Events
Please note that due to the historic nature of Maidstone Museum, events held in the KAS Library are only accessible via stairs.
April
KAS Classes in the Library
Dr Jacqueline Bower
Summer term from 20 April (6 weeks)
10.15 – 12.15
History Makers in Kent
Looking at the lives and achievements of men and women associated with Kent in the past, and their impact on the county and the country.
14.00 – 16.00
Industries in Kent
Kent has had many different industries. This class will consider why they were successful, their impact on the county, how they were organised and why they declined. Topics will include the cloth and iron industries of the Weald, the gunpowder industry and the brick and cement industries of the Thames and Medway.
Cost £30 per term. Cheques payable to Kent Archaeological Society, to Joy Sage*, KAS Library, Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH, with SAE enclosed. For more information and to book please contact joysage@btinternet.com or deavercarter25@gmail.com. Cost £8 to include tea and biscuits. To register email Churches Visits Secretary, Jackie Davidson, jacalyn.davidson@btinternet.com or call 01634 324004.
KAS Talk on the Typhoid Epidemic ‘Stricken Maidstone’
by Ian Coulson
Saturday 1 April 10.30 - 12.00
The last major typhoid epidemic of the 19th century was an outbreak at Maidstone in 1897. It started in mid-August and by the 9th of September there were 117 cases. By December the total number of cases was 1,847, with, according to the official report, 132 deaths. Join Ian Coulson and see a unique collection of photographs of the outbreak and discover more about the course of events.
A £5 donation is requested to cover costs and help the Society further its work.
Magna Carta Guest Lecture Series
Thursday 28 May - Thursday 25 June
Alexander Centre, Preston Street
A fascinating programme of free talks on aspects of Magna Carta on Thursdays from 28 May to 25 June commencing at 7.30 pm. Guest lectures include Peter Tann ‘Why Faversham has its Magna Carta’ and Louise Wilkinson, Professor of Medieval History at Canterbury Christ Church University. Full programme to be announced, but will include a guest lecture by Dr David Starkey.
Audience members can visit the ‘Magna Carta Rediscovered’ exhibition, open until 7.30pm on lecture dates.
For details of all the above events visit: www.faversham.org/events/
www.faversham-magna-carta
Crofton Roman Villa, Orpington (BR6 8AF - adjacent to Orpington Station)
'Take to the Roman Stage'
Wednesday 1, 8 & Friday 10 April
Discover all the fun of Roman Theatre and join in a ‘miming story’ of an ancient Roman legend ‘The Geese that saved Rome’. Make a colourful Roman theatre mask to take home.
Sessions at 10.30 & 14.00
Booking needed. Call 07805 138465 or email crofton.roman.villa@gmail.com
Entry £4 per child, adult carer free. Children to be accompanied. For up to 11 year olds. www.the-cka.fsnet.co.uk
KAS Churches Committee Visit to Westwell and Hothfield Churches (Near Ashford)
Saturday 18 April
Meet at 13.45 for 14.00 at St Mary’s Church, Westwell TN25 4AX, and go on to St Margaret’s, Hothfield, TN26 1EL for 15.00, where tea will be provided.
May
Faversham's Magna Carta ‘Magna Carta Rediscovered’ Exhibition
Alexander Centre, Preston Street
23 May – 28 June, 10.00 – 16.00 (until 19.30 on Thursdays)
This Magna Carta, one of just a few of the last issues to survive from 1300, will be on rare display, forming the centrepiece of ‘Magna Carta Rediscovered’, a touring exhibition supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Magna Carta 800 Committee. Displays interpret the importance of Magna Carta to today's concepts of the freedom of the individual, democracy and society. Faversham has one of the largest collections (17) of municipal charters in the UK, dating back to 1252, many of which will be on display in the exhibition.
Iron Age Power
Saturday 16 May 11.30 – 15.00
Dr Steve Willis, University of Kent & Maidstone Museum
A day for all the family, exploring Iron Age Kent.
