KAS Newsletter, Issue 5, Winter 1984
Excavations at Oldbury Iron Age Hillfort, Ightham 1983
by F.H. Thompson M.C., M.A., F.S.A.
The programme of investigation of the Iron Age Hillforts on the Greensand Ridge of Surrey and Kent was resumed in 1983 with a season of excavation at Oldbury, near Ightham, Kent. Oldbury, with its vast area of 123 acres and dominant position covering the Medway and Darent valley routes to the Thames, demands attention in any scheme for research into the later Iron Age of south-east England.
The Archaeological Background
The first deliberate excavations were those undertaken by the late John Ward-Perkins, F.S.A. in 1938. He examined the defences on the west, the north-east and south entrances, and carried out some exploratory trenching at various points within the interior. He concluded that the hillfort was a "Wealden Culture" stronghold built in the first century A.D., possibly against Belgic expansion. Subsequently, the area fell under Belgic domination and was refortified against the Roman conquest of A.D. 43, to which it succumbed. Post war re-assessment of his chronology suggests that his two-phase occupation should be put back by a hundred years into the first century B.C. Investigation of the Surrey hillforts of Anstiebury, Holmbury and Hascombe in 1972-7 formed a hypothesis that they were a short-lived phenomenon of the first half of the first century B.C., possibly related to Caesar's landings of 55 and 54 B.C. It was followed by excavation at Bigbury, near Canterbury, in 1978-80, when an attempt was made to define archaeologically the beginnings and end of a hillfort historically related to Caesar's second landing of 54 B.C. The intention behind renewed excavation at Oldbury was to see if it would provide an archaeological link between all these sites and define their role more clearly in the period c. 100 B.C. - A.D. 43.
Geophysical Survey
Oldbury presented problems with tree cover and a putative lack of internal occupation, compounded by its very large area. Therefore, as in previous excavations at other hillforts, Dr A.J. Clark kindly spent three days carrying out proton magnetometer surveys. These were largely devoted to the southern half of the hillfort. He also carried out some test scans in the northern half, but the results were not encouraging. However, in the southern half, some thirteen anomalies were noted, some of the readings being encouragingly high.
The Excavations
The principle adopted was, as far as possible, to make a direct comparison with the work of 1938, rather than to adopt an independent approach. Thus, a section was dug through the defences 130 feet west of the west inturn of the south entrance. At the request of Kent County Council that the public footpath, which runs along the filled-in main ditch, be kept open, the section was cut in two adjoining but overlapping lengths. The main rampart was largely of dumped sand with a core of heavy rubble, 14 ft. wide and surviving to a height of 4 ft. Two or three massive blocks might conceivably represent the remains of a stone front revetment, and a tumble of further massive blocks in the ditch-fill lends color to this suggestion. The rampart make-up was sterile, but the tail sealed a small hearth which provided a charcoal sample for radiocarbon dating, and slight occupation on the tail yielded a small number of sherds and four slingstones. At the foot of the steep natural slope below the rampart, the inner face of the main ditch was located. The ditch was 12 ft. wide and 5 ft. deep below the present surface. The lowest filling was a tumble of massive sandstone blocks, separated from a second tumble by silt, with further silt layers to the surface. The outer bank was a mass of dumped stony sand, with outward-sloping tip-lines, some 20 ft. wide and a mere 3 ft. high. It was separated by a gap of 20 ft. from the outer ditch, a relatively slight feature 9 ft. wide and 3½ ft. deep below the present surface.
Of the thirteen magnetic anomalies located by the geophysical survey, eleven were investigated, and eight lay on the higher ground at the south end and extended from behind the rampart towards the central track, while three lay further north along the side of a shallow valley. In each group, a single anomaly failed to disclose any archaeological evidence, for reasons yet to be ascertained, but in all the other cases, there was evidence for human activity ranging from slight to unequivocal.
