KAS Newsletter, Issue 29, Autumn 1994
The First Ten Years of the Friends of The Canterbury Archaeological Trust
It was on Saturday 14 January 1984 that the Friends of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust were launched at Jim Tatton-Brown's annual lecture to the Canterbury Archaeological Society. The plight of the Trust was dire. In spite of the city's European importance, funding from English Heritage was inadequate for the tasks a small but dedicated Unit was struggling to complete and there was a real possibility that the Trust would have to close down at the end of February. Donald Baron, ex-colonial civil servant and administrator, was determined to stop that happening. Mobilising the support of the Archbishop, Dr Robert Runcie, who agreed to become Patron, and other leading figures, he led a small committee in setting up the organisation, shouldering the Chairmanship and Treasurership himself. Within six weeks, 288 Friends had been enrolled and £5,600 raised. At our first anniversary, Donald was able to report that membership stood at 393 and that over £8,000 had been given to the Trust.
The tenth anniversary is a significant occasion on which to rehearse the achievements of the Friends and to make them known to a wider audience. Almost £49,000 has been spent by the Friends in support of the Trust. This sum includes not only cash injections but also equipment the Trust would not have otherwise been able to afford - computer hardware, the Landrover, photographic and dark-room equipment, and a stout projector. Our Newsletters are produced by the desktop publishing system we helped to buy. We have contributed to the safety of the staff and the headquarters by helping to pay for sophisticated fire alarm installation and burglar alarms. Grants to some excavations, such as St John's Lane, have triggered grants from other bodies such as the City Council and the Kent County Council. We have supported publications such as the Archaeology of Canterbury Volume IV (Excavations in the Precincts) which did not qualify for an English Heritage grant. Several Friends have worked as volunteers in the pottery and bone departments.
A special fund was set up in memory of the late Donald Baron. The interest on the sum invested has been used to award Donald Baron Bursaries to members of staff on courses and at conferences, enabling them to update their skills, lecture on the Trust's contributions to British archaeology, and exchange views with their colleagues in other parts of the country and abroad. The fund is now also able to afford to buy a few books for the Library each year.
Most of the many helpers in the children's nearly new shop at 72 Northgate were Friends, who also contributed to equipping the four student rooms on the first floor. The profits from this enterprise and rents from the rooms have contributed about £95,000 to the Trust's funds as well as buying the freehold property and spending considerable sums on the maintenance of this late 18th-century building. Site shops have been run at major city centre excavations such as the Marlowe, St Gregory's, Longmarket, and St George's, and guiding at the last three. Stalls have been run at K.A.S. A.G.Ms and Christmas lunches.
Raising these large sums of money has involved hard work by a lot of people. From the start, Donald pressed members to covenant their subscriptions; this has resulted in £11,598 being reclaimed in income tax by our hard-working Covenants Secretaries. Special efforts, such as plant bring and buy sales and 50:50 antiques auctions, have contributed their share. Heritage weekends in collaboration with the Chaucer Hotel and the annual programme of Festival Walks have been profitable. Modest surpluses have been made by all the various activities organized for our members.
Our social events have included annual Christmas Parties at the Deanery, St Augustine's, the Chapter House, and the Dominican Priory. Excursions have been made to places of historic interest including six visits to London; longer trips have been enjoyed to Lincoln, Shrewsbury, and Gloucester. Lectures during the winter have widened and deepened our knowledge of archaeology, especially locally. Speakers have included all the senior members of the Trust, either on sites they have directed or on their specialisms: Professor Philip Rahtz, Professor Alfred Smythe, Dr Tom Blagg, Derek Renn, and Richard Eales. Paul Bennett's annual review of the Trust's work to the Friends and the Canterbury Archaeological Society, the Frank Jenkins Memorial Lecture, regularly has audiences of over 200 people.
Thirty-three Newsletters and a number of Trust Annual Reports have been distributed, most of them by our network of distributors in Canterbury and the surrounding district. The postage saved has been considerable.
Two special events deserve mention. The Ermine Street Guard visited us in 1989 and gave a display of Roman army drill and replica equipment at Kent College. A loan exhibition from the Public Record Office 'Maps and Archaeology' with additions illustrating the Trust's work was mounted in the Canterbury Centre.
Although the future of the Trust is now much more secure than it was ten years ago, the moral support of a body of interested people and the financial help they can give in supplying needs not met by developers or grants is still valuable. If you would like to join us, details can be obtained from the C.A.T. at 92a Broad Street, Canterbury. (Tel. 0227-462062; Fax 0227-784724). The minimum subscription is £15 p.a.
