contents page notices 2 reviews and articles 11 affiliated ... · burlington’s chiswick villa in...
TRANSCRIPT
2
CONTENTS
Page
Notices 2
Reviews and Articles 11
Affiliated Society Meetings 18
NOTICES
Newsletter: Copy Date
The copy deadline for the January 2018 Newsletter is 17 November 2017.
Please send items for inclusion by email preferably (as MS Word
attachments) to: [email protected], or by surface mail to me,
Richard Gilpin, Honorary Editor, LAMAS Newsletter, 84 Lock Chase,
Blackheath, London SE3 9HA. It would be greatly appreciated if
contributors could please ensure that any item sent by mail carries postage
that is appropriate for the weight and size of the item.
****************
Members of local societies: please step forward
and help your Local History Committee!
For some months the LAMAS Local History Committee has been
asking for volunteers to join it, either as the representative of their
affiliated Local History Society or as an individual member of
LAMAS. The Committee meets three times a year and in between
meetings members carry forward its decisions. One special
responsibility is reading submissions for the LAMAS Publications
Awards and deciding on the winners. Another is deciding on the
theme of the Autumn Conference and making it happen.
Unhappily, unless the Committee is soon strengthened by new
members, it will become increasingly difficult for it to organise the
Publications Awards and the Autumn Conference. This would
adversely affect LAMAS, its local societies and its wider
membership.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Local History
Committee – or know of someone in your local society who would
like to join the Committee – please get in touch with the Editor of
the Newsletter, Richard Gilpin (email: rhbg.lamas.gmail.com;
phone: 020 3774 6726).
3
LAMAS Lecture Programme 2017-2018 Unless otherwise stated, meetings take place in the Clore Learning Centre at
the Museum of London on Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm – refreshments from
6pm. Meetings are open to all; members may bring guests. Non-members are
welcome and are asked to donate £2 towards lecture expenses.
10 October 2017 Sir Stephen Fox’s House and Garden at Chiswick, Sally Jeffrey,
independent architectural and garden historian.
Sir Stephen Fox had a new house and garden built next door to Lord
Burlington’s Chiswick Villa in 1682-6, designed by the architect Hugh
May with a distinguished team of craftsmen including Antonio Verrio
and Grinling Gibbons. It had a large conservatory, a pleasure garden
and a fruit garden. The house was demolished in c.1812 but the walled
gardens survive as part of Chiswick House grounds and there are views
and descriptions of the house and gardens during Fox’s time there.
14 November 2017
Fulham Palace Revealed – Residence of the Elite, Alexis Haslam,
Fulham Palace Community Archaeologist.
Fulham Palace has a long history with prehistoric, Roman and Saxon
evidence. The Manor was purchased by the Bishop of London in 704
and it was a residence until Bishop Stopford moved out in 1972. Now
leased to the Fulham Palace Trust, an HLF funded project includes
restoration of the Tudor Courtyard, a new museum and exhibition space
and landscaping, and a community excavation will take place in
October.
12 December 2017
London's waterfront 1100 to 1666, John Schofield, Archaeologist at
the Museum of London 1974 – 2008.
Highlights and advances in knowledge of four decades of excavation
along the medieval waterfront in the City. There will be a special focus
on four sites at the north end of medieval London Bridge which were
excavated between 1974 and 1983. The special problems of dealing
with kilos of pottery and thousands of artefacts will be addressed. Some
finds, such as the Billingsgate trumpet, are of international significance.
9 January 2018 Sheep Over London Bridge, Murray Craig, Clerk of the Chamberlain’s
Court, City of London Corporation.
A lecture about the Freedom of the City of London, myth and reality.
4
13 February 2018 (6.15pm, refreshments from 5.30pm) Annual General Meeting and Presidential Address: Polycentric
London: a foray into perspectives from archaeology over 30 years, on what shaped and continues to shape London, Taryn Nixon.
13 March 2018
Roman occupation east of the forum to the Worshipful Company of
Ironmongers, Excavations at 116-120 Fenchurch Street and 10-12/14 Fenchurch Avenue, City of London, Neil Hawkins, Pre-
Construct Archaeology.
Archaeological excavations in 2015 recorded a complex sequence of
Roman activity east of the forum/basilica, including a road and
associated timber-framed buildings from the late 1st to 2nd centuries
onwards. Later Roman activity was represented by foundations and
robber cuts of masonry buildings. Considerable post-Roman activity on
the site dated from the early-Medieval period and was predominantly
related to medieval structures converted into the Worshipful Company
of Ironmongers Hall, known to have been extant on the site from the
mid-15th century to the First World War.
April 10 2018
Exploring the material culture of Roman London, Michael Marshall,
Museum of London Archaeology.
The last few years have seen the recovery of major new Roman finds
assemblages from developer funded excavations as well as a number of
important projects researching the material culture of Roman London in
the archive. This paper will survey some of the most spectacular and
interesting discoveries, consider how this work contributes to our
understanding of the Roman city and discuss avenues for future research
on Londinium’s finds.
May 8 2018
Joint Prehistoric Society and LAMAS lecture: Hidden depths: Re-
evaluating Bronze Age Thames finds from the British Museum’s collections, Neil Wilkin, British Museum.
This talk will shed new light on the character and significance of Bronze
Age metalwork from the River Thames held in the British Museum’s
collections. It will place these important finds in their wider typological,
chronological, social and cultural context.
****************
Grants from the City of London Archaeological Trust Just a reminder that the deadline for this year’s grant applications for 2018 is
Friday 22 September 2017. Guidance is available from the Secretary, John
Schofield, at: [email protected]
5
****************
LAMAS Research Fund
The Research Fund is a sum granted to support research into the
archaeology and history of London and Middlesex. A little later than usual
this year, LAMAS are now inviting applications for the 2017/2018 fund.
The fund level has been set by Council at £5,000. Applications are invited
for all or part of this sum. The fund is open to all full individual members of
the Society. The deadline for applications is 28th February 2018. For
information on how to apply, please visit our website: www.lamas.org.uk
or contact Karen Thomas ([email protected]; tel. 020 7410 2228).
****************
Colin and Eileen Bowlt
Both Colin and Eileen Bowlt have served LAMAS for a long time, and have
made important contributions to the study of London’s history and
archaeology. It is highly appropriate that the work they have done is
acknowledged.
It is a great pleasure for me to contribute my appreciation of Colin, who has
served LAMAS in many ways, most recently as Chair of Council until
earlier this year.
Colin has always been a champion of integrating various aspects of the
study of the built and buried historic environment, and I first encountered
his enthusiastic support for archaeology in the 1970s. During this and the
following decade, I and my colleagues in the DGLA at the Museum of
London much valued his encouragement for our west London field team as
it carried out a range of projects made necessary by mineral extraction
schemes and urban development programmes. These required excavation,
structural recording and in one memorable case in Uxbridge, the
preservation of a newly-revealed timber framed building.
Colin has been a long-standing member of LAMAS Archaeology
Committee, contributing to our efforts to ensure better provision for
archaeological work throughout London and, particularly in this era of
‘austerity’, participating in our efforts to combat the closure of local
museums and the erosion of their educational services in so many of the
London boroughs.
Every year since 1963 the Archaeology Committee has put on an annual
archaeological day conference, with a flowing succession of speakers
communicating to an audience of two hundred. Success on the day cannot
be guaranteed, but Colin and Eileen have formed an inseparable duo, and
their stewarding and organisational skills make an indispensable
contribution to the proceedings.
