The Bexleyheath Railway
The genesis of the Bexley Heath Railway lay with a small group of local gentlemen who organised the first petition to the South Eastern Railway Company in 1881, for a line to Bexleyheath. The S.E.R., after some delay, urged the petitioners to form their own company. With this decision the leader of the local party and probable instigator of the project, Squire Jones of East Wickham House, Welling, acted as Chairman to the committee of subscribers at their first formal meeting. At this meeting, Mr Alfred W. Bean of Danson Park, was elected Chairman, no doubt because of his past experience in railway construction. In association with his partner, Thomas Jackson of Eltham Park, he had been responsible for the building of many lines in Yorkshire and also the line from Welwyn to Hertford, nearer London.
Capital for the venture was provided by local tradespeople, about one third of the initial capital being raised locally. Those involved were Colonel Barne, Mr Charles Beadle, a coal and corn merchant, who was elected Vice Chairman; Mr Albert Hide, founder of Hide's Department Store; Mr. George Mence Smith, later became founder of a chain of hardware stores; and Mr G. E. Arnold, pastor of a chapel in Plumstead. Large sums were provided by local landowners, such as Morgan Yeatman and Robert Kersey.
The Company's solicitors were Messrs. Dolman and Pritchard (the former being a local man of repute) of 3, Lawrence Pountney Hill E.C. at which the Company transacted its business.
Mr Bean continued as Chairman until July 1890, in which month he died. After a short period, in which Squire Jones held this position, A. W. T. Bean, the late Mr Bean's son took over his father's place.
Among the railwaymen associated with the Company perhaps the most important was Mr Francis Brady, then engineer of the S.E. R.; and the contractor for the line, a Mr Rigby of Calverton near Nottingham. In the early days of the Company, the famous Sir Edward Watkin was still firmly entrenched as Chairman of the S. E. R. By the late 1880's, however, the General Manager, Sir Myles Fenton, appears to have taken the largest proportion of the Company's decisions. In the June of 1891 he became a Bexley Heath Director, whilst three other S. E. R. men - Mr Shaw and Mr Sheath - became, at different times, Secretaries. A Mr Skelton was an Auditor. Thus the S. E. R. dominated the local Company in the second half of its existence.
'The Bexleyheath Railway-Realinement at Elham'.
In 1881 Bexleyheath, with its large detached houses and a respectable society, showed every sign of becoming a second Blackheath, indeed, this is what was hoped by its inhabitants. The local council, with this in mind, ordained in 1894 that, henceforth, Bexley Heath should be written as one word to follow their ideal. The railway company was informed as to this effect but when the station was opened its name appeared as two words. Even as late as 1954, whilst the platform name boards were correct, the canopy over the entrance had not been changed. With the formation of the Company a long period of estrangement followed with the S. E. R. This trouble arose after the S. E. R. had persuaded the Company to make their western junction at Lee, on the Dartford Loop Line, instead of at Blackheath. Thus a Bill for the incorporation of the Company to build a line from Crayford to Lee via Bexleyheath was submitted for the 1883 session. On August 20th, 1883 this was given Royal Assent. Another period of differences arose, with the result that the western junction reverted to Blackheath. The amended Bill was given Royal Assent on July 5th, 1887, despite Sir Myles Fenton's misgivings. The map above shows three Lines - that to Lee, the original plan in 1883; that to Blackheath, considered the best by the S. E. R. General Manager in 1884; and that to Blackheath as actually constructed.
Apart from the internal battles the main external trouble was over the way the railway would cross Mr Cator's land at Blackheath Park. Eventually a tunnel was constructed. The contract for the construction of the line was finally awarded to Mr Rigby in the Summer of 1890, work beginning in August 1891. The line was to be opened in 1894 but owing to an embankment slip at Blackheath it was postponed until May 1st, 1895. The Bexley Heath Railway Company was an independent entity in name only as it was sponsored and worked by the S. E. R. and so it was that in 1900 the Company was dissolved and transferred to the S. E. R., although more correctly the South Eastern and Chatham Railway Co. This Company being formed on 1st, January 1899 with the amalgamation of the S. E. R. and L. C. and D. R. Companies. So it continued until the groupings of the Railway Companies in 1923 and the S. E. and C. R. became part of Southern Railway.
