Thursday 24 June 2010

Doncaster has just had a new book published to trace the Boroughs 5,000 year old history including new interpretations of the town during the Roman occupation and illustrations throughout the town’s history.  The literature was condensed from a study led by West Yorkshire Archaeology Service. The book called ‘Doncaster Uncovered’ is available from Doncaster Museum, the towns Tourist Information centre and Cusworth Hall
 
Tickhill Castle was open for 2 hours on Sunday 13th June . Despite low publicity the event was well attended. Hopefully this means the event will become a regular attraction for years to come.  The Castle was last open to the public in 2002.
 
This month’s talk was on Sheffield’s notorious Victorian villan Charlie Peace by Ron Clayton. Ron was standing in for the scheduled speaker and gave a great talk on how Charlie operated and how he managed to evade police capture
 
Looks like the Besthorpe dig is going ahead in July too which is good as I’ve not managed to get on one before.
 
The Festival of British Archaeology takes place in July and here is a select few local events from the website http://festival.britarch.ac.uk/whatson   
County: NottinghamshireSat 17–Sun 18 July 13.00–16.00See ancient technology demonstrations and learn about life in the Iron Age in a full size reconstructed roundhouse. Grind corn, spin wool and make string. …
Come along to see ancient technology demonstrations and learn about life in the Iron Age. Have a go at grinding corn, spinning wool, making string. See how people lived inside a full size reconstructed Iron Age roundhouse. Admission, Adults £2.00, Children free.Location: Woodview Farm, Mansfield Lane, Calverton, Nottingham NG14 6HP. O:ATARCN:GrahameWatsonT:01159654285E: gwatsonroundhouse@googlemail.comEvent Dates: 17-07-2010—18-07-2010
County: NottinghamshireSun 18 July 14.00–18.00To mark the completion of £100,000 scheme to stabilise the ruins of Kings John’s Palace. Tea-time guided tour of the site and photo exhibition. See website for details. …
Come and see the ruins of the most important building in Sherwood Forest. Grand Pageant - Richard the Lionheart's and King William of Scots' visit to the Palace in 1194. Includes kidnap, sea voyages, battles, outlaws and a coronatio.! Warning - a tax will be levied to pay Richard the Lionheart's ransom! Kings John’s Palace was an important royal palace used by all the Plantagenet Kings when in the area, being a particular favourite of Edward I & II. The ruins have been saved from collapse and now look very different. Guided tour of the site – exhibition of photographs old and new. Bring your picnic and enjoy the event – tea & coffee available. Booklets on sale £2.00 each.Location: King John’s Palace, Kings Clipstone (Old Clipstone), Mansfield NG21 9BP. Entrance at the top of the ‘Rat Hole’ on the B6030 - leaving the village going west. Park at the lay-by or Farm Shop further up the B6030.O:FriendsofKingsClipstoneN:SteveParkhouseE:kingsclipstonevillage@live.co.ukW: www.HeartOfAncientSherwood.co.ukEvent Dates: 18-07-2010—18-07-2010
Mon 19–Tue 20 July 10.00–16.00Open days at the excavation of an extensive Romano-British settlement; take a tour around the site, talk to the archaeologists, and see some of the finds. …
Open days at the developer-led excavation at Besthorpe. The Nottinghamshire Community Archaeologists have teamed up with the Centre for Applied Archaeology at the University of Salford to open up the site for two days during the Festival of Archaeology. Take a tour of the site, talk to the archaeologists, and see some of the finds.Location: Besthorpe, near Collingham. Follow signs from CollinghamO:Besthorpe,nearCollinghamN:EmilyGillottT:01159772160E:community.archaeology@nottscc.gov.ukW: www.nottinghamshire.gov.ukhome/environment/heritage/archaeology/
Festival of Victorian ArchaeologyCounty: DerbyshireSat 24–Sun 25 July 10.00–16.00Creswell Crags is celebrating all things Victorian, and going back in time to the very first excavations in our Ice Age caves. …
Creswell Crags is celebrating all things Victorian, and going back in time to the very first excavations in our Ice Age caves. Specialist lectures will look in detail at the social and scientific impacts of the early discoveries at Creswell Crags. The weekend of the 24th & 25th will see the site transformed back to the 19th Century with costumed tours and Victorians activities. Costs will aply for tours and lectures - please book. Free entry for YAC members.Location: Creswell Crags, Crags Road, Welbeck. From the M1: At Junction 30 take the A616 through Clowne to Creswell. Creswell Crags can be found on the B6042 and is signposted from Creswell village. From the A60: Creswell Crags is signposted from the A60, between Cuckney and Worksop.O:CreswellHeritageTrustN:RebeccaClayT:01909720378E:info@creswell-crags.org.ukW: www.creswell-crags.org.uk

Wednesday 2 June 2010

Besthorpe Roman Dig 19-23 July

I've been a bit busy over the last week. I've visited Campsall and Burghwallis churches and visited the cross at Lilla Howe in North Yorkshire (King Edwin stuff!). Didn't realise Campsall had a crusader cross and early sundial (both well hidden - points if you find them)

My e-mail to Notts County Council last week regarding the community archaeology site not being updated since 2009 has been a success :)

http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/home/environment/heritage/archaeology/communityarchaeology/ncaevents.htm
Excavation Opportunity July 19th to 23rd
The chance to take part in a developer-led excavation of an extensive Romano British settlement, being carried out near Besthorpe.
The Nottinghamshire Community Archaeologists have teamed up with the Centre for Applied Archaeology at the University of Salford to make opportunities for members of the public to take part in this excavation.
contact us for more information and directions to the site.

I'm trying to get on this as it will help with my work on local Roman times and finally get me on a dig!