Happy Christmas everyone

Here's hoping you all get the presents you want and no-one burns the turkey :)

Policy - proposed policy for Sheffield City Council Archaeological Fieldwork on its Land

"As a landowner, the City Council recognises it has a responsibility to conserve and protect archaeological remains on its land. All archaeological evidence is unique and irreplaceable and constitutes a cultural asset that needs to be protected for the benefit of future generations.  Archaeological evidence also provides an opportunity for enhancing our understanding of past societies through investigation. Such investigations can also act as an important focus for community engagement. The City Council, therefore, welcomes carefully thought-out research proposals for investigation of remains on its land.

The Council will take advice from the South Yorkshire Archaeology Service, its archaeological advisers, on the suitability of any proposals for archaeological fieldwork on its land. Research proposals that include non-intrusive techniques, such as building recording, earthwork survey, geophysical survey and field-walking, will always be welcomed. Research proposals that include excavation will need to take into account all the implications of removing archaeological evidence from its burial environment.

For non-threatened archaeological remains, excavation may be considered appropriate if it can be demonstrated that the recovered evidence will be analysed and reported on to the South Yorkshire Archaeology Service and the resulting archive deposited with Sheffield City Museum (or another appropriate publicly accessible archive), for long term curation, within a reasonable timescale (to be agreed with both the South Yorkshire Archaeology Service and the museum). No excavation will be allowed if this approach cannot be followed; in such instances the archaeological evidence will be considered less at risk of loss or damage if it is left buried. 

Metal detecting involves excavation to recover finds, removing them from the context in which they were deposited and risking loss of archaeological evidence, as well as producing items that may need conservation and long-term curation. This activity will, therefore, be considered as excavation for the purposes of this policy.”

. If you can get any comments back to Dinah by Friday January 27th, either individually, or representing a society, they will be very welcome.
Please email comments back to dinah.saich@sheffield.gov.uk

Event - Friends of Thynghowe AGM 2011

Members and supporters of the Friends of Thynghowe are welcome to come along to their Annual General Meeting on Thursday 20th October at 7:30  at the Stable Barn, Warsop Parish Centre, Bishops Walk, Church Warsop, Notts NG20 0SN.

They will giving an update on the progress of their research during the last year including interpretation of the outcomes of the archaeological survey of Thynghowe. They should also have news about their bid for Heritage Lottery funding and outline their plans for the year ahead.

So anybody with an interest in Viking age assembly sites or in any other aspect of the heritage of the Forest of Birklands could find out more during the evening.

Their website is at http://www.thynghowe.org.uk/

Event - Last Vulcan Flight of the Year (Finningley)

The last flying Avro Vulcan, XH558 has been booked in to make one final appearance for the year when Wootton Bassett receives the Royal title for its recent use of being the town which until recently has received the fallen from Iraq and Afghanistan after repatriation at RAF Lyneham.

XH558 should take off from Finningley (Robin Hood Airport) mid-afternoon on October 16th and the Vulcan to the Sky charity are marking the day with a special event to give fans a chance to see the aircraft by positioning it outside the airport terminal and having a Family Fun Day prior to flight.  Tickets are available at £6 for adults and £3 for children.

This will be the last flight before the Vulcan goes for its winter maintenance programme.  To book a ticket for the event contact Vulcan to the Sky at http://www.vulcantotheskystore.co.uk/category/558_s_Family_Day_Event___Sun_16th_Oct,i.html

Article - Holy Roaming Empire (North Notts)

The October edition of Worksop life has now been published and our article on the Romans around north Nottinghamshire is on pages 36 and 38.  An online version of the magazine is available at http://www.life-publications.com/worksop-life/magazine-viewer

Event - Local History Fair ar Creswell Crags (1st October)

Many thanks to everyone who attended the Local Heritage Fair at Creswell Crags today.  The event was yet again a great success and lots of people attended.


It was nice to see some of the people who read the blog and to be able to put faces to you all - hope you're enjoying this beautiful autumnal day (which I believe is meant to set history as the hottest October day ever recorded)

One sad piece of news is that Shireoaks History Society will be ceasing their operations at the end of year due to lack of people attending meetings, this is happening to a lot of societies so if you can please go and visit you local history society's next meeting it may keep them going.

