Sheltering from bombs - Kent Archaeological Society

16 Pages·2010·2.65 MB·English

KENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
NEWSLETTER
ISSUE NUMBER 86 WINTER 2010
Sheltering
from
bombs
Graffiti in
Ramsgate tunnels

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
2-3 Making their Mark
4 Notes from the Archive
5 New books
6 -7 What’s On
8-9 You and Your Society
10-11 Pioneers, Powerbrokers and Saints
12-13 East Farleigh Roman Buildings Update
Letters
14-15 Blean liDAR
16 HER
www.kentarchaeology.org.uk
Neanderthal Occupation
Main picture: Incised Field Cannon
Insert Above: Stenography, not yet decoded
Insert Left: Breach caused by groundworks
Front cover: Popeye
(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:4)(cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:11)(cid:5)(cid:12)(cid:10)(cid:3)(cid:6)(cid:13)(cid:7)(cid:14)(cid:10)(cid:8)(cid:4)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:11)(cid:5)(cid:16)(cid:7)(cid:16)(cid:3)(cid:17)(cid:18)(cid:19)(cid:6)(cid:11)
MAKING THEIR MARK
The urge to embellish a wall with a name, a comment or a cartoon was as
construction is apparently typical of
strong 70 years ago as today, although pencils, rather than aerosols, were
First World War chalk-cut tunnels
used on the soft chalk of Ellington School’s air raid shelter.
observed elsewhere. The method
In April 2010 groundworks for a Provision of shelters was made towards follows the mining methods employed
housing development on the site of the the end of the war in response by colliers and it is suggested that men
former Ellington Girl’s School, to Zeppelin raids and naval from the Kent collieries were drafted
Ramsgate, breached the roof of an bombardments, but many were not in to carry out the tunnel construction.
entrance tunnel leading into a set of completed until late 1918. The graffiti The tunnels are chalk-cut with no
tunnels beneath the former school. The present within the shelter indicates lining, shoring or supporting arches,
school buildings were demolished in fairly extensive use during the Second except at the south-west entrance where
early 2010. The site had already been World War. Although much of it is a concrete lining was present. They
the subject of an evaluation carried out indicative of use by the school, there average 1.3m wide by 2m high, with
by Canterbury Archaeological Trust is some indication that the wider local variations, most notably in the
and a watching brief was being community also used the facility. height, as the roof appears to have been
maintained during the groundworks. The shelter was of simple form with cut following natural seams within the
The Trust was commissioned to carry two tunnels, lined by benches, linked chalk. The side walls are near vertical
out a survey of the tunnels, their fittings by cross passages terminating in toilet or slightly bowed out, to a height of
and of the significant amount of cubicles, marked girls and boys. Three c.1.5m, then slope in to meet a flat or
graffiti they contained. They also stairways entered the c.12m-deep concave roof c.1m wide. Tool marks,
carried out a brief documentary study tunnels, corresponding to the Boys’, from round-bladed shovels, trenching
to place them in their historic context. Girls’ and Infants’ departments of the tools and picks, are evident on all the
The well-preserved tunnels are school. Two vertical shafts cut from the surfaces. Traces of fittings survive, such
thought to belong to an air raid shelter surface are thought to represent as stair risers, bench support brackets,
dating to the end of the First World construction shafts, excavated to the toilet cubicles, electrical (light) fittings
War. It is unlikely, however, that they required depth and the tunnels cut and candle ledges. These are generally
saw much, if any, use at this time. from their bases. This method of in poor condition.
2 Winter 2010 - KAS Newsletter - www.kentarchaeology.org.uk
The tunnels contain many graffiti,
dating, for the most part, from between
late 1943 and late 1946. Due to the
sealing of the tunnels after the war,
these are relatively free from later
additions, and thus provide an
interesting ‘snapshot’ of the time.
Already, however, at least six individuals
have contributed new graffiti, since the
rediscovery of the shelter in April! The
more significant historic examples were
recorded, together with a representative
sample of the remaining graffiti in order
to characterise its nature.
Most of the graffiti were simply outside of school hours. unlike any artillery in use during the
incised or in pencil, probably brought One group of graffiti reveals the Second World War, or probably even
into the shelters to continue an antipathy of a faction at Ellington during the First. It is most likely,
interrupted lesson. In contrast to what School towards the pupils of St George’s therefore, a historical depiction.
might be found in today’s school spaces, School, Ramsgate. An inscription Swastikas are present in abundance,
the toilets contained almost none, asserts: ‘St Georges are stacked painted together with a number of simplified
perhaps due to the confined space! chads’, whilst another provides what union jacks.
Pictures and patterns abound; was presumably intended as a Collections of strange symbols are
human faces and their variants were generalized portrait of a St George’s evident, perhaps representing some
common motifs. As one might expect, pupil, with crazed expression, curiously kind of phonographical shorthand.
many of the graffiti comprise the formed upper lip, and thin, untidy, Girls at the school may well have
names, or more usually initials, of hair. St George’s School pupils were studied stenography in preparation for
individuals using the shelter, sometimes typically from wealthier families than secretarial careers – especially, perhaps,
accompanied by other details including Ellington’s. By 1942 the term ‘stacked’ considering Ramsgate’s historical links
their age, form, and the year, or even was well-established within American with that science. The script has not
the precise date, of the inscription. slang, meaning ‘shapely,’ with regard been decoded.
