house (Area 1.0) was the first built as all other walls butt against it. It measures 16m x 5.5m internally. The foundations were laid in trenches cut into an earlier occupation layer.
Excavation of the North wing revealed two rooms (2.1 and 2.2), one of which (2.1) was at least 1.5m deep. The lower part was filled with clay, much of it scorched or burnt, and contained a mass of roofing tile and the broken remains of what is best described as a Roman dinner service! (see drawing of reconstructed Samian bowl.) The whole room had later been filled up with masses of rubble for a floor at a higher level. Room 2.2, by contrast, had shallow foundations, overlaying what appears to be an earlier kiln-like structure.
Little work has been done on the South wing (Area 3.0), but pilae, floor tiles, and small blocks of tesserae were found just beneath the topsoil. The floor has probably been ploughed away, but there are indications of hypocaust channels.
The corridor (Area 4.0) is 16m x 2.5m. Much of its mortar floor survives but has been scraped and scored by the plough in centuries past. A large offset facing block may represent the jamb of a central entrance.
East of the corridor, a substantial layer of roof tile was found beneath the topsoil, much of it apparently undisturbed since the building collapsed in late Roman times. Two complete tegulae were recovered, unusually with nails still in position in the top edge. The excellent state of preservation of the fallen tile has prompted us to remove all the tile for study, with the intention of calculating the form and dimensions of the original roof.
Finds
Iron nails from the collapsed roof have been found in some quantity over the site and mostly well preserved. Amongst other material, bone has been sparse to date but there has been oyster shell from most of the upper layers. Pottery recovered so far ranges from early 1st-century coarsewares and samian, right through to third-century wares such as Oxford colour-coated and parchment wares, thus indicating a long span of Roman occupation of the site.
Future work
The excavations may be backfilled and the land returned to agricultural use by the end of the year.
We are planning to start work over the Easter weekend and continue each Sunday during May and June. After a break in July, work will resume in August with a full week of continuous digging and then carry on each Sunday until the Autumn.
All K.A.S. members are welcome to join us. Previous excavating experience is not necessary but if you have dug before, your expertise would be very useful. Due to the nature of the excavation, youngsters should be accompanied by an adult.
To help us plan for the excavation, if you are interested in coming, please complete the enclosed form and return it to Ted Connell. If you need more forms or further information, please telephone.
Acknowledgements
Firstly, in particular to the Fairlawne Estate to Mr. R. Trotter for allowing us to excavate and for his interest and support. Secondly, to the deputy directors Sara Bishop and Ted Connell without whom very little would have been achieved. Thirdly, to all the volunteer diggers from the K.A.S. and Plaxtol Local History Society, who did all the work while we watched.
Kent Ceramics: New Frontiers
by Christopher St. John Breen
In recent years the Society has funded a series of ARCHAEOLOGY AT WORK and POTTERY meetings, attended by hundreds of members. The latest, the third POTTERY WORKSHOP was held in March 1986, at the Research Centre of the Dartford District Archaeological Group.
Marion Green of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust gave a talk on a special study (by Valery Rigby of the B.M.) of fine wares, with a date range 1-50 AD, found during recent excavations in Canterbury. Christopher Breen spoke of the D.D.A.G's ceramic study project, methods, etc., followed by two talks from Beth Richardson and Barbara Davis of the Dept. of Urban Archaeology, London Museum on Kent-made ceramics found and recorded from City sites. During the morning session, discussion and viewing of the displayed pottery also took place.
The afternoon session began with an informative talk on decorated samian ware given by Guy de la Bedoyere, followed by a talk on the products of the Mucking Kilns by Rosemary Arscott. The last speaker was Christopher Going who outlined the history of the Much Hadham industry.
During the morning session, further displays of many recently excavated ceramics were mounted by Val Satterwaite of the O.D.A.S., Keith Parfitt of the Dover and John Pyke of the Otford Groups. Christopher Breen gave a brief summing up talk and the meeting closed at 5.30 p.m.
These meetings continue to act as an ideal forum to provide recognition keys as a spur to speed up research on ceramic material in the county.