Lawrence Lyle
Chairman.
Farmers & Agricultural Workers in 19th C. Crayford
It is surprising how much information about a town or village may be obtained from studying the trades and professions listed in a Census return. The following notes on 'Farmers' and 'Agricultural workers' - just two of the classes of workers in Crayford, were culled from the 1851 Census.
GROUP I. Farmers and Market Gardeners
Of the twenty four farmers and market gardeners recorded in the 1851 Census returns the three principal landowners (or tenant farmers?) were Edward Stoneham, John Burnett and Joseph Paine who, between them, farmed 1,780 out of a possible 3,000 acres of agricultural land in Crayford and its surrounding districts. Eight persons are described as 'farmers', the remaining sixteen being designated 'market gardeners'. The total area farmed was about 2,330 acres, whereas the total area devoted to market gardening was probably less than 700 acres - divided between sixteen people.
The farmer working the most land and employing the largest number of men was Edward Stoneham and he, with the assistance of his son and a labour force of sixty three workers, farmed 850 acres. The Post Office Directory for Kent, 1855, describes him as 'farmer and hop-grower' of Perry Street and he was almost certainly a member of a well-known farming family of that name which had farmed land lying between the outskirts of Dartford and Crayford for several generations. It is interesting to note how regularly the name occurs in the local records of the 19th C., in connection with various schemes for the improvement of amenities in the district. In 1845 a Stoneham's omnibus was plying regularly between Dartford and Bexleyheath. An Edward Stoneham, together with other notable residents of Crayford, was one of the Navigation Commissioners who, in 1840, were involved in a plan to reduce the number of bends in the Crayford and Dartford Creeks and which gave them the power to levy tolls on goods carried on these waterways. In 1909 Messrs. Stoneham offered 4,835 feet of land from the Stoneham estate and £500 towards the cost of building a new road from Dartford to Erith. However, it was not until 1923 that the lower road between the two towns was finally completed. There is a monument to Edward Stoneham in Crayford churchyard (St. Paulinus). The old Russell Stoneham Hospital had obvious connections with the family.
The second largest landowner was John Fassett Burnett, described in Greenwood's History of Kent 1838 as 'a gentleman' and the census returns show him to have been a 'distiller' also. (Burnett is another well known family in the Bexley area). He owned 700 acres of land and employed twenty four labourers. He was born at Southwark in 1768 and at the time of the census had lived at May Place, where there was also a large staff of domestic workers, for a number of years. His two sons, aged twenty seven and twenty nine respectively, are described as a 'merchant' and a 'rectifier'.
Joseph Paine, aged fifty, who came originally from Cannington in Somerset, was the third largest land-holder and he worked the 230 acres of Manor Farm with the aid of twelve labourers.
There were three women farmers, all widows - and presumably carrying on the work of the farm after their husbands had died. Two had adult sons to help them. One of these women, Elizabeth Colyer, aged seventy seven, managed 140 acres at Northend and employed a labour force of eighteen. It is perhaps coincidental that she lived in Colyers Lane and one must speculate as to whether the lane took its name from past charcoal burnings in the area or from a farming family of many years standing. The only market gardener in the 1851 census returns whose land holding in acreage has been noted is a George Audsley. He worked 39 1/2 or 31 1/2 (unclear) acres and employed five men and one woman. One might assume that as he was the only market gardener whose land holding was noted by the enumerators, other market gardeners probably worked less, rather than more, land than he.
Joseph Paine, aged fifty, who came originally from Cannington in Somerset, was the third largest land-holder and he worked the 230 acres of Manor Farm with the aid of twelve labourers. There were three women farmers, all widows - and presumably carrying on the work of the farm after their husbands had died. Two had adult sons to help them. One of these women, Elizabeth Colyer, aged seventy seven, managed 140 acres at Northend and employed a labour force of eighteen. It is perhaps coincidental that she lived in Colyers Lane and one must speculate as to whether the lane took its name from past charcoal burnings in the area or from a farming family of many years standing. The only market gardener in the 1851 census returns whose land holding in acreage has been noted is a George Audsley. He worked 39 1/2 or 31 1/2 (unclear) acres and employed five men and one woman. One might assume that as he was the only market gardener whose land holding was noted by the enumerators, other market gardeners probably worked less, rather than more, land than he.