Together, these provide some useful to the female figure. By 1944 it may The tunnels are being resealed,
clues to the use of the shelter. The great well have been known in Kent. The leaving them in a stable state with the
majority were of 1944, with only two term ‘painted’ often referred to the use graffiti preserved.
for 1945. It would be interesting to of cosmetics, frequently with some CAT would like to thank developers
compare the graffiti giving a precise disreputable implication. ISG Jackson and the sub-contractors,
date with details of known raids on Perhaps the most striking of the Cliffe, for their assistance during these
Ramsgate – 12 dates are given in 1944. pictorial graffiti are two depictions of works. Particular thanks are expressed
Several graffiti commemorated D-Day the American cartoon character to ISG Jackson for arranging confined
on 6 June 1944. ‘Popeye’, closely similar except in size spaces training. Thanks are also
One ‘Mable Jenner’ inscribed her and probably copied directly from a extended to Rod LeGear and the Kent
name twice, once aged sixteen and comic strip. To the larger depiction, Underground Research Group for their
again at seventeen – on both occasions someone has added Popeye’s signature assistance and comments.
using the same slightly unusual spelling tobacco pipe, albeit disproportionately
of her first name, and reversing the ‘N’s small.
The photographic survey was undertaken
in her surname. Assuming she existed, Among the inanimate objects
by Andrew Savage, assisted by Adrian
Mable Jenner was above the normal depicted, maritime and military themes
Murphy, and the documentary research and
school-leaving age when she carved her seem to have predominated, including
(cid:16)(cid:3)(cid:17)(cid:18)(cid:19)(cid:6)(cid:11)(cid:7)(cid:12)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:21)(cid:12)(cid:7)(cid:22)(cid:21)(cid:7)(cid:23)(cid:10)(cid:6)(cid:10)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:24)(cid:10)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:10)(cid:21)(cid:25)(cid:7)(cid:26)(cid:17)(cid:27)(cid:27)(cid:11)(cid:5)(cid:16)(cid:7)(cid:4)(cid:18)(cid:7)
name, perhaps reflecting the use of the an anchor, a small steamship and a field the tunnel was conducted by Crispin
shelter by members of the public cannon with spoked wheels. This is Jarman, assisted by Russel Henshaw
www.kentarchaeology.org.uk - Winter 2010 - KAS Newsletter 3
NOTES FROM THE ARCHIVE
A Lecture on
the French slides, which
cannot be replaced. She also
Stained Glass with
mmakes a number of technical
sspecifications for the lantern
Lantern Slides eequipment. Grinling,
ddelighted, agrees only to find
tthhat Mrs. Arnold has left for
by Pernille Richards
SSwitzerland with her children,
bbefore he has had a chance to
“My Lecture came off last night. We An exchange ooff mmake his selection. He is left
had an excellent attendance and the correspondenccee cchhoosing from the 50 slides
slides were much enjoyed. A number follows from whicchh ssttiill held by Dr. Legge. The
of the audience told me afterwards how we learn that thhee sseellection includes good pictures
beautiful they were.... I did not use the slides belonged ttoo ooff Canterbury Cathedral, West
three from Sens, as Dr. Legge told me her late husbandd,, WWickham and Dartford, but
that these could not be replaced if any Hugh Arnold (18722 nnoott nearly enough for a lecture
accident happened to them”(Letter to -1915). He was aa oonn Kent glass. Grinling is
Mrs. Arnold 4/11/1920) stained glass artistt rreessccued by fellow antiquarians
Mr. C. H. Grinling (1861 – 1947) influenced by thee FF.. C. Eliston Erwood and
collected information relating to Arts and Craftss LLoocckwood who both lend him
stained glass. Although the topic cries movement whoo mmoorre slides, but he still ends up
out for illustration there are only a had his own studio hhaavviing to rewrite the lecture.
small number of sketches among his from 1903-1914 DDespite these stresses, the
papers as well as a few photographs of working closely lleeccttuure appears to have been a
the windows of the Beauchamp Chapel with Lowndes & ssuucccceess. The mention of the slides
in Warwick. The need for illustration Dury at the Glass aarroouused the interest of Percy
was obviously keenly felt when House in Fulham. DDeeaarrmer (1867 – 1936), an
ge lecturing and Grinling’s correspondence In 1913 he eemmiinnent liturgist and historian of
a
m
e i introduces some interesting slides, published the CChhrriisstian worship, at this point
h
arnstaple. o reproduce t estmoOrinyen on tfth apene 3o arprdlte io satfn. Nd oa vpeomigbnearn 1t 9p2er0s oMnar.l iSEntnaflgiunlaeennddt i Gaanll dabs oFs oroaknf: cteh.e D Mesipditdel eh iAs fgaems iilny Kalisnogll ee’isccn Ctttuueorrrlielnesggte eod Ln oi nnec dcbolonesr. irDaoswetiaicrnamgl earMr tw raasts.