Colin has of course played a significant part in London’s archaeology over a
long period. He and Eileen are particularly associated with the Northwood,
Ruislip and Eastcote Local Historical Society, which was founded in 1964 at
a time of great change. The GLC was about to come into being, and with it
6
the transfer of those ancient northwest Middlesex villages and rural
communities into the new geopolitical entity of Greater London. The
potential loss of identity, as historic communities were transferred from a
now redundant ancient shire, to a new Greater London administrative area,
must have been disturbing. The creation of a society, dedicated to ensuring
that planning applications would be studied and their potential effect on the
landscape and townscape monitored, was a necessary step.
One of the archaeological projects that Colin and his local history team set
up was the investigation of a bank and ditch within woodlands in Ruislip,
near the floodplain of the River Pinn. The bank, which survived for a length
of nearly 200m, contained Roman sherds that were probably residual,
suggesting that its construction didn’t occur until the late Roman period at
the earliest. Its discovery may have a wider significance: Colin’s analysis
showed that the character of the bank and ditch had similarities to the
Grim’s Dyke, one of northwest London’s most enigmatic large-scale
earthworks. This is a boundary bank with ditch to the south, perhaps a
territorial division, known to run from Pinner Green towards Harrow Weald
Common, and possibly continuing to the northwest as far as Pear Wood. The
Ruislip discovery might therefore extend Grim’s Dyke further to the
southwest.
Another project, involving both building recording and a small amount of
excavation,took place at Bury Farm, just to the northwest of Ruislip village
centre, while the 17th century building was undergoing extensive renovations
in 1985. The project revealed evidence of a Medieval Hall and cross wing
extending the date of the farmstead back to the early 15th century if not
beyond.
Eileen came to LAMAS, as several people do, via her local history society,
In her case this is the Ruislip Northwood and Eastcote Local History
Society, which still benefits from her energy as Chairman. It was in
connection with RNELHS that I first met her. She is a bright and cheerful
Yorkshirewoman who came to Ruislip and brought up her family there with
her husband Colin. The history of Ruislip became her speciality and formed
the basis of her increasingly wide range of knowledge. Already a qualified
teacher, she taught many adult classes in the local history of Middlesex and
London, notably at Birkbeck College in later years, and she continues to be
a well-known speaker for local societies and organisations. She was quickly
involved in local history publication, for the RNELHS, the Borough of
Hillingdon, Historical Publications Ltd, Amberley, and probably for others
too. For Historical Publications Ltd alone she ranged through several
Middlesex villages.
Besides all this work she was for very many years a Justice of the Peace on
the Uxbridge Bench.
7
Eileen relinquished her last position in LAMAS just a year ago. She had
been busy about our business for almost thirty years as far as I can make out.
Here is the roll call.
Member of Council 1988-2010; Deputy Chairman of Council 1990-91;
Chairman of Council February 1991-February 1995 and February 2006-
February 2010; Local History Editor of Transactions Volumes 40-62;
Newsletter Editor 1990-1994; Chairman of Local History Committee 1999-
2016.
She has also written for Transactions and spoken at LAMAS Local History
Conferences.
I think it would be difficult to find a longer or denser record of continuous
service, though I must say I have not investigated to find out! LAMAS is
very fortunate to have her as a member, and it was highly appropriate that
she was made an Honorary Member of LAMAS when she stepped down
from the Chair of Council in 2010.
Let us hope that Colin and Eileen continue their work, both within and
beyond LAMAS, for many years to come.
Harvey Sheldon and Pat Clarke
****************
LAMAS Membership Survey Results At the start of this year LAMAS undertook its first membership survey.
Recent years have seen our membership drop in numbers, and whilst a
fantastic effort this year by Council has seen them recover, it highlighted the
need for us to understand a little bit more about our loyal members, how we
can improve the quality and value of our membership, and how we can go
about bringing more people, passionate about London’s history and
archaeology, into the LAMAS fold!
The survey consisted of fourteen questions, completed anonymously. The
only ‘demographic’ information captured was the length in years that people
had held their membership. The questions asked about several areas: how
members heard about LAMAS and why they joined the Society; which parts
of their membership – lectures, conferences, newsletter/publication/special
papers, social media – they make use of; about the quality of the LAMAS
website and our Transactions publication; whether any of our publications
should be distributed digitally; and of course any valuable comments about
their membership they would like to make heard.
Overall we heard from 172 respondents (73 on paper and 99 completed
online) representing 29% of the membership. The survey has provided us
with some very useful feedback, highlighting the positive and not-so-
positive experiences of LAMAS members.
Council will be using the information from the survey over the coming year
to instigate and improve what we offer to members. We would like to say a
8
big thank you to all LAMAS members who took the time to come back to us
– we really were not expecting such a great response!
The Basics with percentages calculated on respondents per question showed
that:
most respondents join LAMAS to find out about their local area/London
(64%);
most respondents said that they frequently read the LAMAS newsletter
(85%), frequently read Transactions (39%), and frequently read the
special papers (31%);
most respondents said they frequently attend the LAMAS archaeology
conference (44%);
70% agreed that they found the website easy to use;
most members enjoy reading the newsletter, its news, events, and book
reviews (93%, 81%, 76%);
most respondents like receiving the newsletter as a hard copy through
the post (67%);
respondents stated that archaeology articles in Transactions were the
most interesting/useful (82%), the least amount saying that they found
the local history conference review interesting/useful (46%);
respondents strongly agreed that they enjoy reading Transactions (54%),
and that its content is high quality (75%).
We asked how we could improve the website and you said:
Happy campers
‘Pretty good already, clearly laid out. Archive is a fantastic and generous
resource’.
Could do better
‘Keeping it up to date. Making the news and latest events more prominent’.
‘A bit more free content might drive traffic (selected lectures, content from
previous newsletters, extracts from publications – market research
companies and academic publishers offer an excellent model of that kind of
teaser). It is also perfectly serviceable, but looks a bit dry by contemporary
design standards.’ ‘Make it easier to search.’
No love lost:
‘You could close it down without any loss to me - an 'old fogey'’
We asked how we could improve the Newsletter and you said:
Happy campers
‘It’s great. I like the fact that it is a small format. Please don't go for A4...’
Could do better
‘It has already improved, but it would be good to see some use of colour
images - more expensive I know, but worthwhile.’ ‘Perhaps more
articles/input from members could be encouraged?’ ‘Meeting reports /
summaries of lectures, etc...’
We asked how we could improve Transactions and you said:
Happy campers
9
‘It is already a first rate publication.’ ‘Keep going: an excellent job.’ ‘It is a
heavy read undoubtedly and I can't pretend that I ever read more than a
fraction of each issue but it is what it is - a record and archive of
archaeological investigations and historical research. It is invaluable when I
need it and it is always there. To try and simplify it would render it of far
less value. Maybe if it was made available online & individual papers could
be downloaded.’ ‘Please don't mess about with Transactions: it's the
scholarly bedrock of the Society. I would also have considerable
reservations about making it digital-only (though I appreciate there may be
an economic case for this): although I might still consult it for articles that
were directly relevant to my research, I would actually read it far less.’
Could do better
‘It would be good to have more standing building and architectural articles:
this is, after all, a core part of LAMAS's areas of interest. It would also be
good to balance the archaeological site reports with more general or
research-based archaeological or historical articles. I note (and approve)
LAMAS's increasing publication of academic historical articles and primary
sources.’ ‘It would be nice to have more local history articles but I
appreciate the fact that we can only publish what is sent in. Maybe
encourage more LH input?’
Hard copy hard nut
‘If you switch the transactions to digital only I will not renew my
membership.’