In summary, the larger group produced the following evidence, in an ascending order of significance: anomaly 12, nil; anomaly 4, a little charcoal and pottery; anomaly 5, slight evidence for a hearth; anomaly 8, a well-defined hearth on the tail of the rampart, possibly post-dating the hillfort; anomalies 2, 3, and 13, clearly defined hearths, probably of the hillfort period; anomaly 6, a probable iron-smelting site in close proximity to the rampart. The evidence from the smaller group was as follows: anomaly 14, nil; anomaly 9, hearth; anomaly 11, this high reading was investigated by a 10 ft. square trench, produced pottery at a fairly high level, then a characteristic hearth, and finally a possible gully which yielded a useful pottery group. The results from this last anomaly suggest the possibility of a circular hut with a central hearth, and it is conceivable that other similar hearths may have a similar structural relationship which was not detected because of the smallness of the trenches.
Future Work
It is hoped that further investigations will take place in 1984 of anomaly 11, in a larger area excavation and also the possible iron smelting site of anomaly 6. There is now fairly good evidence for internal occupation, which the excavators of 1938 regarded as doubtful, though the paucity of finds may otherwise support their view that "Oldbury was never permanently occupied". It is also hoped in 1984 to carry out a re-investigation of the defences near the north entrance. It was here that Ward-Perkins found evidence for the re-fortification which he attributed to the Belgae. It would be useful to obtain confirmation of this and to define the chronology more precisely."
An Active Year
1983 was a very busy year for the Society, with many activities being organised for and on behalf of the members. There was a substantial increase in the membership during the year and it has now risen to over 1,600.
Volume 98 of Archaeologia Cantiana was published in July to its usual high standard and contained a great variety of interesting and informative articles. Plans are in hand for a special additional volume to celebrate the publication of Vol. 100.
The K.A.S. Council has authorised for the future the publication of Mr C. W. Chalklin's account of the building of Maidstone Gaol, and the late Dr Wood-Leigh's "Archbishop Warham's Visitation". These will add two more books to our already impressive record of publication.
The Society's Excursions and Summer Social evening were well attended and people obviously appreciated the opportunity to meet and talk to other members of the Society, as well as to visit places of historic interest.
During the year the various Committees of the Society were active in promoting the study of archaeology and history. Grant aid was given to many projects including archaeological excavation, building recording, historical research, and church preservation.
I would like to thank all members of the Society for their interest and support in the many and varied activities carried out by the Society during 1983. May 1984 be as successful.
1984 Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday, 19th May, at the Ashford School for Girls, East Hill, Ashford. There will be the usual business meeting in the morning and an illustrated lecture in the afternoon by Mr Tim Tatton-Brown on the work done by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust within the precincts of Canterbury Cathedral.
Libel action against the Society by Brian PhilpMembers will wish to know the further developments of this action.
Following Council's decision at their meeting in July, by 18 votes to 2, to defend this case, the Plaintiff's solicitors were asked to furnish a Statement of Claim, in reply to which they requested an extension of time, which was granted, up to August 31st.
On September 1st, the Plaintiff requested a further extension to September 28th, which was granted. On September 28th our solicitors were informed, firstly, that the Plaintiff had changed his solicitors and, secondly, that a further extension of twenty-eight days was requested.
This request came before a Master of the High Court, who after some consideration granted an extension of only 10 days with the proviso that if this date were not met the Writ would be struck out.
On October 14th the Statement of Claim was received omitting all references to Newsletter No. 3, and on October 19th the Plaintiff's solicitors sent a Notice of Discontinuance of the action as far as the Society was concerned. At their meeting on December 10th Council resolved by 23 votes to 2 that the Society's claim to recover their costs for which the Plaintiff is liable should be pursued.
The Society has at no time offered any apology to the Plaintiff in respect of Newsletter No. 3. Hon. Editor: Ted Connell.
Archaeology at Work
by Mrs P. Winzar
On Saturday, 24th September, 1983 over 300 members and friends met at The New Ash Green Middle School near Dartford. From 10.30 a.m. until 5 p.m. they were able to view various archaeological and historical displays, handle exhibits, attend short talks on specialist subjects and above all talk to each other. Although people may have come for information on their own particular interest, to have pottery identified, or to extend their knowledge of churches, there was so much to both see and do that many people found the day was not long enough.
Those in charge of the various displays found that information was a two-way affair with exhibitors learning from their audience. Kent is a large county and it is important that members of the K.A.S. meet together to compare the results of their work.