11.30 – 12.30
Talk for older visitors, with artefacts, by Dr Steve Willis on Iron Age hillforts of Bigbury and Oldbury in the Library, Maidstone Museum. Younger visitors (8+) can create Iron Age replicas in the adjacent Studio.
12.30 – 13.00
Buffet lunch (included in the price)
Drive to Oldbury Hillfort (own transport needed)
13.30 – 15.00
Walk around the defences of Oldbury – suitable footwear for slopes needed.
Cost £20 adults, £5 children (8 – 18).
Book through Maidstone Museum on 01622 602838. More information from Lyn Palmer on 01622 602862. Numbers restricted – early booking advised.
Please book by sending your name address and telephone number to librarian@kentarchaeology.org.uk or write to Joy Sage/Pernille Richards, KAS Library, Maidstone Museum, St. Faith’s Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH giving the details requested. Cheques payable to Kent Archaeological Society. If you pay in advance please include a SAE or an email address so your booking can be confirmed.
The exhibition goes on tour to Canterbury’s Beaney Museum, The Kent History and Library Centre in Maidstone, Maison Dieu in Dover and finally Rochester Cathedral.
June
KAS Historical Research Drop-in Session with historian Diana Webb and researcher Peter Titley
6 June
10.30 - 12.00
KAS Library
Stuck on a Latin phrase? Puzzled by palaeography? Just starting out and feeling in need of a bit of friendly advice? Help is at hand!
The sessions are free, but a small donation is requested to cover costs and help the Society further its work.
IMPORTANT: Please book in advance supplying your name, phone number and brief details of what you would like to discuss, by email to librarian@kentarchaeology.org.uk
Faversham’s Magna Carta Weekend
Saturday and Sunday 13-14 June
Faversham town centre comes alive with a fun-packed weekend as part of the town’s celebrations to mark the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta, with a huge array of events – reenactment, arts, hands-on activities, town tours, stalls, food and drink and plenty of medieval atmosphere.
Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre is staging ‘Protest, Democracy and the Law, an exhibition highlighting the long history of protest in Faversham. For details of the above events visit www.faversham.org/events/faversham-magna-carta
KAS Churches Committee Visit to Marden and Staplehurst Churches
Saturday 20 June
Meet at 13.45 for 14.00 at St Michael & All Angels, Church Green, Marden TN12 9DR, and go on to Staplehurst at 15.00, where tea and cake will be provided.
Cost £8, to include refreshments. To register email the Churches Visits Secretary, Jackie Davidson, jacalyn.davidson@btinternet.com or call 01634 324004.
University of Kent Study Day
Huguenots and Walloons: Immigrants in the Towns of South East England
Tuesday 23 June, 10.00-16.00
University of Kent - Tonbridge Centre
Speaker is Dr Gill Draper FRHistS, FSA, Associate Lecturer at the University of Kent
Cost - £35
To book Tonbridgeadmin@kent.ac.uk or 01732 352316 or online at www.kent.ac.uk/Tonbridge
Wealden Iron Research Group Summer Meeting
Saturday 18 July from 11.00
At Northchapel Village Hall, West Sussex
The meeting will begin with a presentation on Fifth Furnace, with a visit to this site in the afternoon. This Sussex furnace is not to be confused with one of the same name in Kent.
The furnace site is well preserved with a bay some 100m long, evidence of the working area at the eastern end and a tail race in which residue from the bottom of the furnace can be seen. More details of the furnace and surrounding mine pits can be found on the WIRG database at http://www.wirgdata.org/searchsites2.cgi The presentation will be followed by the WIRG AGM and lunch at about 1pm. Buffet lunch available for £10, or bring a packed lunch. If you require the buffet please contact WIRG Secretary Judie English at judieenglish@btopenworld.com or phone 01403 752672 at least a week in advance. Non-members are very welcome.
July
Canterbury Archaeological Trust Canterbury - Westgate Gardens 'Parks for People' Community Dig
11 - 12 July
Community excavation led by Canterbury City Council and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Free, but places are limited, so please get in touch to book - jake.weekes@canterburytrust.co.uk.