We asked if you had any further comments on your LAMAS
membership and you said:
Happy campers
‘Your annual archaeology conference is excellent.’ ‘The society does a great
job in promoting the capital's heritage particularly the work of the historic
buildings and conservation committee.’ ‘Really enjoyed the two LAMAS
Lates I've attended so far - found out many new things about "familiar" parts
of London!’ ‘Well done! You've created a well run umbrella organisation to
which other societies feel they should affiliate. The local history conference
is always worth attending and very sociable and well organised. I love the
tradition of sherry being available before the lectures - so civilised!’ ‘The
lectures are always really good and interesting and the conferences are really
excellent value.’
Could do better
‘Cheap but not of great benefit - I view it as a subscription rather than a
membership (I have no membership identity!)’ ‘Look at a new venue for
monthly talks. Screen too low. Difficult to see unless you are in front rows.’
‘A few more members' privileges might justify the annual sub (e.g.
discounts on publications from affiliated societies and/or selected titles from
other publishers, possibly via the LAMAS Web site to monitor sales).’
‘Better online presence’
10
Die Hard – LAMAS edition
‘I shall keep it going. My executors will terminate my membership!’
We identified the following as the principal challenges that we now face:
most members have heard about LAMAS through word of mouth. This
means that we need to work on our marketing and communications
relating to basic level awareness of the society, and also on our new
events on offer to the membership, such as the LAMAS Lates series;
most members never ‘follow’ us on social media. LAMAS is presently
building a social media presence on Twitter and Facebook, and we’d
like to make more people aware of this and involved in it;
we need to promote better awareness of the campaigning we do on
behalf of London’s historic environment and particularly standing
buildings;
we need to make improvements to our website, and reconsider the way
in which we publish material online;
we need to engage with more local history enthusiasts: year on year our
local history conference is sold out, yet many of our respondents said
that they never attend.
Florence Laino
****************
New Members New members are immensely important to the Society, and Council would
like welcome the following, who have all joined LAMAS since 1st April
this year:
Alison Lander, Wapping Samantha Hannaford, Putney
Jason Stewart, Wisbech Sevinc Duvarci, New Barnet
Daniel Phillips, Hitchin James Marshall, Hounslow
Hana Morec, Hitchin Geoffrey Sullivan, Raynes Park
Alex Joseph, Wapping Steven Astell, Isleworth
Victoria Ridgeway, Sawston Simon Less, Harrow
Stuart Cawthorne, Edgware Judith Greenhill, Islington
Chris Snodin, Ealing Sibylle Tretera, Hampstead
We hope that you participate in as many of the Society’s activities as
possible, and that you all enjoy your LAMAS experience.
John Stow writes on...
John Stow’s Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster is a unique
and well-respected source of information about 16th century London, its
streets, buildings, history, culture and people.
11
With a shorter title, A survey of London. Conteininge the[e] original
Antiquitie Increase[e] modern estate and Description of that city it was
registered at Stationers’ Hall on 7 July 1598 by the printer, John Wolf
(below), and, from slightly obscured addenda to the entry, the
registration would appear to have been renewed in 1612 and 1613. It
was renewed again, much later, in 1657. The objective of registration
was to establish copyright and make the publication of ‘pirate’ versions
illegal. The image below is the title page of a 1633 revised and updated
publication carrying the title The Survey of London: Contayning the
Originall, Increase, Moderne Estate, and Government of that City,
Methodically set downe, ‘Begunne first
by the paines and industry of John Stow
in the yeere 1598, and ‘printed by
Elizabeth Purslow...to be sold by
Nicholas Bourne, at his Shop at the
South End of the Royal Exchange’, it
was ‘completely finished by the study
and labour’ of ‘A.M.’ [Anthony
Munday] and ‘H.D.’ [Humfrey Dyson].
This publication was not entered at
Stationers’ Hall however and, with a
different printer and no transfer of
registration, it would appear to have
been a ‘pirate’ version.
The attractiveness of printing and
selling the Survey together with its
evident marketability confirms John
Stow’s importance to the history and archaeology of London, and is one
reason why, on his death in 1605, a monument to his memory was
erected in the church of St Andrew Undershaft in the City. This depicts
him seated at a table as if in the act of writing with a quill pen.
12
The earliest mention of the Stow Memorial Service (in which readers
will know that his quill is ceremonially replaced) appears to have been
in 1914: this means that when this year’s ceremony took place on 24th
April, over a hundred years had elapsed since its inception.
This year the procession and ceremony
at St Andrew Undershaft included its
Verger and Churchwarden; the
Reverend William Taylor, Rector of St
Helen’s Bishopsgate; Alderman Robert
Howard; Christopher Keville, Master of
the Merchant Taylors’ Company (of
which John Stow was a freeman); Taryn
Nixon, President of LAMAS; and Karen
Thomas, Secretary of LAMAS.
The short procession through the church
to John Stow’s memorial was followed
by a short service including prayers; a
reading by Robert Howard; and
addresses by William Taylor and Taryn
Nixon. The replacement of the quill by
Christopher Keville (left) was followed
by a blessing to end the service.
Many of those present then walked over
to the Merchant Taylors’ Hall, where
the Stow Lecture was given by
Professor Martin Biddle, CBE, FBA,
and past President of LAMAS (right).
Introducing his subject, Capital
Considerations: Winchester, the birth
of Urban Archaeology, and The Future
of London’s Past, he discussed what
made a capital city and described the
archaeological interventions in London
following the end of World War II.
These included the contributions made
by Professor Grimes, the discovery of
the Cripplegate Fort and the Temple of
Mithras. Professor Biddle pointed out
that one of the tablets recovered from
Bloomberg Place contained the earliest reference to Londinium.
Stopping briefly to mention his excavation of Nonsuch Palace in the
late 1950s, he moved on to discuss Winchester, capital of the Belgae,
and described the 1961-72 excavations, in which he was closely
involved. He explained that at that time there was no legal protection
for excavation, but that the archaeologists went ahead anyway. So many
13
multi-period sites were available for excavation in Winchester that it
became clear that an organised approach would be essential. The
Winchester Excavations Committee was set up, a manifesto for
excavation was created, and the Winchester Research Group was
established to write up the results of the excavations. Having covered
these excavations in some detail, he outlined the later history and
archaeology of Winchester, showing how later street plans failed to
respect the Roman layout. In conclusion, Professor Biddle returned to
the current capital, the subject of one his most influential publications
The Future of London’s Past.
Images of documents courtesy of the Stationers’ Company Archive.
****************
LAMAS Lates
Walbrook Lost River walking tour
On a balmy evening at the end of May, Dr Stephen Myers led us on an epic
tour of the lost river Walbrook, starting at the Angel, and taking us rather
unexpectedly to the Sainsbury’s carpark, or more intriguingly, his
calculation of a lost arm where the Walbrook rose! He led us all through
winding streets, gently following the fall of the river down to Finsbury
Square, stopping at a number of
key locations. At Finsbury
Square, just outside the Roman
City Wall, we stopped (right)
and were treated to a detailed
discussion of the gradient, the
route and exactly how the river
would have interacted with the
City Wall, and gone into and
around Roman London. The
famous Walbrook skulls were
discussed and how they were
largely eroded from the Roman cemetery outside the walls, and transported
by the river itself. We then followed the route rapidly through the heart of
the City, Drapers Gardens and Poultry, into the street Walbrook itself and
then down to the outflow of the river, beside and below the Cannon Street
Railway Station tracks. Sadly, it was high tide, so we couldn’t see it.
Dr Myers provided a wealth of data from his research and other
archaeological information and provided a unique evening for us, combining
hydrology, topography, archaeology and history. It was thoroughly
enjoyable and we all took away a more profound understanding of the
history of the Walbrook.