At this time electrification became a priority, hitherto services had been entirely operated by steam traction. Electric services commenced at Charing Cross and Cannon St. to Dartford (via Greenwich, Blackheath, Bexleyheath and Sidcup) routes on July 19th, 1926 although being advertised to start on 12th. A restricted service was operated for a short while from June 6th. Services from Dartford to Gravesend commenced on July 6th, 1930. Steam did not entirely disappear from these lines until 1961.
In 1935 passenger traffic was able to use a connection which had been made from Lewisham to the Greenwich Park branch (this had been unused since 1917) thus enabling trains to run to Blackfriars and Holborn Viaduct. This made it unnecessary to pass through London Bridge and the Union St Spur.
By 1955 all the platforms had been extended to accommodate ten car trains and in 1949 in order to try to solve the increasing passenger problem, two four-car double-deck electric units were introduced. They did not prove to be a great success and up until their withdrawal in 1971 were limited to a few rush hour services.
Serious accidents had fortunately not marred the record of the Bexleyheath line until June 11th, 1972 when an excursion, returning from Margate, was derailed on the sharp curve outside Eltham, (formerly Well Hall) killing 6 people and injuring 126. The driver had entered the curve at about 65 mph instead of the restricted 20 mph.
Over recent years the problem of conveying passengers to and from London has increased and services have almost reached saturation point. Suggestions are constantly being made to try to alleviate this situation. The Bexleyheath Line today is only a small part of a highly integrated and important system, a far cry from 1895.
R.M. Lyne.
'Save our Parsonages'?
The article entitled 'Save our Parsonages', setting out the objective of a group of that name to discourage the Church from disposing of old rectories and vicarages, overlooks the factors which often militate against the retention of such buildings for their original purpose (K.A.S. Newsletter, No. 33, Winter 1995). The following is an attempt to rectify that oversight.
First, however, it is necessary to explain why the term 'parsonage' in this sense is best avoided in a historical context. Although in modern usage it is acceptable to refer to the residence of a Church of England incumbent, whether rector or vicar, as a parsonage, originally it was the term used for the possession of full temporal rights of a parish priest. Thus a parson would be a rector, not a vicar. Yet a parsonage was not necessarily the residence or entitlement of a clergyman; it could be the establishment where the temporalities were managed when the rectorial rights were acquired by a layman. An example is evident in Kent at West Malling where today there is an Old Vicarage, now a private house, and an Old Parsonage, now sheltered accommodation for the elderly.
Until the dissolution of the monasteries, the manor of West Malling was held by the abbess and nuns of Malling Abbey. Then, after a short period in the possession of Archbishop Cranmer, the manor passed into lay hands. Eventually it was acquired by the Twisden family. Writing circa 1770, the historian Hasted stated specifically that 'Sir Papillon Twisden, bart., is the present possessor of the parsonage, and the advowson of the vicarage of West or Town Malling.'
To understand why so many rectories and vicarages surviving from the past are no longer suitable homes for parish incumbents, we should look briefly at parochial history. As Professor McKisack has pointed out, the medieval parish priest 'might well be a manumitted serf, tilling the glebe with his own hands and distinguished from the peasantry around him only by his superior education.' The priest's house would then have been a humble dwelling. When the Church became regarded as a suitable vocation for the younger sons of the nobility and gentry, and domestic service was cheap and readily available, incumbents with such origins could afford to live in a style approaching that to which they had been accustomed in their parental homes. The rectories and vicarages left by them are often far too large for modern incumbents.
The 'Save our Parsonages' article claims that in practice the rectory or vicarage is 'almost always a focal point of parish life, with a greater part of the church ministry taking place there than in the church itself.' It also claims that 'in many cases it is used for larger gatherings such as garden fetes, money-raising events and youth clubs' and that the 'spacious rooms of older parsonages are ideal for parish activities.' It is evident that they often 'lend themselves to judicious division into a home for the priest and self-contained accommodation for parish activities or for letting.' These suggestions overlook that clergy are often family men, sometimes with young children. Their residences are primarily family homes, with only the incumbent's study, readily accessible for visits and large enough for parish committee meetings, as a special facility. A family should not be subjected to disturbance by the events proposed, usually held in the evenings. Moreover, large though many of the older rectories and vicarages may be, very few have rooms spacious enough for such parish activities. In any case, today these activities are usually provided for by a parish centre or village hall. As for sub-letting parts of these older buildings, one may wonder how many clergymen would welcome such an expedient. Garden parties (or fetes) are a different matter.