We wish to thank all those people who helped to make the occasion such a success. It is not possible to mention everybody by name, because there were over fifty participants, but special mention should be made of the contributions by Mr and Mrs P. Ryan on Palaeography, Mrs P. Knowlden on the use of Tithe maps and by the Orpington and District Archaeological Society on various subjects. Mr P. Tester's talk and his guided tour of Ash Church were particularly popular and so too was the talk on Churchyards by Mr D. Harrington. The conducted tour of Scotgrove Medieval site was also much appreciated, thanks to the hard work of Mr R. Cockett and Miss S. Bishop.
Our thanks also go to Mr and Mrs J. Colyer for making such excellent cups of tea all day and to Mr R. Balcombe for welcoming people as they arrived.
If you would like another "Archaeology at Work" in the future, please write to the Editor with suggestions on venues and which of the many facets of archaeology you would like presented. There may be certain items you would like repeated but there is no shortage of new ideas for display. Suggestions received so far include Medieval kilns with pottery and a section on heraldry."
New Membership Secretary
We have to announce that the Hon. Membership Secretary, Mr Reg Mills, is unable to continue. We should like to extend our sincere thanks to Reg for all the hours of work he has put in over the last three years on behalf of the Society. Mrs Margaret Lawrence has very kindly volunteered to take over this onerous but most important task. In future, please send all subscriptions to: Mrs M. Lawrence.Letterbox
Topographical Picture Survey
by John Owen
The idea for this project was conceived while I was working on a history of Throwley, so proving how historical research becomes self-generating. I had always hoped to discover albums of eighteenth-century watercolors of the Village but was always led back to the standard works of Fisher and Petrie or drawings of every village but my own. How could one find them?
The aim of this survey is to do just that; to locate, research, calendar and photograph Kentish topographical drawings, paintings, watercolors (but prints or photographs of exceptional rarity only) produced in the centuries before the Great War by professional and amateur artists. Interest will be of greater significance than pure artistic merit, for "Works of Art" are often more revealing than "Works of Art". The survey will include pictures of Kent towns but primary emphasis will be on those of Kent villages, churches, houses, gardens, and countryside; places away from main roads and where only local artists worked. The sources to be approached will range from national and local institutions, picture dealers and auction rooms, but particularly private collections of accumulation and acquisition.
The project is not a difficult one but it will be time-consuming, so volunteers are required: a few enthusiasts spread across the country to locate and visit sources, topographers to recognize views, specialists to recognize artists, photographers to record discoveries and before all, collectors to come forward with undocumented works. A final word, security. Ownership and location of pictures will remain strictly confidential, for the intention is not to print a burglars' gazetteer, but to publish a comprehensive record of the artistic heritage of Kent, which will be lodged permanently in the Society's library. If you are willing to assist in any way with this project, please write to me.
More Letters
Sir,
With regard to your item in K.A.S. Newsletter No. 4, may I make the following request to help me with my research. I am undertaking research on Chapels, Churches, and other places of Worship, in the area around Gravesend. The area covered is from Swanscombe to the Isle of Grain and from the Thames to Culverstone, excluding the Medway towns, Cuxton and Halling.
Information in the form of Church Magazines, Church Guides, photographs or just personal recollections would be gratefully received and acknowledged.
Yours sincerely
E.G. Lane,
A Green Man
Sir,
I would be most grateful if any of your members could give me information about "a certain John Green, who emigrated with a party of Kentish Men (or Men of Kent) to South Africa in 1820".
Yours sincerely,
G. Stanhope-Lovell,
A Thank-you Letter
Sir,
I felt I had to write on behalf of my husband and myself, to thank you and everyone else concerned in planning and running "Archaeology at Work".
We had a busy and informative day, enjoying both the talks and exhibitions at the school and the visits to Scotgrove and Ash Church. It was a constant pleasure to meet so many enthusiasts who were so willing to share their knowledge and expertise.
I am a fairly new K.A.S. member and we had not attended one of the Society's meetings before but we are both looking forward to similar events in the future.
Yours sincerely,
Margaret Cufflin,
A Prize-giving Project
Sir,
I hope that you will agree that the publication of this letter in your excellent Newsletter will be of use to the Society and of interest to members. If so, I would like to take the opportunity to seek the views of yourself and fellow members on the possibility of our Society offering prizes to encourage both interest generally in and in the study of the history and field archaeology of Kent.