Fitzrovia Chapel visit
On 4th July we visited the Fitzrovia Chapel, formerly the chapel of the
Middlesex Hospital, which has now been swept away and replaced by a
14
rather soulless development on the fringes of Fitzrovia. LAMAS had been
invited by the chapel staff to see if we wished to visit during the period they
were celebrating the architect John Loughborough Pearson, a rather
overlooked Victorian (right),
associated with other fine
ecclesiastical buildings such as
Truro cathedral. From the
outside, the chapel is a plain
restrained red brick building,
with a simple wooden door.
But, goodness, when the door is opened and the interior is revealed in all its
glory, the chapel is nothing short of completely stunning. It is an interior in
the highest of High Victorian. Not a surface exists but that is covered in
stone, tile, mosaic or other type of decorations. And yet, it is not offensive,
not overblown or sentimental, but manages to combine glorious decoration
with restraint in its plan form, with a
simple nave (left) and several vaulted
apses. Clearly Pearson looked afar
for his influences because the Eastern
Orthodox Church as well as early
Christian churches would seem to be
referenced here.
We were given a detailed and
enthusiastic tour by the staff who are
obviously very passionate about the
building. We were told about its
place as part of the hospital, and now
within the new development. The
conservation and conversion has
been exemplary, with a tiny
additional space to create facilities to
permit events (at very reasonable
prices!) provided they are of a non
religious nature. This is part of the new regulations following the removal of
the hospital. We were taken into the organ loft, which now holds a facsimile
organ and the tiniest three-person office imaginable! We were also shown
the doors that led to other parts of the hospital. The door which led to
Accident and Emergency now opens directly onto a glazed partition into a
very swanky restaurant.
Clearly the best seat in the house is the one looking into the chapel, and the
restaurant management regularly ask for the door to be left open.
As is often the case with small ecclesiastical buildings, great beauty is
combined with great pathos. We all spent some time in the area given over
to memorial plaques, which democratically commemorated many of those
who had died in service, from porters and nurses through to surgeons,
15
physicians and aristocratic patrons. It was a remarkable visit, and if you
were unable to attend, the chapel is open on Wednesdays from 11 to 4pm,
located in Pearson Square, just off Goodge Street. I suspect we will visit
again!
Jane Sidell
Thames Foreshore Walk On Friday evening 21st July, an intrepid group of around thirty LAMAS
members and non-members gathered at the north end of the Millennium
Bridge for the first LAMAS Lates walk along the foreshore. Nathalie
Cohen, Head of Community Archaeology at MOLA and leader of the
Thames Discovery Programme, explained that although the foreshore had
changed greatly through the centuries and today continues to change on a
daily basis – it is still a fascinating source of artefactual and structural
evidence of past societies. After some necessary instructions about the
health and safety aspects of walking on the foreshore, the mudlarkers
clambered down some steep steps and enjoyed a further briefing from
Nathalie on what to expect.
The group then split up, and individuals stepped carefully among the brick,
stones and other detritus while looking for rather more interesting items and
collecting them along the way. Halting downstream at Queenhithe, Nathalie
explained that we could go no
further, as it is protected by its
status as a Scheduled Ancient
Monument.
Having turned back upstream,
Nathalie encouraged members
of the group to make small
displays of their finds on the
sand (right), and she then
examined each collection,
discussing the significance of
what had been found. This
process enabled her to pass on a mass of fascinating contextual information,
which helped to make the evening a most rewarding experience for
everyone.
16
Finally, the inevitable group photograph (previous page) and a well-
deserved round of applause for Nathalie.
The Man with the Hurdy-Gurdy
The 1878 image on the front cover of this issue of the Newsletter shows
a ‘Hurdy-Gurdy Man’ playing what is described as a ‘queer musical
instrument’ that ‘used to be played in the London streets’. Such an
instrument did indeed provide street entertainment for Londoners, but
what was it?
First of all, it was not the barrel organ used by the organ grinder or his
monkey; this, rather like a player piano, produced music without any
contribution from the ‘musician’.
The hurdy-gurdy (left) was the first
mechanised stringed instrument to
which the keyboard principle was
applied, and which could also be
played while being carried. It was
in some ways similar to the
bagpipe, which is easily portable
but which uses air and reeds to create its own unique sound, The French
name Vielle à Roue (wheeled viol) helpfully describes the method by
which sound is produced. The bowing action of the viol is replaced by a
wooden wheel, coated in resin, which is cranked by a handle. When the
handle is rotated it turns the outer rim of the wheel; this is in contact with
the gut strings, making them vibrate. This means that a continuous note
can be produced without changes in bowing, and keys can then be
pressed onto the strings to create melodies. Similar to other more
conventional acoustic stringed instruments it has a sound board and
hollow cavity to amplify the sound.
The earliest known version of the hurdy-gurdy (11th/12th century) was
the organistrum, which was so large that one person turned the crank
while another played the keys: it was definitely not portable. As time
passed, it evolved in Spain and France into a smaller version, the solo
organistrum, and was later replaced by an even smaller instrument, the
symphonia.
During the late Renaissance two characteristic shapes of the hurdy-gurdy
evolved, one shaped like a guitar and the other with a rounded, lute-like
body. It was also around this time that a refinement – the buzzing bridge
– appeared. This was an asymmetrical bridge that rested under a drone
string on the sound board; when the resined wheel was accelerated, one
foot of the bridge lifted and a buzzing sound was created. The first
depiction of a (giant) hurdy-gurdy with a buzzing bridge is in The
17
Garden of Earthly Delights, the triptych by Hieronymous Bosch in the
Prada, Madrid (detail below right).
As musical tastes changed the hurdy-gurdy
went out of fashion but, with its loud,
penetrating sound, it became the standard
instrument of pedlars and blind beggars. It
could often be encountered on the streets
throughout Europe until the 20th century, and
was indeed the ‘queer musical instrument’
played by the hurdy-gurdy man depicted on
this month’s Newsletter cover.
Finally, there has been much discussion about
the derivation of the term ‘hurdy-gurdy’: it
may describe the instrument’s repetitive
warble in pitch; it may come from the
Scottish term for uproar and disorder; or, in
an English Heritage video that can be enjoyed by readers visiting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4y7HNW972M&t=95s, it may
describe a ‘swinging bottom dance’, from hurdy (turn) and gurdy
(bottom). An ancient version of ‘Shake Your Booty’ (1976, KC and the
Sunshine Band) perhaps?
Richard Gilpin
Readers might also like to see and hear one being played in Hobart,
Tasmania, at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVDkI6neSRE
**************** Death In The Ice: The Shocking Story of Franklin’s Final Expedition
The May issue of the Newsletter included details of a major exhibition at the
National Maritime Museum in Royal Greenwich Death In The Ice: The
Shocking Story of Franklin’s Final Expedition. Since then the exhibition has
opened to the public, and
has been described by
Oliver Moody in The Times
as ‘superb’. Your Editor,
without hesitation, would
agree.
On 19th May 1845 Sir John
Franklin and his 129 crew
members set sail from
Greenhithe in Kent in an
attempt to find the
Northwest Passage – the
Holy Grail of British explorers seeking a shortcut between Europe and Asia.
His two ships, HMS Erebus (above, HMS Erebus in the Ice, 1846 ®
National Maritime Museum, London) and HMS Terror, had been specially
18
adapted and strengthened for the hazardous conditions and carried provisions
for three years at sea. On 26th July that year the captain of a whaler saw the
two ships in Baffin Bay, but this was the last information to come back to
England.