Often they are, or were, family occasions, and perhaps new rectories and vicarages could, when possible, have gardens large enough for them. Yet this again raises the question of cost in time or hired assistance.
In advocating the retention of old rectories and vicarages by the Church, little if any consideration appears to be given to the question whether the majority, or even a significant minority, of clergymen would prefer to live in an old house, too large to be run without domestic help, rather than one designed for a modern family, and with the facilities normally required by a parish priest.
Whereas until the early days of the present century each parish had its own minister, often assisted by a curate, it is now quite common for one clergyman to be responsible for a 'united benefice' consisting of several parishes. Some instances in Kent are:
Birling with Addington,
Ryarsh and Trottiscliffe;
Eynesford with Farningham and Lullingstone; Hollingbourne and Hucking with Leeds and Broomfield.
Even if none of these parishes had an old vicarage or old rectory, there would still be more pastoral homes than incumbents.
Finally, when former rectories, vicarages or parsonages of historic interest or architectural value become private property, there need be no fear about their continued proper treatment and preservation. They are protected by the local authority under central government legislation, and in Kent the K.A.S. Historic Buildings Committee acts as watch-dog.
Acknowledgements: I wish to thank all those good friends and helpful officials who provided me with local material.
C. L. Sinclair Williams
The Leveson-Gower Family and the K. A. S
Amongst the list of members in the first volume of Arch. Cant. is that of William Leveson Gower of Titsey Place, Surrey. He died in 1860, but by Volume IV was succeeded as a member by his son, Granville Leveson-Gower who became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. He was also a Vice-President of the Surrey Archaeological Society and contributed many papers in Surrey Archaeological Collections and Archaeologia Cantiana, especially on the Edenbridge area. He excavated a Roman Villa on his estate, which reaches the County border in the Westerham area.
The reason for this note is that Titsey Place is now regularly open to the Public (Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, 1 to 5 pm until 29th, Sept.) and one of the rooms on the tour is Granville Leveson-Gower's sitting room, rich in dark oak panelling. The Titsey Estate was bought by John Gresham, Lord Mayor of London in 1534 and passed to a junior branch of the famous Staffordshire Whig family by marriage in 1804. The Greshams had moved the Parish Church from the lawn beside the house, but had left some very early tombstones, still visible under the Yew Tree. Granville was responsible for the Victorian garden and employed John Loughborough Pearson to rebuild the Church of St. James in 1861 and was himself buried there (and given a recumbent medieval effigy).
His grandson, Major Richard Leveson-Gower was also a Vice-President of the Surrey Archaeological Society, but will be remembered in Kent as the Army Officer responsible for organising the trains to distribute the men brought back to Dover Marine Station from Dunkirk.
Before the line died out the Titsey Foundation was set up to continue to run the estate. The church is now redundant and the Foundation looks after that also.
Kenneth Gravett
Books
Our member Miss G. Rickard presents her two most recent volumes of Kentish records:
QUAKERS IN KENT Some Birth, Marriage, Burial and other Records 1648-1806. This volume consists in part of a transcript of an original hitherto-unpublished Kent Quaker register. The register was not surrendered to the Public Record Office in the nineteenth century, and therefore no copies are held elsewhere. Paperback, 64pp. Price £5 or £5.55 including inland postage.
KENT ENROLMENTS UNDER THE NAVY ACT 1796. This volume lists in alphabetical order details of 461 men enrolled in Kent to serve in the Navy. Name, age, occupation and in most cases parish of origin are given. In many cases physical descriptions of the men are recorded, some including scars and tattoos. Paperback, 57pp. Price £4.75 or £5.25 including inland postage.
These may be obtained from Miss G. Rickard.
LIFE AND DEATH IN SPITALFIELDS by Margaret Cox. The archaeological excavation of the crypt below Christ Church, Spitalfields, in the east end of London was the starting point of a remarkable study into the lives of people buried here in the 18th and 19th centuries. The 150-page book, illustrated with photographs from the excavation and from contemporary sources, also gives an insight into social conditions, housing, health, the funeral industry, and the problems of the excavation itself. Price £15 including p&p. from CBA 111 Walmgate, York YO1 2UA (01904 671417). Cheques payable to CBA.