Of the twenty four people listed as being either farmers or market gardeners, fifteen were born in Crayford, four elsewhere in Kent; the others came from the counties of Norfolk, Sussex, Somerset, Essex and Buckinghamshire. There were two in their twenties who owned their own business - which seems unusual in an era when most men, especially young men, worked for an employer. Six men were in their fifties and this appears to be the peak age for farmers. Before the age of fifty they were probably not fully established; after that age they may have been too old to run their business at full efficiency. Nine farmers had servants or employees living in and Hezikiah Bull, farming 63 acres at Northend and employing five men, also boarded his bailiff, Joseph Digby.
GROUP II. Agricultural Workers
The number of agricultural labourers, i.e. 197, can be fairly readily divided into two parts. 'Heads of household' labourers who were married (and 98% were) and agricultural labourers unmarried (also about 98%). Of the heads of households (about 100) only twenty two were born in Crayford, and there were only twenty three local born wives. Most of the other men and women were born in the county of Kent but a few came from Sussex, Essex and Ireland. Sixty eight couples had children, so it is not surprising that there were only sixteen working wives - though there were about nineteen women classed as agricultural labourers. A few of these women labourers were married to men working in other employment. The average number of children in a family was four though naturally with the couples in their twenties and fifties the families were smaller. The women followed a variety of trades. These included working in the local fabric-printing factory, farm work, dressmaking and there was one governess who was married to a gardener. There were three gardeners, one garden labourer, three thatchers - elderly men in their fifties and sixties, one hay binder, one dealer in hay and a seventy six year old shepherd from Guildford.
A surprising number of men (20) were married to wives older than themselves. It is not clear from the information available whether many of these were second marriages, though occasionally step-children are mentioned. One forty one year old wife had a husband of twenty nine. Nine families took in lodgers and three employed a servant (one a nurse, one a housekeeper and one a domestic.) The second category of agricultural labourers, i.e. those who were not heads of households, is very interesting. Of the ninety seven listed most were boys and men in their teens and twenties. (33 over 12 years and under 20 and 37 in their twenties). Of the remainder three were under the age of twelve and at the other end of the scale was an old man of eighty five. Thirty seven were born in Crayford and forty elsewhere in Kent. Others came from Essex, other counties and Ireland. Nearly half the men in this category had fathers who were also agricultural labourers. Many lived at home with their parents but thirty eight 'lived in' with their employer as a 'servant' or 'lodger' with a family.
It is difficult to assess from the census returns the type of crops grown on the farms listed, but a few inspired guesses can be made. It seems fairly clear that the 700 acres owned by the only 'gentleman' farmer, John Burnett, must have included a good deal of meadow land needing relatively little attention and cultivation. In comparison with Stoneham's 850 acres, which required 63 men's labour (and probably more at hop harvest time) the twenty four men employed by Burnett seem very few. Joseph Paine, of Manor Farm, needed only twelve labourers to work its 230 acres, whereas Mrs Elizabeth Colyer paid eighteen labourers to work on 140 acres. Mrs Rebecca Mace, however, managed to run a farm of 163 acres with half that number - her two sons, three men, two women and two boys.
If one can venture to equate the type of agricultural produce grown in Crayford in the 1850's with those crops grown in nearby districts one must list, in probable order of importance: soft fruits, ie. gooseberries, currants, raspberries - also cherry, damson and plum trees, wheat, hops, grass and cattle fodder and a very small amount of land given over to sheep rearing and milk and meat production.
Due to their close proximity to London, the Covent Garden market and railway links with the north of England. Erith d Plumstead were famous for their wheat, cherries and t fruits. Crayford, being similarly situated, probably o owed their example.
Between 1850 and 1860 there was a dramatic fall in the price of sugar and cheap sugar led to the rapid expansion of the jam and preserves industry. With a constant demand for more and more soft fruit the farmers of north-west Kent were also able to expand and by 1900 this part of the country dominated the soft fruit industry. The vast raspberry fields of Bexleyheath are still remembered by some old residents in the borough and remembrance of the wheat fields which pre-dated the factory built by Vickers still runs in some old Crayford families.
The fact that there was only one shepherd in Crayford - and he an old man, seems to rule out sheep farming as a major part of rural life and the small number of cowmen and boys listed implies a minimal milk and meat production - probably just enough to keep the inhabitants of Crayford supplied with their needs.
