Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society
Newsletters
Contents
Editorial
From the Chairman
Obituary
Somerset Gardens
The Area Archaeological Council
Roman Villa at Dinnington
Athelney and Alfred
The Council for British Archaeology
Voluntary Aid Detachments in Norton sub Hamdon during
the First World War
The Hyltons of Ammerdown
Visit to Court Farm, Wookey
Visit to East Lambrook Manor
South Petherton Local History Group
Natural History Notes
Banwell Bone Cave, Follies and Tower
Somerset Heraldry Society
Wanted! Photographs
CONFERENCES AND EVENTS
Area Archaeological Council
Bristol University Centre for the Historic Environment
Chard & District Museum
Chard History Group
Somerset County Museum, Taunton
Somerset Rural Life Museum
Wells Museum
Ambika 2002
CALENDAR Associated Societies 2002
'Sons of Woden - Soldiers of Christ?'
Well it's
been another good few months for archaeology in Somerset with visits by the
Time Team (twice), so keep an eye out on Channel 4 next season, you might
see someone you know. Many thanks to all the contributors, without whom this
newsletter couldn't happen, please keep those pieces coming.
Among the recurring themes that crop up for discussion at Council - finance, rules, the future of the Castle - is that of membership of the Society. For years it has been felt that having to be proposed and seconded for membership has been, if not a bar, at least a hindrance to many people thinking of joining the Society. This condition has now been dispensed with so that anyone who wishes may apply for membership directly.
All proposed members have still to be approved by Council - although the days of the black ball are long gone! - and one concern frequently voiced is that we have few younger people applying for membership. The Society has a responsibility to head up the archaeological, historical and natural heritage of Somerset not just for the specialist or for older people and with this in mind I hope, over the next year, to consider ways in which we can provide an outreach to younger people.
If you have any ideas on this matter or if you would like to be involved please let me know.
Hilary Binding
Mr W E Strickland
Wally Strickland,
as he was known to his friends and associates, died at the end of June. He
was a founder member of the North Sedgemoor Local History Group and had held
the offices of Chairman and President. He had lived in Burnham since his demob
from the RAF and was for many years a teacher at the local comprehensive school.
He had a wide knowledge of Burnham and the West Country and often gave talks
on these subjects. For several years he was the Associated Societies representative
on the SANHS Council, and will be sadly missed by those who knew him.
G E Brown
Chairman, North Sedgemoor Local History Group
Somerset Gardens
Saturday 29 June at Clifford Hall, Cannington
Members and visitors who attended the Local History Symposium on Somerset
Gardens were treated to a variety of fascinating lectures. Mrs Primrose Mallet-Harris
of the Somerset Gardens Trust started the ball rolling with an account of
the work of the Trust in relation to Somerset's historic gardens. Part of
this work is to research, survey and record these gardens and particularly
those that are at risk like that at Orchardleigh where the grounds are threatened
with potential development.
Philip White then spoke with his usual enthusiasm about landscape gardens in Somerset which are linked with Hestercombe through age, design and friendship. He explored the idea that Coplestone Warre Bampfylde, the mastermind behind the eighteenth-century Hestercombe Park, had influenced the design of several other important gardens including Stourhead, Halswell at Goathurst, Crowcombe Court, and Dunster Castle through his friendship with the Luttrell's resident artist, Richard Phelps.
In contrast Janet Tall explained the development of school gardens in Somerset between 1890 to 1914, charting the rapid advance in gardening classes for elementary school children during the period. This was partly in response to fears of rural decline due to depopulation, and the need to teach children subjects that would be relevant to their future life. A growing number of inter-school competitions and prizes awarded in local agricultural shows helped to ensure the children's interest, and gardening became a thriving aspect of the school curriculum by 1914.
After lunch Professor Michael Tooley spoke about the influential gardener, Gertrude Jekyll. Unfolding a wealth of new evidence, Professor Tooley showed Jekyll to have been a woman of astonishing talent: an artist and craftswoman, a designer of furniture, an interior decorator, a photographer and a writer as well as an innovator in garden design and the use of plants.
John Addison
finished off an absorbing day with an overview of plants, which now flourish
in Somerset but had been introduced to this country from all parts of the
world. Earlier, over the lunch period, Mr Addison had led members on a tour
of part of the College gardens, explaining the changes that are being made
so that the gardens can continue to be used as teaching gardens for the twenty-first
century.
Hilary Binding
Please Note
The Early Christianity in the South-West conference has been postponed to
next year so keep an eye out in the next newsletter for details.
The Area Archaeological Council
Since I have been a Council Member of SANHS, I have represented the Society on the Area Archaeological Council, the body which in 1996 succeeded the Avon Archaeological Council in representing the interests of Archaeology in the old Avon area.
The Chairman of this Area Archaeological Council for many years has been Stan Rendell, MBE, (who is also the Chairman of Banwell Society of Archaeology), and several very successful symposia have been held. Unfortunately the AAC lost its Hon Secretary, Jane Hill of North Somerset Museum, for maternity reasons early in 2001, and the post has remained vacant since then. Consequently, the AAC has not been able to be very active of late. Now, however, a new, energetic and enthusiastic Secretary has come forward - Pip Jones of Bristol - and new life has been injected into the AAC. Their next symposium will be held on 19 October 2002 in the Methodist Hall, Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, on the theme of the Romans in Somerset and Gloucestershire.
In view of
the constant threats of cut-backs to archaeological services throughout the
country it is good to have another voice to offer support when required.