The disappearance of this British hero captured the imagination of the
public, and many expeditions were sent out to search for him, but with little
success. The breakthrough came over a century and a half after Franklin’s
disappearance, with the discovery by archaeologists from Parks Canada of
HMS Erebus in 2014, followed by that of HMS Terror in 2016.
Starting with a gallery highlighting the importance of the Inuit to the story,
Death In The Ice takes visitors through Franklin’s doomed expedition using
displays of artefacts retrieved
in past years, together with
many brought up recently by
divers. The bronze ship’s bell
from HMS Erebus (left in situ
® Parks Canada Thierry
Boyer) was the first item to be
retrieved from the wreck.
This marvellous exhibition
answers many questions about
the fate of Franklin’s last
expedition but still leaves some hanging tantalisingly in the air, perhaps
awaiting further finds from the icy waters of the Arctic.
Death In The Ice continues at the National Maritime Museum until 7th
January 2018. Further information is available at www.rmg.co.uk.
Richard Gilpin
AFFILIATED SOCIETY MEETINGS
Acton History Group
Lectures are on the 2nd
Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church Hall,
The Mount, admission £2. Contact Secretary David Knights, 30 Highlands Avenue,
Acton W3 6EU (020 8992 8698); email: [email protected]; website:
www.actonhistory.co.uk
13 September 2017 Ealing Fires (with a focus on Acton), Paul Lang
11 October 2017 J A Barbour James, from British Guiana, Jonathan Oates
8 November 2017 The History of Mortlake Crematorium, Brian Parsons
13 December 2017 Christmas on the Home Front, Mike Brown
19
Barking and District Historical Society
Meetings held on Mondays at 7.45pm at Harp House, 16 Helmore Road (off Goodey
Road), Barking, and IG11 9PH. Free to members. £1.50 to non-members.
Telephone 020 8597 7210.
email: [email protected]; website: www.barkinghistory.co.uk
4 September 2017
JP Shawcross: first vicar of Chadwell Heath and local historian, Linda Rhodes
2 October 2017
London oddities, Brian Goldsmith
6 November 2017
Bankside: an armchair walk, Eleanor Bloom
4 December 2017
’Tis the season to be jolly, Danielle A Barnett
Barnes and Mortlake History Society Meetings are held on Thursdays at St Mary’s Parish Church, Barnes, at 8pm. The
meetings are free for members (£2 for visitors). For further details please contact the
Hon. Secretary on 020 8878 3756 or visit us at www.barnes-history.org.uk
21 September 2017
At Rest in Kew: The Life and Times of Johann Zoffany, Frances Lynton
19 October 2017
Bishops to Budweiser – Brewing In Mortlake, Martyn Cornell
16 November 2017
St Michael’s 1867 – Mission into Westfields, Rhodri Walters
14 December 2017
Christmas Party and History of the Gardens at Hampton Court, Jane Edwards
Barnet Museum and Local History Society
All meetings are held in Church House, Wood Street, Barnet at 3pm on Mondays
(opposite the Museum). Lectures are free for members (£3 for visitors). Contact
Barnet Museum, 31 Wood Street, Barnet EN5 4BE (020 8440 8066) or visit:
www.barnetmuseum.co.uk for more information.
Bexley Archaeological Group
All meetings are held at Bexley and Sidcup Conservative Club, 19 Station Road,
Sidcup, Kent, DA15 7EB, 8.00pm for 8.15pm start, and excavations are carried out at
the weekends (Mar-Nov). For further information contact the Chairman, Mr Martin
Baker, 24 Valliers Wood Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 8BG (020 8300 1752); email:
[email protected]; website: www.bag.org.uk
21 September 2017
Title to be advised, Joshua Frost
16 November 2017
Title to be advised, Mark Stevenson
20
Brentford and Chiswick Local History Society
The society meets at the Chiswick Memorial Club, Afton House, Bourne Place,
Chiswick W4, starting at 7.30pm, on the 3rd
Monday in the month, from September to
May inclusive. For further information please contact the Hon. Secretary, Stephen
Hine, 153 Linkfield Road, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 6QN or visit:
www.brentfordandchiswicklhs.org.uk
Bromley Borough Local History Society
The Society meets once a month from September to July, usually on the first Tuesday
of the month. Meetings are held at 7.45pm in the Small Hall at the Trinity United
Reformed Church, on the corner of Freelands Road and Upper Park Road in Bromley.
The post code is BR1 3AQ. The Society’s website is: www.bblhs.org.uk
5 September 2017
Members’ Evening
3 October 2017
Exploring Archives, Pam Temple
7 November 2017
Richmal Crompton and Bromley, Ruth Bennett
5 December 2017
Digitising the history of Beckenham, Ian Muir
Camden History Society
The society normally meets at 7.30pm on the 3rd
Thursday of each month, except
August. Venues vary; non-members welcome (£1). For further information please
contact the Hon. Secretary, Mrs Jane Ramsay (020 7586 4436) or visit:
www.camdenhistorysociety.org
21 September 2017
Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre
Air Camden, a century (and more) of aviation heritage, Lester Hillman
19 October 2017
Burgh House, New End Square
The London diary of Anthony Heap 1931-1945, Robin Woolven
16 November 2017
Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre
The Tunnel Through Time, Gillian Tindall
14 December 14 2017
Burgh House, New End Square
A Sunday stroll up Maiden Lane, Peter Darley
Camden New Town History Group
Camden New Town is north of Camden Town, in the London Borough of Camden.
Meetings of this group of local residents are generally held on the 3rd
Wednesday of
each month at the Irish Centre in Camden Square.
email: [email protected]; website: www.camdennewtown.info
21
Chadwell Heath Historical Society
Meetings are held at 7.30pm from September to June. All meetings are held at the
Baptist Church Hall, High Road, Chadwell Heath, RM6 6PP. Visitors welcome £2 pp.
Enquiries: 020 8590 4659/020 8597 7210; email: [email protected]
19 September 2017
Thameside Fakery, Billy & Charley's Extraordinary Output, Philip Mernick
17 October 2017
Local 17th & 18th Century Wills, Linda Rhodes
21 November 2017
Shakespeare - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Janet Seward
19 December 2017
Christmas Party
City of London Archaeological Society
Lectures are normally on the third Friday in every month and take place at St Olave’s
Hall, Mark Lane, London EC3R 7BB. Doors open 6.30pm for 7pm start, followed by
light refreshments and an opportunity to socialise. Non-members are welcome to
attend lectures but are asked to make a £3 contribution to expenses. For further
information see www.colas.org.uk; email: [email protected]
15 September 2017
21 Lime Street, City, Revisited, Again, Lesley Dunwoodie and Ian Betts
20 October 2017
The Royal Burials at St George's Chapel, Windsor, Lesley Grout
17 November 2017
Recent archaeological discoveries at Holy Family School, Walthamstow,
Shane Maher
8 December 2017
Christmas Social
Cuffley Industrial Heritage Society
The Society meets at Northaw Village Hall, 5 Northaw Road West, Northaw,
Hertfordshire EN6 4NW, near Potters Bar and Cuffley. Talks start at 8.00pm (doors
open 7.30pm). Talks are free to members (£3 for visitors). For more information,
contact Don Munns, 16 Coulter Close, Cuffley, Herts, EN6 4RR (01707 873680);
email: [email protected]
12 September 2017
Victorian lifts, David Cooper
10 October 2017 (20th
Anniversary) Photography, John Boxall
14 November 2017
AGM and Tiptree fruits and jams, Simon Dungworth
22
12 December 2017
Amy Johnson, David Keen
Docklands History Group
The Docklands History Group meets on the first Wednesday of each month, except
January, at the Museum of London Docklands, West India Quay, Hertsmere Road,
E14 4AL. Meetings start at 5.30 for 6pm and finish at 8pm. Visitors are welcome (£2).