I would suggest these are awarded annually for young people, not necessarily Members, who are normally resident in Kent, including the London Boroughs of Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham, i.e. the ancient County, and between the ages of 18 and 30 at the closing date.
Secondly, I would advance the following subject areas for their competition:-
(a) Competence and achievement in field archaeology, including all chronological periods and aspects, such as pre-history, industrial, aerial etc. This would be on the reports of Directors and by a report submitted to a panel of three authorities who would also hold an oral examination.
(b) An essay or article showing originality of research and intellectual depth in archaeology, including all periods, and for example, ecclesiology, genealogy, family, legal, commercial and local history, assessed similarly to
(a) but without the need for a Director's report.
The prizes might be two for £200 - £300 each, with a prize for the runners up and awarded annually, in memory of the great generosity of that kindly gentleman, Ivan Margary.
It would be most interesting to have the views of members as to whether they consider such a proposal viable and if the suggested areas of study might usefully be modified in any way.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Draper,
c/o Maidstone Museum,
St. Faith's Street,
Public Open Days at Horsman's Place
by Chris Baker & Michael Bryant
"What is there behind those great advertising hoardings that should excite our interest?", might well have been the first question asked by some of the 500-600 people who attended the site of Horsman's Place, Lowfield Street, Dartford during the open days on 23rd and 24th July. In fact, after they had viewed the excavations and looked at the displays of artifacts, copy documents, drawings, maps and photographs, they, and those invited to a preview on Friday evening, 22nd, asked members of Dartford District Archaeological Group many discerning and shrewd questions when responding to the discourse of the DDAG guides.
The group had worked on the site of Horsman's Place alias 'The Doctor's Surgery', since early 1980 and at a time when patients were still attending the surgery and consequently work was limited to the gardens. About a year later the 19th century house was vacated and a critical survey of the building began before demolition took place earlier this year and the work of excavating down through the foundations to natural ground level became possible.
A mansion of some importance has stood here since at least as early as 1321 then in the ownership of Thomas de Luda. By about 1413 Thomas de Shadelow held it and he gave it to his daughter, Margaret, on her marriage in 1420 to Thomas Horsman, who before his death in 1422, had, according to Dunkin (1844) " ... very probably enlarged and rebuilt the mansion and called it after his own name, which it has ever since retained". This was the first of three phases of reconstruction that the building underwent between the 15th and 19th centuries. After passing through the hands of several owners the estate was purchased in 1541 by John Beer (Byer) and he demolished the old building and built a new mansion with a separate gatehouse in its stead. To mark completion "J.B. 1551" was inscribed over the archway to the gatehouse.
Between 1541 and 1627 four generations of the Beer family owned the estate and in the latter year it passed, via Ann Twisleton (daughter of John Beer), to a John Twisleton, he being the first of five John Twisletons to own the property. By the year 1721 a decline in the state of Horsman's Place had set in and when Thomas Twisleton sold the estate in 1768 the mansion had been empty for some years and was in a bad state of disrepair, so much so that the new owners had difficulty in letting it. In about 1782 it was let to James Storey whose primary interest, as a market gardener, was in the cultivation of the extensive grounds. After living for some years in the now dilapidated mansion (and sub-letting it to the Headmaster of Dartford Grammar School for 2 years), James Storey wrote to his landlord and asked permission to demolish the old mansion and replace it with a house of smaller dimensions better suited to his business. Perhaps surprisingly his landlord agreed. The new building was eventually bought by James Storey and his 19th century building was later to become known as 'The Doctor's Surgery'. We now turn to the story of what DDAG's excavations have revealed.