J. Roebuck
Kent Iron Age Coin Recording Project
In the Kent Archaeological Review No. 12 (1968), an article by Sheppard Frere appeared detailing the setting-up of the Celtic Coin Index (CCI) at Oxford. The aim of this index was to provide a central database for the recording of Iron Age coins found in Britain. There are now several thousand entries held in the records of the CCI.
Recent cooperation between archaeologists and responsible metal-detectorists in Kent has allowed the recording of some 650 previously unknown Iron Age coins, full details of which have been forwarded to the CCI. The collections of Kentish metal-detectorists are a largely untapped source of information often ignored and unknown to field archaeologists, yet through increasing goodwill there is great potential for study here.
Since September 1991, the writer has been working with metal-detectorists across Kent with a view to recording their Iron Age coins. This has necessitated the invention of a workable standard reference system for all finds, which has proved of great help when reference to a particular coin is required, putting an end to the bad old days of inadequately recorded coins. Most of the Iron Age coins found by members of three of the metal-detector clubs in Kent have now been recorded, in addition to a number of private individuals' finds, totaling some 650 coins in all and we are very grateful to the people concerned for allowing access to, and recording of, their respective collections. A number of interesting discoveries have been made, not the least of which is the demonstration beyond reasonable doubt that the so-called 'Thurrock' (Essex) type potin coins are actually the first Kentish potin series, pre-dating the familiar 'linear' types classified by Allen (1971) and as such are the earliest British coinage. They are not an Essex series as proposed by Van Arsdell (1989). Other discoveries include several unique coins of types previously unknown in addition to new varieties of known types. The number of recorded specimens of certain types has been increased by 100% in some cases.
The Celtic Coin Study Group (CCSG) exists at Nottingham University to further the study of Iron Age coins; membership of this has provided contacts with people at the forefront of Iron Age coin studies in Britain. The CCSG produces a Celtic Coin Bulletin in which members can publish their findings. An interim report on Iron Age coins from sites at Sandwich and Worth has been produced for the Bulletin and should appear later this year. Worth has produced more Iron Age coins than Canterbury (and a totally different distribution of types) and is now the largest Celtic coin producing site in Kent, while Sandwich has yielded a higher than normal percentage of imported Gaulish coinage of various types. The site at Sandwich (Parfitt 1987) was found by members of the Thanet and Wantsum Relic Association and is an excellent example of cooperation between metal-detectorists and archaeologists as no archaeology had previously been suspected in that area.
The writer would be extremely grateful if any local groups or individuals with unrecorded Iron Age coins would contact him at: 5 Poulders Road, Sandwich, Kent.
References
Allen, D. F. 1968. The Pre-Roman Coins. In the 5th report on the Excavations of the Roman Fort at Richborough, Kent. B. Cunliffe. Report of the Research Committee of the Soc. of Antiquaries of London. No. XXIII Oxford.
Allen, D. F. 1971. British Potin Coins; A Review. The Iron Age and its Hillforts, Southampton, Jesson, D. and Hill, D. (eds) pp127-154.
Frere, S. B. 1968. Index of Iron Age Coins. K.A.R. Vol. 12. p.9.
Holman, D. J. (Forthcoming) Iron Age Coins from Worth and Sandwich, Kent. An Interim Report. Celtic Coin Bulletin. Nottingham University.
Parfitt, K. 1987. K.A.R. Vol. 90, pp.220-222.
Parfitt, K. 1990. K.A.R. Vol. 101, pp. 9-18.
Van Ardsell, R. D. 1989. Celtic Coinage of Britain, Spink, London.
David Holman
Letters
My maiden name was HOGBIN, which is peculiar to Kent and fairly common there in both the -EN and -IN spellings. The experts have not found a convincing explanation for the origin of the name, suggesting it might have come from some deformity, such as 'HUCKBONE' or 'HOGPEN'.
However, I have always thought it might have its origin in some old German name, as Jutes etc. had settled in Kent in the past, especially in the North-Eastern corner where the Hogbins seem to have originated. I was particularly interested in the article on the 'terpen' in Holland and especially so when I saw the village of HOOGEBEINTORUM mentioned.
Lose the ending and a fair approximation to HOGBIN is left. I wonder if I have hit on the answer to the question of the origin of the name? The name of the village also may have a meaning in the Dutch language.