For further details see: www.docklandshistorygroup.org.uk
6 September 2017
An Archivist’s Eye View of Morden College, Elizabeth Wiggans
4 October 2017
A History of Maritime Rotherhithe - From Hoys to Cunarders, Stephen
Humphrey
1 November 2017
Blockade-running in the American Civil War with special reference to London-
built ships, Edward Sargent
6 December 2017
Christmas Social and The Thames Discovery Programme: Community
Archaeology on London’s Foreshore, Nathalie Cohen
East London History Society
All meetings are held at Latimer Congregational Church Hall, Ernest Street, E1 unless
otherwise stated. Ernest Street is between Harford Street and White Horse Lane, off
Mile End Road (opposite Queen Mary and Westfield College). Meetings start at
7:30pm. The nearest underground stations are Mile End and Stepney Green. Buses:
25, 205, 339 to Queen Mary College and D6, D7, 277, 323, 339, 425 to Mile End
Station.
East Surrey Family History Society
The Croydon branch of the Society meets on the 3rd Tuesday of month, except April,
August and December, in the small hall of the East Croydon United Reformed Church,
Addiscombe Grove, Croydon, CR0 5LP. Meetings start at 8.00pm.
19 September 2017
History of Funerals and Funeral records, Emma Sparre-Slater
17 October 2017
Surnames, Celia Heritage
21 November 2017
Codpiece to Calvin Klein, Paul Blake
The Richmond branch meets on the 2nd Saturday of alternate months in Vestry
House, 21 Paradise Road, Richmond-upon-Thames, TW9 1SA. Meetings start at
2.30pm.
9 September 2017
The Impact of Online Family History Companies on Archives: report on research
and discussion, David Thomas
23
The Southwark branch meets on the 2nd Monday of alternate months at 12 noon
(except December, no meeting) Doors open 11.30am Southwark Local History
Library, 211 Borough High Street, SE1 1JA.
The Sutton branch meets on the 1st Thursday of each month at St. Nicholas’s Church
Hall, Robin Hood Lane, Sutton, SM1 2RG. Meetings start at 8.00pm.
7 September 2017
Treasures of SOG, Sue Gibbons
5 October 2017
Victorian Lady Travellers, Dr July Hill
2 November 2017
I've lost my Ancestors before 1837, Celia Heritage
7 December 2017
Entertainment in Elizabethan England, Sarah E Doig, followed by Christmas
Social Gathering
Edmonton Hundred Historical Society
Talks are free to members (£1 for visitors), and are held at Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage
Lane, Enfield; at the All Saints Church Hall, Church Street, Edmonton N9 and at
Bruce Castle, Lordship Lane, Tottenham N17. Further details from Enfield Local
Studies Centre & Archive, Thomas Hardy House, 39 London Road, Enfield EN2 6DS
(020 8379 2839); email: [email protected]; website:
http://n21.net/edmonton-hundred-historical-society.html
20 September 2017, 7.45 for 8.00pm, Jubilee Hall
Chase Farm Schools Part 2 – Hospital, Frank Bayford
The Eltham Society
Public talks cost £2 to non-members but are free to members, unless stated otherwise.
Admittance is only allowed if there is room in the hall. All local public walks are free
(entrance fees have to be paid though). The non-public events are only open to Eltham
Society members. Contact: Monica Horner.
email: [email protected]; website: www.theelthamsociety.org.uk
Enfield Archaeological Society
Meetings are held at the Jubilee Hall, junction of Chase Side and Parsonage Lane,
Enfield, starting at 8.00pm (doors open at 7.30pm). Visitors: £1 per person. For further
information please contact Ms Val Mundy, 88 Gordon Hill, Enfield, EN2 0QS. Email
[email protected], website: www.enfarchsoc.org
8 September 2017
Forty Hall: Hidden Secrets - Archaeological Monitoring of Refurbishment
Work, 2012-14, Neil Pinchbeck
13 October 2017
Medieval Kremlins & Monasteries on Russia's Golden Ring, Stephen Gilburt
10 November 2017
A Glimpse of the Black Death at West Smithfield, Don Walker
24
Friends of Bruce Castle Museum and Park
Evening talks are last Wednesday of the month, 7.00pm for 7.30pm start. Munch and
Listen talks are on the 4th
Monday of the month, 12.00pm for 12.15pm start. Talks are
free and open to all (tea/coffee is available for a small charge). All meetings are held at
Bruce Castle Museum, Lordship Lane, Tottenham, N17 8NU. Details of the
programme are available from www.haringey.gov.uk/brucecastlemuseum or the FoBC
Secretary at Bruce Castle Museum (020 8808 8772). Car park on site.
Friends of Hackney Archives
Meetings, talks and walks are arranged from time to time. For information about the
activities of Friends of Hackney Archives, email: [email protected]; Friends’
website, listing events etc: www.hackneyhistory.org; telephone: 020 7241 2886.
Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery
For information about the activities of Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery, email:
[email protected]; website: www.kensalgreen.co.uk
The Friends of Kensal Green offer a two-hour introductory tour of the cemetery every
Sunday from the beginning of March to the end of October, and the first and third
Sunday only in November, December, January and February. Tours begin at 14:00
from the Anglican Chapel in the centre of the grounds, and finish around two hours
later with tea and biscuits at the Dissenters’ Chapel, adjacent to Ladbroke Grove.
There is no need to book regular Sunday tours, except for groups of more than ten. A
suggested donation of £7 per person (concessions £5) helps the Friends to restore
monuments, study the cemetery and attract visitors to Kensal Green.
Friern Barnet and District Local History Society
Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month (no meetings in July and
August) at The North Middlesex Golf Club, The Manor House, Friern Barnet Lane,
Whetstone N20 0NL, starting at 7.45pm for 8.00pm. Non-members are welcome (£2).
Refreshments are available. Email: [email protected]; website:
www.friern-barnethistory.org.uk. For further details contact David Berguer on 020
8368 8314.
27 September 2017
Friern Barnet on Film
25 October 2017
The Victorians, Lawrence Summer
22 November 2017
Behind Closed Doors: The Life of a Prison Officer, Pauline Martindale
Thursday 7 December 2017 St John's Church Hall, Friern Barnet Road
Christmas Party
Fulham & Hammersmith Historical Society
There is usually a talk or a visit once a month. Visits are made to places of historic
interest both within and outside the borough at varying times. For information about
25
the activities of Fulham and Hammersmith Historical Society, visit the Society’s
website: https://fhhs.wprdpress.com
Harefield History Society Meetings are held at the Park Lane Village Centre, Park Lane, Harefield UB9 6BJ at
8.00pm on the fourth Monday of the month from September to May. Outings and
other events are also arranged. Website: http://harefieldhistorysociety.webplus.net
Hayes and Harlington Local History Society
Most meetings are held at Botwell Green Library, Leisure Centre, East Avenue, Hayes
UB3 3HW at 7.30pm. The library closes to the public at 7pm and you are advised to
arrive by 7.25pm for admittance and guidance to the first floor meeting room. Non-
members are welcome. Further information from Mr Robin Brown, 107 Wentworth
Crescent, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1NP (020 8848 7959);
email: [email protected]
Hendon & District Archaeological Society
Lectures are held on Tuesdays at 8.00pm at Stephens House & Gardens (formerly
Avenue House), 17 East End Road, Finchley N3 3QE. Buses 82, 125, 143, 326 & 460
pass close by, and it is five to ten minutes’ walk from Finchley Central Station
(Northern Line). Non-members welcome (£1.00). Tea/coffee and biscuits follow the
talk. For further information, see the website: www.hadas.org.uk
10 October 2017
The Curtain Playhouse Excavations, Heather Knight
14 November 2017
The Battle of Barnet Project, Sam Wilson
Hornsey Historical Society
Lecture meetings are held on the 2nd
Wednesday of every month at the Union Church
Hall, corner of Ferme Park Road and Weston Park, starting at 8.00pm. A donation of
£2.00 is requested from non-members. Refreshments are available from 7:40 pm. The
doors close at 8:00 pm and latecomers are not admitted. For further information please
ring The Old Schoolhouse (020 8348 8429); write to the Society at 136 Tottenham
Lane N8 7EL; website: www.hornseyhistorical.org.uk
13 September 2017
Great Houses of Highgate, Richard Webber
Hounslow & District History Society
Meetings are held on Tuesdays at the United Reformed Church Hall, Chapel Road,
Hounslow, TW3 1UL, starting at 7.45pm, non-members £2.00. For further details
contact Andrea Cameron (020 8570 4264) or Liz Mammatt (020 3302 4036).