ene, Bssion t Grinling was due to give a lecture on commitments Hugh Arnold Arnold’s slides for his lectures. At this
almi Stained Glass to Woolwich Antiquarian volunteered for active service in 1914. point Mrs. Arnold asks for copies to
gder
n 1910, in St Mary Mam and Kate Lycett for p Sittlsarao ytleckeinnir.eg gt aSy Hgt.ieo re d I oL nwibne rtt gaiahtg ifleenes u m sr(tlr1oioyd 8n Deo6tsfh 3 rct. oobT- re1ir.lf e9loMus2rpse3ot. rn)tLah,dt eieebgs n hgehcseieest, HaAcMnoueedmg m owumbosattrsea i amki1nli.9loel1edrd5a t t.ih eneHd a rceat oinionskn aoamftt hGLoeina elguliH tpetoehnlloail niesnest b“coKtouehip ntme ig et’Lahssd uacCeotm o ubnlilylèede riag etb e hcep oeL sermoto unPppddelaierone”cdny ya, a snbDhrdueee t tart osherh fmkeeener epes r tpot ho intne hoasteerss
nold iuseu known as the first medical inspector of The correspondence shows Mrs. copies. On the 19th of January 1921
ArM
gned by Hugh Stained Glass foaalcsccotu oeprnaitethisou nsaianalsd td iicas e aablesoeausd.t i ntShgier aeLrxtepsg eagrnet d w oaanns Asplairdrnteolsyl, d bp ebaceraitunlysg e f vooerfr ycth opepriyro rtfiergcahtgitiv lriete yao,s fo btnhuset, Gstlhirdei entslr iwaniigll lg wboerei stsee nsc ott lobd y.D m eWeasrseme ndegro en rt’.th ak Thtn tohewne
en Victoria, desih thanks to The au1fru9not1dmh9eo r arta ioMntoydk r os ha.n aHl edsctu atbguinohrere Ard to orwgnuloeard slods f..s Ao DDmmrre.e. rLLsicleeiaggd ggienees ecdthosepenstsetreaco iinylaoeelsdldty ip nwhb itonehtcdeoa ogWurwasasepr .ha strTh heo efeF s rmtceaonianljcloehedrc.i ttgSyiloa hosnesf wonpnuoh. za lzGotl nehiv gaaeepnnrpd tee hxnteihesidtre, y f trb oawu gttohi luieet l sndilsai dbtaueners e aifn r tovhtrameilygu utmahibnealngye
ueWit
mage: Qource: sAurgngoelsdte dto t hbaotr Grorwin lsionmg seh oouf lhde ars ksl Miderss.. athgere uendd teor slteanndd iGngri tnhliant gh et hdeo eslsi dneost, uosne hstiisltl osruicrv rievceo srodm, ife wbyh seorem.e chance they
IS
4 Winter 2010 - KAS Newsletter - www.kentarchaeology.org.uk
NEW BOOKS
Schools and Colleges in the Herne Bay Area
Herne Bay Historical Records Society, Past Series No.4
John Fishpool & Pauline Turner
ISBN 987-1-904661-14-6
Herne Bay seems to have been a popular location for schools and colleges over
the years. The introductory text includes an overview of the education system in
Kent, thus setting the scene for a detailed listing of the many educational
establishments. Coverage includes the wide variety of schools run by the church,
local authorities and privately, that have existed in the town for over 170 years.
The book is well illustrated, with images of buildings and classrooms as well as
staff and pupils.
A4, 48 pages, 46 illus. Price £5.95 (+ £1.55 if posted), from Herne Bay
Museum, 12 William Street, Herne Bay CT6 5EJ or from Pierhead Publications
Ltd, PO Box 145, Herne Bay CT6 8GY, tel: [phone].
Shoreham Past and Present, New & Revised Edition
Joy Saynor and Garry Weaser, Shoreham District Historical Society
ISBN 978-0-9539543-3-9
This booklet is a revised version of the original which appeared in 2000. It
aims to contrast varying scenes of the village at a time when maps, watercolours,
drawings and photographs were becoming widely available, with the same
views of the present day. A concise and thoughtful introduction to the history
and changes in the village precedes the illustrated ‘comparative’ pages.
Price £5.00. Cheques should be made out to Shoreham and District
Historical Society and copies can be obtained from Jill Webster, Rising Sun
Cottage, Church Street, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, TN14.
Iron Age and Roman Discoveries at Crayford
Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit
This little known site, at Perry Street, Crayford, was discovered accidentally about 20 years ago. Members of the Kent
Archaeological Rescue Unit inspected the workings when gravel extraction started on a small site north of St Paulinus
Church. They found slight traces of Iron Age settlement; further visits revealed many features including pits, ditches
and post-holes.
Nearly 200 features were eventually found, partially excavated and recorded. Some contained important groups of
pottery, mostly of Iron Age and Roman date. Of special interest was a large Iron Age pit, found to contain more than
25 loomweights, several of which were complete.