Rosemary Stanley nee HOGBIN
K.A.S. Visual Records
The Visual Records Group has now been through the photographic collection at the Library. This consists of some 18,000+ images, from glass plates, lantern slides to modern negatives and transparencies. We have also held two major exhibitions, one at the Town Hall, Maidstone for 9 months and we understand it generated much interest to visitors, some of whom became new members of the Society.
The exhibit consisted of about 40 prints showing the history and workings of the Society - one of the oldest prints was of a meeting at Dode Church, Kent, in 1898 and which included such members as Rev. Livett and George Payne.
Our second exhibition was held over a three-day period at the Flower Festival at Birling Church. The theme was 'peace' and our exhibit consisted of 30 prints depicting Kent churches in peaceful settings and a panel of prints on old Birling.
Visitors spent many minutes at our stand, some returning for the whole three days just for another look (this made it all worthwhile). There were 1,000+ visitors over the three days and great interest was shown in the K.A.S. as a whole. We also understand new applications for membership have also been sent in from this exhibition.
We hope to exhibit at the County Show in July also at Luddesdown on 23rd July and at Dode Church open days at the end of September. If you have a local history society or church exhibitions coming up and you would like us to put on a display of your area - please write to us at the K.A.S. Library, Maidstone Museum, or call any Wednesday 10 am - 2 pm. We would be glad of some helpers at these exhibitions, so if you feel you can help, give us a call.
I. Foreman,
K.A.S. Visual Records Group.
Country Social Evening at Buston Manor
Buston Manor was an ideal setting for the K.A.S. barbecue, with almost 100 people attending.
Situated on the slope of the Greensand ridge, the farm complex has a superb view over the Weald of Kent and even the misty spring rain couldn't hide its beauty.
The barn was originally built in the 15th century but extended and repaired in later centuries. It was a working part of the manor farm until quite recently. Well restored, it is now a venue for social functions and continues to serve the community as it has done through the centuries.
Quaffing cider surrounded by members and friends, it was not difficult to imagine the daily life of the peasants beneath the massive roof timbers.
Before supper, Margaret Lawrence presented an interesting illustrated talk on the 'hoppers' of the area, which are now sadly no longer surviving. During the meal, Mr K. Gravett gave us a highly informative 'off the cuff' analysis of the building.
East Peckham Scout Group (and parents) prepared and served an excellent barbecue and appeared to enjoy the experience as much as we did. Unfortunately, some of us had to exercise great willpower when it came to the coffee and desserts, but I consider the homemade apple pie the pièce de résistance.
Congratulations and thanks to the organizing committee.
R. Rolinson
The Dover Bronze Age Boat Trust
In September 1992, archaeologists from the Canterbury Archaeological Trust discovered the remains of a 3,000-year-old wooden boat in a remarkable state of preservation.
In 1994, after an intensive period of study by more than a dozen specialists, The Bronze Age Boat Trust was formed to raise £1 million to preserve and display the boat in Dover.
The Trust aims to open a Museum for the boat in 1997 so that all can see this remarkable 3,000-year-old survival from prehistory. The intended programme is as follows:
1994: First stage of conservation work, which will be the soaking of the timbers in water-soluble wax.
1995: Second stage of conservation work, further wax treatment, and freeze drying of the timbers.
1996: Conservation work completed, and the boat will be reassembled on a special supporting cradle.
1997: Construction of Museum displays. The boat museum opens to the public. The Kent Archaeological Society has made a grant of nearly £3,000 to the Trust. If you can make a contribution to the funds, please contact the Secretary, The Dover Bronze Age Boat Trust, c/o Dover Museum, Market Square, Dover, Kent CT16 1PB.
For Sale
Members are reminded that they can obtain KAS 'Tote bags', £6. Tea cloths, £3. Ties,* (new stock now in, blue, grey, green or maroon) £4.50. Key Fobs,* (blue, black, white, green or red) £1. Pack of four 'notelets' featuring lesser known Kent churches. £1. Prices include p&p. Apply to Mrs J. Saynor, Friars, 28 High Street, Shoreham, Sevenoaks TN147TD. *Please state colour required.Fieldwork Grants
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 or individual members. Applications on appropriate form (obtainable from Hon. General Secretary, Andrew Moffat, by 1st October 1994.
THE ALLEN GROVE LOCAL HISTORY FUND GRAN for 1995. Application forms and further information may be obtained from Hon. General Secretary, Andrew Moffa , address as above by 1st October 1994.
The Hon. Editor welcomes all letters, articles and communications and would particularly like to receive more research from members and others, especially requests for 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, November 1994 to Hon. Editor, Nesta Caiger.