Website: www.hounslowhistory.org.uk
26
Islington Archaeology & History Society
Meetings are held on Wednesdays at 7.30pm at Islington Town Hall, Upper Street N1.
A donation of £1 is requested from non-members. Enquiries: 020 7833 1541; website:
www.islingtonhistory.org.uk
Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit
Crofton Roman Villa, Orpington, BR6 8AF. Telephone: 01689 860939. Email:
[email protected]. Website: www.the-cka.fsnet.co.uk
Kingston upon Thames Archaeological Society
Meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month at 8pm at Surbiton Library
Halls Ewell Road, Surbiton. Visitors will be asked for a donation of £2 towards
expenses. Enquiries to Hon Secretary KUTAS, 21 Duffins Orchard, Brox Road,
Ottershaw, Surrey, KT16 0LP, email [email protected], website:
www.kingstonarchaeology.org
14 September 2017
Excavations on the Romano-British site at Flexford, David Calow
12 October 2017
The Great Barn at Harmondsworth in its village setting, Justine Bayley
9 November 2017
The Portable Antiquities Scheme: recent finds from Surrey, David Williams
14 December 2017
AGM and Christmas Celebration
Lewisham Local History Society
Meetings are held on Fridays at the Methodist Church Hall, Albion Way SE13 6BT,
starting at 7:45pm unless otherwise stated. Visitors welcomed, donation of £1 invited.
For further information please contact Gordon Dennington, 62 Park Hill Road,
Bromley BR2 0LF; email: [email protected]; website:
www.lewishamhistory.org.uk
29 September 2017 Abraham Colfe: Lewisham’s Benefactor and Protector, Julian Watson
27 October 2017
The ‘Lenox’: a celebration of a unique heritage, Julian Kingston
24 November 2017
Penguins, not Polar Bears, Sandra Margolies
8 December 2017
Members’ Evening: ‘Show and Tell’
Leyton and Leytonstone Historical Society
Meetings are held at 7.45pm at Leyton Sixth Form College, Essex Road, Leyton E10
6EQ, at St Mary’s Parish Hall, Lindley Road, Leyton E10 6QT, and at St John’s
Church Hall, E11 1HH, corner of Leytonstone High Road and Church Lane. Talks are
free for members, £2.00 contribution to costs requested from visitors. For further
details please contact Mrs Maureen Measure, Secretary, L&LHS (020 8558 5491); by
27
post at 90 Richmond Road, Leytonstone E11 4BU; email: [email protected];
website: www.leytonhistorysociety.org.uk
20 September 2017, Leyton Sixth Form College
The Vicar, the Parish Clerk and the Trial, Tim Valder-Hogg
18 October 2017, St John’s Church Hall
Black History Month, Ron Allen
15 November 2017, St John’s Church Hall
Fashion on Ration, 1941 to 1949, David Evans
London Natural History Society
Indoor meetings usually consist of talks, slide shows or discussions. Most indoor
meetings are held at Camley Street Natural Park, Camley Street, London NW1 0PW.
Visitors are welcome. A charge may be made on the door. For further information
please visit website: www.lnhs.org.uk
Merton Historical Society
Meetings are held monthly from October until April, at 2.30pm on Saturday
afternoons at Christ Church Hall, Colliers Wood. For further information please
contact the Honorary Secretary, Mrs Rosemary Turner, 27 Burley Close, London
SW16 4QQ; email: [email protected]; website:
www.mertonhistoricalsociety.org.uk. Walks and visits are held during the summer.
14 October 2017
Archaeology of Merton, David Saxby
11 November 2017
AGM and There’s More to Morden, Sarah Gould
9 December 2017
The Coach Road to Brighton, Geoff Hewlett
The Norwood Society
Local history talks are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7.30pm at the Upper
Norwood Library, Westow Hill SE19 1TJ. Entry is free, but a donation of £3 towards
the cost of tea and homemade cakes would be much appreciated. For enquiries please
contact Alun & Barbara Thomas (07784 941014); [email protected];
website: www.norwoodsociety.co.uk
21 September 2017
St George's Hanover Square reburials at West Norwood Cemetery. Colin Fenn
19 October 2017
Sport at Crystal Palace, Stuart Hibberd
16 November 2017 –
All Saints and South Norwood Hill area, Stephen Oxford
21 December 2017
Social evening
28
Orpington & District Archaeological Society
Meetings are held in Christ Church (United Reformed), Tudor Way, Petts Wood, BR5
1LH, on the first Wednesday of each month (except August and January) from
8.00pm. Non-members are welcome to attend, space permitting. For further
information please contact Michael Meekums or Janet Clayton (020 8302 1572);
website: www.odas.org.uk
6 September 2017
Secret Chislehurst, Joanna Friel
4 October 2017
Orpington High Street 1967, Phil Waller
1 November 2017
Brandon House, Southwark: The Tudor Palace and Roman Remains, Pre-
Construct Archaeology
6 December 2017
Annual General Meeting
Pinner Local History Society
All meetings start at 8.00pm. Main meetings take place in the Village Hall, Pinner.
Visitors are welcome for a donation of £3. For further information please contact Mrs
Sheila Cole, 40 Cambridge Road, North Harrow, Middlesex HA2 7LD (020 8866
3972); website: www.pinnerlhs.org.uk
7 September 2017
Played in Middlesex, Simon Inglis
5 October 2017
Digging in Pinner, Pat Clarke
2 November 2017
The curious disappearance of Glenn Miller, Tony Eaton
7 December 2017
Bells and Baldrics, Tony Adamson
Potters Bar and District Historical Society Meetings are held in the 60 Plus Room, Wyllyotts Centre, Potters Bar, Herts, starting
at 8.00pm prompt. Visitors are welcome (admission £1). For further details please
visit the website: http://www.pottersbarhistory.uk
Richmond Archaeological Society
All lectures take place on the 2nd Friday of every month at the Vestry Rooms,
Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey at 8:00pm, and are free to members. Non-members
are welcome to attend by giving a donation. For further information please visit the
website: www.richmondarchaeology.org.uk
8 September 2017
The genetic history of prehistoric Britain, Dr Tom Booth
13 October 2017
Impact of Industrialisation on London Health, Jelena Bekvalac
29
10 November 2017
Prittlewell prince (Anglo-Saxon princely burial), Prof Christopher Scull
15 December 2017
The Maya, Prof Elizabeth Graham
Richmond Local History Society
All meetings are held at Duke Street Church, Richmond, TW9 1DH at 8.00pm (coffee
from 7.30pm). Visitors: £2. Further information from the Secretary, Elizabeth Velluet
(020 8891 3825); email: [email protected]; website:
www.richmondhistory.org.uk
9 October 2017
Poverty in Richmond, Simon Fowler
13 November 2017
Played in Richmond: sport and recreation since 1666, Simon Inglis
11 December 2017
My Thirty Years in Local Studies, Jane Baxter, followed by seasonal party
Rotherhithe and Bermondsey Local History Society
Unless otherwise stated, meetings take place at the Time and Talents Settlement, The
Old Mortuary, St Marychurch Street, Rotherhithe, SE16 4JD, and begin at 7.15pm.