A nearby Roman ditch contained a small domestic altar. An extra bonus was the discovery of a nearly complete
Early Bronze Age beaker, almost certainly representing a much earlier burial on the site.
The site has now been published, with 33 pages and many illustrations. Copies are £4 + 80p P&P, and can be bought
from the KARU, Roman House, New Street, Dover, Kent CT17 9AJ.
www.kentarchaeology.org.uk - Winter 2010 - KAS Newsletter 5
WHAT’S ON
KAS EVENTS CONFERENCES 7.30pm. Non-members welcome to
attend at a fee of £3.00 per lecture
KAS PLACE NAMES COMMITTEE Council for Kentish Archaeology & (except for December when there is an
CONFERENCE Surrey Archaeological Society additional charge).
Saturday 6 November 10.30am – Joint Conference - Roman Villas in
4.30pm Kent and Surrey Enquiries to Mrs J. Hearn-Gillham,
Rochester Visitor Centre, 95 High Saturday 23 October 2 – 5.30pm phone: [phone], email: janet.
Street, Rochester Old Sessions Lecture Theatre, [email protected]
Canterbury Christ Church University
Three speakers from the Institute for Details of the Society’s summer
Name-Studies, University of » Introduction to the Surrey Villas Dr David excursions from Mr L.Davies on 01322
Nottingham Bird 525335.
» Abinger Roman Villa Nikki Cowlard &
Programme:
Emma Corke
» Coffee » Ashtead Roman Villa Dr David Bird Canterbury Archaeological Society
» Place-names in the Rochester area Dr » Rescuing Roman Villas in Kent Brian Philp Winter Programme
Paul Cullen Ramsey Lecture Theatre, Canterbury
Tickets £5.00 available from CKA,
» Coining names: legends and language in Christ Church University
Sandy Ridge, Borough Green, TN15
Anglo-Saxon England Dr Jayne Carroll All talks start at 6pm
8HP. Please include SAE. Further
» Lunch (there are many eating places details from Ruth Plummer, email: » Saturday 20 November 2010
nearby)
[email protected] or 0208 Recent Discoveries at St Alban’s Court,
» The place-names of Anglo-Saxon 7777872, or from Richard Ansell on Nonington Peter Hobbs
governance Dr John Baker
01732 884059, or at www.the-cka. » Saturday 4 December
» Kentish surnames in the Middle Ages Dr fsnet.co.uk St Mildred’s Tannery Site, Canterbury
Paul Cullen – archaeological discoveries Simon
Council for Kentish Archaeology & Pratt
We are grateful to the three speakers
Kent Local History Federation, joint
from the Institute for Name-Studies for » Saturday 15 January 2011
Conference
their time and expertise - this should be The Game of Kings – a history of chess
Saturday 7 May 2011 at Crofton Halls,
Richard Eales
a very good day.
Orpington
» Saturday 29 January (lecture theatre
Tickets £7.50 each. Cheques in
Details to follow in the January may differ)
advance please, payable to KAS, to be Newsletter The Frank Jenkins Memorial Lecture:
sent to Anita Thompson (KAS), Brattle annual review of the work of Canterbury
Farm, Five Oak Lane, Staplehurst. Kent. TALKS Archaeological Trust Paul Bennett
TN12 0HE. Phone [phone].
» Saturday 12 February
Email anita@anitathompson9. Crayford Manor House Historical & Liturgy and Archaeology in Medieval
wanadoo.co.uk. Archaeological Society Canterbury Dr Helen Glass
EVENTS AROUND KENT PROGRAMME OF TALKS 2010/2011 » Saturday 5 March
Investigations at Bekesbourne – the
BEXLEY ARCHAEOLOGICAL GROUP » Saturday 13 November history of a Kentish village David
One Day Workshop: make a Neolithic A Country Christmas Pat Mortlock Gilmour
arrow, with Will Lord » Saturday 11 December Friends of CAT and other visitors most
Saturday 23 October 10am - 4.30pm Kipling - his life and work (in costume),
welcome. £2 per lecture.