As mentioned the Tudor structure was comprised of two separate buildings, a mansion and a gatehouse. It is now reasonably certain that the building remains that lay below the Doctor's Surgery relate to the gatehouse, the house itself buried under the line of Lowfield Street to the north. The foundations of the gatehouse and those laid down at earlier periods have disclosed the material and constructional differences. The earliest part, using chalk block walls, had been badly damaged and is considered to be early 15th century work. Over these walls a long rectangular building had been constructed running east/west, again chalk had been used along with flint and some stone. These walls could have supported a timber-framed house and is probably that constructed and inhabited by Thomas Horsman. Inside this part of the building several hearths, both rectangular and circular, were found that had been made of roofing tiles set on edge in the ground - some of which were of later than 15th century date. The foundations ran westward through the front wall of the former doctor's surgery, lining up with the cellar walls and forming a 'T' shaped building, the crosspiece of the 'T' being the work of John Beer and largely constructed of brick and stonework with neatly squared chalk blocks forming some of the internal walls. Along the west front wall traces were found of two stone-framed windows which had been blocked up, probably when James Storey rebuilt the house. Further along the wall to the south the upright posts of a carved Tudor door-frame were uncovered, at first these were thought to be in situ but now it seems more likely that the door-frame was removed from elsewhere in the house and re-used when James Storey rebuilt it. Several other areas of 19th century workmanship have been found, including a massive foundation for a chimney stack. Whereas the earlier buildings had faced west, when Storey rebuilt the new smaller house he changed the original aspect and made his frontage face east towards Lowfield Street and at the same time converted the existing ground floor into cellars.
This site with its many different periods of construction has produced one of the most complicated excavations the group has been called upon to undertake, nevertheless it has proved to be a task of great interest and has helped resolve some of the questions raised during this century. It was gratifying to note the shared enthusiasm of many of the members of the public who visited the site to this further unveiling of part of Dartford's past."
Romano-British Pottery Workshop
One of the most successful aspects of our Archaeology at Work meeting last September was the section on Romano-British pottery. Members brought along their own material from all over Kent. These finds were laid out for display, so that everybody could handle the sherds and compare them with the forms and fabrics found in their own areas. Short talks were given which further stimulated discussion and the interchange of information.
Arising from the interest shown and the wish by many to continue this type of informal exchange of ideas, a Workshop/seminar has been arranged for Saturday, 24th March, 1984. By kind invitation of the Dartford and District Archaeological Group, the meeting will take place at the Group's centre, Lowfield Street, Dartford, from 10.30 a.m. until 5.00 p.m.
The format will be very much the same as in September, with a combination of practical demonstrations and short seminar-style talks. It is hoped to cover some of the following: identification of local and exotic fabrics, the use of a x 20 microscope, the firing, tempering and slipping of pottery, classification, how and why it could be done, useful books in the study of Kentish Pottery.
Once again, all members are invited to attend and, where possible, to bring along Romano-British material for discussion. Admission is free but will be by ticket only. Free tickets are obtainable from Ted Connell. Please send an S.A.E.
Table for KAS Library
Members may recall that we appealed in a previous Newsletter for help in obtaining a suitable table for our Library. Through Mr John Cruse, a member of K.A.S. Council, we heard that B.P. were about to dispose of their boardroom table, following the closure of the Company's refinery on the Isle of Grain. The Hon. Gen. Sec. wrote to B.P. and they very kindly offered to donate the table to the K.A.S. for the Library.
It is interesting to note that the late John Evans, a former Editor of Arch Cant, was for many years an accountant at the Isle of Grain Refinery and must have sat at this very table on many occasions.
We should like to express our thanks to B.P. and in particular to Mr C. Maddox, for this most generous gift. A small plaque recording their generosity will be inset into the centre of the table.
Bookshelf
"Lullingstone Park - The Evolution of a Mediaeval Deer Park
by Susan Pittman
15 X 21 cm, 96 pages, 69 photographs, line illustrations and maps.
Paperback £3.95 + postage.
The evolution of this excellent study followed a request to the author from a natural history study group for two paragraphs on the subject. In attempting to meet this request, Mrs Pittman found that little had been written up on the subject and even less was known.
Whilst the natural history group were satisfied, we readers, too, benefit from a tightly written-up account of the history of the emparking of this considerable area in the Darent Valley of NW Kent as well as drawing together as much of its pre-history as has been discovered to date.
This original research has resulted in a modestly priced work which should find a ready place on all library shelves.
The Cantiaci
by Alec Detsicas
21 x 14 cm, 220 pages, 43 line illustrations and photographs.
Hardback £9.95, paperback £5.95.
This is the latest work in the "People of Roman Britain" series formerly published by Duckworths, which readers will remember included "The Regni" by Barry Cunliffe.
"The Cantiaci" encompasses the area of Britain now known as Kent as well as part of Sussex in its survey.