Editor's note: Urgent! I am very short of copy for Januan; 1995 issue of the Newsletter (Deadline 1st, November 1994) Please dont be modest - send me articles, news items, events, or anything you think might be of interest to KAS members. A grand opportunity to get your work or research into print!
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. You will have received the notice of the first four lectures planned for this season. For those who have inscribed the dates in their diaries let me correct two:-
Saturday, 8th, October 1994 Mary Scott, who played a vital part in the re-building of a National Trust 17th Century hilltop house in Sussex (offered to Wellington but declined because of the steepness of the approach!) is working on Byzantine frescoes in Jordan and our contact has been minimal. In fact, we have posited the date and trust that she will comply.
Saturday, 17th, December 1994. Paul Hastings will speak on Parish Government in Kent at Bapchild Village Hall.
To date (late June) I have engaged six speakers and hope shortly to recruit two more and find five more venues. Matching speakers, dates and venues for a modest outlay is an exercise bristling with pitfalls. Tentatively, meetings will be arranged in venues not so far explored e.g. Dartford, Wrotham, Herne Bay, West and East Kent.
It is a matter for personal regret, in my last year as Lecture Secretary that we shall not have John Newman to speak to us on his work for the Pevsner volumes.
Don Coast (Asst. Secretary Lectures)
See enclosed leaflet for further details.
KAS CONFERENCE on CHURCH ARCHAEOLOGY to be held on Saturday, 29th, October 1994 at Bradbourne School, Sevenoaks. Papers will include - The Archaeology of Christian Worship in England 600 - 1900; Recent excavations in Canterbury Cathedral; Broomhill: A Church and its Marshland Setting; and Excavations at St. Nicholas' Church, Sevenoaks. Further details from Dr. A. P. Detsicas.
XMAS BUFFET. See enclosed leaflet
THIRTY FOURTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF BUILDING RECORDERS will be held on Saturday, 15th, October 1994 at the Barn Hall, Charing. (North of Charing Parish Church) commencing at 2.15 pm. It is hoped that the following talks will be given - Dr. Derek Renn on St. Leonard's Tower, Malling. Mrs. Margaret Lawrence on The Stable at East Peckham Church. Mr. Peter Cobley on The Black House, Gillingham. There will also be a report on the progress of the Kent Historic Buildings Index. Tickets may be obtained in advance from Mr. Coast or at the door. £1 for members and £2 for visitors. Tea and biscuits will be available at a small extra charge.
THE ROMNEY MARSH RESEARCH TRUST. A Guided Walk will take place on Sunday, 11th, September 1994. From GREATSTONE to ST. MARY'S BAY, to see all aspects of wildlife, beaches and foreshore against a background of changes in the coastline, past and present. (Picnic, binoculars, suitable shoes, warm clothes needed) Tickets £5.00. Further information from Mrs. Sue Carrel.
LOWER MEDWAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH GROUP welcomes visitors (£1) to their lectures which take place in the Function Room, The Kings Head, High Street, (near the Castle), Rochester, at 8 pm.
Monday, 26th, September 1994 John Constable - Painter and Country Lover. An illustrated talk by Mrs. Julia Page.
Monday, 31st, October 1994 Orkney: Land of the Barrow, Broch and Bu. >An illustrated talk by Sarah Guise.
COUNCIL FOR KENTISH ARCHAEOLOGY CONFERENCE
Saturday, 12th, November 1994. C.K.A. Conference on Major Archaeological Discoveries in South East England will be held at Christ Church College, North Holmes Road, Canterbury. (2.15 to 5.30 pm) Speakers include Cllr. Derrick Molock (K.C.C.), Nicholas Bateman (MOLAS) on Excavations at the London Amphitheatre Site. Rosalind Niblett (St. Albans Museum) on The First Century Funerary Site at Verulamium and Brian Philp (KARU) on Recent Discoveries at the Roman Town at Springhead. With Bookstalls, Graphic displays and light refreshments. Tickets Price £2 (Payable to CK.A. and sae please) from: 5 Harvest Bank Road, West Wickham, Kent BR4 9DL.
Friday - Saturday, 9th - 10th, September 1994. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Artifacts 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 CF13 NP.
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, 27 Eynsford Close, Petts Wood BR5 1DP.
