Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor
Cattle droving in the early nineteenth century.
P.J. Ovenden in his article (issue no. 67, Winter 2005/6), refers to a late 'Roman' road from Wrotham on the Pilgrims Way (North Downs Ridgeway) to Tunbridge Wells and beyond and quotes ID Margary in 'Roman Ways of the Weald' as his source.
Although we have evidence of a Roman cemetery just north of Borough Green railway station, there is nothing to suggest a Roman road in the vicinity of the village and Margary does not mention it. It is true that there were contemporary trackways, including the North Downs ridgeway, which will have come through Wrotham, but no indication that they were Roman.
In our Society's booklet Farming in Wrotham through the Ages (July 2004), reference is made to Dr. A. Baker's thesis Agricultural Rises, Reduction and Marketing with special reference to the hop industry of North East Kent 1650 – 1750 (1961), and the importance of droving and the annual migration of cattle. No ancient drove roads have been discovered in Kent and it is apparent that the Weald was crossed via the main roads – for example the road from London which passed through Lewisham, Sidcup and Wrotham en route to Maidstone and Ashford.
Wrotham Historical Society
Dear Editor
Following the discovery of the Plough Inn, Sittingbourne, artefacts (issue no. 64, Spring 2005), I am planning to carry out a study and survey of period clothing and other artefacts that have been found in Kent houses, either hidden under floors or in wall spaces, fireplaces etc. Many museums hold such items and I would very much like to hear from them, as well as from private householders that may have come across such things during renovations and rebuilding work. My contact details appear below.
So little is known of this curious social phenomenon that such a study and survey would reveal not just new artefacts, but discover patterns of deposition, both chronologically and typologically, and may offer insights as to why particular garments feature more than others. Kent is home to the largest cache yet discovered in England and I am learning that daily other local finds. Yet despite the number of known artefacts we still do not have any firm understanding of the reason and thought behind this surprisingly widespread cultural fad. Several periods of deposition can be found in one house or even wall space, which indicates that all involved had some understanding of the practice at least, something we seem to have lost completely today. Part of the study will also include the creation of a dedicated website to encourage further study and allow new artefacts to be recorded as they are found. This will provide an online database for finds, fully searchable by all interested parties.
I am hoping to make this study and survey the basis for my MA and I would appreciate it if any of your readers can help. No find is too small and all are relevant. The artefacts can be clothes, hats, shoes, leather straps, tools, books and letters, shoes, anything that appears when a floor/loft is broken or outbuilding. I am also to discover any offers of funding for this work, and would be pleased to hear from anyone who would like to know more about the project, or myself, with a view to financial support.
Dear Editor
The recent Time Team visit to Ebbsfleet surprised me in one respect. During the programme there was not a single mention of the underground caves that some forty to fifty years ago were open to the public.
I realise that the caves related to a different era from the Time Team research, but I would still have expected at least a passing reference.
Can anybody tell me what the current position of the caves, both to accessibility and understanding of their significance?
Whitstable
Gravesend Publication and Archive
The Gravesend Historical Society still has copies available of its well-illustrated booklet 'Vagniacis', about the Romano-British religious centre at Springhead. (Price is £4.25, including postage). Cheque or postal order payable to Gravesend Historical Society.
The Society is building up a photographic archive of the various archaeological investigations which have taken place over the years at Springhead and the Ebbsfleet Valley. Images of the excavations and artefacts, as well as 'scenes' views, are being collected. Many photographs were taken by visitors during open days or by participants in the excavations. The Society would be grateful for the loan or donation of any photographs or negatives in the possession of readers or others. Anything received will be carefully looked after, with loans returned after copying, and postage refunded.
The address for both requests for the book and for the sending of any images for the archive is:
Victor Smith