KAS Newsletter, Issue 28, Summer 1994

Ice-House at Hawley Manor, Dartford

During the spring of 1992, Mr. Bernard Hills of Beulah Management, the owners of Hawley Manor, Sutton-Hone, Dartford, informed Chris Baker of Dartford District Archaeological Group of his intention to refurbish the ice-house in the grounds of the manor, and the group were invited to carry out a survey beforehand.

Drawings that had been made showed that although most of the features could be ascertained, due to accumulated deposits of rubbish the depth of the well was unknown.

It seemed a good opportunity for D.D.A.G. to examine and record this historic example of Victorian domestic building, and Chris asked Peter Muldoon and Ron Harman to carry out a midweek project to complete a survey.

Consequently, during the late summer of 1992, with collaboration from an estate gardener Ken Goodwin who is also a group member, work was commenced.

Firstly, all the collected rubbish from the well was removed by shovel, bucket, and rope hoist which amounted to approximately 8.5 cubic meters.

The debris by its nature must have begun to accumulate in the 1930s, and was obviously for some years used as an occasional extra refuse tip by the earlier estate gardeners, by virtue of the amount of flower pot shards uncovered. Apart from these, the rest of the recovered rubbish was also un-noteworthy, indeed a few solitary bottles of early proprietary use, only were of any interest.

The ice-house itself is a type A (Niven Robertson Classification) which is a cup and dome construction with the cup below ground level.

Plan.

The whole walled roof structure was of mortared brick all bonded but with bricks of random length up to 200mm, and of Victorian date, except for the drainage sump at the bottom of the well which was lined with 17 courses of Tudor bricks, which one can assume must have been, at the time of construction, recovered and re-used from earlier Tudor workings on the site. (The Tudor Pigeon House and perimeter wall comprising similar bricks is only 5.0m away from the Ice-House - both remain).

The very bottom of the structure - the base of the sump was seen to be composed of chalk. The platform at the junction of the wall and sump top showed remains of some further Tudor bricks set into clay puddling.

For safety considerations, it was not possible to excavate to determine the thickness of the wall or to ascertain whether or not a cavity wall was provided, but the dome roof was examined where it was found to have no cavity and a thickness of brick including some rubble of 0.330m.

At the time of writing, (Oct 1993) refurbishment of the Ice-House is about to commence.

The building is not shown on a tithe map of 1842 but is shown on an O.S. map of 1880.

At the construction of the A2 Dual carriageway which bounds the site of Hawley Manor, the erection of boundary posts, presumably unknowingly, caused the dome of the ice-house to be pierced by an oak post, which is still evident, and enters the roof to a depth of 0.4m.

The Ice-House at nearby Darenth Grange (1 mile) is of very similar construction to that at Hawley Manor, and was recently cleared of rubbish by Kent Groundwork Trust. No dimensions were taken but depth appears to be greater than that at Hawley.

We wish to thank Bernard Hills and Partners for their cooperation in this survey and for their work on drawing presentation.

National Grid Reference T.Q. 546721.

Ron Harman
Dartford District Archaeological Group.

The Terpen (Mounds) of the North Friesland Marshes in Holland

It has been suggested in the past that the Romano-British sites of the North-Kent Marshes, on mounds submerged in the alluvial silts of the Thames and Medway, have much in common with the mounds known as 'terpen' in the salt marshes of the Groningen and Friesland Provinces of Northern Holland. These Northern salt marshes were settled about 500 BC, by people managing to resist flooding with the raising of small artificial mounds of sods. These 'terpen' were raised when necessary and also extended after the Roman period for crop farming when the old marsh surface became wet.

The Dutch State Archaeological Service has surveyed and mapped these mounds which vary in height above the surrounding marsh from a slight rise in the level to some 8 meters above the marsh level at Hoogebeintorum village. They vary in size from large 'terpen' which sometimes support a village to smaller ones which may have had a small farmstead or barn on them. Some of these mounds can be dated to the Iron Age, showing a continuous occupation right through the Roman period (although the Romans never occupied the area, trade relationships existed with the Roman Provinces south of the Rhine), into Medieval times and on to the present day.