BIDDENDEN LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY. A LOCAL HISTORY EXHIBITION on 10th and 11th, September 1994 at the Biddenden Village Hall 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, Willow Cottage, Smarden Road, Biddenden, Ashford, Kent TN27 SJT.
C.B.A. (South East) CONFERENCE on the theme of Anglo-Saxons (no programme or title yet fixed) at the Boys Grammar School, Maidstone on Saturday, 8th, October 1994. For further details contact: Mrs. S. Broomfield, 8 Woodview Crescent, Hildenborough, Tonbridge, Kent TNl 1 9HD. Tel: 0732 838698 nearer the date.
21st to 23rd, October 1994 ORDNANCE SOCfETY CONFERENCE to be held at Gravesend, Kent. The theme of the conference will be the recovery, recording, identification and technology of ordnance. Further details from Rudi Roth, 12 Farrow Close, Great Moulton, Norwich NR15 2HR. Tel: 0379 77674.
24th to 25th, November 1994. CONFERENCE Restoration - is it acceptable? To be held at the British Museum. Further details from Mrs. Brenda Cannon, Conservation Dept. British Museum, Great Russell St. WC1B 3DG. Tel: 071 323 8238.
COURSES AND CLASSES
Part-time Archaeology and History courses organised for 1994 by the University of Kent's Centre in Tonbridge include: People and Place in English History. J. Vigar. 20 meetings. Mondays, 1 - 3 pm. Starting 26th., September. Fee £60. The Minonns and Mycenae A. Detsicas. 20 meetings. Tuesdays, 10 - 12 noon. Starting 27th, September. Fee £60. Local History and Ge,iealogy: Using the Ce11lre for Kentish Studies al Maidstone. D. Harrington. 20 meetings. Wednesdays 5.15 - 7.15 pm. Starting 2nd, November. Fee £65. Understanding Egyptian Art F. Williams. 10 meetings. Thursdays 10 - 12 noon. Starting 29th, September. Fee £30. Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt F. Williams. 10 meetings. Thursdays 1 - 3 pm. Starting 29th, September. Fee £30. Kent in the Era of the English Civil War. G. Hornby. 10 meetings. Thursdays 7.30 - 9.30 pm. Starting 6th October. Fee £30. The Archaeology of Later Anglo-Saxon and Early Medieval England. A. Ward. Fridays 7.30 - 9.30 pm. Starting 30th, September. Fee £30. Genealogy: Theory and Practice. S. Fincher. Two-day Workshop. Thursday 3rd and Friday 11th, November, including visit to London repositories. Fee £22. Fee Concessions available. Further information from the University centre, Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 ITG. Tel: 0732 352316.
ADULT EDUCATION COURSES IN HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY
The History of Medieval England at the Victoria Centre, Gravesend. Enquiries to Beryl Gray. Medieval England at the Adult Education Centre, Sittingbourne. Enquiries to Elsie Straight. Anglo-Saxon England, at Eastgate Centre, Rochester. Enquiries: 0634 405673. Anglo-Saxon England A.O. 450-550, at Canterbury College, Enquiries to Wyn Jones, Canterbury College, New Dover Road, Canterbury. Tel: 0227 766081. Anglo-Saxon England, (Part 2) A.O. 650-1100 at University Centre, Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge. Tel: 0732 352316. The Medway Megaliths (Weekend Course) at Eastgate Centre, Rochester. Enquiries: 0634 405673.
ARCHAEOLOGY CERTIFICATE COURSES
G.C.E. A Level (day) and G.C.S.E. (evening) Archaeology at Canterbury College. Enquiries to Wyn Jones, Programme Manager, Canterbury College, New Dover Road, Canterbury. Tel: 0227 766081.
Certificate in Local Archaeology (day) at Christchurch College, Canterbury. Enquiries to Dr. Sean Greenwood, Christchurch College, North Holmes Road, Canterbury. Tel: 0227 7822264.
Summer visit to Riverhill House, Sevenoaks
On the 19th June 1994, Society members were joined by our President for the first of this year's summer visits to Riverhill House, on the south side of Sevenoaks, by kind permission of Mrs Roger. The Rogers family have lived in the early 18th century house since 1840, moving from London to become Kentish country land-owners. The family's most illustrious ancestor was the first Protestant Marian martyr. Later, with interests as a wool merchant in the City of London. Outside the house, in the extensive grounds, an interesting historical and archaeological feature survives. This is the deeply sunken track of the ancient Rye Road; the present twisting descent of Riverhill was laid out as the route for the first turnpike road in Kent in 1710. The visit concluded with an excellent tea in the old stable block.