Geoff Hutchinson
(cid:26)(cid:17)(cid:28)(cid:10)(cid:7)(cid:17)(cid:7)(cid:29)(cid:11)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:30)(cid:31)(cid:10)(cid:17)(cid:15)(cid:7)!"(cid:10)(cid:17)(cid:18)#(cid:12)(cid:31)(cid:17)(cid:27)(cid:10)(cid:15)(cid:7)(cid:4)(cid:3)(cid:7)
barbed & tanged), make a shaft from » Saturday 8 January 2011 COURSES
A Brief Education Crayford Town Archive
(cid:17)(cid:12)(cid:31)$(cid:7)(cid:19)%(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:31)(cid:10)(cid:7)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:30)(cid:31)(cid:10)(cid:17)(cid:15)(cid:7)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:7)(cid:30)(cid:11)(cid:6)(cid:31)(cid:7)"(cid:11)’(cid:10)(cid:7)(cid:22)(cid:17)(cid:12)(cid:6)(cid:7)
LOCAL HISTORY - SOURCES
(cid:17)(cid:5)(cid:15)(cid:7)(cid:27)(cid:11)(cid:5)(cid:10)(cid:7)(cid:3)(cid:10)(cid:12)(cid:11)(cid:5)(cid:7)(cid:17)(cid:5)(cid:15)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:31)(cid:10)(cid:5)(cid:7)(cid:29)(cid:10)(cid:6)(cid:8)(cid:31)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:31)(cid:10)(cid:7) » Saturday 12 February 2011 St Leonard’s Social Centre, Deal
arrow. Gad‘s Hill Place - Dickens‘ Little Mondays 2 - 4pm from 7th
Kentish Freehold Anne Carter
March 2011
Cost: £45. To be held at Bexley-Sidcup
» Saturday 12 March 2011 Tutor: Maureen Criddle
Conservative Club, 19 Station Road,
How Charing got its Cross John Halligan
Sidcup, Kent
An introduction to the wide range of
» Saturday 16 April 2011 sources available to enable you to
For further information or to book a AGM and President’s Lecture
discover the fascinating story of your
place contact Pip Pulfer at: pipspad@
area’s past and the people who lived
hotmail.co.uk or 07961 963 893, or go All meetings held at The Baker Trust
there. Topics covered include: the
to www.bag.org.uk. Hall, Maxim Road, Crayford at 7pm for
6 Winter 2010 - KAS Newsletter - www.kentarchaeology.org.uk
WHAT’S ON
house, parish, military, the poor, taxes, EVENTS ELSEWHERE » Brede High Woods, Cripps Corner
the census etc. The knowledge gained (woodland landscape with woodland
CONFERENCE management, iron working and
will allow you to access archives with
The Archaeology of Wooded routeways) led by David Brown, South
(cid:8)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:19)(cid:15)(cid:10)(cid:5)(cid:8)(cid:10)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:4)(cid:7)(cid:22)(cid:10)(cid:16)(cid:11)(cid:5)(cid:7)"(cid:4)(cid:8)(cid:17)"(cid:7)(cid:31)(cid:11)(cid:12)(cid:6)(cid:4)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:7)
Landscapes East Woodland Archaeology Forum
research. The tutor is a historian with
many years experience in local and Saturday 12th February » Broadwater Warren, Tunbridge Wells
Field trips, morning of Sunday 13th (military use in the Napoleonic period
family history research.
February and both World Wars) led by Vivienne
Course fee £75.00 Meridian Hall, East Grinstead Blandford
RESEARCHING LOCAL HISTORY A joint Conference between the Historic Conference tickets £30 (students £20).
20 sessions Environment Awareness Project (East Optional hot buffet lunch £5. Book
Thursdays 2 - 4pm, 23rd Sept 2010 to Sussex County Council Archaeology online at www.sussexpastshop.co.uk or
4th June 2011 Team) and the Sussex Archaeological tel: [phone] or email members@
Tutor: Maureen Criddle Society sussexpast.co.uk for booking form.
The Landmark Centre, Deal
Programme:
129 High Street, Deal CT14 6BB
» Woodland Usage in Anglo-Saxon
Fortnightly tutor-guided practical
England as illustrated in contemporary
course researching topics of interest in documents and place names Dr Della
Upper Deal’s history. The period to be Hooke (University of Birmingham)
investigated is c.1750 -1830. We shall
» Hunting, Farming and fuel: the
discover material from the original
transitory character of English
sources to create a picture and present woodlands Dr Mark Gardiner (Queens
it in an exhibition. This is the third year University, Belfast) HAVE YOU JUST
the course has been offered, the JOINED THE SOCIETY?
» You can’t see the wood for the trees –
previous two have uncovered a wealth
locating and recording modern military
Do you wish you could
of detail about Upper Deal. features in woodlands Roger JC Thomas
!(cid:26)(cid:11)"(cid:11)(cid:6)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:7)(cid:24)(cid:20)(cid:27)(cid:27)(cid:4)(cid:3)(cid:6)(cid:7)*(cid:18)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:10)(cid:3)$(cid:7)+(cid:5)(cid:16)"(cid:11)(cid:12)(cid:31)(cid:7) collect all the back issues
Course fee £150.00, payable in two Heritage) of Archaeologia Cantiana?
instalments.