These 'terpen' sites have been mapped in great detail and given various productive status, although few of the sites have been excavated. Compare this with the mounds on the Thames and Medway marshes which range in date from the Roman period to the early Medieval period but do not enjoy any such protection and have not even the distinction of being recorded. There are no doubt problems in surveying the Roman mounds on the North Kent marshes which are partly submerged in the post-Roman silts and only exist as slight swellings in the marshes. I remember visiting some mounds of presumably Medieval date (known by the dialect word of "coterells" on Sheppey), possibly the result of salt-making and large enough to have supported a small village, near Great Bells Farm, Eastchurch, Sheppey, some thirty years ago. Possibly these mounds have long since been bulldozed away. However, even these coterells and any mounds with the odd looker's hut on it need recording as possibly their origins are medieval and much earlier.

Certainly, if field surveys are difficult, excavation of the sites is more so as the water-logged state of the marshes makes for severe excavation problems, while in the rare dry summer the marsh clays dry out into an intractable state, and excavation is only possible by keeping sites damp under polythene sheeting as the excavations at Cooling, some twenty-five years ago proved.

In May 1993, the opportunity arose to visit the 'Terp of Wijnaldum' (No. 73), near Harlingen, North Friesland, where the Archaeological Centre of the State University of Groningen was excavating the 'terp' which was possibly the home of a Medieval Friesian 'King'. The excavations at Wijnaldum were on a large 'terpen' site which had supported a modern farm that was being cleared and rebuilt after a fire. The excavations showed that the site had been occupied from Iron Age times through the Roman period and into the Medieval period. The stratification was extremely difficult to interpret as the top layers were eroded in part (possibly by farming operations) and complicated by dumping of deposits on the edges of the mound. The soil was a sandy clay which dried to a cement-like texture and could only be troweled while damp. This was achieved by keeping the soil covered by plastic sheeting.

An interesting feature was a 'Gruben Haus' which had collapsed into its pit, with later occupation on top. Also pointed out were the turf walls of a hut, which showed after sympathetic troweling, the individual turves which made up its construction. Traces of iron-working and traces of gold were also found, but salt-making was not thought to be one of the activities. The second-century pottery from the site was very crude, with fingertip impressions along the rim, reminiscent of Iron Age pottery.

Modestly, the Dutch said they knew very little about the archaeology of the 'terpen' sites, as the excavations at Wijnaldum were the first since the 1960s. Although Friesland abounds with 'terpen' sites and many raised 'platforms' could be seen in the marsh surrounding Wijnaldum, even the local church sits on a gentle swelling above the general marsh level.

It would have been interesting, although time did not permit, to have compared our Ordnance Datum with the Dutch NAP (New Amsterdam Level, Amsterdam being the zero for the European leveling network) and then compared our Thames and Medway inner marsh levels with the Friesian marshes, although I had the feeling that NAP would equate with our Average High Water, Mean Ordinary Tides.

I am indebted to Mr. S. W. Jager of the State Archaeological Service (Rijsdienst voor het Oudheidkundig Bodemonderzoek) and Mr. Piet van Wilgen who made the visit to the Friesian 'Terpen' mounds possible.

Alec Miles

Books

Roman Canterbury - A Journey Through Time

This resource book is soon to be published by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust. The project has been a joint venture between its author, Andy Harmsworth of Simon Langton Grammar School for Girls and the Trust.

The book takes the reader on a journey through time starting with Iron Age settlers who inhabited this area before the Roman Conquest. We are then taken through the development of a prosperous thriving Roman town and on to its eventual decline some 400 years later. Particular emphasis is given to archaeological evidence. The book contains a wealth of illustrations, reconstructions and photographs, the majority being executed by members of the Trust. Roman Canterbury is suited to a wide readership. While it is designed primarily for children, we hope the well-researched material will also appeal to adults with a keen interest in their heritage.