Jean M M Dagnall
The discovery of a major Roman villa near Dinnington will be the subject of a Time Team C4 programme early in the New Year. The site was first identified by crop marks noted in the drought of 1976 and it was not until January of this year that Alan Graham undertook a small-scale evaluation of the site that its true potential became apparent.
The landowners, Mr and Mrs Holloway, gave permission for the excavations and survey of the site. The project was supported by Trudy Ridgers, Mr and Mrs Holloway 's daughter. The land is currently rented out to Mr Peter Irish, a farmer near Crewkerne.
A detailed geophysical survey of the field was undertaken by GSB, directed by John Gater and Chris Gaffney. An area of approximately 15 acres was surveyed by both magnetic and resistivity survey. The survey revealed the extensive remains of a very large Roman villa complex of a courtyard pattern. The main building range was approximately 100m E-W and over 60m N-S. A series of rooms and walls were clearly visible from the geophysical survey indicating a substantial building range. A number of other features including a large curving ditch were noted on the site.
A series of seven trial trenches were excavated to examine different parts of the villa complex. The excavations confirmed that extensive stratified deposits survived on the site and traces of substantial ham stonewall foundations and mosaic floors were recorded in several trenches. A large geometric mosaic of a mid 4th century date (c.360AD) was discovered and this was next to a corridor mosaic of red and white checkerboard pattern. (These mosaics are of the Corinthian School).
In a N-S room on the west wing of the villa a well-preserved mosaic was discovered. This was identified by David Neal as being an example of the Dorchester School and dates from the 4th century. The mosaic work was of particularly good quality and the mosaic survived in good condition sealed beneath a 0.50m thick loam layer and a 0.10m thick layer of burnt roofing slates and a layer of charcoal. The indications are that the room housing the mosaic was destroyed by fire.
Other deposits across the site were affected by plough damage and numerous pieces of tesserae were found across the field. Several pieces of exceptionally fine mosaic were found depicting figures or animal shapes and the importance and potential of this site is very high. Numerous pieces of painted wall plaster were also recovered. One piece of ?ceiling plaster depicting an animal shape was lifted and passed to Cardiff University Archaeology Department Conservation Laboratory for attention. Three pieces of mosaic were removed and taken to SCM for conservation.
Finds washing was undertaken by the Lopen History Group. South Petherton Primary School and Ilminster Middle School and Crewkerne School made school visits and Rachel Shaw coordinated the educational work. This excavation illustrates the potential of this type of site and has generated considerable local interest and support for archaeology.
Athelney and Alfred
The Time Team comes back to Athelney
This year
was chosen as the year to celebrate the historical connections between Somerset
and King Alfred. A series of meetings, talks and events were planned in conjunction
with local groups from East Lyng and Burrowbridge, the Levels and Moors Partnership
and the Parrett Trail project. The highlight of the celebrations involved
an invitation from Mr Tim Morgan of Athelney Farm to the Channel 4 Time Team
archaeology programme. He asked the team to come back to Somerset and to continue
with their archaeological investigations of Athelney Abbey and the "fort"
of King Alfred. It was almost ten years ago that the first Time Team series
did some work at Athelney. English Heritage approved the archaeological research
and the filming took place in the middle of June. Many of the regular Time
Team members were at Athelney including Robin Bush Chairman of the County
Council who was wearing his historian's hat on this occasion! As part of the
event, school children from Burrowbridge and Stoke St Gregory visited the
excavations to discover what was found on the site. Professor Mick Aston directed
the excavations for Time Team with Bob Croft County Archaeologist for Somerset
County Council. Details of the medieval monastery were seen for the first
time and some evidence of Anglo- Saxon pottery was found at the fort end of
the site.
On Saturday 22 June there was a public open day and over 2000 people visited
the excavations and had a rare chance to see some of the archaeological remains
of Athelney Abbey - one of the most important monastery sites in the county.
If you want to find out more about what was found look out for the programme
early in the New Year. As part of this work a new information leaflet will
be produced in the autumn and a permissive footpath will be opened from the
Parrett Trail next year.
Bob Croft
County Archaeologist
The Council for British Archaeology
The Winter General Meeting was held in York on 21 February exploring the theme of Archaeology and the Public. In the morning, members had the opportunity to visit the Archaeological Resource Centre of the York Archaeological Trust, during the weekly session of reporting and recording of new finds.
The business meeting was then chaired by Frances Lynch, Vice President, in the absence of the President, Dr Francis Pryor. The matters discussed included:
Historic Environment Review: The government's long awaited response to last year's Power of Place paper from English Heritage was published just before Christmas. It sets out some very welcome broad principles but there is little mention if, or when, resources might be made available to implement the 54 Action Points. A consultation paper on the future of SMRs is promised later this year, but it remains to be seen whether the fine sentiments turn into properly resourced action.
Valetta Convention: The CBA is involved along with English Heritage in the consultation process for drawing up a possible Code of Practice.
Stonehenge: There are still many issues to be resolved regarding the road programme, and a further meeting takes place later in February.
Young Archaeologists' Club: A comprehensive review of all areas of YAC is to precede a major funding bid in Spring 2002. Several more branches are about to be set up - the YAC is now one of the fastest-growing Youth organisations in the UK - now 2,885 individual members. Richard Brewer is to chair the YAC Advisory Committee. 4 YAC holidays are planned for this year in Norfolk and Cornwall.
National Archaeology Days: 20-21 July 2002. Last year there were 149 participating sites with an estimated 60,000 visitors. 1600 potential sites for 2002!
Marketing and Events Manager: A new appointment to CBA staff.