LIFE IN A MEDIEVAL ABBEY by Tony McAleavy. Published by English Heritage. Further information or copies of this book may be obtained from English Heritage, PO Box 229, Northampton, NN6 9QY. Cheques payable to English Heritage.
Letters: Fieldwork in an Urban Setting
What a shame that it was such a small number of members that gathered for the really splendid guided walk round Tunbridge Wells led by our President, Ken Gravett. I do not intend to give a detailed description of the route taken or of the many interesting details to which we were treated. I know that I learnt a great deal about a town I thought I knew after living in the area for nearly thirty years. My main point is that so few bothered to turn up and enjoy the erudite mind of our President who had given up yet another afternoon of his valuable time to the KAS. I know we are all busy people but there are many complaints about lack of KAS activities so please take advantage of what is being offered to you. Is it that members prefer to sit and listen? The lecture on Ightham Mote at Yaldham Manor and that on the Archaeology of the Channel Tunnel and rail link were both well attended. Every time that I write a short article on a KAS event I end with the words 'what a shame more people did not attend.' This saddens me and I would urge you to read the list in the Newsletter and send for tickets/details as soon as possible. Please support our Society and those who put in so much work on your behalf.
Sheila Broomfield
Library News: A Neighbouring Publication
Our corresponding institutions include East Grinstead Town Museum and the East Grinstead Society just over the border in Sussex.
The latter's latest Bulletin, No. 58, contains an article which in essence begins the process of associating the names and boundaries of today with those of the past back to Domesday in 1086. This is a process fraught with difficulties and temptations to make facile correlations based on mere form of place names.
The author P. D. Wood has avoided the snares and hence restricted his specific conclusions to put but 10 locations of settlements which he is able to define with considerable precision. Would that someone undertake the task for us! Copies of Bulletin 58 are available, price £1.25, post free (stamps acceptable) from Michael Leppard.
Videos
The growth in availability of moving image recordings at low cost and minimal technical expertise is spawning not only Jeremy Beadle's television programme but also an output of material on Kentish subjects of somewhat more lasting significance.
Using professional skills and equipment, the economies of video tape and the sensitivity of modern cameras enable quality productions to be made available of subjects in which interest is relatively restricted.
Marsh Video Services of Hythe have recently made two such productions. The Medieval Churches of Romney Marsh with an introduction by Lord Runde and narration by The Rev. John Green (55 minutes) and Interesting Churchyards of Kent (40 minutes) covering 30 churchyards from Sandwich to Gravesend.
The cost of a copy of either, including postage etc., is £13.25. A possible Christmas present for expatriate Kentish folk? Marsh Video Services are at PO Box 133 Hythe, CT21 6AF.
Peter Draper, Hon. Librarian. KAS.
Experimental Archaeology No. 2
Once again (See Newsletter No. 32, Autumn 1995), GCSE students undertook an experiment in prehistoric pottery making and kiln firing as one of their projects. Thanks are extended to Chris Pount for allowing the firing of the pottery to take place on his land. An account of this experiment will be reported in the next Newsletter.
Only GCSE and A Level Archaeology will be undertaken as a part-time course this autumn (1996). Further information about this course, to be held at South Kent College, Ashford, on a Monday evening can be obtained from the Admissions Officer or the writer. If any readers know of colleges or adult education centers who may like to undertake GCSE Archaeology as one of the subjects they offer, the writer will be pleased to receive the information.
Alan Ward
OTHER COURSES
Certificate in Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Archaeology. Saturday mornings over four terms at Christ Church College Inquire Admissions Office (01227 767700)
Certificate in Local Archaeology.
Tuesday evenings over four terms. Details from Admissions Office, Christ Church College, Canterbury. (01227 767700)
NOTE: This course will be held at Eastgate Adult Centre, Rochester.
Archaeology in Canterbury 1976-1996
12th October to 14th December 1996. Canterbury Archaeological Trust celebrates its 20th anniversary with a special exhibition in the city's Heritage Museum at the Poor Priests' Hospital. The results of recent excavations and of building recording, together with fascinating objects from all over the city area are displayed throughout this magnificent medieval building in addition to the array of permanent exhibits. It is mounted in partnership with Canterbury Museums and with funding from the Friends of Canterbury Archaeological Trust.