» ;(cid:31)(cid:10)(cid:7)(cid:29)(cid:4)(cid:3)(cid:17)(cid:7)(cid:17)(cid:5)(cid:15)(cid:7)(cid:18)(cid:17)(cid:20)(cid:5)(cid:17)(cid:7)(cid:4)(cid:18)(cid:7)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:8)(cid:31)(cid:17)(cid:10)(cid:4)"(cid:4)(cid:16)(cid:11)(cid:8)(cid:17)"(cid:7)
For further details about these and any sites in woodlands Dr Patrick Roper,
(Ecologist)
other WEA courses in the Dover/ Deal
area contact Alan Buckman on 01304 » New technology, new sites, new
367711 insights: Discoveries across the Weald
Forest Ridge through LiDAR Vivienne
Blandford (Landscape Archaeologist)
EGYPTOLOGY with FRANCES » Wyre Forest – on transcription and
validation of LiDAR using volunteers
WILLIAMS
Adam Mindykowski (Worcs County
Based in Canterbury or Tonbridge
Council)
Courses planned for after Christmas » Our woodland – divided, but still
include ‘Old Kingdom Egypt’, and ‘The united! A case study of multiple
Art of Amenhotep III and Akhenaten’, ownership and archaeological
investigation Owners of Waste Wood, Now you can have 125 volumes
as well as ongoing hieroglyph groups. A
Buxted
of Archaeologia Cantiana at the
trip to the Louvre is being considered,
with perhaps a short course or single » Understanding the history of wooded amazingly low cost of £31 for
preparatory class session beforehand landscapes: Are we asking the right individual members and £76 for
questions? Towards a new research
– please contact me if this might be of institutional members on the KAS
agenda Dr Nicola Bannister (Landscape
interest to you.
Archaeologist) Sesquicentennial DVD.
All courses £57. To reserve a place on a ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
(cid:24)(cid:20)(cid:5)(cid:15)(cid:17)(cid:21)(cid:7)(cid:19)(cid:10)"(cid:15)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:27)(cid:12)(cid:7)=>(cid:25)X>#=X(cid:25)Z>(cid:17)’(cid:7)
course or if you have any queries, (free) to: To order your copy, send a cheque
please contact 07789 661616 (if payable to Kent Archaeological
leaving voicemail please give telephone » Gravetye Manor, West Hoathly
Society to Peter Tann, Town Place,
(designed landscape incorporating iron
number within your message) or
working remains) led by Nicola Belmont, Nr Faversham ME13 0HE.
[email protected].
Bannister
www.kentarchaeology.org.uk - Winter 2010 - KAS Newsletter 7
YOU & YOUR SOCIETY
MEMBERSHIP
Many local people heard David speak
please get in touch with me. about his discoveries or took part in
MATTERS
digs with him. An acknowledged
(cid:24)(cid:31)(cid:11)(cid:10)"(cid:17)(cid:7)](cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:4)’(cid:19)(cid:10)"(cid:15)

authority on the archaeology of Thanet
This year seems to have gone by so quickly
and it is nearly time for me to think about We are pleased to welcome the following by this time, David was awarded a
sending out the renewal letters or invoices for new Members: Doctorate by the University of London
those of you who pay by cheque. Please bear
in mind that cheques are scheduled to Institutional Membership in 2001 for his thesis on the prehistory
disappear in a couple of years time so if you Highworth Grammar School, Ashford of the Isle of Thanet – The Gateway
wish to ‘convert’ to paying by standing order
maybe now is the time to do so. Please get in Life Member
touch so that I can send a form for you to Mr Paul Ledger, Maidstone
complete; I can then send this to your bank
in plenty of time for the due date of 2nd Student Members
January.
Miss J H Farrell, Lynsted, Sittingbourne
This reminds me to ask all of you who already
Joint Members
pay using the banker’s order method to
check that you are paying the correct amount Mr E & Mrs L Cavalli, Gillingham
and only once a year! It is surprising the (cid:26)(cid:3)(cid:7)^(cid:7)(cid:26)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:7)(cid:23)(cid:7)_(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:4)(cid:16)(cid:31)(cid:20)(cid:10)$‘(cid:4)(cid:3)(cid:6)(cid:31)(cid:29)(cid:10)(cid:10)(cid:6)$(cid:7)
number of queries I have each year and the Gravesend
number of letters I have to write, so anything
Mr & Mrs A Harding, Faversham
that can be sorted out before January 2011
would be of great help to me.
Ordinary Members
\(cid:7)(cid:17)’(cid:7)(cid:17)"(cid:12)(cid:4)(cid:7)(cid:12)(cid:4)’(cid:10)(cid:30)(cid:31)(cid:17)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:22)(cid:17)(cid:18)(cid:29)(cid:10)(cid:15)(cid:7)(cid:22)(cid:21)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:31)(cid:10)(cid:7)(cid:5)(cid:20)’(cid:22)(cid:10)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:4)(cid:18)(cid:7) (cid:26)(cid:11)(cid:12)(cid:12)(cid:7)_(cid:7)+(cid:7)](cid:4)(cid:21)"(cid:17)(cid:5)(cid:15)$(cid:7)(cid:24)(cid:4)(cid:20)(cid:6)(cid:31)(cid:29)(cid:10)(cid:10)(cid:6)$(cid:7){(cid:3)(cid:17)(cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:12)(cid:10)(cid:5)(cid:15)(cid:7)
Newsletters and Archaeologia Cantiana that Mr D Bright, Boughton under Blean,
are returned marked ‘gone away’, or even Faversham
stranger, ‘not known at this address’. If you
Mr H R Clayton, Fordwich, Canterbury
move, or know of any other member who has,
(cid:26)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:7)|(cid:7)(cid:26)(cid:20)(cid:12)(cid:28)$(cid:7)}(cid:31)(cid:10)(cid:12)(cid:6)(cid:19)(cid:10)"(cid:15)$(cid:7)~(cid:31)(cid:11)(cid:6)(cid:12)(cid:6)(cid:17)(cid:22)"(cid:10)(cid:7) (cid:7)
please let me know. A few of these returns
are from Life Members and in many cases I Mr C K Robbins, Stelling Minnis,
am not aware if these members are still alive, Canterbury Isle. Battling against the poor health
which could explain a lot. Mrs R Smalley, Gravesend that had affected him since childhood,
Ms B Ward, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire
If you have any questions about any aspect of David remained an enthusiast for
membership or would like to have some (cid:26)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:127)(cid:7)(cid:23)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:28)(cid:10)(cid:3)$(cid:7)}(cid:31)(cid:10)(cid:12)(cid:6)(cid:19)(cid:10)"(cid:15)$(cid:7)~(cid:31)(cid:11)(cid:6)(cid:12)(cid:6)(cid:17)(cid:22)"(cid:10)(cid:7)
Thanet’s archaeology after his
membership application forms to distribute
retirement. His last publication on the
Bronze Age round barrows of Thanet
Dr David Perkins of the Ozengell Anglo-Saxon cemetery. appeared in Archaeologia Cantiana this
Formal qualifications through part- year.
