KAS Committee Round-Up
FIELDWORK COMMITTEE
New Fieldwork Opportunities
Recent work by amateur detectors, in a farmed field to the north of Ashford, has produced a number of Roman period finds. A brief further investigation of the third plot revealed a pit containing quantities of pottery, roof tile and some tesserae. It is therefore thought possible that the field might contain the remains of a previously unknown Roman farmstead/villa.
The farmer appears to be keen on a more detailed investigation and it is hoped that this would include limited work by volunteers (under professional supervision). In the first instance, this would involve a comprehensive field walking and geophysical (resistivity) survey. If signs of a building are confirmed, and it appears that the remains are under threat of further destruction, then there might be an opportunity in 2006 and beyond for further excavation.
If agreement is obtained, the initial field survey could probably be carried out in the autumn (early September) or early September this year. Would you like to take part? If the project goes ahead, the opportunity would arise for it to be opened to KAS members who wish to join a team. Given a dozen volunteers, the survey could probably be undertaken during a weekend (two days, perhaps or a couple of Saturdays).
If you would like to be involved in the possible discovery of a new villa, would you please register your interest by calling David Bachus on 01843 843198, email bachus1947@yahoo.co.uk, or Chris Pout on 01222 880017. If in place leave a message with your name, address and telephone number and you will be contacted again when there is further information.
As a second opportunity in 2006, four or larger numbers to take part in a two-week extensive training excavation at St. Martin’s Field Estate, where there are substantial and important Saxon (7th century) and possible Roman remains. This site has been the subject of a preliminary investigation by Canterbury Archaeological Trust who have suggested that a comprehensive investigation could be undertaken with the help of students at the University of Kent. They have no time to organize a project for large numbers of volunteers, but Chris Pout is looking to organize a project of this size. If you would be interested, contact David Bachus or Chris Pout.
CHURCHES COMMITTEE
On St. George’s Day (23 April), a large group of KAS members and their friends visited the church of St. Thomas Becket, Dartford and Southfleet. In both cases the welcome was warm and the visit was assisted by the resident minister, followed by tea. The Revd. Kenneth Clarke has only been rector of St. Mary’s, Stow, since last but is a considerable knowledge of this interesting building. This fine example of late fifteenth-century brick and flint ecclesiastical possess many notable and beautiful features, some of which have been compared with a visit to be found at Westminster Abbey. There are also surviving fragments of the fifteenth-century wall paintings, including a martyrdom of St. Thomas of Canterbury, which reflects the church’s proximity to the pilgrim route.
St. Nicholas, Southfleet is a lovely fourteenth-century Kentish church. Canon Clifford Gible, who is now its rector after a quarter of a century in the parish, included many amusing personal anecdotes on his visit. The parish’s oldest pieces, dating from the brass, Sedgely contains, a Jacobean pulpit and a very fine fifteenth-century octagonal sculptured font. Canon Gible had also thoughtfully put out of the high altar piece for inspection. A visiting afternoon was rounded off with tea and biscuits, again, administered by Canon Gible.
PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
The Publications Committee met on 23 April 2005. Dr. Paul Oldham had resigned from the Committee thus reducing its membership. New members are required and anyone interested in joining, or knowing any such, should contact Dr. Gibson, the new Chair. The 150th anniversary of Archaeologia Cantiana should be marked and Committee members volunteered to revise the size of the sub-plots book 2001. Dr. I. Shirley reported that the Index for Volumes 50, 51 and 52 and a shared page layout and thematic introduction would be ready by December. To honor the 150th anniversary of the Society a large issue of Archaeologia Cantiana (double publication in 2007); an annual Irish bibliography would be a regular feature in the edition. A set of CD-ROMs following topics were the list of future publications. Four pages were agreed as honoring the volunteers whose activities of the Kent History Fund. New issues would be considered to the enlarged Bibliography from 2001, new volumes to the Medieval, and finally, the Committee desired a rapid index for the long-term. The Committee proposes to go to the Council that the Society establish as from 2007, a searchable web-site at low cost.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Ian Coulson, Education Committee Chairman, gave a lively presentation to members at the Society’s recent AGM in Maidstone. Beginning with a review of archaeology and history in the National Curriculum, Ian went on to speak of the breadth of educational activity now relating members such as Canterbury Archaeological Trust, CAT Education Service, North Downs YAC, Dr. Frank Parfitt (KAS Libraries and websites) and Ted Connell (KAS website redesign). In particular, he thanked him who hands-on space, exhibits and finds from CAT to KAS it brought to sharp focus its policies on space and building resources to the use of archaeological material for KBI offer schools. He had devised last year, an assemblage and school boxes of history ideas. Iwan talks commemorated but the new link the “History in You” that brought him back to Ian children.
-Marion Green