Canterbury Heritage Museum, Stour Street, Canterbury. Monday to Saturday 10.30 am - 5 pm (last entry 4 pm). Admission free to Friends of the Museum, Friends of Canterbury Archaeological Trust, National Trust and National Art Collections Fund members. Special visits for schools and colleges can be arranged. Contact: Visitor Services (01227 452747).
Meeting of Southern County Archaeological Societies
The role of county archaeological societies has changed a great deal since most of them were formed in the middle of the last century. Now the archaeological world seems to be in a state of change and these societies are having to keep their roles under review. While they may have been able to operate in isolation from each other in the past, cooperation, if only in discussing mutual problems, is likely to become more common.
Four of this Society's officers met their counterparts from five other county societies earlier this year to discuss the value of such cooperation. These were Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, and Wiltshire Societies. They vary a great deal, from those mainly concerned with archaeology to three which are just as much concerned with natural history. Three run their own museums, two have at least one building or scheduled site in their custody, and four of them employ staff ranging in number from 2 to 47.
It was clear to your officers that this Society provides as much, if not more, for its members than any of the others. Yet, despite this, when you include the cost of the annual volume, our Society has the lowest annual subscription. Many of them produce their volumes in soft-back format, yet, despite this, our Hon. Editor is able to produce Archaeological Cantiana at a lower unit cost than any of the others. The meeting was mainly concerned with Societies getting to know something about each other. It is likely that there will be further meetings, concentrating on particular areas of mutual concern.
Andrew Moffat, Hon. General Secretary, KAS.
The Faversham Society
Fleur De Lis Museum and Heritage Centre Expansion Appeal. The Faversham Society was formed in 1962 to promote interest in the care and conservation of the Faversham area and in 1977 purchased and opened the Heritage Centre.
After many successful years the Society has the option to purchase a neighbouring property (No. 10/1 – Preston St.) which will give the Centre 75% extra space in a listed building. The front will be used as the Tourist Centre and Bookshop and the rest of the property will be used for various other activities and uses.
The Society has launched an Official Appeal for funds with a target of £330,000 and hope to reach the purchase price of £120,000 by 1997 and the balance by 1999. This sum will be needed for a complete re-fit of both properties. KAS members are invited to contribute towards this excellent cause either in donating money or by helping to raise funds in other ways. Further information may be obtained from the Fleur De Lis Heritage Centre, Preston St., Faversham, Kent ME13 SNS.
1797 Committee (Call for papers)
The 1797 Committee has been launched in order to host two conferences to mark the bicentenary of the two great British naval mutinies of 1797 which took place on ships anchored off Spithead and the Nore. The first conference will be held in Portsmouth and the second will be at Chatham.
It is noticeable that since the 1930s very little new research has been published and anyone working in this field of study is asked to contact the 1797 Committee with a view to presenting their research at one of the conferences. Further information from: Philip MacDougall.
Shoreham & District Historical Society
This recently formed society held its inaugural meeting and immediately signed on 40 members. Other people joined at a subsequent lecture evening in June. An interesting programme of meetings has been planned (see Events). Visitors are welcome (entrance fee £1.50). Members meet every month. Secretary is Mrs. Sheila Birkin.
KAS Register of Interests
Readers of the last Newsletter (No.34) may be wondering about the proposed Register of Members' Interests and when they might expect to receive a copy of the list so far. Unfortunately the response has been slow and only four people have sent in details of their particular interests so far.
Help Wanted
The KAS is looking for someone to help, on a voluntary basis, with the Society's publicity and public relations. Some previous experience, whether for a voluntary organisation or professionally, would be helpful but is not necessary. The work would involve helping the Officers and Committees publicise events they are organising, such as lectures and conferences, and helping with more general publicity and public relations for the Society. This is a new job which could be developed to suit the talents of the person appointed. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact the Honorary General Secretary, Mr. A. I. Moffat.
Joint Subscriptions
Members are reminded that the benefit of a joint subscription is that both can be admitted to the Society's Library and also to Lectures without one partner having to pay a Visitor's fee. Phone Margaret Lawrence for details of up-grading to jointmembership (01622 871945).
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. (Just in time for Christmas?) Prices include p&p. Apply to Mrs. J. Saynor. *Please state colour required.