This project has gained considerable financial support. A grant from the Kent Archaeological Society for £1,650 is very much appreciated, as is the society's overall support for our work in Education. This sum will largely cover the printing costs and enable us to send flyers advertising the book to all Kent schools. Other grants funding this project have come from The John and Ruth Howard Charitable Trust, Friends of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust and Kent County Council (Arts and Libraries Heritage Services Group, Kent History Centre and Curriculum Development Fund.)

Roman Canterbury will sell at £2.95 and will be available from early April. It can be purchased from CAT offices, 92a Broad Street, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2LU and will also be on sale at retail outlets including Albion Bookshop, Waterstones, Canterbury Roman Museum and W. H. Smiths. KAS members ordering copies from the Trust will receive them post-free; the cost of postage to non-members will be about 65p.

Marion Green,
CAT Education Officer

Canterbury by Marjorie Lyle

Published by English Heritage/Balford at £14.99 Paperback. With 84 black and white and 12 colour illustrations, mainly taken from the Canterbury Archaeological Trust's Archives, this is the first full, modern archaeological history of the city from palaeolithic times to the present. It includes detailed topics in each chapter, e.g. Roman gates and walls, Saxon Churches, including the 1933 Cathedral nave excavations, pilgrim inns and timber-framed buildings. It will be on sale at the KAS AGM and at all good booksellers.

BOOK SALE

Between 1st May and 30th September, most of the numerous publications of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust are being offered at a substantial reduction. For instance, the volumes of The Archaeology of Canterbury originally priced at £17 to £27, will cost only £5 each. They are: Vol. I Excavations at Canterbury Castle, by Paul Bennett, S. S. Frere, and Sally Stow. (1982) Vol. II Excavations on the Roman and Medieval Defences of Canterbury, by S. S. Frere, Sally Stow and Paul Bennett. (1982) Vol. IV Excavations in the Cathedral Precincts, 2, 'Maister Omers', Linacre Garden, and St. Gabriel's Chapel, by J.C. Driver, J. Rady and M. Sparks, (1990).

Vol. VII Excavations in the St. George's Street and Burgate Street Areas, by S.S. Frere and Sally Stow, (1983).

Vol. VIII Canterbury Excavations: Intra- and Extra-Mural Sites, 1949-1955 and 1980-1984, by S. S. Frere, J. Redy and Sally Stow, (1987).

Copies may be obtained from C.A.T., 92 Broad Street, Canterbury, CT1 2LU, Tel: 0227 462062 for a full list. Add £3 for P&P for one volume, £5 for more than one.

The Ancient Woodlands of the Blean

This 33-page booklet was researched and prepared for the School of Continuing Education, University of Kent, Canterbury, by Alexander Wheaten M.A. with the assistance of David Maylam of the Nature Conservancy Council and a class of adult students. A copy has been presented to the K.A.S. Library.

K.A.S. Meeting: Held at the Guildhall Museum, Rochester

Mr. Michael Moad, the Curator, welcomed an enthusiastic audience to the Guildhall and began his talk by describing his own training in the conservation of arms, armour and ethnic artifacts, e.g. head masks, shields and preserved human heads!

Insisting that good conservation requires all processes to be reversible, so that later knowledge can more easily correct mistaken interpretation, Mr. Moad described many of the materials and techniques which are used in the Museum services, noting that it must be better to leave well alone unless the restorer is certain of original materials, processes and usage. He commented upon the failures of some conservation courses which concentrated upon the technology and ignored the need to develop an understanding of the meaning and use of artifacts, quoting as typical 'horror stories' the effects upon specific artifacts when enthusiastic but ignorant cleaning is undertaken.

Examples given were the alteration of preserved heads which would change their relationship to the tribe from 'friendly ancestor to malevolent foe', the removal of age patina from bronzes, the scouring of 'water ripple' patterns from edge tools, the removal of original colourful and protective finishes from suits of armour, e.g. the Henry VIII armour in the Tower, which was originally surfaced with gold edged russet and blue panels and is now a bright steel finish; bar the 'cod-piece' which still retains its original blued finish and red velvet lining because of removal during the 18th century to avoid scurrilous lampoons and ruder poetry!