KAS & Maidstone Museum Festival of Archaeology 2015
Maidstone Museum
Saturday 18 July, 11.00 - 13.00 & 14.00 - 16.00
A free archaeology day for the whole family – visit the KAS Library to find out about available KAS resources, inspect our latest treasures as they are sorted and/or create replica artefacts, and handle real artefacts at hands-on stations in the galleries.
Crofton Roman Villa Festival of Archaeology 2015 Roman Villa Family Fun!
Wednesday 22 & 29 July
Discover the secrets of the Villa house with a guided talk and Roman artefacts. Complete a family villa quiz – with a badge & certificate for children & a free Kent Excavations book for the adults!
Sessions at 10.30 & 14.30
Charges: Adults: £1.50, concessions £1.00, Family of four £4.00, each additional child 50p. Children to be accompanied, no booking needed.
The Villa is at BR6 8AF (adjacent to Orpington Railway Station). www.the-cka.fsnet.co.uk
Canterbury Archaeological Trust East Wear Bay, Folkestone - Archaeological Field School
18 July - 16 August
4-week archaeological field training school on the Iron Age and Roman villa site at East Wear Bay, in conjunction with the KAS and local community partners. Programme includes training in all aspects of archaeological excavation and site recording and a series of evening lectures and other events. Fees from £45 per day, with reductions available for Friends of CAT, KAS members and local partner groups. A limited number of volunteer places are also available for KAS members. Contact andrew.richardson@canterburytrust.co.uk for more details and to book a place.
Canterbury Archaeological Trust South Foreland Lighthouse Community Dig
25 July - 8 August
Community excavation within the grounds of South Foreland Lighthouse, perched on top of the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, undertaken with the National Trust as.
Crofton Roman Villa - Heroic Roman Adventures!
Every Wednesday in August
Join us to listen to stories of ancient heroes. Take part in a quiz and make a fabulous heroic picture to take home.
5 August - Pegasus, the Prince & the Monster
12 August - Hercules meets a fearsome beast & holds up the sky
19 August - Persephone captured by the King of the Underworld
26 August - Theseus & the Monster Minotaur
Sessions at 10.30 & 14.00
For up to 11 year olds. No booking needed. Children to be accompanied. Entry £4.00 per child, adult carers free.
Fun with Roman pots!
Every Friday in August
Discover what the Romans used for cooking, eating and drinking. Handle real Roman pottery and make your own clay pot to take home!
Sessions at 10.30 & 14.00
For up to 11 year olds. No booking needed. Children to be accompanied. Entry £4.00 per child, adult carers free.
The Villa is at BR6 8AF (adjacent to Orpington Station). www.the-cka.fsnet.co.uk
September
Canterbury Archaeological Trust One-day Courses
5 September 10.00 - 16.00
First Steps in Archaeology (1). Tutor, Andrew Richardson
19 September 10.00 - 16.00
Caesar to Claudius: Britain, Gaul and Rome From 55 BC to AD 43. Tutors, Jake Weekes & Andrew Richardson
Visit www.canterburytrust.co.uk or contact andrew.richardson@canterburytrust.co.uk for full details or to book a place. Fee for all courses is £40 (£35 for Friends of CAT).
Wessex Archaeology Prehistoric Kent Conference
Saturday 12 September
The University of Greenwich, Medway Campus
Organisers: Mark Williams and David Britchfield, Wessex Archaeology
Further information and a list of speakers will be made available on the KAS and Wessex Archaeology websites in due course. www.wessexarch.co.uk
www.kentarchaeology.org.uk
Twitter: @WAsoutheast
KAS Historical Research Drop-in Session with historian Diana Webb and researcher Peter Titley
26 September
10.30 - 12.00
KAS Library
Stuck on a Latin phrase? Puzzled by palaeography? Just starting out and feeling in need of a bit of friendly advice? Help is at hand!