The new book has sections on the Tribal Territory and the pre-Roman Iron Age; a history of the area from AD 43 to 367; Communications and Urban Settlement; Religion; Industry and the Economy; and one on the eventual collapse of Roman authority. We are pleased to be able to draw attention to the author who will be known to members as the Hon. Ed. of Archaeologia Cantiana.
Both of the above books, as well as hundreds of others, are available from the KAS Travelling Bookstall.
The Roman Pottery of Kent
by R.J. Pollard
Richard Pollard's thesis, submitted for the degree of Ph.D., at the end of 1982, represents a step forward in understanding the Roman pottery of the county. The work is essentially assemblage-oriented, 115 sites being investigated at first hand and a further 145 studied through publication. The emphasis is therefore on the distribution and use of native and imported wares in the region.
The types and fabrics of pottery in use are first described and the way they develop with time is traced. The cross-section of pottery use at each site is then used to construct "Style-Zones", defined separately for six phases of the Roman occupation. This may prove to be the work's most useful and enduring feature. A straightforward review of the native industries, their development and demise is followed by a study of the Canterbury industry as compared to similar production centers in the southeast. This leads to general discussions of various economic aspects of production and distribution. The way in which different classes of vessels follow different marketing patterns is investigated. The appendices contain a quantitative analysis of the sites and a key to the fabrics identified.
The work is an awesome 700 pages long and being an academic presentation is discursive in places. It does however contain a mass of information and ideas useful to those interested in Roman pottery, and Kentish archaeology as a whole. The author informs me that publication of a polished version cannot be contemplated before 1985 at the earliest. An expansion of some of his ideas is, however, to be found in the forthcoming Lullingstone II and Marlowe Car Park publications. The K.A.S. library has therefore obtained two photocopies of the complete thesis, one of which will be available for loan to members.
Jason Monaghan
Summer Excursions
Saturday, 26th May
This all day visit will be to New Romney and Lydd. In the morning, there will be a tour of New Romney Church, commencing at 11.30, followed by a picnic lunch at New Romney. After lunch, we shall travel to Lydd by coach and look round some historic houses in Lydd. There will then be a tour of Lydd Church at about 3.00 and this will be followed by a visit to Lydd Museum at 3.45. The day will end with tea at Lydd Village Hall at 4.20. Price: £5.50 approx. (payable to M.A. Crane, Excursion A/C)
For booking and further details, please contact Mr. Crane, at Dane Court, Adisham, Canterbury, by 1st May, 1984.
Coach departure times: Saturday, 7th July Bexley (Black Prince) 9.15 a.m. Maidstone (B.R. East Station) 10.05 a.m. Ashford (B.R. Station) 10.35 a.m.
Saturday, 7th July
Visit to Smallhythe Place - the Ellen Terry Museum - and Spots Farm Vineyard.
Further details will be in the Spring Newsletter."
New Local Studies Library
"The Local Studies Reference Library at Springfield comprises a central collection of material on Kent. The size of the county makes it impossible to attempt in-depth coverage for every location, and the aim of the Library is to provide books and other relevant material relating to the County generally, with a selection of items on most towns and villages.
The larger town libraries have comprehensive collections of material on their own localities and a leaflet is available giving addresses of these.
There are over 10,000 books dealing with the history and topography of the County, together with other aspects such as industry, transport, education, architecture, religion, geology, agriculture, natural history, sport and literature.
Archival Material
It is hoped that, in the future, the library will obtain on microfilm more nationally held Kentish material.
Two collections at present in stock are the 17th century Hearth Tax Returns for Kent, microfilmed from the holdings of the Public Record Office, and the Registers of the Archbishops of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace. The Registers date from AD615 to 1645 and the text is in Latin.
Census Material
The printed County volumes of the modern censuses are acquired as published. The Census Enumerators Returns, which exist from 1841 and become available for public consultation after one hundred years, are kept. The library has the Returns on microfilm for the whole County, for 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871 and 1881. The 1851 Census of Religious Worship is also available on microfilm.
Directories
These can be divided into the County Directories of Kent and Local Directories of towns. The library has County Directories for the following years:
1845
1847
1874
1878
1887
1890
1895
1907
1909
1913
1915
1922
1924
1927
1930
1934
1938
Local Directories are mainly kept at the appropriate town libraries, but a few are available centrally. The publication Kent Directories Located should be consulted for a list of directories, electoral registers and poll books with their locations.