Slides and actual examples of such items were available for inspection including: Japanese lacquered armour, a Javanese kris, Persian sabre, Chatham ale pots, a paper lined travelling trunk, a German morion, a Chinese leg armour of steel plates (rusty) riveted to exquisite silk embroidery, etc.

Mr. Moad was warmly thanked for his efforts.

Peter Dawson

Note: The Guildhall Museum, High St., Rochester, has recently undergone a complete refurbishment. Open to the public 10am - 5.30pm (last admission 5pm) Free of charge, seven days a week.

New Certificate Courses in Archaeology

The popularity of archaeology continues to grow and while the opportunities to undertake excavation on a volunteer basis are perhaps not as great as they once were, there has been a steady increase in the availability of archaeological courses.

It is hoped that two new certificate courses will begin in Canterbury in the coming Autumn.

1. At Canterbury College, a GCE "A" Level Certificate in Archaeology will be offered. This course, taken during the day over two years, will supplement the existing one-year GCSE evening class, which will also continue. The A Level syllabus is wide-ranging both in time and theme. As well as undertaking a study of archaeology in general, the student will look at the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, and Early Neolithic developments in Europe and the Near East, along with the rise of civilization in the latter area. For Britain, the study of prehistoric periods will be supplemented by an examination of Roman Britain. The GCSE evening course can also be taken over a two-year period with a college certificate awarded in the first year.

Further details from the Programme Manager, Wyn Jones, Canterbury College, New Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent.

2. At Christchurch College, Canterbury, which has been the venue for many one-day archaeological conferences, it is hoped that a Local Archaeology Certificate will be offered for the first time by the History Department. This certificate, for half a day per week over two years, will, as the title suggests, have as its main component the study of local archaeology. The first year will include a study of aims, principles, and development of archaeology along with Prehistoric and Roman Kent. The emphasis will, however, be on the Anglo-Saxon and Medieval periods which will be studied in some detail in the second year.

Further details from Dr. Sean Greenwood, Head of History, Christ Church College, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, Kent.

No previous practical or theoretical experience is necessary, but students will be expected to undertake their own projects. Students from both colleges will also be encouraged to form a combined archaeological society. It is hoped that a long-term student training excavation will eventually take place, but for the near future, students will be encouraged to join well-established projects advertised by the Council for British Archaeology.

Alan Ward

South Eastern Archaeological Services

Many people still associate the Field Team of the Institute of Archaeology (University College, London) with its work in Sussex. The unit was set up at the Institute as the Sussex Archaeological Field Unit almost 20 years ago. As it had extended its field of work beyond the counties of East and West Sussex to other areas of Britain and also abroad to Barbados and Hong Kong, the old name no longer seemed appropriate. In 1981 it was re-christened the 'Field Archaeology Unit'. During the 1980s, it undertook major excavations at the internationally important Palaeolithic site at Boxgrove near Chichester and examined prehistoric flint mining, Roman rural settlement, and the medieval origins of urbanism. Over the last few years, the unit has again redirected its activity and set up a new section to manage commercially-funded archaeological work, 'South Eastern Archaeological Services'. The name reflects the present area of most of the unit's activity, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, and the London boroughs.

Though it remains part of, and firmly linked to, the Institute of Archaeology in London, the unit now operates from its new offices in the village of Ditchling near Brighton. SEAS undertakes about 80 projects a year ranging from watching briefs on developments, to recording standing buildings, survey work, assessments, and full-scale excavations. The staff of SEAS have a particular interest in the archaeology of the South East both for the historic and prehistoric periods. Recent work in Kent includes survey work on the line of the New Romney and Dymchurch bypasses and an assessment of a village extension at Hawkinge. The unit works closely with developers and planning authorities to ensure that buildings and archaeological remains are identified and recorded before development. SEAS also maintains contacts with local groups and has a commitment to training through annual excavation and surveying courses for the public at Bignor Roman villa.

South Eastern Archaeological Services can be contacted at its new offices at Turner Dumbrell Workshops, North End, Ditchling, Sussex BN6 8TG. Tel: 0273 213461.