Membership Fees: As it is now 2 years since the last rise in subscriptions, from April 2002 there will be an average increase of £3. Individual members will pay £27 instead of £24, and small institutional members will pay £28 instead of £25, while University departments and national museums will pay £104 instead of £100. These rates will be fixed until April 2004.
Membership: now stands at 5,426 individual members including 476 students. 7 new institutional affiliations were approved.
Following the formal business, Dr Peter Addyman, Chairman of the Portable Antiquities Working Group, reported on progress. The Ministerial Advisory Panel on illicit trading has been working for a year now, but the government has still not signed to the Unesco 1970 Convention but promises to do so at a date in the "early part of 2002". Some progress has been made on export licences, but the legislation to make illicit trading a criminal offence in the Criminal Justice Act has been postponed since events of 11 September 2001. The Treasure Act is under review and there is to be a wider definition of 'treasure' - but funding for the present Reporting schemes is to end on 1 April 2002. An application for HLF funding is still being pursued for a permanent scheme covering all the country, but in the meantime temporary funding for one more year has been agreed. More than 40,000 finds are reported in a year.
A further forceful talk was given by Dr Tim Schadla-Hall, Reader in Public Archaeology, Institute of Archaeology, University College London, on the subject of Public Participation in Archaeology, and future prospects for increasing public involvement. After detailing the many developments in archaeology promoted by part-timers - eg Treasure, Rescue, etc - he stressed the importance of the many letters to MPs regarding the Valetta Convention. The All Party Parliamentary Archaeology Group was formed when MPs realised their public regarded archaeology as important. Openness about what was happening in archaeology was essential so that the public could have an input, and PPG 16 should be revised to take note of public support. Community projects made it obvious that people did care about archaeology. Individual letters to MPs were essential if further cuts to services were to be avoided - there were again threats to archaeological services in Southampton.
During the open forum discussion that followed, Mike Farley, Vice President, then added that the CBA was setting up a working group to advance the matter of public participation, and he would welcome any ideas addressed to him at the CBA in York. The CBA would provide information regarding successful community projects.
The next
meeting of National CBA will be in London on 28 September 2002.
Jean Dagnall,
Representative of CBA South West
Voluntary Aid Detachments in Norton sub Hamdon during the First World War
As part of my research into the War Dead commemorated in St. Mary's Church I was wandering around the churchyard looking closely at the gravestones searching for the memorials to those men who are listed as buried in Norton (Leonard David Patch & Lawrence Allan Sweet). I was therefore surprised to find a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone bearing the name of Private 3/7346 E Rendell of the Dorsetshire Regiment who died on 30th July 1916 aged 22.
Edward Rendell
had obviously been killed or died of wounds received in action as borne out
by the erection of a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone. I was intrigued
as to the reasons why a man with a local name was not commemorated on the
Roll of Honour in St. Mary's Church. If he had been a local man his name would
surely have been included with the others. And if he was a local man what
was he doing in the Dorsetshire Regiment when most had joined the Somerset
Light Infantry? There were many questions to be answered. However, being heavily
involved with preparing the research for the men named as war dead I gave
private Rendell little thought. That is until I visited the Public Records
Office at Kew in search of the Service Records of the ten names on the Roll
of Honour. Frustrated in my search of the microfilm records (nearly 70% of
the original records from the First World War had been destroyed during the
blitz of 1940) I ran the list of Rendells through the machine and was surprised
to find Edward's record almost intact. The sheets had obviously been damaged
by fire and water but most of the information could still be read, just. The
picture to the right, the cover sheet of Edward's Service Record, shows how
badly damaged most of the surviving records are. The mystery deepened as I
read his record. Edward had been born in Wareham in Dorset and must have continued
to live there until he enlisted on 10th August 1914 at Dorchester, just six
days after the outbreak of war. His record shows that he was in the Special
Reserve before the war suggesting that at some time he must have served in
either the Regular Army or the Territorial Force (now the territorial Army),
albeit for a very short period of time.
Edward was called up (reservists were not given the opportunity to volunteer)
in the first month of the war as part of Kitchener's first sweep of the young
men of Great Britain. He would join another 100,000 men sent to Belgium and
France to bolster the Regular Army Expeditionary Force who would soon be losing
almost half their strength of 160,000 at the Battle of the Marne. (This loss
of 80,000 men in one battle represented a quarter of the entire British Army
as of 1914 and foretold of the horrors and terrible loss of life to come).
As we now know millions of young men followed these initial 100,000 volunteers.
(Nine million from Britain & the Commonwealth served in the armed forces
of which nearly one million were killed and two million wounded).
Edward survived the Gallipoli campaign before being posted to France. On the 21st June 1916 Edward was wounded in action. Unfortunately the records do not say where on the front the action took place. A search of the Battalion's War Diaries would be needed to locate this information. He suffered a shell wound to his left arm and a further gunshot wound to his right thigh. He was initially treated in the field then carried to a casualty clearing station just behind the trench lines. On the 24th June he was moved to a hospital at Rouen, as the wound to his thigh had become life threatening. From Rouen he was moved through Boulogne to England, initially to a hospital in Bristol.
The next
entry answered the first question - what was he doing in Norton sub Hamdon?
On 5th July 1916 he was transferred to a Voluntary Aid Detachment hospital
(VAD) in Norton sub Hamdon. Thanks to Cecil Gillman I was quickly able to
identify the Manor House as the hospital.
VAD's had been set up following a 1909 War Office paper suggesting how volunteers
could assist the medical units of the Territorial Force (today known as the
Territorial Army). In conjunction with the Red Cross and St. John's Ambulance
women were trained as nurses and men as orderlies, all on a voluntary basis.