Summer Excursion to Snowdonia
Thirty-one members of the Society joined the President for the Annual week's excursion in early June to North Wales. The aim was to visit sites of archaeological, historical and industrial importance and to investigate Celtic - Welsh links. Based in an extremely pleasant hotel in Porth-Madog, we were able to achieve these aims: archaeological sites visited were Wroxeter (on the outward journey), Segontium and the great barrow of Bryn Celli Ddu in Anglesey; historic buildings - the four great Edwardian castles of Conwy, Caernarfon, Beaumaris and Harlech plus Penman Abbey and also Valle Crucis. Industrial sites included the bridges of Telford and Stevenson, a water and belt-powered working woollen mill, the restored slate railway to Ffestiniog and Llechwedd slate quarry. An additional bonus was the magnificent scenery of the Snowdon massif.
The 1995 Summer Excursion will visit Burgundy, with an overnight stop en route. Full details will appear in the January Newsletter. Members wishing to be included on the provisional list should send (with S.A.E. please).
Kent and the Welsh Connection
Ancient part-fantasy and part-history and 19th century verifiable history provide two examples of links between North Wales and Kent. The first subject takes us back to the Dark Age period of the mid-fifth century in Kent, when the Celtic chieftain, Vortigern held power in British Kent, filling the vacuum after the Roman legions had been recalled to Rome. His name is forever associated with Hengist and Horsa, his English conquerors but it seems that perhaps he should have been regarded as 'High King of Britain' if Welsh sources have any validity. In the old principality of Powys, just outside Llangollen, close to the later Medieval abbey of Vale Crucis, stands the remains of a ninth century pillar, on which Prince Eliseg named his ancestors: one of the earliest names is that of Vortigern. The fantasy can be found in an ancient Welsh legend, retold by, among others, Geoffrey of Monmouth.
This tale recounts how Vortigem was forced to fly from Saxon attackers to the safest place in his kingdom - to the mountains of North Wales, where close to Snowdon he attempted to build a fortress on the hilltop of Dinas Emrys. This required the magical powers of the young Merlin and also involved a red dragon, adopted by Vortigern as his shield emblem. This was the beginning of the red dragon symbol of Wales, later carried by Henry Tudor on his standard at Bosworth Field, and used by the Tudor dynasty on its coats of arms.
We are on much firmer ground historically with the second link which connects Mount Mascall, an estate in North Cray (in the present Borough of Bexley), with a great drainage scheme in Gwynedd, the building of two new towns and the creation of industrial prosperity in a depressed agricultural area during the last century.
Porth-Madog, where the Society's Summer Excursion was based this year was one of those new towns; the nearby Tremadoc was the second, both named after their founder.
William Alexander Madocks was the son of a City entrepreneur who had bought himself a country estate, Mount Mascall. W. M. Madocks came into a considerable fortune on his father's death which carried a stipulation that it was to be used for the acquisition of land. He travelled through that part of North Wales and decided that the wide expanse of marsh and sand flats could be made into productive land by the construction of a great embankment and by the diversion of the Glaslyn river. This he carried out between 1808 and 1811. In 1825, he built a harbour which shipped 116,000 tons of slate to world ports in one single year later in the century. The harbour was in the new town of Porth Madog, his second town Tremadoc, survives today as a fine example of early 19th-century town planning. He intended it to be the final staging post for travellers to Ireland but this and the little harbour village of Porthdinllaen were rejected in favour of Holyhead. He also provided local employment by building woollen, fulling and corn mills. He is gratefully remembered in the area today.
It is interesting to note that in late June 1994 the National Trust purchased the complete village of Porthdinllaen, some eighteen houses, a pub and a lifeboat station.
Joy Saynor
Increase in K.A.S. Subscriptions
At the AGM held on 21st May 1994 at Dartford, the Motion to Increase Subscriptions proposed by the KAS Council was passed by the attending members. Therefore, from the 1st January 1995, the annual subscriptions to the Society shall be: (a) Individual member: £15.
(b) Joint (husband and wife), rule 39(a): £20.
(c) Junior member (not over 21) rule 39(d): £7.
(d) Over 65 & member for 5 years, rule 39(f): £10.
(e) Joint (husband and wife) both over 65 and members for 5 years: £18.
(f) Affiliated Society: £15.
(g) Institutional Subscriber: £25.