Mark Gardiner
SEAS Deputy Director

Medieval Pottery Day - 12th February 1994

Approximately 100 people attended the Medieval Pottery Workshop held in the Victoria Suite at the Camden Centre, Tunbridge Wells. Dr. Anthony Streeten spent the morning giving a most interesting presentation illustrated by slides, embracing all aspects of the pottery industry. He started his talk with a map of the whole of the South East including the Weald, showing both geological, physical, and geographical features. He expanded his theme to include details of the population trends, distribution of settlements, market centers and market days, clues in place names including those of fields, woods, and roads, etc., and other relevant details. This included reference to floor and roof tile as well as domestic pottery. Those of us lucky enough to be present obviously found all this information very thought-provoking and a lively discussion took place before the lunch break.

After lunch, Dr. Streeten reminded us of the types and fabric of pottery produced locally and reinforced his extensive collection of slides with actual examples of sherds that had been brought in by various members of the audience. This also enabled many present to have their pottery examined and created an environment in which participants were able to exchange views and ideas about the subject.

Other Committees may wish to take note that the Camden Centre at Tunbridge Wells provided, in my opinion, an ideal venue for this type of workshop and also has larger halls available. Thanks are due to Dr. Detsicas and the Fieldwork Committee for finding such a sympathetic and knowledgeable speaker in Dr. Anthony Streeten. I must not forget to add my thanks to members from the Maidstone Archaeological Group who provided the much-needed tea, coffee, and biscuits, which was a very welcome addition to an enjoyable and successful day.

Sheila Broomfield

British Museum Tours

This is a charity owned by the Trustees of the British Museum to plan and operate tours for people interested in museum-related subjects. It does not operate through travel agents but is a fully licensed and professional tour company in itself. The groups are led by curators and specialists of the British Museum to many of the most interesting places and sites in the world. Enquiries should be made to Elizabeth King, Manager, B. M. Tours for further information.

K.A.S. Christmas Buffet

This was held at Maidstone Town Hall by kind invitation of the Mayor, our member Mr. Paul Oldham. After his welcome, the Mayor outlined the history of the building and allowed members to visit the old prison cells. A memorable lunch provided by Lampards catering was followed by an entertainment by the Thomas Clarke Quire. A programme of music sung in Parish churches before the Victorian organs were installed was greatly appreciated by the one hundred members who attended. Some fifty members spent the afternoon at the Archbishops' Palace Heritage Centre.

Events, Outings, Lectures

Are you planning an excavation or fieldwork within the county of Kent during 1995? Grants are available from the KAS to assist with work carried out by Affiliated Societies and individual members. Applications on appropriate for (obtainable from Hon. General Secretary, Andrew Moffat by 1st October 1994.

THE ALLEN GROVE LOCAL HISTORY FUND GRANTS for 1995. Application forms and further information may be obtained from Hon. General Secretary, Andrew Moffat, address as above.

The Hon. Editor welcomes all letters, articles and communications and would particularly like to receive more from members and others, especially requests for research information, finds, books and related topics. The Editor wishes to draw readers' attention to the fact that neither the Council of the KAS, nor the Editor is answerable for opinions which contributors may express in the course of their signed articles. Each author is alone responsible for the contents and substance of their letters, items or papers. Material for the next Newsletter should be sent by 1st, July 1994 to Hon. Editor, Nesta Caiger.

Published by the Kent Archaeological Society, The Museum, St. Faith's Street, Maidstone, Kent. ME141LH.

Printed by Delta Press, Crayford Industrial Estate, Swaisland Drive, Crayford DA1 4HT. Typesetting by Janset 081-301 2856.

Events, Outings, Lectures

K.A.S. LECTURE PROGRAMME for 1994/5. This will be distributed with Newsletter No. 29, in September. First lecture will be by Mr. Michael Moad, Curator of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester on Saturday, 24th September 1994, on Rochester Castle: Its History and Collections. Venue still to be decided.