KAS AGM & Annual Lecture
The Annual General Meeting of the Society is to be held on Saturday 16th May. The venue this year is the Maidstone Grammar School for Boys, Barton Road, Maidstone. The business meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. and the afternoon lecture will commence at 2:15 p.m.
For the afternoon lecture, we are fortunate to have Mr. Paul Bennett, B.A., Director of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust, who will talk about the History of Canterbury, based on a decade of excavation and recording carried out by the Trust.
Exhibition: Gravesend History Society
The above Society, in conjunction with Gravesham Borough Council, will be holding a "Victoria Remembered" exhibition at the Woodville Halls, Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend, between Thursday 23rd and Sunday 26th July inclusive, 1987, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
All members of the K.A.S. are invited to come along and see the displays. A small admission fee will let you see a wide collection of Victoriana from at least thirty exhibitions, including furniture, stamps, postcards, prints, photographs, newspapers, toys, maps, and a display of barrel making.
From A.M. Ridgers, Exhibition Organiser.
Competition: British Archaeological Awards
The Maidstone Area Archaeological Group was successful in gaining a place in the last five of the Pitt Rivers Award shortlist, sponsored by the Robert Kiln Trust, for the best project by a voluntary group or individual.
The award ceremony was held at the British Museum on the 13th November 1986. Mr Albert Daniels, Chairman of the Maidstone Area Archaeological Group, received from Sir David Wilson, Director of the British Museum, a certificate and a cheque for £200 as runner-up in the Pitt Rivers Award.
Grants for Research in 1987
The following grants have been made by the K.A.S. to assist work being undertaken in Kent during the current season:
Maidstone Area Archaeological Group will be assisted by a grant of £60 to help post-excavation work on the processing of pottery and X-Ray films of the large quantity of iron work found at their recent excavation at Rochester.
Otford and District Historical Society - Archaeological Group (O.D.A.C.) has received a grant of £75 to assist with the cost of post-excavation work and expenses on material being prepared for publication from Romano-British sites at Wickham Field (settlement site), and Frog Farm (cremation cemetery), Otford.
Mr. Christopher St. John Breen has been awarded a grant of £250 to assist him with expenses incurred while researching Romano-British pottery collections held in Museums and by Affiliated Societies throughout Kent.
The Kent Archaeological Society's excavation at Sedgebrook Roman Villa, Plaxtol directed by Mr. Roger Cockett, has been allocated funds up to £500 to enable excavation to continue throughout 1987.
FIELDWORK GRANTS
Are you planning an excavation or fieldwork within the county of Kent during 1988? Grants are available from the K.A.S. to assist work carried out by Affiliated Societies or individual members. Applications on the appropriate form (obtainable from the Hon. Gen. Sec.) should be made to the Hon. General Secretary by 1st OCTOBER 1987.
Excavation and Fieldwork: Help Wanted
Volunteers are needed to help complete the excavations on the Old Church site, Chapel Bank, Ebony, Tenterden.
The excavations over the past nine years have uncovered the remains of a large Medieval Church, some 30 metres long by 15 metres wide. Finds include painted window glass and some pottery.
Work still remains to be done on the chancel, although the main site will hopefully be filled in. Future work will include the plotting of the ancient field boundaries and roads of this deserted Medieval village, possibly with the aid of aerial photographs.
If you are interested please contact: Alec Miles.
Diploma in Archaeology
The University of Kent will be starting a new part-time Diploma in Archaeology in October 1987. The program will be organised and taught through the university's School of Continuing Education at the University of Kent's Centre in Tonbridge.
Over three years of part-time study, aspects of the archaeology of southern Britain from the Upper Palaeolithic through to the early Middle Ages will be covered. Reference will be made to the archaeology of western Europe as necessary. On completion of the course, students should have gained a basic knowledge of the archaeology of southern Britain up to the early Middle Ages, and an appreciation of how archaeological evidence may be used to further our understanding of past societies. In the third year, students will write a dissertation on a topic of interest in order to develop their own research capabilities.
Teaching will be through weekly evening lectures/seminars over three terms during the first two years, and a series of seminars oriented towards topics associated with research projects during the dissertation year. Students may be asked to attend occasional supervisions with their tutors and should attend additional weekend day schools and field visits, which will be organised from time to time. Much of the teaching will be undertaken by Dr. Tom Blagg, Lecturer in Archaeology, and Mr. Anthony Ward, Lecturer in Continuing Education, both of the University's School of Continuing Education. Contributions will also be made by others both from within the University of Kent and elsewhere.