Fieldwork Grants
Are you planning an excavation or fieldwork within the County of Kent during 1997? Grants are available from the KAS to assist with work carried out b yAffiliated Societies or individual members. Applications on appropriate form (obtainable from Hon. General Secretary, Andrew Moffat by 1st October 1996.
The Hon. Editor welcomes all letters, articles and communications and would particularly like to receive more fror:1 members an? others, especially requests for research mformatton, _ fmds, 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 b y 1st, November 1996 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 DAl 4HT. Typesetting and Design by Janset 0181-301 2856.
Events, Outings, Lectures
KAS EVENTS
Saturday, September 7th. Day Excursion. For possible places due to late cancellations please apply, with sae or phone, to Mrs Saynor for details on this outing. An all day coach visit to Flag Fen near Peterborough - the extremely important Bronze Age site.
Please note: By popular request the 1997 Spring/Summer one week trip will be to Normandy. Mrs Saynor will be arranging this later on in the year.
KAS LECTURE PROGRAMME Three Lectures have so far been arranged for the 1996/97 Season by our Lectures Secretary, Mr. Terry Lawson.
Saturday, 9th November 1996 Jill Eddison will speak at the Assembly Room, Tenterden on Romney Marsh: Archaeology Deep and Wide.
Saturday, 30th November. Peter Leach has agreed to repeat his talk on The Archaeology of Ightham at Yaldham Manor. Many people were unable to get tickets for this lecture last May so this is another opportunity for those who were disappointed on that occasion.
In January 1997 Gwen Jones will talk on Oast Houses and the Hop Industry of Kent and Sussex.
SEE ENCLOSED LEAFLET.
KAS CHRISTMAS BUFFET LUNCH. SEE ENCLOSED LEAFLET.
KAS FIELDWORK ACTIVITIES
KAS ONE DAY CONFERENCE ON ANGLO-SAXON KENT organised by the Fieldwork Committee. This conference entitled Dark Ages or Discovery? will take place on Saturday, 19th October 1996 at St. Pauls Church Hall, Boxley Road, Maidstone, 10.30 am to 5.00 pm. Speakers will include: Mr. K. Gravett (President, KAS), Mr. D. Perkins (Thanet Trust for Archaeology), Mr. K. Parfitt, (Dover Archaeological Group), Mr. P. Bennett (Canterbury Archaeological Trust), Mrs. S. C. Hawkes (University of Oxford). Tickets: £4 to KAS members. Non-members (or at the door) £5. Tickets and programme may be obtained from Dunelm House, Main Road, Icklesham, Winchelsea, East Sussex TN36 4AR.
Cheques payable to the Kent Archaeological Society. SAE please.
KAS TRAINING EXCAVATION Saturday, 31st August to 14th September 1996. The KAS, with the Trust for Thanet Archaeology is planning a series of two week Training Excavations on a Roman site in Minster-in-Thanet. It is NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGY WEEKEND Saturday, 14th September, and Sunday 15th September 1996.
The Isle of Thanet Archaeological Society and their Young Archaeologists Club will host an Open Weekend at Minster-in- Thanet. Visitors will be able to view the completion of the season excavation at this Romano-British site. Quizzes and work-sheets will be available for children. The excavation is a collective effort by the Trust for Thanet Archaeology, Canterbury Archaeological Trust and the Kent Archaeological Society. Contact David Bacchus (as above).
ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF BUILDING RECORDERS Saturday, 12th October 1996. This Conference will take place at the Barn, Charing, commencing at 2.45 pm. It is hoped that contributors will include: Folklore and Witch Charms, A Merchant's House at West Malling, and A Painted Room at Dartford. Tickets are available at £1 for members and £2 for Visitors. In advance from Terry Lawson, or at the door. A cup of tea and biscuits will be available after the meeting at an extra charge. Kent Historic Buildings Parts booklets will be on sale.
LOWER MEDWAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL GROUP welcomes visitors (£1 entrance) to the lectures. Meetings take place in the Function Room, Kings Head, High St, (near the castle) and start at 8 pm.
Monday, 30th September 1996. Classis Britannicus by Dana Adler.
Monday, 25th November. Excavations at St. Gregory's Priory. by Mr.