Saturday, 7th May 1994. K.A.S. COUNTRY SOCIAL EVENING & BARBECUE SUPPER. At Buston Manor Barn, Yalding. £8.50 members, £9.00 friends. (Forms for this event were distributed with the last Newsletter) The farm was once the centre of a thriving Hop industry and slides illustrating hops and hoppers will be shown in the barn. Numbers limited to 120 but members wishing to attend should contact Mrs. M. Lawrence.

Saturday, 21st May 1994. K.A.S. A.G.M. See enclosed leaflet.

K.A.S. EXCURSION TO NORTH WALES 30th May - 4th June. There may still be one or two places free due to cancellations so any members interested in joining this splendid programme should contact Mrs. Saynor as soon as possible.

Tuesday, 21st June 1994. K.A.S. (Medway and Gillingham Branch.) Tour of the City (Rochester) Wall. Meet 7.15 pm outside the Museum. All KAS Members welcome.

K.A.S. SUMMER VISITS 1994. Three summer visits are being arranged for Society members. In June to Riverhill House, Sevenoaks. In July to Faversham, with entrance to several of the town's historic buildings (including Arden's House), and in August outside the county to Robertsbridge Abbey - and possibly Bayham Abbey in Sussex. Please contact Mrs. Saynor. SAE please. Tel: 0959 522713 for further details.

BUILDING RECORDERS CONFERENCE. (Advance notice) This will take place on Saturday, 15th October 1994 at the Barn Hall, Haring. Commencing at 2.15 pm. Further details in September Newsletter.

Saturday, 7th May 1994 TO BE A PILGRIM. Presented by the Friends of Rochester Cathedral - an evening's entertainment in Rochester Cathedral in aid of the funds of the Friends. It is a programme of words and music in two parts, the first being writings by medieval pilgrims from many walks of life who undertook the pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This is followed by a finger buffet with wine after which the second half of the evening is devoted to a performance of the morality play 'Everyman'. Performance starts at 7.30 pm. Tickets (£5) may be obtained from The Friends of Rochester Cathedral, Garth House, The Precinct, Rochester ME1 1SX. or Tel: 0634 832142.

LOWER MEDWAY ARCH RESEARCH GROUP. welcome visitors to their lectures. These take place in the Function Room of the King's Head, High St. (near the Castle) and start at 8 pm unless otherwise stated.

Monday, 23rd May 1994, Fun in the Baths by Mark Hassall of the Institute of Archaeology, London.

Monday, 27th June 1994. Chatham Historic Dockyard and the Medway Towns by Philip MacDougal.

Saturday, 21st May 1994. THE ROMNEY MARSH TRUST are presenting an all day Colloquium at the University of Kent at Canterbury. A View of Romney Marsh from many aspects. Seven speakers, tickets £16 to include coffee and tea from Dr. Malcolm Andrews, Eliot College, UKC Canterbury CT2 7NS. (Places limited).

KENT HISTORY SEMINARS. K.A.S. member Dr. S. B. Black has organised the following: Saturday, 14th May Medieval Life in Kent and Florence, by Dr. Michael Stansfield and Dr. Matthew Taylor.

Saturday, 11th June. The Yeomen of Kent by Dr. Jacqueline Bower and The Gentry and the Heralds by Lieutenant Commander John Bedells, Howard Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary.

Saturday, 20th August friendly Societies in Kent in the 18th and 19th Centuries by Audrey Fisk, Co-ordinator of the Foresters' Heritage Trust, and Dr. Shirley Black. Details may be obtained from Dr. Black.

COUNCIL FOR BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGY. (SOUTH EAST) Friday Evening 29th July 1994. CBA SE. A joint lecture with the Sussex Archaeological Society at Michelham Priory, Sussex, to be given by Dr. Henry Cleere as part of the CBA's 50th anniversary celebrations. Further details from Mrs. S. Broomfield.

Tuesday, 17th May 1994. AGM and Lecture of the LONDON ARCHAEOLOGIST MAGAZINE will be held at 7 pm at the Institute of Archaeology, Gordon Square, London WC1. Visitors welcome. Refreshments at 6.30 pm. followed by a lecture. People at Spitalfields. Speaker: Theya Molleson. Admission free, visitors welcome.