Anyone interested in considering applying for this course is encouraged to seek further information from:
Anthony Ward,
Lecturer in Continuing Education,
The University Centre.
Watermills of Kent and the Borders of Sussex
by M.J. Fuller and R.J. Spain.
Members will be pleased to hear that the above book, the second in the large Monograph series, has been published by the Society, and is available at a cost of £15 to members plus £2 for postage and packing. Orders will be forwarded to the book's distributors by Mr. Spain.
Both authors have already published several works concerning the history of watermills of Kent, and decided at least ten years ago to work together and produce a comprehensive field survey of extant evidence. This study has been primarily devoted to the engineering remains although regard is paid to the building fabric and the landscape. Whilst their other monological studies have been concerned with the history of watermills, this survey is not, simply because the authors believe that attention must first be given to the field evidence that we are in danger of losing.
The survey has hydrological boundaries covering the whole of Kent and including the Rother and Medway drainage areas so that the borders of East Sussex are included. Some 54 watermill sites are described in this volume, spread throughout the area, and because it is the intention of the authors to eventually cover all known sites, some sites included have comparatively little building or engineering fabric remaining. The volume is amply illustrated, every site being the subject of an OS map extract, and where the remains of the machinery are worthy of recording, schematic floor plans are given. In addition there are copious pen and ink illustrations executed by both authors.
During the survey the authors recorded reminiscences of Kent people who had valuable and fascinating memories to place on record including a millwright, mill-owner and some millers. To complete the work the authors have included a Glossary of technical terms which may well be one of the most comprehensive yet produced for watermills.
It is hoped that this work will form a valuable record which will enable both national and local authorities, as well as the public, to become aware of and protect this type of rural-building. It will also provide a detailed record of machinery for those who are involved with the improvement or rebuilding of watermills.
The following extracts, taken at random, may give the reader an introduction to watermills:- .
"The Hayle Mill water wheel used to drive geared-in with the steam-engine, via the cog-pit. After the engine was taken out, in about 1929, the drives were left on one side of the water wheel, out towards the size house and it was used to drive the felt washer, the sizing machines, and one or two other odds and bobs. It was doing that until fairly recently; I think we took off the drives to the sizing machine only a few years before the change of ownership in 1972. The engine was a tandem compound. The high pressure cylinder was about twelve inches in diameter, and the low pressure one was about twenty inches in diameter, and it was a rather peculiarly-built engine. You usually have the low-pressure cylinder in front, at the crank end, with the rod extending through, or keyed onto, the rod of the highpressure piston, and then through to the jet condenser after that. This one had two rods into the low-pressure piston, outside of the high-pressure piston, which was in the middle. So she had a long cross-head pin, with one rod up the centre to the high-pressure cylinder that was in front. An awkward looking thing, but she was a pretty old engine all the same. There are some photographs of it somewhere"
.... Reminiscences of Alf Spain, engineer.
"We had heavy Shire horses for long-distance work, and for retail work we had Welsh cobs because they could be loaded up and still trot home, and my father bred Welsh cobs especially for this purpose. They were a recognised animal for this work as they were sturdy little creatures, and two of them could easily pull one and a half, or two tons of corn about the countryside. When they had finished unloading, five or six miles from home, they would trot back just as easy as not, whereas the old shire horses were always plodding along at the same old rate. At one time, we 6 had five horses that served both mills - two of these were Shires but then we had a trace horse to help get up the hills in bad weather. Especially in frosty weather, they all had to have frost nails to keep them from slipping. We changed to a motor lorry in 1921, and we were one of the first to have a lorry round about here, but we had to sell the horses, and the poor old waggoner was in tears. He used to take such a pride in his horses, and he felt it so when we had an auction sale of the horses and vans, but he learnt to drive the lorry, although when he wanted it to stop he called out "Whoa"! The men took such a great pride in their animals, but could not show them because they were always at work, except on Sundays".
. . . . Reminiscences of Philip Hancock, miller and millowner.