Early directories cover a wide area and give limited information on the main towns. The London Directories (which also include Kent and the Home Counties) are available on microfilm. These directories were published between 1677 and 1855.
The County Council, with its various Departments, publishes many reports and documents, and most of these are available for consultation in the library e.g. Planning Department publications. Recent copies of the Minutes of the County Council and its Committees are also kept.
The library has an expanding collection of Parliamentary material relating to Kent. Copies of new editions of the Department of the Environment's List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest are being obtained as published.
Illustrations
Illustrations are collected, and the library has prints, watercolours, photographs, transparencies, lantern slides, postcards and negatives.
The postcard collection is particularly comprehensive. Deposited at the library is the Amos Collection of 125 lantern slides, illustrating windmills in Kent.
Maps
Early County Maps are well represented in the collection (originals or facsimile reproductions), e.g. maps produced by Saxton, Symonson, Speed, Blaeu, Ogilby, Andrews and Oury.
The Tithe Maps and Apportionments for every Parish in Kent are available on microfilm.
A collection of Ordnance Survey Maps covering the County is being built up. A complete set of early maps on the 1" to 1 mile scale is held. The 6" to 1 mile edition of 1907-1910 (lacking the coastal areas) is in stock, as is the 1960's edition, at the same scale (lacks the areas now in Greater London).
It is suggested that if in doubt, intending users should check the availability of maps before visiting the library.
The library has collections of Specialist Maps, e.g. Geological Maps, Agricultural Land Classification Maps (published by the Ministry of Agriculture), Land Utilization Maps (all those so far published for Kent), Maps and Information Cards produced by the Archaeology Division of the Ordnance Survey (early 1970's), and a set of vertical aerial photographs taken by the R.A.F. in 1947, and published by the Ordnance Survey, the sheets covering the same areas as the 6" to 1 mile series.
Oral History
The library has an arrangement with Radio Medway whereby, recordings of broadcasts, relevant to local history, are transferred to cassettes and kept at the library. The scheme is still in its early stages and the tapes available are limited.
The library also possesses the complete typed transcripts of the tape recordings made by Dr. Michael Winstanley and used for his book Life in Kent at the Turn of the Century.
Periodicals and Serials
A complete set of Archaeologia Cantiana, together with the Kent Records Series, is available for consultation. Files are also kept of most County journals, e.g. Kent Life, Bygone Kent, Kent Post, Journal of Kent Local History, Kent Archaeological Review, Kent Family History Society Journal.
Using the collection
The book collection is to be found on the open shelves and is accessible for immediate reference purposes. Maps, illustrations, microfilm and ephemeral material is housed in filing cabinets and will be produced on request.
There are three machines for reading microfilm, but it is essential that anyone wishing to use microfilm (e.g. census, tithe maps etc) should contact the library in advance to make an appointment, as the machines are heavily used. The telephone number is 0622 671411, ext. 3240.
Photocopies and microfilm print-outs currently 10p a sheet are available from most material at a standard charge. Copies are made subject to the provisions of copyright law and photocopies cannot be made from material too fragile or heavy to copy. Large maps, including the tithe maps on microfilm, will not reproduce satisfactorily and normally only small portions will be copied.
Lecture Diary
Ashford Archaeological & Historical Society
20th Feb - Members' night
19th Mar - to be arranged
16th April - Smaller Buildings under the Tudors Ken Gravett
Mondays at 7.30 pm. The Pop Inn. St John's Lane, Ashford.
Canterbury Archaeological Society
4th Feb - Trade between Sandwich and Venice in the fifteenth century
J. Wright
25th Feb - Costume and Social Change Miss Joan Nunn
24th March - An Introduction to the Arts Council Exhibition - English Romanesque Art 1066-1200
14th April - Shoreham Valley and the Darent Valley Mrs Joy Saynor
Saturdays at 6pm, Harvey Hall, Kent Postgraduate Medical Centre, Kent & Canterbury Hospital. Admission 50p.
Dr William Urry Memorial Lecture
The first lecture in memory of this much-loved and influential scholar will be given by Sir Richard Southern, F.B.A., formerly President of St. John's College Oxford, on Thursday 23rd February in the Cathedral Library, Canterbury, at 6.30 p.m. His subject will be 'The Monks of Canterbury and the Murder of Archbishop Becket'.
