What’s On
SEE PAGE 8 FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SESQUICENTENNIAL EVENTS IN 2007.
Conferences
CBA South East
The Archaeology of the Weald: Bridge or Barrier?
Saturday November 4, 10am - 5.30pm at Gatton Hall, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey
Once a great forest stretching some 100 miles east-west and 30 miles north-south across the counties of Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire, the Weald is still one of the most heavily wooded areas of England. Traditionally seen as a barrier across south-eastern England, it was penetrable only with great difficulty for much of its history. To explore the truth or otherwise of this theme, CBA SE has brought together a number of leading specialists in the archaeology and history of the Weald. Papers and speakers include:
- Human presence in the Weald - where? Dr. Anne Carter, University of Sussex and President, Sussex Field Archaeology Team
- The Roman period David Bird, Former County Archaeologist, Surrey
- Late Iron Age and Roman-British ironworking; some fresh perspectives Simon Mason, Field Officer, Kent Iron Research Group
- Who crossed the Weald to settle where? Early Medieval archaeology in the Weald Chris Greatorex, University of Sussex
- Fifteenth to sixteenth century Saxon times Dennis Turner, Surrey Archaeological Team
- Post-medieval archaeology in the Western Weald Diana Chatwin, Wealden Buildings Study Group
- The transfer of vernacular building techniques across the Surrey Weald Martin Higgins, Historic Buildings Officer, Surrey County Council
Gatton Hall is a Palladian-style mansion located close to junctions 7(M23) and 8 of the M25. There are no easily accessible catering facilities in the area, so CBA SE has arranged a two course lunch (choice of hot/cold/vegetarian) and coffee/tea to be included in the ticket price of £15 for CBA members and £17.50 for non-members. Tickets available from Eva & Steve Corbett, 4 Ditchling Close, Eastbourne BN23 8LS, email: cbase@scorbett.co.uk, tel: 01323 743889.
Council for Kentish Archaeology
The Battle Against the Sea - The impact of the sea over 2000 years on the coastal settlements of south-east England.
Saturday 4 November from 2 - 5.30pm
Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Campus, Canterbury.
- How past sea-level changes have affected the coast from Suffolk to Sussex Basil Cracknell (author of Outrageous Waves)
- From settlement to abandonment: the drowned Bronze Age landscape of Shriverater Park, Eastbourne, East Sussex Chris Greatorex (Lecturer on Prehistory)
- The lost coastline of Kent Brian Philip (Chair of CKA) and David Plummer (University Senior Lecturer)
- Dover Harbour Bill Fawcus (General Manager, Special Projects, Dover Harbour Board)
Tickets £4 available from CKA (cheque payable to CKA), 7 Sandy Ridge, Borough Green, TN15 8HP. Please enclose SAE. Further information on www.the-cka.fsnet.co.uk or from Ruth Plummer tel: 02087 777872, email: davru58-congocka@yahoo.co.uk.
Talks
Crayford Manor House Historical & Archaeological Society
11 November
Grinling Gibbons: The Art of Woodcarving Cyril Baldwin
9 December
Members evening and buffet (additional charge)
13 January 2007
The Humorous Side of Being an Actor Jonathan Fyer
10 February 2007
Ightham Mote: History and Conservation Pat Mortlock
10 March 2007
The Huguenots Michael Peters
14 April 2007
Good, Bad and Ugly: 150 Amusing Years of Libraries in Kent Christopher Bull
All talks on a Saturday at 7pm for 7.30pm, in the Baker Trust Hall, Maxim Road, Crayford. Non-members are welcome, cost £2.00 each. Further enquiries, tel: 01322 551279.
Friends of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust
Thursday 26 October at 7pm
Sandwich’s Domestic Architecture by Sarah Pearson (a talk in association with Darwin College) Lecture Theatre 1, Darwin College, University of Kent, Canterbury.
Saturday 27 January 2007 at 6pm.
Frank Jenkins Memorial Lecture by Paul Bennett (Director, Canterbury Archaeological Trust), Old Session House, Canterbury Christ Church College, Longport, Canterbury.
Wednesday 14 March 2007 at 7pm.
Recent developments in Thanet Archaeology by Ges Moody (Deputy Director of the Trust for Thanet Archaeology). Friends Meeting House, The Friars, Canterbury.