M. Hicks, Canterbury Archaeological Trust.
KENT HISTORY SEMINARS, 1996. Dr. Shirley Black's popular day conferences continue with: Saturday, 21st September. New Lands for Old by Dr. S. Black and Gillian Rickard. For further details and enrolment write to: Dr. S. Black ROMNEY MARSH RESEARCH TRUST Saturday, 14th September 1996 Study Day. The Pre-history of the Marsh. In the morning there will be three short presentations at the Guildhall in Lydd and the afternoon will include field demonstrations at selected sites in the Lydd area.
Tickets: £10.00 (to include morning coffee and buffet lunch) Apply to Mrs.
Elspeth Keeling. Please enclose SAE, cheque to be made out to RMRT.
SHOREHAM & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY welcomes visitors. Admission £1.50 to non-members. Meetings are held at Shoreham Village Hall, 7.30 pm for 8 pm.
Friday, 20th September 1996. Before the Aga. A talk by J. Saynor on early village kitchens.
Friday, 17th January 1997. The Shoreham Samuel Palmer Knew by Ken Wilson.
Friday, 21st March 1997. Canterbury Cathedral by Laurie Brewer.
COUNCIL FOR KENTISH ARCHAEOLOGY. Afternoon Conference at Canterbury. Saturday, 9th November 1996. 2.00 - 5.30 pm. entitled THE LATER DEFENCES OF KENT to be held at Christ Church College, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, Kent.
Speakers include The Defence of Kent in the Imperial War Museum by Jim Saunders (Defence Historian), 19th Century Defences in Kent by David Burridge (Kent Defence Res. Group), Air Defences of Kent in World War II by Dr. Colin Dobinson (CB.A), Cold War Defences in Kent by Victor Smith (Kent Defence Historian). Tickets: Price £2 (payable C.K.A. sae please) from 5 Harvest Bank, West Wickham, Kent BR4 9DL.
ROMAN PAINTED HOUSE BRASS RUBBING CENTRE. From April 1996 a selection of facsimiles will be available for brass rubbing. These will include some well-known medieval brasses from the S. E. and especially for children, figures of Roman soldiers. Open April - October daily (not Mondays) 10.00am to 5.00pm Entrance: £1.50 / 50p child, OAP plus modest additional charge for brass rubbing.
C.B.A. (South East) CONFERENCE Saturday, programme 26th, plus October membership 1996 Venue: details from London. Further details and EXCAVATIONS AT SCADBURY MOATED MANOR, CHISLEHURST. This site will again be open to the public this year on Saturday, 14th September and Sunday, 15th September.
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. Unlike many similar moated sites the island is still completely surrounded by water. Guided tours will be given at 15 minute intervals throughout both afternoons, the first at 2.00pm and the last at 4.30pm. There will also be a slide show, refreshments and a book stall. Admission is free. Limited car parking is available close to the site, by ticket only for which application should be made (enclosing a SAE and stating on which day required to: Mr. M. Meekums.
UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX (Centre for Continuing Education) is holding an afternoon seminar devoted to Maritime Archaeology; Tutor: Peter Marsden., Saturday, 28th, September 1996. Further details and to book contact CCE Education Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BRl 9RG (01273 678926).
LONDON LECTURES
Thursday, 14th, and Friday, 15th, November 1996. A conference at the British Museum jointly organised by the Societies for Medieval and Post-Medieval Archaeology The Age of Transition: The Archaeology of En lish Culture 1400-1600 The conference will challenge the g traditional divide of medieval and post-medieval archaeology. Further details from Dr. Paul Stamper, Archaeology Service. Winston Churchill Building, Radbrook Centre, Shrewsbury SY3 9BJ.
Friday, 29th, November 1996. One-day conference, organised by RCHME with The Garden History Society, in London. Theme: There by Design: Field Archaeology in Parks and Gardens. Details from Paul Pattison, RCHME.
Saturday, 5th, October 1996. A Conference in the Museum of London. (10.30 to 4.30) organised by the Standing Conference on London Archaeology (SCOLA) on the theme of Dark Age London. Speakers will include Martin Welch, John Hines, Bob Cowie, Peter Rowsome, Lyn Blackmore and James Rackham. Tickets to the conference: £7.50 (£6 for individual members of SCOLA} to include tea and coffee. May be obtained from P. E. Pickering. Please enclose a S.A.E. and made payable to SCOLA.
