Another visit to Cox Bank Farm

 

Last month we re-visited Cox Bank Farm, where in 2006 we excavated a Bronze Age burnt mound (click on the Cox Bank link in the menu to the left to read our report on this). This time we had been asked by the farmer to investigate an area in another of his fields, where the soil in the molehills was considerably darker than in the rest of the field. Click here to see what we found.

 

12th May 2011

 

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Ticknall & Calke Abbey Trip Postponed

 

This trip was advertised in our Spring newsletter to take place on the 14th May.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, which will cause many of our members to be in Wembley that day (or if not, then stuck in front of a TV or to a radio), this trip has been postponed to a date to be advised. For those of our readers to whom the above reason is gobbledegook, let me just explain that Stoke City, our local football team, will be playing in the FA Cup Final that day, having defeated Bolton Wanderers in the semi-final 5-0. Yes, 5-0!

 

The new date will be given to members as soon as possible.

 

21st April 2011

 

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Hammerwich update

 

Here is a view of the results of the full resistivity survey at Hammerwich Hall Farm. This incorporates the results from both days' surveying. Interpretations are currently speculative, but you may think you can see an interesting shape or two. However, it is a little like seeing faces in the clouds, with no very obvious features. There is a suggestion of two circular features, each about 12m diameter as well as a much larger roughly circular (or rounded square) feature that maybe corresponds with some of the physical humps and bumps. However vague these may be, the survey does help to decide where trial trenches may be placed if excavation were to be contemplated.

 

I will soon be creating a separate "Hammerwich" page, accessed through the main menu (on the left). This will include a tracing of a tithe map as well as some aerial photography of the site.

 

The orientation of this representation of the resistivity survey results is North (approximately) to the top i.e. the current farm buildings are off the top of the view. Darker areas represent a lower resistivity than the lighter areas. The dense black area at bottom left was not surveyed. The horizontal band to the right of this unsurveyed area was unfortunately introduced when we moved the remote probes - it does not represent a real W-E linear feature! Click on the thumbnail to display a larger view. The grid lines around the edges, which are visible in the larger view, are 10m apart.

 

21st April 2011

 

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Hammerwich

 

We have just completed the second Sunday of Resistivity surveying at Hammerwich Hall Farm. The first Sunday we completed two 30mx30m squares despite being rained off two or three times - once by a particularly painful hailstorm! Last Sunday was a much better weather day, in fact it was sunny and warm all day. This enabled and encouraged us to complete a record three and a half 30mx30m squares. We are particularly grateful to Mr & Mrs Walker for providing us with a super picnic lunch both days.

 

We were helped in our surveying labours by interested members of the local community, who will be reviewing our results and considering their next action.

 

Here are some pictures of the team in action on the second Sunday; Winston explaining resistivity results to a local student after an excellent picnic lunch; and a view of the first Sunday's results. More results to come, when processed!

 

 

13th April 2011 

 

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Society Rooms Opening Dates

 

Due to cost constraints, the rooms we use in the Museum will now be open for us twice a month, on the second and fourth Friday, from 7:30 pm. So for the next 12 months, the rooms will be open for our use on the following dates:

 

April 8th and 15th

May 13th and 27th

June 10th and 24th

July 8th and 22nd

August 12th and 26th

September 9th and 23rd

October 14th and 28th

November 11th and 25th

December 9th only

January 13th and 27th 2012

February 10th and 24th 2012

March 9th and 23rd 2012

 

12th April 2011

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Visit to Sinai House

 

On 26th March, a group of members visited Sinai House, near Burton-on-Trent.

This Grade II* listed, timber-framed house was built in the 15th, 16th and 17th Centuries. One third of the building has been restored so far.

 

Janet Carnes, who organised the trip, writes about our visit here.

 

I have added some of Dave Thomas's photographs to Janet's text.

Here is one of Dave pictures to whet your appetite. Click on it for a bigger picture.

 

 

 

5th April 2011 

 

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Tollgate Farm Article Published

 

 

The current (April) issue of Current Archaeology (CA253) contains an article by Winston Hollins about our excavations and finds from the Roman site at Tollgate Farm. The article includes artwork by Michael Bond showing how the site may have looked in its heyday, and photography by David Thomas. The leather shoes we found in the well are featured, including a small picture on the front cover. Other finds pictured include the two intaglios and the boxwood comb.

More pictures of all these finds and others from the site can be found here.

 

5th April 2011

 

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Exhibition at Burslem School of Art

 

This exhibition was closed on 24th February 2011 and subsequently removed by the Society. We are very grateful to the School for hosting the exhibition. Pictures and associated pottery notes will remain in the Photograph Gallery section of this website, for the record.

 

5th April 2011

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Resistivity Survey at Hammerwich

 

On Sunday, April 3rd. and Sunday, April 10th. from 10.30am to 5.00pm. we will be carrying out resistivity surveying at the village of Hammerwich, near Burntwood. In a field behind Hammerwich Hall Farm is an area of mounds and ditches which may be the site of a medieval manor. Only members may take part in the survey, but others are welcome to watch! Here is how to find the site:

 

Directions to Hammerwich Hall Farm from Lichfield (pdf)

 

22nd February 2011.