NOVEMBER 19th 2009 The Role of the Archaeology Service and the County SMR (Sites and Monuments Records)
by Anna Morris, Outreach officer of Gloucestershire Archaeology
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During a fascinating talk Anna Morris explained the role and work of Gloucestershire Archaeology’s Sites
and Monuments Record which seeks to create and develop a comprehensive record of all archaeology within the
County, including sites of finds.
The SMR currently consists of a large and very sophisticated database of about 30,000 individual records
of sites and artefacts dating from the Palaeolithic period right up until World War Two. This information
can be searched and presented in a variety of ways including plotting on large and small scale maps. In this
way all archaeological finds in a specific area or all examples of a specific type of monument found throughout
the entire county can be displayed.
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A round barrow near Far Hill Farm, possibly Bronze Age
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Barrow Elm: on the edge of the parish near Hatherop,
thought to be the centre of Brightwell’s Barrow
Hundred
and a meeting place, possibly Bronze Age.
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Gloucestershire Archaeology has close links with other organisations and is currently working with the
English Heritage Aerial Survey Team on several National Mapping Programme (NMP) projects, mapping and
recording archaeological features shown on aerial photographs and also two major surveys: the Severn Estuary
Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment and a survey of the Forest of Dean. The latter survey is being conducted using
the newly-developed LiDAR technology which enables accurate aerial images of the ground surfaces to be
produced despite dense vegetation that would normally preclude such a result.
Anna gave examples of the ways in which Gloucestershire Archaeology can assist individuals and local
societies and it is expected that FHS will take advantage of this offer.
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September 17th 2009: The Polish Hostel in Fairford
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About 60 members and visitors gathered to hear Alicja Swiatek Christofides talk about the Polish
Hostel in Fairford. Alicja was born in the camp and lived there until 1955. Alicja explained how
and why the Polish exiles had come to this country after the Second World War and had been housed
in the former US Army Hospital at Fairford Park north of the town. Alicja feels very strongly that
this part of Polish and Fairford history should be recorded and was instrumental in getting the
plaque to commemorate the Hostel placed at the Pitham Path entrance on Leafield Road. About 200
people attended this event in May and because of the contacts made before and
during the event much information has been gleaned about what life was like in the camp. Alicja
showed a selection of photographs, the chapel with its ornate frontage, the ‘baraki’ and
their gardens, and how the Polish people adapted to their life in their new surroundings.
This was a safe, welcoming place compared with their terrible experiences previously.
Eventually the lease on the land at Fairford Park expired and many of the Community moved to
Swindon or to other parts of the country and even abroad.
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To find out more about Fairford Hostel and the other seven camps in
Gloucestershire visit
www.polishresettlementcampsintheuk.co.uk.
June 18th -5th FHS AGM
About 40 members attended the 5th AGM of the Society. The Chair, Geoff Hawkes reported that it had been an
interesting and successful year, the topics covered have been:- Fairford, Manitoba; The Retreat, with a small
group visiting Coln House School as a follow up; Son et Lumière Reminiscence evening was an extra meeting and
was enjoyed by everyone; a speaker from the Corinium Museum with a follow up visit to the Northleach Reserve
collection which was fascinating; and another extra event, the Polish plaque unveiling which over 200 people
attended.
In the coming year, Alicja Christofides is talking about the Polish Hostel; Gloucestershire Archaeology will
be talking about the historic sites and monuments of the county, and in February a speaker from the Ashmolean Museum
which is having a grand refurbishment and re-opening in the Autumn of 2009 – finds from the Fairford Anglo-Saxon
graves were deposited in the Ashmolean during the 19th century.
There has been a lot of work on oral history recordings, Geoff Bishop spoke at the AGM last year and interviewed
people who took part in the Son et Lumière and his project at the moment is the 2007 floods.