Little did they know that they would play such a prominent and important part
in a global conflict just five years later. It was soon after the outbreak
of war when the extent of the casualties suffered from the 'new' style of
warfare became apparent that hundreds of VAD hospitals sprang up all over
the country. Village halls, church halls, in fact any building capable of
holding beds was enlisted into use as a hospital. Many of the landed gentry,
who were themselves ex- servicemen with sons at the front, opened the doors
of their houses to the VADs. And so it was with Norton sub Hamdon Manor House.
Without the generosity of the public and the tireless efforts of the volunteers
this country would never have coped with the huge numbers of wounded that
returned daily from the front. On 27th October 1914 Lieutenant-Colonel F.
N. Quantock-Shuldham opened the Manor House at a few hours notice to the Red
Cross as a twenty-bed hospital and although run by the Red Cross included
members of the V.A.D. Initially the hospital accepted wounded Belgian soldiers
but because they were considered as foreigners the War Office would not provide
funding and equipment. Mrs. Quantock-Shuldham and friends were forced to lend
furniture and beds to equip the ward. As Commandant of the hospital Mrs. Quantock-Shuldham
also had to beg, steal or borrow food, medicines and clothing. Many of the
Belgian soldiers were seriously wounded necessitating a large care staff.
Consequently villagers were enlisted to wash-up, mend clothes or launder.
The 'Justice House' of the Manor (to which my carport is attached) was converted
into a chapel, and a Belgian priest visited weekly to say Mass.
On 3rd April 1915 the first British wounded arrived at the hospital and miraculously the War Office began to provide supplies and money. The number of beds increased to 35 and then to 50. To accommodate the beds tents were erected in the grounds, later to be replaced by a hut donated by the people of Martock. To accommodate the nurses the gardener's house was converted into a hostel. The patients used the old panelled dining room of the Manor as their recreation room. It was during this time that the double-headed eagles of the family crest adorning the room lost their heads, cut off by soldiers who thought that they were 'too German'.
The neighbouring
villages banded together to provide relief for the wounded soldiers. Each
of the surrounding villages took weekly turns to transport the patients on
outings, particularly to the sea. Another popular venue was the Men's Institute
at Stoke sub Hamdon that was free to the patients and an easy walk from the
hospital.
The Red Cross flag, which had hung at the Manor night and day, was taken down
on 1st February 1919, and carried to St. Mary's church by the Men & Women's
V.A.D. to be hung in the church, the Rev. J. McKay, the rector, receiving
it, and holding a short and very impressive service, this finishing the hospital
work of the staff.
In total
412 wounded service men were treated at the hospital, of which one died, Edward
Rendell.
At 1030 a.m. on 30th July 1916 the doctor recorded Edward's condition as 'subsiding'.
He died later that day. His parents, Edward & Sophy Rendell who lived
in Upton Farm Cottages, near Poole in Dorset, were informed of his death.
Edward's Service Record shows that they moved about from one farm to another
suggesting that his parents were itinerant farm workers. Consequently they
were probably unable to afford to bring Edward home for burial and the Army
arranged for his interment in the nearest cemetery, in this case St. Mary's
Church, Norton.
Along with
the Roll of Honour in the church his headstone is a poignant reminder of how
the horrors of the First World War reached out to affect the country miles
from the frontline, reaching even the tiny village of Norton sub Hamdon.
John Jones, April 2002
A Talk given by Janet Tall at Somerset County Record Office on 13th March 2002
A small group was treated to a 'tour' through the 6o boxes of papers belonging to the Jolliffe family of Ammerdown by Janet Tall. Janet is cataloguing the papers thanks to a grant from Heritage Lottery Fund, which will result in the catalogue being available via the internet - and in paper form for those without access.
The family estate is based at Kilmersdon, with many lands being held in adjacent parishes, which were purchased by a Bristol merchant, Gabriel Goodman (d. 1679), who exploited the mineral rights very carefully. After his death his descendants spent many years in litigation, which didn't reflect his business-like manner, but has left us with a good collection of papers. One treasure from this time is a mining map which is one of the earliest in existence. Dating from 1695, it is one of the jewels in the crown of this collection.
The estate passed to the Twyford family, who also added many more fascinating manuscrips to the collection, but eventually left no male heir so the Jolliffe family came to inherit all. The new landlords took a keen interest in the estate, and John Billingsley commented favourably on their agricultural capabilities. However John Twyford Jolliffe became a virtual recluse, and varying wills in the 19th century caused further litigation, resulting in more boxes of paper! As with many families a keen interest in military matters was the order of the day, as the Jolliffes served at the Battle of the Nile, Waterloo, Sebastopol, and in the 'Charge of the Light Brigade'.
The archive
is diverse, as it contains material relating to the clergyman who was involved
in civil engineering, forming the General Steam Navigation Co. Also William
Jolliffe, who rose to be Chief Whip of the Tory party, transforming the party's
organisation and becoming a close colleague of Disraeli. William was created
Privy Councillor in 1859, and undertook research into the Hylton family, which
resulted in them being raised to the peerage. The 'first' Lord Hylton to really
live at Ammerdown was the Third Lord, and he undertook improvements to the
house, as well as working through the family archive. He wrote the 'History
of Kilmersdon' and became President of Somerset Archaeological and Natural
History Society, underwriting a large amount of the archaeological work undertaken
by the Society. This was an enjoyable talk followed by a tour of the strong
rooms and a viewing of a selection of the manuscripts.