Non-members welcome for a donation of £2. For more information please visit
www.rbhistory.org.uk
27 September 2017
St Peter & The Guardian Angels Church, Paradise St, 1903-2017, Fr Graham
Preston
25 October 2017
Bermondsey Beat: Something a little different...
29 November 2017
Ridgewell Airfield Commemorative Association Museum, Paul Bingley
13 December 2017
To be confirmed
Ruislip, Northwood and Eastcote Local History Society
Meetings are held on the third Monday of the month from September to April, at
8.15pm in St Martin’s Church Hall, High Street, Ruislip. Visitors are welcome (£2
admission charge). For further information, please contact the Society’s Programme
Secretary on 01895 673299.
18 September 2017
Henry Smith - 17thC businessman, moneylender, and philanthropist, Lucy
Lethbridge
16 October 2017
AGM and The Lord Chancellor's Wallpaper, Graham Goode
30
20 November 2017
Randall's of Uxbridge, Sir John Randall
18 December 2017
Christmas Meeting
Southgate District Civic Trust
The Trust covers Southgate, New Southgate, Cockfosters, Palmers Green, Winchmore
Hill and Hadley Wood. Open Meetings are held twice a year at the Walker Hall,
Waterfall Road, Southgate, and Local History meetings are held five times a year at
the Friends Meeting House, Church Hill, Winchmore Hill. Non-members are
welcome. For further information, contact Colin Barratt (020 8882 2246); email
[email protected] or visit www.southgatedistrictcivictrust.org.uk
Southwark and Lambeth Archaeological Society
Lectures are held monthly on the second Tuesday at 7.30pm at the Housing
Cooperative, 106 The Cut SE1, (direct entrance from the raised walkway), almost
opposite the Old Vic. Coffee or tea and biscuits are available from 7.00 pm. Visitors
are welcome but are asked to contribute £1 towards expenses. For further details
please contact Richard Buchanan, 79 Ashridge Crescent, Shooter’s Hill, London SE18
3EA; email: [email protected]. For enquiries please call 020 8764 8314.
Spelthorne Archaeology and Local History Group
Unless otherwise stated, all meetings take place at the Methodist Church, Thames
Street, Staines, and begin at 8.00pm. Members free, non members welcome (£2
please). For further details please contact Nick Pollard (01932 564585); email:
[email protected]; website: www.spelthornemuseum.org.uk
Stanmore & Harrow Historical Society
Meetings are held at the Wealdstone Baptist Church, High Road, Wealdstone, at
8.00pm on Wednesdays, excluding July and August (visitors welcome at a charge of
£3). For further information please contact The Secretary, info@Stanmore-Harrow-
Historical.org.uk; www.stanmore-harrow-historical.org.uk
Borough of Twickenham Local History Society
Lectures are held at St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Street, Twickenham, at 8.00pm on
the first Monday of each month from October to May. Guests are welcome (£2.50).
For further information please visit our website: www.botlhs.co.uk
2 October 2017
The Power of Beauty in Restoration England: The Windsor Beauties,
Laurence Shafe
6 November 2017
Down the Drain, Ray Elmitt
4 December 2017
The Alan Urwin Memorial Lecture
The Private Lives of the Tudors, Dr Tracy Borman
31
Uxbridge Local History and Archive Society
All meetings take place at Christ Church, Redford Way (off Belmont Road),
Uxbridge, starting at 7.30pm. For further information please contact Mr K.R. Pearce,
29 Norton Road, Uxbridge UB8 2PT; website: www.eddiethecomputer.co.uk/history
Walthamstow Historical Society
Talks take place in the Large Hall in the Family Centre, St Gabriel's Church, Havant
Road, Walthamstow E17 3JF (just off Wood Street.). For General enquires please
write to 55 Highfield Gardens, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU11 3DB; email:
[email protected]; website: www.walthamstowhistoricalsociety.org.uk
Wandsworth Historical Society
Meetings held at the Friends’ Meeting House, Wandsworth High Street (opposite
Town Hall) on the last Friday of the month at 8.00pm until 9.15pm (followed by tea
and biscuits). For more information, visit the website: www.wandsworthhistory.org.uk
West Drayton & District Local History Society
Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month from September until May
(excluding December) in St Martin’s Church Hall, Church Road, West Drayton,
starting at 7.30pm. For further information please contact Cyril Wroth (Programme
Secretary), 15 Brooklyn Way, West Drayton UB7 7PD (01895 854597) or website:
http://westdraytonlocalhistory.com
Willesden Local History Society
The Society meets on Wednesdays from September to June at 7.30pm in St Mary's
Parish Centre, which is in Neasden Lane adjacent to the churchyard. For further
information please contact the Secretary, Margaret Pratt, 51 West Ella Road, London
NW10 9PT (020 8965 7230); website: www.willesden-local-history.co.uk
20 September 2017
A Willesden Green Boundary, Irina Porter
18 October 2017
The Story behind the Song, Terry Lomas and Alan Richardson
15 November 2017
The Stonebridge of My Youth, Roger Macklen
13 December 2017
The WLHS Christmas Event
The LAMAS Newsletter is printed by Catford Print Centre, 3 Bellingham Road, Catford,
London SE6 4PY (telephone 020 8695 0101; 020 8695 0566)
32
London and Middlesex Archaeological Society
Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN
Telephone: 020 7410 2228 Fax: 0870 444 3853
President Taryn Nixon
Chair of Council Harvey Sheldon (07821 646059)
112 Oglander Road
London,, SE15 4DB
Honorary Secretary and
Honorary Publications Assistant
Karen Thomas (020 7410 2228)
c/o Museum of London Archaeology
46 Eagle Wharf Road, London N1 7ED
Honorary Subscriptions and
Membership Secretary
Patricia Clarke (020 8866 1677)
22 Malpas Drive, Pinner
Middlesex HA5 1DQ
Honorary Director of Lecture Meetings Kathryn Stubbs (020 7332 1447)
Honorary Treasurer Malcolm Mac Lellan
Flat B, 19 Hornsey Rise Gardens
London N19 3PP
Honorary Librarian
Sally Brooks (020 7814 5588)
Museum of London
150 London Wall
London EC2Y 5HN
Honorary Publicity Officer
Florence Laino (07708588577)
65 Speer Road,
Thames Ditton, KT7 0PJ
Production Editor, Transactions
Wendy Sherlock (01904 430680)
Elm Lea
Malton Road, York
YO31 9LT
Archaeological Research Committee
Secretary
Jon Cotton (020 8549 3167)
58 Grove Lane, Kingston upon Thames
KT1 2SR
Greater London Local History
Committee Chair
Position currently vacant
Historic Buildings and Conservation
Committee Acting Chair
Christopher Oliver
Publications Committee Chair
and Reviews Editor, Transactions
John Schofield (020 8741 3573)
2 Carthew Villas, London W6 0BS
Honorary Editor, Newsletter
Richard Gilpin (020 3774 6726)
84 Lock Chase
London SE3 9HA