The sessions are free, but a small donation is requested to cover costs and help the Society further its work.
IMPORTANT: Please book in advance supplying your name, phone number and brief details of what you would like to discuss, by email to librarian@kentarchaeology.org.uk
KAS Churches Committee Visit Minster Abbey and Minster Church, Thanet
Saturday 26 September
Meet at 13.45 for 14.00 at Minster Abbey, Church Street, Minster CT12 4BX, then cross the road to St Mary the Virgin Church for 15.00, where tea will be provided.
Cost is £8, to include tea and biscuits. Visitors are also welcome to attend Vespers at 18.00 in the Abbey.
To register email the Churches Visits Secretary, Jackie Davidson, jacalyn.davidson@btinternet.com or call 01634 324004.
KAS Classes in the Library
Dr Jacqueline Bower
Autumn Term from 21 September (10 weeks)
Spring Term from 11 January 2016 (10 weeks)
10.15 – 12.15
The Later Tudors, 1547-1603
A class examining the reigns of Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth. Topics will include the Protestant Reformation, development of the economy, society in Kent and England and foreign relations.
14.00 – 16.00
The British Empire 1763-1914
This class will look at the expansion of the Empire. Topics include the growth of British power in India, the development of Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the ‘Scramble for Africa’ and the impact of the Empire on the economy.
Cost £50 per term. Cheques payable to Kent Archaeological Society, to Joy Sage, KAS Library, Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH, with SAE enclosed. For more information and to book please contact joysage@btinternet.com or deavercarter25@gmail.com.
October
Canterbury Archaeological Trust One-day Course in Canterbury
Saturday 17 October
10.00 - 16.00
Roman Pottery in East Kent
Tutor, Andrew Savage
Visit www.canterburytrust.co.uk or contact andrew.richardson@canterburytrust.co.uk for full details or to book a place. Fee for all courses is £40 (£35 for Friends of CAT).
KAS Fieldwork Committee Conference
Anglo-Saxon Kent: Old and New Discoveries
Saturday 31 October
Rutherford College, Lecture Theatre 1 and 2 University of Kent at Canterbury CT2 7NX
Tickets: £20. KAS members £15 (price includes coffee, tea but not lunch). A flyer with booking details is included in this Newsletter.
Bookstalls and displays
10.00 - 10.30 Coffee and registration
10.30 - 10.40 Introduction by Ian Coulson, KAS president
10.40 - 11.20 Anglo-Saxon finds in the KAS collection, Dr Andrew Richardson
11.25 - 12.05 The settlement at Church
whitfield and colonisation of the east Kent downs
Keith Parfitt
12.10 - 12.50 Thoughts on St Augustine's landing place, Les Moody
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch (not provided). There are facilities for lunch on the University campus
14.00 - 14.40 The Meads cemetery, Sittingbourne, Dr Andrew Richardson and Dana Goodburn Brown
14.45 - 15.45 Discoveries at Lyminge, Dr Gabor Thomas/Dr Alex Knox
15.50 - 16.10 Tea
16.15 - 16.50 St Peter’s cemetery, Thanet, Alison Taylor
16.50 - 17.00 Closing remarks, Ian Coulson
KAS Historic Buildings and Industrial Archaeology Conference
Past Industries of Kent and Relevant Old Buildings
Saturday 24 October 9.30 for 10am start. 16.00
Blue Town Heritage Centre, 69 High Street, Blue Town, Sheerness ME12 1RW
Full programme details are yet to be finalised. Planned morning talks include ‘Papermaking in Kent’ and on ‘Hayle Mill’, by Dr Maureen Green (Hazel Prize winner) and on ‘Restoration of the Grounds of Quex Park’ by Sue Harris (Head Gardener, Quex Museum).
The afternoon will focus on historic Blue Town, with presentations on ‘The Former Music Hall’ (the Conference venue), and ‘The History of Blue Town’, to be followed by a tour exploring the surrounding area.