1938 - 2010 time study were added to his growing Despite his growing reputation and
professional reputation. A BSc in long list of published work, David
D
r David Perkins, Thanet’s first archaeological science was followed by Perkins remained an ordinary man,
full time professional an MSc gained through studying pleased to share his knowledge and
archaeologist, died at Margate Roman and Anglo-Saxon glass. David encourage others to take part in his
on Tuesday 10th of August aged 72. A gained the respect of archaeologists work. Concerned to keep up the link
local man brought up in Ramsgate, around the country through excavations between amateur and professional
David had a passion for the history of he directed. archaeology, David remained the
his area, inspired by his family. After The Trust for Thanet Archaeology president of the Isle of Thanet
training as an artist at Margate Art was formed in 1988 with David serving Archaeological Society until his death.
School, David encountered his first as the first professional Director until David leaves behind many friends and
archaeological dig at Lord of the his retirement in 2003. Notable students and an unrivalled body of
Manor, Ramsgate in 1976 and amongst his achievements were the research on his beloved Isle of Thanet.
volunteered to help on the same day. excavation of Iron Age sites at Dumpton His work is continued by the Trust for
Progressing quickly from volunteer to and North Foreland as well as directing Thanet Archaeology which he worked
full time supervisor, his career in seasons of training excavations on the so hard to establish as a centre for
archaeology began with the excavation Roman Villa at Abbey Farm, Minster. archaeological research and education.
8 Winter 2010 - KAS Newsletter - www.kentarchaeology.org.uk
Churches Committee Visit
by Mary Berg
T seems to have been about the length it
he evening visits this year were nearer the railway station. St Mary
is today since the late 12th century but
to St Mary, Lower Higham served as the nuns church as well as a
the Randall chapel was added at the
and St Peter & St Paul, Shorne. parish church and that is why are there
east end of the south aisle in the late
Not only was the weather perfect but are two naves and two chancels side by
13th or early 14th century, when the
the churches were delightful and the side. Its outer appearance is of ragstone
central chancel was remodelled. John
speakers informative. We were met at and knapped flint in a pattern typical
de Cobham, whose estate was Randall,
St Mary’s by John Vigar of the Churches of this part of north Kent. The late
was the patron of the chapel and it was
Conservation Trust (CCT) who own 14th or early 15th century work of the
used as the schoolroom in the 18th
and care for the church. First, John told north chancel screen, the pulpit and
century. There is a fine 15th century
us about the Trust and how they work. the south door alone merit a visit. The
screen between the south aisle and the
The Trust was created in 1969 and until area, including St Mary’s, has close
chapel. The splendid tower has a
1994 was known as the Redundant Dickens connections – it is not far from
fireplace at first floor level, implying
Churches Fund. It became clear that Dickens home at Gad’s Hill.
that it was used as a tower chamber.
the buildings in the Fund’s care were At St Peter & St Paul we were met
There is a lot to see in this fine church,
often far from redundant but had by the familiar figure of Andrew
too much for one short visit. We were
changed their emphasis. In many Moffat, until recently KAS Hon. Sec.
served with tea and biscuits before we
churches, including St Mary’s, services and a churchwarden at Shorne. Andrew
set out for home after a very satisfactory
are held a number of times a year but, gave an interesting and informative
evening.