"The three pairs of millstones at Burnt Mill were driven via stone nuts; the one nearest to the pond was cast-iron, whilst the two others were wooden. Only the nut nearest the tail-race was accessible for inspection, although the middle one appeared to be of the same pattern, with upper and lower iron hoops on a wooden hub that carried eighteen cogs - three of them slip cogs, which were absent. The third stone nut was taken out of gear by a lifting ring and yoke raised by a screw passing through the bridge-tree. All of the bridge-trees were made of wood, with the two outer pairs of millstones controlled by governors apparently identical - each with two pear-shaped lead weights which, with the spindle, pulley and levers, were supported by a graceful, curved, cast-iron, cantilever bracket bolted onto the wall. One of the governors was outside the pit, and one inside, and both moved the bridgetrees via long steel-yards and iron links."
... Burnt Mill, Lenham.
"The sack hoist bollard - serving both internal and external hoists - was situated above head-height in the roof of the mill. It was belt-driven from the double-flanged wooden pulley on a layshaft on the second floor, and where the belts passed through bin B2 they had been boxed out. Cloth and leather had been wrapped around the horizontal bollard to grip the hoist chains, and the pulley had an octagonal hub cast integrally with six radial arms tapered on the flanges and webs. The wooden rim into which the arms were morticed and bolted had six straight cants which were dovetailed and pegged together. Two flanges were screwed onto the faces of the pulley. To transmit the drive, which relied on a slack belt system, the bollard and pulley were raised an inch or two by a compound lever system, operated by a hanging rope"
... Chilham Mill
The third stone nut was taken out of gear by a lifting ring and yoke raised by a screw passing through the bridge-tree.
All of the bridge-trees were made of wood, with the two outer pairs of millstones controlled by governors apparently identical - each with two pear-shaped lead weights which, with the spindle, pulley and levers, were supported by a graceful, curved, cast-iron, cantilever bracket bolted onto the wall. One of the governors was outside the pit, and one inside, and both moved the bridgetrees via long steel-yards and iron links." ... Burnt Mill, Lenham.
50 100 200 300FT "The sack hoist bollard - serving both internal and external hoists - was situated above head-height in the roof of the mill. It was belt-driven from the double-flanged wooden pulley on a layshaft on the second floor, and where the belts passed through bin B2 they had been boxed out. Cloth and leather had been wrapped around the horizontal bollard to grip the hoist chains, and the pulley had an octagonal hub cast integrally with six radial arms tapered on the flanges and webs. The wooden rim into which the arms were morticed and bolted had six straight cants which were dovetailed and pegged together. Two flanges were screwed onto the faces of the pulley. To transmit the drive, which relied on a slack belt system, the bollard and pulley were raised an inch
1987 Excursions
Saturday, July 11th
An all-day visit to the Winchester area of Hampshire. It is suggested that one should bring a packed lunch. The coach departs from Canterbury at 8.20 a.m., picks up at Maidstone in the Lower St. Faith's Street Car Park at 9.15 a.m. and again at the Black Prince, Bexley, 9.50. We will arrive in Winchester at 11.20 and take a guided tour of the Cathedral and/or the Museum between 11.30 and 12.30. Lunch and own visit to Winchester School at 2.00 p.m. Visit Romsey Abbey between 2.30 and 3 p.m. Call at Broadlands (the home of the late Earl Mountbatten) from 3 to 4.30. Tea 5.15. Depart Winchester 5.15 and arrive back at Bexley 6.45, Maidstone 7.30 and Canterbury 8.30.
Cost £11.00. Book by March 1st with M. A. Crane.
September 26th
A half-day visit to Tenterden with Mr. K. Gravett by Member's own transport. Meet at Tenterden Church 2 p.m. The cost inclusive of tea approx £2.25.
Bookings by 1st April to M.A. Crane.
Dane Court, Adisham, Canterbury. Tel: Nonington 840310.