Saturday, 16th July. INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES (I.S.I.S.) presents the Summer lecture Aspects of Egyptian Kingship by Professor John Baines of Oxford University, at the Institute of Archaeology, Gordon Square, London WC1 at 2 pm. Admission free. Visitors welcome. Gift stall and refreshments.

Friday - Saturday, 9th - 10th September 1994. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Artefacts from Wrecks, Late Middle Ages to Industrial Revolution. Organised jointly by the Nautical Archaeology Society and the Society for Post-Medieval Archaeology. To be held at the National Museum of Wales. For booking details write to Dr. M. Redknap, Dept. of Archaeology and Numismatics, National Museum of Wales, Cardiff Park, Cardiff CF1 3NP.

BLOOMSBURY SUMMER SCHOOL (History and Archaeology.) A series of academic one week courses has been organised by the Dept. of History, University College, London, between Monday, 11th July and Friday, 5th August 1994. Subjects include: Egyptian Archaeology and History, Roman History, Anglo-Saxon Archaeology, History of Art, Tudor and Stuart History, Victorian Studies, Researching your Family History. Prospectus and programme may be obtained from The Director, Bloomsbury Summer School, Dept. of History, University College, London. Gower St., London WC1E 6BT. Tel: 071 387 7050 Ext. 3622.

SCADBURY MOATED MANOR, CHISLEHURST, OPEN DAYS: on Saturday, 17th and Sunday, 18th September. The archaeological excavations at the medieval moated manor site at Scadbury will be open to the public. Members of the Orpington & District Archaeological Society (ODAS) will give guided tours, showing the work that is currently being done on the site as well as the remains of the foundations of the buildings associated with the Walsingham family. Tours will be given at 15 minute intervals throughout both afternoons, the first at 2.00 pm, the last at 4.00 pm. There will also be a slide show, refreshments, and bookstall. Admission is free. Limited car parking close to the site, by ticket only, for which application should be made (enclosing SAE and stating for which day required) to Mr. M. Meekums.

BIDDENDEN LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY proposes to hold a LOCAL HISTORY EXHIBITION at the Biddenden Village Hall on 10th and 11th September 1994 to celebrate the centenary of the formation of Biddenden Parish Council. The exhibition will include material on the early records, tithe maps and indexes, with Biddenden in the 19th C. including census names, landowners, emigration figures and old photographs, also genealogical records and bygones appertaining to Biddenden. In addition, it is hoped material from the early days of the Kent and East Sussex Railway which ran through the village will be available.

For further information SAE to Mrs. H. M. Stokes.

Letters

Dear Editor, Appeal for help on Black People in Kent.

There have been Black people in Kent, people of African origin and descent, in England since Roman times but in increasing numbers from the 17th century onwards. There are some well-known Black figures - Olaudah Equiano, the Igbo former slave whose autobiography Interesting Narrative was published in London in 1789. Samuel Barber, the servant of Dr. Johnson, William Cuffay the Chartist transportee who was from Chatham, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor the distinguished composer, but of the vast majority, possibly 15-20,000 people throughout Britain in 1750, little is known. Black people were not only slaves, servants, seamen; they were also to be found in a wide range of positions, professions, and places. Their record is often a single entry in a parish register or census enumerators' schedules, perhaps with an indication that they are from 'Guinea' or 'West Africa', possibly noted as 'Negro' or 'Black', in mendicity records, or an item in a newspaper report. Most Black people lived in London, Liverpool, and Bristol, but it is evident that they were scattered all over the country. I am trying to compile a register of Black people in Kent for the period c. 1500 to 1920. I am fully aware of the limitations of looking at communities and individuals within the boundaries of a county but the collection of data has to begin somewhere. Only when there is a solid bank of references, and not just for Kent, will it be possible to undertake a serious socio-economic analysis of the history of Black people who have formed a small but significant part of the British population. I would be grateful for any references of any kind, including from secondary sources, as to the presence of Black people (Africans, Afro-Americans, Afro-Caribbeans) living within the boundaries of the county of Kent, i.e. to include Kentish London. I have recently edited a book "Africans in Britain" (Frank Cass, London, 1994.) but along with my work on African and imperial history, I am also involved in research on the history of 19th-century Sevenoaks. The first product of this latter project is an article which may be of interest to some readers. Rights, Riot, and Ritual: the Knole Park access dispute, Sevenoaks, Kent. 1883-85. Rural History, 1994. 5.1, pp63-79. David Killingray.