sadly, they are no longer licensed for introduction to this charming parish
weddings. The 16 CCF churches in church. It is possible to see vestiges of
Kent are all open every day and are still its Saxon origins but nothing is to be Erratum
consecrated. seen of any Norman rebuilding. Kent and Cluny, Summer Newsletter
The church of St Mary is Norman However, there is documentary Im
It was, of course, not King Stephen’s a
with a nunnery nearby and there is evidence that the church was given to g
e
Norman work in the north wall of the Bermondsey Abbey in 1133 and the soof nK iEnugs Htaecner yb Iu, t( SPtreinpchee Wn’isl luianmcl eth &e son : St P
e
nave. The church was rebuilt and Textus Roffensis mentioned a church predecessor), who drowned in the white ter a
enlarged in the centuries that followed at Shorne in the 11th century. The ship. nd
S
until, in the 19th century, the railway north aisle is dated at around the last t P
Many apologies, au
triggered a growth in population to the part of the 12th century but it was l, S
h
south and a new church was constructed rebuilt in the 15th century. The church Mary Berg orn
e
.
www.kentarchaeology.org.uk - Winter 2010 - KAS Newsletter 9
PIONEERS, POWER BROKERS and SAINTS
The Churches Committee is always keen to emphasise that its remit
encompasses beliefs and people as well as ecclesiastical buildings and
(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:6)(cid:10)(cid:18)(cid:17)(cid:8)(cid:6)(cid:12)(cid:25)(cid:7)|(cid:8)(cid:8)(cid:4)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:11)(cid:5)(cid:16)"(cid:21)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:31)(cid:11)(cid:12)(cid:7)(cid:12)(cid:10)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:10)(cid:12)(cid:7)!(cid:6)(cid:31)(cid:10)(cid:7)(cid:19)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:30)(cid:4)(cid:7)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:6)(cid:11)(cid:8)"(cid:10)(cid:12)(cid:7)(cid:17)(cid:27)(cid:27)(cid:10)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:10)(cid:15)(cid:7)(cid:11)(cid:5)(cid:7)\(cid:12)(cid:12)(cid:20)(cid:10)(cid:7)(cid:128)>(cid:7)
and Issue 82) focuses on people in our own county whose impact has been
noteworthy. The contributors will be those knowledgeable in their areas of
interest. The series will run to about ten articles.
Thomas Becket
by Liz Nussbaum
T
he story of Thomas Becket is recommendation, Becket had been to tighten their grip on the former
one of the best-known chapters appointed to the chancellorship. Now, cathedral demesne of Saltwood: a small
in English history. Church and free of the archbishop’s tutelage, he detail in this complex tapestry but an
state had clashed before and would carried out the king’s will with a zeal important one.
continue to throughout the Middle that led him at one point to join the When Henry told Thomas he
Ages, but no confrontation ever came king’s war with his own company of wanted to make him archbishop the
near the drama of that December day knights, and in a dispute over royal latter answered, with a gesture at his
in 1170. privileges to support the king against own rich attire: ‘How religious, how
Becket had been born in Cheapside his old employer. (‘He won his way by saintly is the man you would appoint
where his father was a successful trader. being all things to all men,’ is Knowles’ to that holy see and over so renowned
After school in London and Paris and wry comment.[2]). and pious a body of monks!’ [4] – a
later study of civil and canon law at Was there a competitive element in virtual rejection, cloaked in irony. But
Bologna and Auxerre, Thomas had his relationship with the king? William the king was not to be deflected. He
acquired a cosmopolitan education that fitzStephen’s contemporary account needed a pliant archbishop, and that
served him well in his first major describes Thomas and Henry meeting was what he thought he would have.
appointment, in the household of a ragged beggar on a ride through Henry chose to drive his programme
Theobald, archbishop of Canterbury. London, prompting the following through at the famous councils –
By the time he was 36 he had been exchange. Henry: ‘Would it not be an Westminster, Clarendon and
promoted to the position of archdeacon. act of charity to give him a thick warm Northampton – where in full feudal
The year was 1154. coat?’ Thomas: ‘It would indeed, and assembly he set out his claims. The
In that same year Henry II came to you, O king, ought to have a mind and details were minute, the overarching
the throne, heir to a vast Anglo-French an eye to it’ [3]. Henry then proceeded design hugely ambitious: to secure
empire and an English kingdom that to try to pull off the chancellor’s cape. barons’ and bishops’ obedience to the
had been in a state of virtual civil war In the ensuing tug of war they both ‘ancient customs’ that would be codified
for nearly 20 years (‘never did a country nearly fell off their horses. Henry won; into written constitutions. But
endure greater misery,’ recorded the the beggar got Thomas’ cape, in a literal statecraft soon turned to vendetta as
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle [1]). The king’s investiture contest aptly symbolising Becket blocked him. The latter’s failure
task was clear - to shore up his empire their relative power. Thomas, 15 years to attend the first day at Northampton
and above all strengthen its centre by Henry’s senior, might have been his gave Henry the excuse he needed to
reviving the royal rights and customs equal in intelligence and force of distrain his goods; at which point
that had been eroded during Stephen’s character, but Henry was feudal Becket fled to France.
anarchic reign. For this he needed an monarch by divine right. During the next six years of his exile
efficient chancellor, a kindred spirit of In 1161 Archbishop Theobald died. the drama took on the form of a lethal
like energy who could share his vision. While the see was still vacant a local chess game involving not just the
Within a year, on Theobald’s family, the de Brocs, used this interval English church and its divided
10 Winter 2010 - KAS Newsletter - www.kentarchaeology.org.uk