A Twelfth Century pottery Kiln from Canterbury
by Nigel Macpherson-Grant
A redevelopment in the forecourt of Barrett's Garage, close to Canterbury's West Gate, and just within the City Walls, was preceded in July 1986 by a small excavation by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust. The first day of site clearance by machine produced a large and exciting collection of mid-later twelfth century pottery. Within a short time this proved quite clearly to be the waste products from a kiln, the first post-Roman one to be recorded from the City. Briefly the results were:
1. The base of a small kiln, with a stoke-pit, single flue and chamber divided by a central spine (Plate 1). Around the back and side edges of the chamber were a series of small stake holes, apparently not renewed. When the full implications of these and the kiln features are fully assessed it should be possible to provide a fairly reliable reconstruction of the original above-ground structure.
2. The kiln itself and the surrounding area was densely packed with quantities of wasters and large sherds. The pottery is unique. Though the ware is sandy, the fabric is better refined and of a manufacturing quality superior to the dominant local sandy products of the period. Equally, the forms present: glazed and roulette-decorated spouted pitchers, cooking-pots and large storage jars, are quite unlike the normal twelfth century range. The rim forms and rouletting style (Plate 2) are directly linked to mid-later twelfth Continued opposite Typical roulette-decorated pitcher sherds from the 12th Century kiln. Photo: A. Savage The newly discovered 12th Century pottery kiln during excavations in Canterbury.
New Book Review: Rediscovering Dartford
29.5 x 21 cm. Pp. 50 with numerous illustrations. Published by the Dartford District Archaeological Group. 1986.
Price £3.50.
The Dartford District Archaeological Group was formed in 1972 and has since carried out valuable research in the town itself and in the surrounding area. Under skilful direction, its amateur members have undertaken numerous excavations, some in advance of commercial development which would have destroyed important archaeological evidence. Outstanding among their successes have been the uncovering of the remains of Roman buildings in Tenter's Hill Field and at Wilmington. Most spectacular was the finding of a complete glass bowl at Darenth bearing a Christian Chi-Rho monogram accompanying a fifth-century Anglo-Saxon burial. This almost unique object would undoubtedly have been shattered by ploughing over the shallow grave if it had not been rescued by timely controlled excavation.
Our knowledge of the Tudor manor house on the site of Dartford Priory and the origins of Horsman's Place has been increased by the Group's researches. Altogether, a dozen excavated sites are described in this publication and the quality of the fieldwork reminds us that the term 'amateur' defines a status that frequently strives after the highest standards. The group is fortunate in having permanent headquarters in the town where finds can be processed and stored, and meetings held.
Excavation is often necessarily destructive, a fact that throws responsibility on those involved to record and publish the evidence in detail. Results of fieldwork over the last fourteen years have been summarised in this well-produced brochure, and it removes to some degree the reproach often levelled at professional as well as amateur archaeologists for neglect of publication. Quite justifiably, century imported North French grey ware pitchers from recent City excavations.
3. Better still, (although the full argument cannot be presented here), links with Cathedral Precinct document-dated sites confidently indicate a date between c. 1150-1175 for the kiln. The implications of this find are wide-ranging, but initially one of the most interesting aspects is that its distinctive products have so far been recognised only once amongst the enormous quantities of excavated twelfth-century pottery. The continental characteristics are so strong that we may well have here a French potter, operating as a specialist for a strictly limited market.
Post-excavation work on this unique material will begin in the next financial year and this will include not only documentary research, but also a search for similar products in Kent, and, more specifically, its continental parallels. Any information that could further this work would be most welcome (please contact Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 92A Broad Street, Canterbury, Kent Cfl 2LU). In the meantime, we are particularly grateful to Mr. Geoffrey Barrett, the site owner, for financial assistance, encouragement and interest; to Mr. John Hurst (of H.B.M.C.) and to Mr. John Cherry (from the British Museum) for advice, discussion and confirmation; finally to Mr. Andrew Savage for the photographs.
Much of the content is intended to stimulate popular interest and this has meant the sacrifice of some features generally found in specialised archaeological reports. One notes the absence of the customary pages of pottery drawings and diagrams of sections. Several plans are well drawn although in some cases the degree of reduction has involved loss of clarity. The photographs are mainly of good quality and often of human as well as archaeological interest, but perhaps, a number could have been spared to make room for more descriptive notes on the sites and finds; in particular, it might be felt that some of the small photographs, such as those between pages 40 and 45, would be of greater significance to the reader if they were accompanied by more descriptive captions.