All are invited and admission is free.
Charing and District Local History Society
9th Feb - More Glimpses of Old Charing Study Group
8th Mar - Stuart and Georgian Churches in Kent R.H. Hiscock
12th April - Kent Tokens of the 17th, 18th and 19th Century N. Newbury
Thursdays at 8 pm, Parish Hall, Station Rd, Charing. Visitors welcome 40p, Car park.
Fawkham & Ash Archaeological Group
22nd Feb - The Excavation of a Late Iron Age Site at Thong Lane, Gravesend Miss Deborah French
28th Mar - A study of Romano-British Pottery from Ash Roman Villa Ian Gerrard
Wednesdays at 8.45 pm, Youth Centre, North Square, New Ash Green.
Gravesend Historical Society
13th Feb - Gravesend Architecture: A Personal View R.H. L. Kent
12th Mar - The History & Occupants of Ightham Mote T. H. M. Edwards
30th April - A.G.M. followed by local subject R.H. Hiscock
Mondays at 7.30 pm, Isaac Newton Building, N.W.K. College of Technology, Pelham Road, Gravesend.
Herne Bay Records Society
2nd Feb - The Pilgrim's Way: Part 2
16th Feb - Medieval Fordwich
1st Mar - Art in the Cathedral
15th Mar - Watermills (Documentary film)
29th Mar - Members' Projects
Thursday evenings.
A. E. Thompson
A. Butcher
J. McEnery
G. L. Wright
Orpington & District Archaeological Society
8th Feb - Archaeological Film
8th Mar - Portland Mesolithic Site Susann Palmer
11th April - Medieval Coins as Dating Evidence Canon Archibald
Wednesdays at 8 pm, The Priory, Church Hill, Orpington.
Otford & District Historical Society
Ian Walker 15th Feb - Old Sevenoaks
21st Mar - The Industrial Revolution - a Personal View D. Fowdrey
18th April - From Mud to Museums Mrs K. Webster
Wednesdays at 8 pm, Village Hall, Otford. Visitors 50p.
Tonbridge Historical Society
23rd Feb - The Royal Dockyard at Chatham J. G. Coad
12th April - Some Aspects of the 1st World War Tim Boyle
Thursdays at 7.45 pm, Adult Education Centre, Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge. Visitors welcome 40p.
Dartford Borough Museum
An Exhibition featuring finds from recent excavations undertaken by the Dartford & District Archaeological Group, including some from Horsman's Place.
From Saturday 3rd March to Saturday 31st March 1984. Admission free.
Market Place, Dartford - 12.30 to 5.30 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.00 to 5.30 Saturday.
Isle of Thanet Historical Society
20th Feb - Costumes through the Ages
Mondays at 7.30 pm. Westgate Library. Visitors 60p.
G. Dorman
Day Meetings and Schools
Sat 3rd March - Anglo-Saxon Kent: Historical and Archaeological Aspects
Sat 31st March - Anglo-Saxon Deeds and Manuscripts both at the University of Kent, Canterbury
Sat 24th March - Romano-British Pottery Workshop 10.30 - 5 pm, at D.D.A.G. Dartford, free tickets from 29, Pencenden, New Ash Green, Dartford DA3 SLR.
Sat 14th April - Tudor & Stuart Houses in Kent, at the University Centre, Tonbridge
Sat 19th May - Morning K.A.S., A.G.M. Afternoon Lecture by Mr. Tim Tatton-Brown on the work of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust in the Precincts of Canterbury Cathedral, both at the Ashford School for Girls, East Hill, Ashford.
Weekend Courses
23rd-25th March - Revolting Kent, at Allington Castle, Maidstone
30th Mar-1st April - The Archaeology of Canterbury. "The course will review some of the more important results of archaeological investigations in Canterbury over the past forty years". Wye College, nr Ashford.
25th-27th May - Deer Parks in Kent, at Bore Place Farm, nr Edenbridge.
Published by the Kent Archaeological Society Faith Street, Maidstone, Kent.
Produced and printed for the K.A.S. by Elan Litho Ltd., 5-25 Scrutton Street, London, E.C.2.