President’s Column: The CIO Status is nearly here
The CIO Status is nearly here
The culmination of the process started by my predecessor Ian Coulson and Peter Stutchbury in 2014 is almost here. The existing Society will merge with the KAS Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 1st January 2019.
During September the Society continued its archaeological excavations at Lees Court Estate near Faversham confirming the presence of a multi- period Prehistoric settlement. As reported in this edition, the excavations were supervised by Keith Parfitt and the University of Kent, at Wood Court Field and Stringmans Field respectively, and carried out by many volunteers from across the county.
The Membership Secretary reports that nearly 40 new members have joined the Society since the last issue of the newsletter. We must continue our efforts to recruit members.
In my last column, I reported that Paul Oldham, a former President of this Society, assisted Brian Philp in the formation of the Kent Archaeological Research Groups Council in 1965, which later became the Council for Kentish Archaeology (CKA). It is with regret that I have to report that the CKA has been dissolved. The CKA has served the County well for over 50 years with its extensive work on numerous archaeological sites throughout the County.
During the summer, the Shorne Woods Archaeological Group (SWAG) continued its excavations in the village of Cobham and at Spur Battery, Fort Amherst.
Both excavations have produced impressive results which are detailed in separate articles.
The Allen Grove Local History Fund has made grants of over £3,000 to five local history projects this year. Applications are now invited for grants to be awarded in 2019. Kent is fortunate in having many thriving local historical and archaeological projects, but in general, the County’s heritage is under threat from many quarters.
Sevenoaks District Council has produced its Draft Local Development Plan and, as the document had little archaeological content, I wrote to them emphasising that archaeological assessment remains a material aspect in the planning process. During my brief research, I noticed that authorities such as Ashford District Council do include an archaeological history of their district: a practice I would encourage all planning authorities to follow.
Museums have been a significant repository of the County’s historical and archaeological heritage. In the past few years, museums at Bromley, Gravesend and Canterbury have closed, and one of the museum buildings in Rochester sold. The Canterbury Heritage Museum, which told the history of Canterbury, is a significant loss. It is sad to see that during this period of financial restraint, the County’s historical and archaeological heritage is at risk. Nevertheless, it is pleasing to report that the Maidstone Museum has produced its 20-year plan for consultation, and I hope the Society and Maidstone Museum continues its association, one which dates back to 1858.
Gerald Cramp, President