KING ALFRED'S ABBEY

In the first part of the Archaeological Series 'Time Team' which was transmitted on Channel 4 television on 16-1-94, the 'timeteam' claimed to be the first ever to determine the exact whereabouts of the Abbey built at King Alfred's island stronghold Athelney - the 'ey' as in 'Sheppey' meaning 'isle'.

I find the team's claim most odd because in 1801 Colonel John Slade (perhaps a relative of mine) erected a monument right in the middle of the Abbey site at Athelney. It is also reliably recorded that in 1674 workmen unearthed Abbey type stone features and stones at the Abbey site marked by Colonel Slade's monument. What then can we make of the 'time team' being televised walking around said monument using high-tech, state-of-the-art electronic equipment and claiming to be the first to discover where the Abbey was situated? Why did they not explain the meaning of the monument to viewers? If they were unaware of the workmen's discoveries in 1674 the monument is there for all to see. KAS members might like to refer to my book "Minster Abbey, Sheppey, England's Second Glastonbury" pp 220-221. in which I noted these important points. Brian Slade.

CHANNEL TUNNEL - Ancient Links to the Continent?

Mr. P. H. Bick is researching ancient trackways in the South East and their possible association with trackways near the French coast when there was a land link between England and France. If any member can advise him as to previous research on this subject please contact him.

MEDIEVAL and TUDOR TILE MAKING IN KENT - Information required

In the course of investigating the early history of Crockenhill, my interest in Medieval and Tudor tile-making has been aroused. I have been collecting information about Medieval tile-making sites but wonder whether any written records of tile-making survive. Kent Archives hold two documents dated 1466/7 and 1497 for grants of the 'tylehoste' (tile-kiln) at Crockenhill which have recently been drawn to my attention. I wonder how unusual these might be.

I would be very grateful if any readers could let me know of any areas, records, and enough surviving Medieval and Tudor tile-making material, because it might be a suitable subject on which to base my M. A. dissertation. Susan Pittman.

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Higham

I am interested in receiving any information regarding excavations on a prehistoric site at Lower Higham which, I believe, took place in the 50's or 60's and was located along Church Street, in the proximity of the now redundant church of St. Mary the Virgin. If KAS members can draw attention to any report or article in past issues of Archaeologia Cantiana or provide reference to any other source of information, I shall be most appreciative if they can contact me, Chris Heselden.

Medieval Buildings Survey

The County of Kent is thought to contain more surviving medieval buildings than any other county in England, so between 1986 and 1992, the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments of England, England's national body of survey and record, conducted a survey of surviving medieval houses in Kent. These number some 2,500 to 3,000 buildings, and of these about 450, dating from the late 13th to the mid-16th century, were analyzed and recorded. An archive of drawings, photographs, and written reports was compiled. Most of the buildings recorded were timber-framed dwellings, but a number of stone-built houses were also included in the survey.

The Royal Commission is publishing three books arising from this project: "The House Within: Interpreting Medieval Houses in Kent," an illustrated handbook aimed at helping owners, restorers, and the general public to understand Kentish Medieval buildings; "Kentish Houses in the Later Middle Ages: An Historical Analysis," which examines the evolution of Medieval houses; and "A Gazetteer of Medieval Houses in Kent," which contains accounts of the recorded buildings. The books will be published in June 1994. Further information can be obtained from the National Monuments Record Publications Dept., 19 Fleming Way, Swindon SN1 2NG. Tel: 0793 414100.