An interview with… Alan Ridgers, Kent County Council Archaeological Champion
Alan Ridgers is a Gravesham Borough Councillor for the Ward of Istead Rise and Kent County Councillor (KCC) for the Division of Gravesend East. A member of the KAS since 1965,
Alan was recently appointed ‘Archaeology Champion’ for KCC, a position which compliments his role as Chair of Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee.
I began by asking Alan how he came to be interested in archaeology?
AR: I grew up in Gravesend and attended Northfleet School for Boys. I was actually in the same class as Victor Smith, current Chair of the KAS Historic Defences Committee. One day, Victor invited me to go fieldwalking at the Springhead Roman site, near Gravesend. Victor told me to keep my eyes peeled, especially for anything ‘green’ on the surface.
Within minutes, I caught a glimpse of this small round, green object lying on the ground. I picked it up and, low and behold; I’d found my first Roman coin – a Marcus Aurelius Pontius 161-180AD. It was a ‘ding’ moment. From then on, I was hooked… I wondered who, what, why, when, examining this coin? It was a life-changing moment for me.
RT: How did your interests in history and archaeology develop?
AR: I joined the Gravesend Historical Society in 1963, and worked at the Springhead Roman site for many years with Bill Penn and Sid Harker. Over the years,
I worked on excavations at the New Tavern Fort in Gravesend, the Painted House in Dover, various excavations in and around Gravesham. I served as both President and Secretary of the Gravesend Historical Society.
RT: How do you see your role as Archaeology Champion impacting history and archaeology in Kent?
AR: Firstly, I’m honoured to be appointed as ‘Champion’. To my knowledge, it is the first time a County Council has appointed such a position. The parameters for the role are yet to be finalised, but I have my views, and they are to see the county’s heritage preserved, ensure it’s accessible and visible.
RT: Looking at Kent as a heritage entity, what are the positives to work with?
AR: Kent has one of the longest recorded histories and has played a vital role in many of the critical moments in the development of that history. The resulting heritage is astonishing, and we are guardians of that heritage. You see it at archaeological excavations below ground and the considerable diversity of standing buildings and architecture above ground. Sixty million visitors per year pass through Kent; that’s an astonishing number, and I wonder how many of them realise the extent of the heritage that surrounds them?
RT: Do you think Kent promotes itself enough as a heritage destination?
AR: Yes it does, but of course there is always more to do. I think joined-up marketing is the answer. If you come to see Dover castle you might also be interested in Richborough Roman Fort or the Blockhouse in Gravesend; it’s about add-ons. Visit Kent and Locate in Kent do a great job.
RT: Are there any heritage issue that are problematic at present?
AR: The range of heritage ownership issues doesn’t always
RT: How would you begin to tackle the long-standing archaeological archive issue?
RT: I’m a great believer in utilising technology. The Guggenheim Collection in the USA has an electronic gallery that you can view images of your favourite artworks without leaving home. I’d like to see a day when we have a county archive that records the best images of artefacts for the public benefit. There is a tremendous amount of work to get to that point, but that would be the goal.
RT: And achieving that goal…. how do you go about it?
AR: As an idea, I’d look to have four centres of excellence around the county that archive and curate material from excavations, collections, etc. with a specific heritage theme. For example, at Chatham, you could house a maritime archive, Dover, a military archive, The Weald an agriculture archive and Dartford an industrial archive. Each location would curate and store its material for reference and research, backed up by an electronic gallery for public access.
RT: How do you view the role of local archaeological and history groups and the work they do?
AR: They’re invaluable. Because I don’t hold a doctorate in archaeology doesn’t mean that I can’t make a genuine contribution to the knowledge of the subject. Varied learning from different periods can be beneficial, and academics can pick it all apart later! The amateur has a pivotal role, and I will be championing the work and contribution they have made and continue to make.
RT: Final question…what would you like to have achieved in your role as KCC Archaeology Champion in, say three years?
AR: At present, I’ve only got about 18 months to the next county elections, so that is a short time in the context of the subject. I would like to come back if the voters want me. However, in the short term, to get a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges of archaeology, often undertaken on tight time schedules under challenging conditions. It’s not all like Time Team!
Understanding our past prepares us for a greater understanding of what the future may hold.
RT: Thank you for your time Alan. On behalf of the KAS, I’d like to wish you every success in your new role as Archaeological Champion.
Alan Ridgers can be contacted at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/early- medieval-atlas/map-data/ beyond-tribal-hidage-data
The data enables users to explore the nature, distribution and spatial relationships of burial sites in their landscape context.
The web page also gives a full list of references and suggested further readings. We are pleased also to announce that Dr Audrey Meaney FSA has permitted us to include pdfs of her 1964 gazetteer of Early Anglo-Saxon burial sites.
As originally envisaged, this data is being made public in the expectation that future researchers will be able to enhance and extend its content. The conclusions of the project, as presented in the project monograph (Harrington and Welch 2014) could thus be tested, challenged, revised and extended as others see fit in the future, aware that what is presented here is but one assessment of the wonderfully complex and engaging material for this crucial period of early medieval studies.
If you would like further information, please contact: s.harrington@ucl.ac.uk s.brookes@ucl.ac.uk
References
Harrington, S. and Welch, M. 2014. The early Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of southern Britain, AD 450-650: beneath the Tribal Hidage. Oxford: Oxbow Books