Adrian Webb
Local History Committee
Visit to Court Farm, Wookey,former
Palace of the Bishops of Wells
20 April 2002
We met at Preywater Road where stock ("prey") were driven in from the moors to be accounted for in the autumn. Frances Neale, Wells Cathedral archivist and long standing Wookey inhabitant and SANHS stalwart, herded us on contentedly towards the village. We ignored the bit of slight rain, which went away. Frances talked to us with great authority and enthusiasm as we went.
The road follows the course of the Axe which drained away the surplus moat water of the Palace and the floods from this low lying area, and fed the leats for the five mills in the area downstream. Across the river with cedars behind, there is still the crinkle-crankle brick garden wall of Mellifont Abbey. The romantic name was thought up in the mid C18 when the house was built. It fits the exuberant Strawberry Gothic façade with its mellow brick porch and the superb C13 Doulting stone corbels, spandrels and window fragments. Documentation is sparse, but the theory is that the stone was rescued from Court Farm, and the stonework matches work of similar date at Wells Cathedral.
Mellifont Abbey, enwrapped attention.
The cruck-framed Yew Tree Farm had not been passed without comment, and we went on to St Matthew's Church, elegantly noble in miniature, C13 with C14, C15 and C19 reworking. Past the Church Hall and across the river by footbridge, we came into the peaceful surrounds of Court Farm - acres of medieval grassy mounds. This is mostly what remains of the moated grounds of the palace of the Bishops of Wells. Now scheduled, the area once had several barn ranges, fish ponds, gardens including a crocus garden for the Bishop's saffron requirements and a gatehouse. Frances herself had surveyed it but there had been little exploration of the archaeology. Limited digs and a magnetometer survey gave useful indications of the great estate.
Here we met John and Rosie Winstone, valiant owners of Court Farm, who kindly showed us the house and gardens. But first John, a Conservation Architect, gave us a talk. He spoke to us in fascinating depth of the debate about the origins of Mellifont Abbey, which of the Piers family might have built it and whether the stonework had come from Court Farm. His discovery of the medieval cruck-frames within, some smoke-blackened, others not as would be expected, showed that the pre-reformation church house was very likely to have been incorporated in the building.
3 Chambers
bwylded upon the old 13C arch, mainly in the
kitchen
Cloyester and the Armory Galory
He described his piecing together of the earlier plan of the Palace, built in about 1320 by Jocelyn, Bishop of Wells.and used by succeeding Bishops as their summer palace, all well documented by the building accounts, records of papers and agreements signed there, and last by the extensive inventory of 1577 after the sale of the property to the Duke of Somerset. Many of the buildings were cleared away in the centuries following the Reformation when it was mostly tenanted. However what does remain is enough for the imagination, especially the magnificent 13C blocked arch to the chapel that once was there.
He told us
a little of their own extensive and meticulous work on the site and illustrated
the whole talk with slides and exhibits of finds, including some Roman Samian
Ware shards and fragments of medieval green glazed roof tile found there.
We were trying to get to grips with those two thoughts as tea and buns brought
us back to earth with a delicious bump. What an enjoyable afternoon.
Anthony Bruce
Visit to East Lambrook Manor,15th Century house
with gardens designed by Margery Fish
11 May 2002
Our afternoon began in sunshine on the Lawn. Robert and Marianne Williams, enthusiastic owners of the house and famous garden were our hosts.
Christopher Chanter explained how the Bishops of Wells had an interest in East Lambrook from before the Conquest as part of the Parish of Kingsbury Episcopi. Very few records of the Manor survive leading some to suggest that it may never have been a manorial holding. However the medieval bishops noted down plenty of detail of their activities, especially the installation of incumbents to the Chapel. There is an elegant Decorated chancel arch there. Christopher had noted that Bishop Drockensford in the 1300s often visited Kingsbury on route from his Manor at Dogmersfield to Wells. An overview of the area pointed to East Lambrook as the Kingsbury Manor, "held in readiness" for his visits.
We looked outside and all inside the house. We had a handout showing the rather unusual medieval plan of the main E-W range, which was quite clearly reinforced by the undisturbed structure in the roof space. We gazed lovingly at the smoke-blackened collar, tie and post frames, jointed crucks, arch and wind-bracing, and considered the possibilities of chapel and court room. The builders of this unusual mixture of timber structures had, in a way, confessed to their more customary over sizing and bracing by using a series of intermediate trusses. These, on scrutiny, were seen supported by, not supporting the purlins. Most likely it was constructed in the C15, and not by Bishop Drockensford, but, if indeed by the church, Bishop Beckington, another building bishop. The hamstone East gable may have been rebuilt, and incorporates some fine early C15 perpendicular windows. Here was another odd thing, as if a previous even grander building was here somewhere.
Delicious tea and cake in the Malthouse followed with a talk from the Head Gardener Mark Stainer, who has long been working at East Lambrook. Finally we toured the gardens, admired the phenomenal range of planting, the Geranium collection, and not least the beautiful Judas tree out in perfect delicate flower and leaf in the spring afternoon sun.
Anthony Bruce
South Petherton Local History Group
On Wednesday 19 June, forty members of the South Petherton Local History Group enjoyed a visit, with brilliant weather, to Buckland Abbey and the nearby Garden House.
We saw the full history of Buckland Abbey, originally a Cistercian Monastery, founded in 1278 by Ancrea, Countess of Devon. There followed a visit to the Garden House. The gardens were developed by the Fortescue family and are centred on a walled garden surrounding the ruins of a medieval village. The garden was dedicated to special topics, eg the plants of a South African garden and the plans a sea cliff area. Especially appealing was a line of ten lime trees dedicated to the daughters of a previous owner.
