KAS Committee Round-Up

FIELDWORK COMMITTEE

Although no centrally organised excavation has taken place during 2005, the Fieldwork Committee and members have been involved in supporting the various affiliated groups with funds, expertise and equipment.

Keith Parfitt and the CAT, along with the Thanet Trust, have been continuing to excavate at Ringlestone. They have also been searching for Roman Sandwich by trial trenches on the north side of the road; although not yet successful, they are confidently looking elsewhere.

The Dartford and District Society are continuing excavation at the Balham Farm project.

Excavation continued at East Farleigh Roman villa, where Albert Daniels and his team held an open day to coincide with Channel 4’s ‘Big Dig’, that attracted around 200 visitors.

A ground radar survey was carried out using a specialist organisation at the Lenham Archaeological Society site of Royton Chapel. Further use of the resistivity meter has been recommended at the site, but earlier in the year to take advantage of the wet ground after winter and the denser building material.

The website is continuing to expand; this is to include archiving of past fieldwork records, including pottery, (types and examples), to allow comparison of shape and type. Members are invited to send details of sites/projects to be included in the website.

Michael Howard (Sec.)

CHURCHES COMMITTEE

On a sunny Saturday afternoon in September last year we visited the churches of St Peter and St Paul at Upper Hardres and St Mary at Stelling. We were fortunate to have Dr Eaves to introduce both buildings and Mr McDine to give us some fascinating historical background about the area of Stelling. They were willing to engage in the lively discussion that continued over tea at Stelling. Both churches have been enlarged and altered many times over the centuries, but are quite different in character.

St Peter and St Paul was originally built in the 12th century and was the manorial church of the Hardres family, who lived here until 1764, when Sir William Hardres died. Sir William’s memorial can be seen in the chancel chapel. The church was enlarged in the 13th century and little of the 12th century fabric is visible today. The 14th century glass in the East End came from St Mary Stelling but, until a fire in 1972, there was 13th century glass in the church that almost certainly originated there. Fragments rescued after the fire have been assembled in mosaic roundels in a chancel window. There is a magnificent brass on the tomb of a rector, John Strete, under cover in the chancel and dated 1405.

St Mary is a very striking church. It was originally a chapel of ease for Upper Hardres but it has been altered so much that it is difficult to ‘read’ its architectural history. It also seems possible that some stonework has been reused from elsewhere. As mentioned above, the 14th century glass formerly in the east end of the south aisle at Stelling was moved to Upper Hardres. This was in keeping with the changes made in the church in 1790. On first entering the church one would be forgiven for thinking it is a non-conformist chapel. There are large box pews, most of which are pointing at the large pulpit halfway down the north wall of the nave. The pews in the chancel are in the usual position, but one wonders if even these were once facing the pulpit rather than the altar. No one in the large KAS group had seen anything similar in an Anglican church before!

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Members revisited the Great Hall of Wye College for the annual Christmas lunch. During the reception there was time to view member’s publications which was a good opportunity to share the joy of completed work. The meal was begun with a Saxon grace rendered vigorously by Saxon speaker Karl Wittwer. After lunch there was a robust entertainment by the Tonbridge Mummers who presented their first performance of a new play. Owing to the bitter weather only the hardiest members continued for the planned visit to the Brook Agricultural Museum. Those who did were delighted, and resolved to return in the summer.

It is proposed to use another venue for the 2006 lunch. Suggestions for consideration would be welcome.

No brains needed – just hands! The committee would welcome new members who would help in practical situations, for example setting out chairs at meetings, helping with projectors, collecting entry money at the door - and just generally supporting. For discussion contact Margaret Lawrence on 01622 871945 or margaret.society@virgin.net.

Margaret Lawrence (Chair)