Space is limited to 100 places. Conference tickets £20 including light lunch and refreshments (£12 without lunch)
To book, contact the Secretary of the Historic Buildings Committee, Mike Clinch, email mike@mikeclinch.co.uk or 01322 526425. A booking form can be downloaded from the KAS website.
November
Canterbury Archaeological Trust One-day Courses
7 November 10.00 - 16.00
A Crash Course in Roman Britain. Tutor, Jake Weekes
21 November 10.00 - 16.00
The Archaeology of the Kingdom of Kent. Tutor, Andrew Richardson
Visit www.canterburytrust.co.uk or contact andrew.richardson@canterburytrust.co.uk for full details or to book a place. Fee for all courses is £40 (£35 for Friends of CAT).
January 2016
Canterbury Archaeological Trust One-day Course
16 January 10.00 - 16.00
First Steps in Archaeology (2) Tutor, Andrew Richardson
Visit www.canterburytrust.co.uk or contact andrew.richardson@canterburytrust.co.uk for full details or to book a place. Fee for all courses is £40 (£35 for Friends of CAT).
February 2016
Canterbury Archaeological Trust One-day Courses
6 February 2016 10.00 - 16.00
The Archaeology of Death. Tutors, Sarah Geary and Jake Weekes
27 February 2016 10.00 - 16.00
Understanding and Recording Stratigraphy. Tutor, Peter Clark. Visit www.canterburytrust.co.uk or contact andrew.richardson@canterburytrust.co.uk for full details or to book a place. Fee for all courses is £40 (£35 for Friends of CAT).
March 2016
Canterbury Archaeological Trust One-day Courses
5 March 10.00 - 16.00
Putting Colour in the Past: An Introduction to Environmental Archaeology. Tutors, Enid Allison and Alex Vokes
12 March 10.00 - 16.00
Archaeological Report Writing. Tutor, Jake Weekes
19 March 10.00 - 16.00
First Steps in Archaeology (3) Tutor, Andrew Richardson
Visit www.canterburytrust.co.uk or contact andrew.richardson@canterburytrust.co.uk for full details or to book a place. Fee for all courses is £40 (£35 for Friends of CAT).
April 2016
Medieval History Weekend at Canterbury: 'Exploring the Middle Ages', Canterbury Christ Church University
1-3 April 2016
Friday evening and all day Saturday at Old Sessions House, Canterbury Christ Church University; Sunday morning till late afternoon at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge. A series of mostly one-hour sessions throughout the weekend, comprising mainly lectures with a few guided tours of iconic Canterbury buildings. The lectures will include a considerable number of well-known faces from TV and radio, and prominent specialists. Among those contributing will be Professors Richard Gameson, Michelle Brown, David Carpenter, Nicholas Vincent, Carole Rawcliffe and Louise Wilkinson, as well Drs David Starkey and Helen Castor, and Dan Jones and Ian Mortimer. To provide for a variety of interests the medieval topics covered over the weekend will be broad, including manuscripts and book culture, pilgrimage, the Black Death, civil war and life in towns.
Tickets for each lecture with discounts available for multiple ticket purchases. More details of the weekend expected to be available soon and tickets should be available through the Canterbury Christ Church University website from April 2015.
Free Archaeology Training Opportunities with the Randall Manor Project
Thanks to a very generous grant from the KAS, there will be a number of FREE training days with the Randall Manor post-excavation project throughout 2015. Dates available shortly.
Finds conservation training with Dana Goodburn Brown at Sittingbourne CSI
Medieval pottery workshops with Nigel Macpherson Grant
Environmental sample processing training and flint analysis with the Canterbury Archaeological Trust
Assessment of a medieval roof tile assemblage with the Museum of London Archaeology
Digitising and processing your drawn site archive with the Trust for Thanet Archaeology
If you are interested in learning more about any of these FREE training days, please contact Andrew Mayfield. andrew.mayfield@kent.gov.uk (07920 548906) / www.facebook.com/archaeologyinkent for more information on the excavation of Randall Manor, please see the article in the November 2014 KAS newsletter.