A high standard of publications has been produced, the most recent ones being the Oldisworths, Richard Green
and the St Mary’s Tomb Trail. Further topics will include the Tracys of Fairford and the 1830 Swing Riots.
Several artefacts have been deposited in the Archive Room including the Fairford Silver Band big bass drum and
paperwork and photographs. Thanks to Rob Winney who has contributed several items.
Last year it was predicted that subscriptions would have to rise. There is a service charge for running the Archive Room
and various other financial commitments, so it was put to the meeting that the subscription should be raised to £5.
The Treasurer’s report was approved.
The Chair then thanked all the Committee for their hard work and especially Brian Routledge as outgoing vice-chair who
was a given a token of appreciation; Gill Compton for her first year as treasurer and Chris Hobson for his work on publications
and the rest of the Committee. Ian Westlake has agreed to be vice-chair and Rob Winney has offered to be on the Committee.
The Committee members were duly elected as follows:-
Geoff Hawkes as Chairman, Ian Westlake Vice-Chair, Alison Hobson Secretary, Gill Compton treasurer, Margaret Bishop
FCC representative, Maurice Jones FTC, John Read, Chris Hobson and Rob Winney.
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London Street 1890. Reproduced by permission of English Heritage (NMR)
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After the business meeting Edwin Cuss gave an illustrated talk titled ‘Along the main road through Fairford’.
He started off from Waiten Hill showing rare pictures of Fairford Brick and Tile works and on eastwards towards
Lechlade. Old shops no longer in existence were shown including Mr Cuss’ tea room which was a stopping off point
for cyclists, the garages, the Infant School and the Vicarage before it became Hyperion House. Edwin’s knowledgeable
commentary kept everyone absorbed in this wonderful collection of pictures.
Read about
The Edwin Cuss Collection.
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Vine leaf oil lamp
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February 19th 2009 The Corinium Museum Collection From Claydon Pike and Thornhill Farm:
A Talk by Emma Stuart, Outreach Officer of the Corinium Museum
At the February meeting Emma Stuart, Outreach Officer of the Corinium Museum, gave an illustrated
talk on the artefacts found at the Thornhill Farm and Claydon Pike archaeological digs in the 1980s.
Most of the finds shown were made of copper alloy, Emma explained that metal artefacts were the first
ones to be stabilised and conserved and there were still 123 boxes of pottery and shards from the digs
awaiting attention at the Museum’s Reserve Collection at Northleach. Although the finds from Thornhill
Farm appear to have been of lesser quality it was because they had been less well conserved.
Thornhill Farm predated - Middle Iron Age to Early Roman - but was also concurrent with Claydon Pike,
both settlements seemed to have been worked as cattle ranches. The Farm items displayed ranged from tiny
silver Dobunnic coins (the Dobunni were one of the few Iron Age people to use coins) to hair pins and
brooches.
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The items from Claydon Pike - Late Iron Age to 5th Century ranged from brooches, rings, coins, belt
fastenings, and a Roman key and votive offering showing that there must have been a shrine there. Some
of the jewellery was beautifully enamelled. There was some interesting jet jewellery which only comes
from the north of England showing that there must have been travel and trade across the country.
The different types of tile classified also gave an overall impression of what the buildings may have
looked like.
Emma also bought some items from the collection which fascinated members, including a tiny silver coin
and a knife or shears.
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Roman coin depicting Emperor Valentinian (364-375AD)- Claydon Pike
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Roman Coin from Thornhill Farm - dating to 46BC
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Taken with Butler’s Field and the recently excavated
Horcott Quarry site it is possible to build up a picture
of what life like may have been like in this area from the Iron Age to Anglo Saxon era.
Each excavation gives more valuable information to the archaeologists.
FHS are hoping to have a visit to the Reserve Collection at Northleach. There will be a maximum charge
for this visit of £5, please contact Alison 711768 or Geoff 712053 if you are interested by the end of
February 2009.
Pictures with permission from the Corinium Museum collection.
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