At the present
time, we are making preliminary investigations into the use of a lime kiln
near Bridge Road in South Petherton and the remains of a sheep wash near Old
Bridge House. Both of these were used up to the 1950s.
David Jones
I heard especially good drumming by Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the Quantock woods during March, but the sounds declined rather quickly, I felt, in April. I detected very little drumming by the Lesser Spotter Woodpecker last spring and, sadly, the species appears to be getting scarce in Somerset. Woodpecker drumming is, without doubt, territorial advertisement by the male and the tone varies according to the woody site selected. Another related mechanical sound is made when the nest cavity is excavated, with wood chips landing at the base of the tree; then, another form of mechanical sound is made when dead bark is opened up so that woodpeckers can get at hidden invertebrate food. Perhaps surprisingly, many people still believe that the purpose of springtime drumming is to obtain food and, furthermore, many naturalists in the 19th and early 20th centuries maintained emphatically that woodpecker drumming was entirely of vocal origin. All British woodpecker species have effective vocal call notes and the Green Woodpecker (which rarely drums) has a laughing yaffle as its territorial song; it is often assumed that this sound predicts rain but, then, rain is commonplace in springtime anyway. Clearly these woodpeckers, as tree specialists, vary a lot in their methods of sound production; the male Great Spotted Woodpecker always amazes me with the degree of loudness of its one second drum-roll - does it get a headache?
On the enjoyable May walk in the Wimbleball woods and on Haddon Hill, members were interested when a Blackcap's cock nest was seen in a bramble clump. Cock nests are not uncommon with some warblers which build in bushes; really, they are vestigial, woven platforms. An enthusiastic, newly-arrived male may construct one, or possibly two, cock nests; no doubt the aim of the male is to get an attracted mate to use the platform as a base for a proper nest. Cock nests can be found especially in the defended territories of Blackcaps, Garden Warblers and Lesser and Common Whitethroats; I suspect that Dartford Warblers may build them also. Apart from warblers, the male Wren habitually builds well-formed and strong nests and two or three are not uncommon; the female Wren selects one and lines it with feathers before starting her egg-laying.
In the last newsletter, I mentioned Cetti's Warblers, which are now relatively common over the Somerset Levels; recently, I heard of one which was in good song over boggy land very near the coast. During May and June I was pleased to hear quite a lot of song phrases from this little-seen, chunky and resident warbler. As usual, songs have been uttered from marshy herbage, with notes which are loud, penetrating, and sometimes almost explosive in quality. Often the warble commences with an alerting, high-pitched 'chick', very like the call-note of the Great Spotted Woodpecker; the same sound may be given in isolation also but probably only by the male in spring or summer. In the summer of 2001 I saw no Cetti's Warblers although I heard them on several occasions; normally they are so elusive and expert at progressing unseen through dense ground cover. However, I had good views of the bird on two occasions during May. Once a Cetti's Warbler which had been in song suddenly flew to a willow bran ch just above me; I saw it in some detail before it dived into the base of a reed-bed. Then, on another occasion, a vocal male emerged from a hawthorn and utter two high-frequency, trilled notes which, probably, meant alarm because of my presence in its territory; it then flew upwards and over me into willow foliage. My observations have been made at or soon after dawn so visibility has been poor; however, I read a report where two Cetti's Warblers were seen fighting on a path at midday. These birds may well have been young birds of the year, trying to get some land of their own.
Nearby songsters in the Cetti's Warbler marshy habitat are both Reed and Sedge Warbler. The Sedge Warbler is much the more attractive singer although, unfortunately, the male stops its song output very soon after it has paired; in contrast, the Reed Warbler will utter its rather monotonous song, with repeated phrases, well into August. Anyway, I really enjoy listening to a newly-arrived cock Sedge Warbler in early May; the bird will sing unseen from cover as well as in the air during a brief song flight. Often there is a remarkable outpouring, with a medley of harsh and musical notes and whistles; occasionally there is true mimicry and, usually, there are rapid variations in the speed of delivery. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this song is best heard soon after dawn and it may occur, intermittently, in the night.
Returning to woodland and village birds, it is always a pleasure to see parents feeding their young, whether in the nest or after having flown. One has to admire the innate skill of the parent birds. As an example, in early June I watched a male Blackbird carrying successive beakfuls of looped earthworms to feed well-grown young in a hedge nest. The Blackbird usually perched on a branch before going to the nest where it uttered a brief sequence of flute-like whistles. Remarkably, no earthworm was dropped during these vocalisations and, moreover, the bill was opened only very narrowly. Again in early June, I saw a male Wren seize a small, resting moth from a wall recess; the wings were pulled of and the body was taken to feed young in a nearby nest. It was the skill in wing amputation by a bird with such a small beak which really impressed me.
Probably
we all like to be surprised when on a country walk. Not long back I saw what
I thought was a discarded black belt on a grassy patch but, when I was closer,
I realised that this was a black viper, seeking some sunshine and warmth.
The adder soon made off but when I came back half an hour later it was out
again and, further, there was a grey female viper alongside, giving a somewhat
intriguing pattern. I understand that black vipers are not uncommon on Exmoor
and also in the New Forest. The vipers were clearly not keen to be photographed,
with the female being more camera-shy than her partner. Anyway, should one
see a lost black belt on a heathland walk, it is as well to be wary before
rushing to investigate!