Recording of buildings of architectural and historic interest can be of as much value as excavation, and the D.D.A.G. has made worthy contributions in that respect. The drawing of the Mill House at Hawley is a good example of proper recording and should set a standard to be followed in other cases.
Without in any way wishing to detract from the interest of the publication, one is left to wonder whether this is to be the definitive account of work on the sites mentioned. If so, it might be considered to fall short in certain ways of what is required to constitute a permanent record. Do we, moreover, have to wait another fourteen years to catch up with the Group's continuing programme; and would it not be advantageous to publish interim reports of a more formal nature in periodicals such as the annual volumes of Archaeologia Cantiana?
P.J. Tester
Ed: Copies of "Rediscovering Dartford" may be obtained by sending a cheque for £3.50, made payable to D.D.A.G, to Mr G. Mitchell, Treasurer.
Letterbox
A Further Appeal for a Proposed Slide Library
Sir,
It has been suggested that a photographic slide library would be a useful addition to the facilities offered to members, lecturers and students in Kent.
Most people take far more photographs than they need so duplication leads either to cluttered cupboards, or at the other extreme, wasteful destruction of film which other members might be glad to see or borrow.
At the present time it is hoped that a scheme can be launched in a modest imitation of the National Monuments Record but with a collection of transparencies rather than photographic prints. It is a long term project and could take several years to build up a Topographical file covering old buildings, views, roads, etc. and a section dealing with archaeological subjects which would give full coverage to the whole of Kent.
If you are interested Mrs N.Caiger will be very pleased to receive any spare slides from members who are willing to donate them to the Society and who understand that these slides may eventually be loaned out to other members who require them to illustrate their lectures, for study, or for comparison with work in archaeology and local history.
It is most important that all slides be clearly labelled by the donor with details of provenance, subject and time of taking. There is nothing more frustrating to the researcher than to find a fascinating hoard of pictures which could have been taken anywhere at any time.
Yours faithfully,
Nesta Caiger
Are you interested in the history and archaeology of the County of Kent?
The Kent Archaeological Society was founded in 1857 "to promote the study of archaeology in all its branches, especially within the County of Kent". Membership is open to anyone who has an interest in the local history of Kent, in its churches, in the recording and preservation of its ancient buildings, in the lives and achievements of its men and women, and in the study and publication of its records. Of all its activities the most important has always been and continues to be that of publication. Every year the Society publishes and issues free to members Archaeologia Cantiana, an attractively bound volume of some 300 pages, reporting on the activities of the year and containing papers, many of them illustrated, upon a wide variety of Kentish subjects. To maintain contact with members a Newsletter is also issued giving details of activities within the County.
The annual subscription is £7 (£3 for persons under 21) and Joint Subscription (husband and wife) £9. Institutional membership is £10. Write now to Mr A. C. Harrison, B.A., F.S.A., Honorary General Secretary.
County Local History Committee One Day Conference
The annual one day conference will this year take place on Saturday 9th May at The Queen Elizabeth School, Faversham and will be entitled "Faversham, the King's Port". The morning will be taken up with talks by Arthur Percival on "Faversham, the King's Port", and John Owen on "The Sondes Family and Faversham".
After a break for lunch four parties will be conducted around the town, all of which will visit the Parish Church of St. Mary of Charity, and be given a short talk by Robin Waldron FCA. Guided parties will be given tea at the Telfer Hall during the afternoon.
Tickets for the conference are £4. A full programme plus application form for tickets may be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope to: County Local History Committee, Kent Voluntary Service Council, 15, Manor Road, Folkestone CT20 2AH.
The Honorary articles Editor and of communications the Newsletter welcomes and would all • particularly like to receive more from members, especially on subjects such as requests for research information, books and related topics. Illustrations, if relevant, are always helpful and can assist readers in identifying objects, understanding points and following arguments. The Editor, however, wishes to draw readers' attention to the fact that neither the Council of the K.A.S. nor the Editor is answerable for the opinions or views which contributors may express in the course of their signed articles. Each author is alone responsible for the contents and substance of their items or papers.
Hon. Editor: Ted Connell.
Published by the Kent Archaeological Society, St. Faith's Street, Maidstone, Kent.