Suggested donations for all the above talks; FCAT members £2; students £1; others £3.
Tonbridge Historical Society
26 October
Passports, Assassins, Traitors & Spies Martin Lloyd
Events and Lectures
- 18 November
Folklore and Customs of Kent and Sussex Dr Geoff Doel - 4 January 2007
The De Cobhams and Randall Manor Lyn Palmer - 15 February 2007
An Illustrated Walk Round the Saxon Shore – Part 2 Christopher Wade - 5 April 2007
AGM
Tunbridge Ware Dr Ian Beavis
All lectures held at the Adult Education Centre, Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge at 7.45pm, except for the AGM at 7.30pm.
More details from Sheila Broomfield on 01732 838698, email: s.broomfield@ddl.pipex.com
- 13 November
The Caged Lady Lee Ault - 11 December
Shakespeare's International Globe Anne Carter
All meetings are held at Loose Infant School and start at 7.30pm.
All welcome. Admission £1.50, pay at the door. For more details tel: 01622 741198.
Faith and History: the place of religion in the record of the past
Professor David Bebbington
Friday 17 November at 8pm in the Undercroft of St Nicholas Parish Church, Sevenoaks.
The Sevenoaks Historical Society annual lecture, named after S R Gardiner, the distinguished historian of 17th century England, who died in Sevenoaks in 1902.
Professor Bebbington, University of Stirling, has written major books on nonconformity, the mind of Gladstone, and historiography, and is President-elect of the Ecclesiastical Society for 2006-7.
Admission is free and all are welcome.
The Rye Partnership
Aspects of Medieval Warfare and Rye's Response
28th & 29th October 2006
All lectures take place in Thomas Peacocke Community College Hall, Rye.
Saturday speakers include:
- The Mary Rose and Medieval Archery Robert Hardy CBE, FSA
- Edward III's Creecy Men: Archers and Archery in the Early Years of the Hundred Years War Dr Andrew Ayton
- The European Response to Archery Prof. Matthew Strickland
Agincourt 1415: A Band of Brothers? Dr Michael Jones
The Medieval Tournament Dr Juliet Barker
Revolutionary? It's a Wonder They Caught on at All: Guns in Medieval Warfare Prof. Kelly DeVries
At 6.30pm, a concert at St Mary's of medieval music and dance, in aid of the church restoration fund.
Sunday speakers include:
- Archaeology of the Battlefield Helen Fenwick
- Medieval to Modern - The Rebuilding of Rye David Martin
- The Tale of Two Towers - the joint Anglo/French Interreg Project Jo Kirkham
- History of the Ypres Tower Allan Downend
- The Ypres Tower Restoration Project Robert Clay
- The Foltivelle Tower Daniel Cottrell
- Pirates, Wreckers and Smugglers - Patriots at War, Villains at Peace Dr Gill Draper
At 3.10 pm, a Tour of Rye's Medieval Tower.
It is not too late to book for this conference; contact Alison Rowland, The Rye Partnership, 25 Cinque Ports Street, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7AD, tel: 01797 229600, email: alison.rowland@ryepartnership.org.uk. Booking can be for one or both days, cost (including full lunch, and tea/coffee) is £20.00 for 2 days or £45.00 for one day (full time students £60.00 and £40.00 respectively). The Concert on Saturday is an extra £5.00, the Tour on Sunday is free.
Courses at The Weald & Downland Museum, West Sussex
Tuesday 31 October 9.30am - 5pm
Traditional Timber Frame Construction, led by Museum Director Richard Harris
A one-day course on traditional systems of timber framing, including timber conversion, principles of layout, pegs and assembly, and their importance in interpreting historic timber-framed buildings.
Wednesday 15 November, 9.30am - 4.30pm
How to be a House Detective, led by house historian Penny Olsen
Techniques for tracing house history will be revealed in this day school, covering both physical features and the use of primary sources commonly held in record offices and local history libraries.
Friday 27 April 2007 9.30am - 4pm
From Hangleton to Poplar: the history of the Museum's houses. Part 1 - 13th to 17th centuries, led by Museum Research Associate Danae Tankard.
Exploring the history of six of the Museum's houses by placing them in their social and economic context and looking at the social status and household structure of their earliest inhabitants. An overview of the methods and sources for reconstructing the past will also be provided.