Philip Radford
Banwell Bone Cave, Follies and Tower
In 1824 Bishop Law of Wells was convinced that the remains of the animals which didn't escape the Flood in the Ark with Noah had been found on his estate at Banwell. Workmen had discovered the Banwell Bone Cave, rich in the remains of brown bear, bison, reindeer, wolves, arctic hare and fox. It was opened for public display and contemplation.
The adjacent grounds were laid out with rustic summerhouses and monuments, some with verses to remind the public of a wicked and transient world. A tower, locally nicknamed 'the pepperpot', was also built on the crest of the ridge giving panoramic views enjoyed by members of the Society on Saturday 17th August.
The whole
site is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is again occasionally
open to the public. The remaining dates for this year are: Saturday, 14th
September and Sunday, 15th September, both between 10.30 am and 4.30 pm. Lunches
and teas available!
Derek Briggs
It is proposed to form a society specialising in heraldry and related fields in the historic county of Somerset and other neighbouring counties.
The suggestion is that we should arrange talks, exhibitions and discussions. We could have a newsletter; in the fullness of time we might publish books or pamphlets on heraldry with special reference to Somerset (perhaps a critical edition of the various Somerset visitations?) There would doubtless be a small subscription (£5 ?)
This is an initial request that if you are interested, please would you let me know, so that I can gauge the level of interest. If there are enough people interested, we can go ahead straight away.
Contact:
Alex Maxwell Findlater
Hon Secretary
Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society
The Castle
Taunton TA1 4AD
Tel: 01458
250868
email: alex@findlater.org.uk
Wanted!
Photographs
of Somerset's Historic Buildings, both grand and vernacular
SANHS Historic Buildings section is undertaking a huge archiving project, putting our slide collections on to a digital database. This promises to be a most wonderful resource. If you think you can add your own old or new photographs usefully, please let us know. Notes with each one would be helpful. They can be returned to you after scanning. Work will not start for a month or two but bear us in mind. Please contact SANHS office for details.
Area Archaeological Council Autumn Symposium Preliminary
Notification
This year's
AAC Symposium will be hosted by Thornbury Archaeological Society in co-operation
with Thornbury Museum.
Subject: Romans in Gloucestershire and Somerset
Date: Saturday 19 October 2002 (10.00 am - 4.30 pm)
Venue: Thornbury Methodist Church Hall
Price: £6 per person (to include tea/coffee, morning and afternoon)
Speakers: Invited speakers are:
Keith Gardner - On the subject of 'A Roman Imperial Estate'
Neil Holbrook - Dealing with the effect of Roman occupation on the Dobunni
Richard Osgood - Giving an overview of current archaeological excavations
in his area
Jon Erskine - Reporting on recent excavations and discoveries
James Russell - Reviewing 'Old and New Roman Sites in South Gloucestershire'
Detailed timetable to be issued later
Bristol University Centre for the Historic Environment
'The Romans
in South West Britain' by Mark Corney,
BA - 8 lectures
at 7.30 pm on January 9, 16, 23 and February 6, 13, 20 and March 6 and 13.
'Vest of
Honour - Waistcoats 1750 - 1950'
Waistcoats from
the Somerset County Museums Service costume and textile collection at Chard
and District Museum, Godworthy House, 15 High Street, Chard TA20 1QL until
2nd November 2002.
A collection of
waistcoats dating from the mid-eighteenth century to the mid-twentieth century
illustrating the history of this garment.
Opening hours: Monday
- Friday 10.30 - 16.30, Saturday 10.30 - 12.30
Admission: Adult £2.00, OAP £1.50, Child 80p, Family £5.00
The County Museums Service's comprehensive waistcoat collection is now on view at Chard Museum. The Museums Service cares for over one hundred waistcoats which form part of their costume and textile collections. The majority were donated by residents of Somerset during the past century and over a quarter of the waistcoat collection is now on display at Chard Museum. The earliest examples date back to the mid eighteenth century and are fine examples of high quality needlework from this period. This is a unique opportunity to see material which is rarely on public display.
The exhibition explores the origins of the waistcoat and its development throughout the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Charles II is reputed to have introduced the first waistcoat to men's attire in the 1660s; this was a long garment with sleeves, worn under a coat or tunic, called a vest. Over the years the style of waistcoats has evolved into the garment we are familiar with today.
Waistcoats have played an important role in men's costume through the ages and this display looks at both their functional and decorative use. Colour and ornament in men's dress was often concentrated in the waistcoat. Many were skilfully hand embroidered with colour silks and sequins, the fabrics, colours and designs reflecting the fashions of their time. The exhibition will be moving from Chard Museum to the County Museum in Taunton on 9th November 2002 until mid January 2003.
For further information please contact: Estelle Jakeman, Somerset Rural Life Museum, Abbey Farm, Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, BA6 8DB, Tel: 01458 831197 or Chard and District Museum, Tel: 01460 65091.
Member Michael
Mussell has been scouring the area for historical photographs of Wambrook
Parish. The response and enthusiasm of local people have produced a remarkable
collection of these and also interesting documents and memories. Roger Carter
has helped to restore original appearances using Photoshop 5 software. With
permission, some data may be stored in Chard Museum's archive since the parish
comes within its collections policy. Michael, who lives in Wambrook, hopes
to ultimately produce a book built around these materials and focussing on
the human aspects of the parish.
Somerset County Museum, Taunton
'Pots, Brooms
and Hurdles from the Heathlands'
researched and organised by the Verwood and District Potteries Trust
www.verwoodpotteries.co.uk
7th September to 2nd November 2002 - Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm
'Vest of
Honour - Waistcoats 1750 - 1950'
9th November 2002 - mid January 2003
For details see the item about this display in Chard & District Museum
Somerset Rural Life Museum
Abbey Farm, Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury BA6 8DB
Don't forget that all members of SANHS are entitled to free entry to the Rural
Life Museum, on production of their current membership card.
September
Sunday 1st 2 pm - 5 pm Dick Apps - Pole Lathe Turning
Saturday 7th 2 pm - 5 pm David Charles - Beekeeping Demonstration
Saturday 7th - Sunday 6th October 'Ambika' - exhibition of paintings and ceramics
Sunday 8th 2 pm - 5 pm Peggy Lewis/Hazel Biggs - Spinning and Weaving
Fridays 20th onwards Drawing for Enjoyment Classes - Jo Stevens
Please phone for details.
Sunday 22nd 2 pm - 5 pm Peggy Lewis/Hazel Biggs - Spinning and Weaving
October
Saturday 5th 2 pm - 5 pm David Charles - Beekeeping Demonstration
Saturday 12th - Saturday 16th November
'Distant Horizons - People and Places of Somerset'
Photographic exhibition by Andrew Chamberlain
Saturday/Sunday 26th/27th Cider Making Weekend
Wednesday 30th10 am - 5 pm Meet the Vikings - Brunhilda and Wolfric Bloodaxe
A revival of the year 878 with the History People
November
Friday 1st 11 am - 5 pm Hungerford Household and Mad Jack - Living History
Saturday 23rd - Saturday 14th West Country Craft Fair
Quality crafts for sale by local makers
January
Friday 17th7.30 pm - 9.30 pm A Somerset Wassail Evening
Please book in advance
For further
details please telephone 01458 831197
www.somerset.gov.uk/museums
Wells Museum
The Museum's new learning centre was completed in February 2002. The lecture theatre offers a state of the art venue for lectures, workshops and meetings and seats 100 comfortably. There are also rooms available for the study and conservation of the collections. Please contact Sarah Smith at the Museum for further details. The new facilities have been supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Wells Museum Development Trust.
Opening hours:
Until 1 April Wed - Mon 11am to 4pm, closed Tuesday
Easter to 31 October Daily 10am to 5.30pm
2 July to 16 September Daily 10am to 8pm
Wells Museum, 8 Cathedral Green, Wells BA5 2UE. Telephone 01749 673477
Website http://www.somerset.gov.uk/now/musex/wells.html
Exhibition
for Somerset Art Week
at Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury
7th September - 6th October
This exhibition for Somerset Art Week will include fluid images, intense colour, a fusion of molten silver and semi-precious stones and a touch of pyromania.
Four female artists from Street,' Glastonbury, Pedwell and Taunton belong to 'Ambika', a group which evolved from the desire to support each other's creativity and confidence. Although each artist also exhibits in their own right, they come together for annual exhibitions.
Jaqui Forster is a digital artist producing sensual images inspired by dance. Julia Gatrill is a ceramicist who makes figurative sculpture and cylindrical vessels. Victorya Muscat paints canvases that explore the emotional impact of strong colour and represent the rhythms and patterns of the surrounding world. Shelagh Gotto makes silver jewellery set with topaz, amethyst, semi-precious stones and fresh water pearls.
Visitors to the exhibition should bring their Art Week brochure with them to gain free entry during Somerset Art Week 7th - 15th September.
Open Tuesday-Friday 10.00 am - 5.00 pm and weekends 2.00 pm - 6.00 pm
For further
information please contact:
Mary Gryspeerdt at the museum, Telephone 01458 831197, or one of the artists
- Jaqui Forster, 01458 833646, Julia Gatrill, 01458 441337 or Victorya Muscat,
01458 210513
Calendar
SANHS and Associated Societies. See Joint
Programme
Full information of Societies' meeting places etc is contained in the list of Associated Societies 2002, listed at the end of this section.
'Sons of Woden - Soldiers of Christ?'
or How the West was Won - the Anglo-Saxon Conquest of Gloucestershire and Somerset
A Joint Symposium brought to you by the Council for British Archaeology South West and The B & G A S Committee for Archaeology in Gloucestershire at the University of Gloucestershire, Park Campus, Cheltenham
Saturday,
9th November 2002
PROGRAMME Timing
Detail Provisional
10.00 am The Problem
before us Peter Fowler
10.30 am The Documentary Evidence David Dumville
11.00 am Coffee
11.30 am The Origins of the Church in Wessex Mick Aston and Teresa Hall
12.00 noon The Origins of the Church in Gloucestershire Carolyn Heighway
12.30 pm British Survival in the West - a Saxon Elite? Ken Dark
1.00 pm Lunch - NOTE - NO facilities on Campus; bring own or visit local pubs.
2.00 pm Landscape Studies Della Hooke
2.30 pm The Linguistic Evidence Richard Sermon
3.00 pm Tea
3.30 pm Migration Again Martin Welch
4.00 pm The Laboratory Evidence Mark Thomas
4.30 pm Summary and Discussion Peter Fowler
To: Martin Ecclestone, Princess Royal Cottage, Rodborough, STROUD GL5 3UA
(Tel: 01453 759516)
FROM ……………………………………..ADDRESS……………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Post Code ………………………..… Tel ……………………………………………….
PLEASE FORWARD
……….. Tickets for the "Sons of Woden" Symposium on
Saturday, 9th November 2002
CHEQUE Enclosed: £ ……………..
payable to the Committee for Archaeology in Gloucestershire @ £10 per
person