Dave C

Event - 31st Annual Festival of the Plough (Epworth)

2011 will be the 31st Festival of the Plough and will take place on 18th September. Once again it will take place at High Burnham Farm near Epworth, North Lincs.The Festival provides a wonderful traditional day out for all the family.

The day begins at 10:00 am with the Blessing of the Plough and runs till around 4:00 pm when prize giving takes place and the main raffle is drawn.

All money raised is donated to local charities.  £6 per adult including a prize draw ticket.  Under 16s free

There is plenty of parking available, with special disabled parking on site.  There are facilities for caravans very local to the festival site.

Attractions include :Horse ploughing, vintage tractor ploughing, steam ploughing,static tractor display, vintage cars, craft tent, poultry exhibition, model display, stationary engines, terrier racing.

Further attractions include steam gallopers, music and dancing, pony rides and more.

There are trade stands and full onsite catering with fully licensed beer tent courtesy of Carvery and Grill.

From: http://www.festivaloftheplough.co.uk/Home.html

Event - Worksop Priory Gatehouse open (Sept 11th)

I've been told the Priory Gate House is open all this weekend, he event is o the buildings future use. 11.00-17.00 Please note steep stairs give limited access.

Event - Retford boat show

History-lovers are in for a treat as a gathering of historic boats is heading to Retford.

The event is being hosted by the Chesterfield Canal Trust to coincide with Retford Heritage Day. Besides over 20 colourful narrowboats, there will be boat trips, stalls and a beer festival at the Rum Runner pub. The Trust’s own 81 year-old ex-working boat, Python, will be on display.

The boats will be moored above Town Lock over 10th and 11th September. For info or to book a stall email festival@chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk or call 01246 477569.

From: http://www.retfordtoday.co.uk/news/retford_boat_show_1_3730056

Event - Local History Fair at Creswell Crags (1st October)

Following on from lasts years highly successful event at Shireoaks, this year see's the Local History Fair at Creswell Crags on 1st October starting at 10.30. Due to the large numbers of visitors expected additional parking will be provided at Lafarge Quarry with a free shuttle bus to Creswell Crags Museum from their car park.

Most of local history and archaeology groups are taking part in this years event:
Barlborough Heritage
Bolsover Civic Society
Clowne History Society,
Elmton with Creswell Local History Group
Gringley History Club
Harthill Memories and History Society
Kiveton and Wales History Society
Langwith and Whaley Thorns Heritage Centre
Norton and Cuckney History Society
Priories Historical Society
Retford Historical and Archaeological Society
Todwick Historical Society
Whitwell Local History
Woodsetts Local History Society
Worksop Archaeological and Local History Society

News - Sheffield Fayre 2011: History comes alive

THOUSANDS of people flocked to the annual Sheffield Fayre for a summer extravaganza of history, horrors and horticulture.

More than 600 historical re-enactment enthusiasts have been camped out in Norfolk Heritage Park since Friday, living in authentic period camps and recreating dramatic battles.

The 11th annual Fayre, a two day event - Sunday and Monday, August 28 and 29 - also features a large gardening show and competition, 1950s illusions such as ‘the horrific Monster Girl’, and dozens of stalls and funfair rides.

Around 25,000 people are expected to attend the free event over the two days.

The actors’ mission is to recreate famous battles from Roman times through the Middle Ages to World War Two, wearing authentic costume and living in period tents.

John McConnell-Smith, from Halfway, visited with with wife Rachael and six-year-old son Thomas.

“It’s a great day,” he said. “This is much better than I thought it would be. The re-enactments are really good.”

Jane Ibbotson, from Stannington, had brought along her grandson Finlay, five.

She said: “It’s the only event I come to in Sheffield, and it’s very good.”

“It’s great for the lad. It’s a nice day and it teaches him something different.”

Christian Sprakes, a telesales worker from Bentley, Doncaster, was among the re-enactors attending the event with the American Civil War Society.

He said: “We do about six or seven major festivals every year and Sheffield is very good, because you get lots of different period groups here.

“Our members come from all across the country, from every walk of life.”

William Brown, a tattoo artist from Edinburgh, was playing the role of the commander of the Confederate Battalion.

He said: “We go all over the country but this is a great event, it has a great atmosphere.”

In the horticultural show tent, green-fingered residents entered competitions in more than 100 categories, from best chrysanthemum to largest marrow to finest homemade wine.

Horticultural show steward Gill Capewell said: “This show is a celebration of all things home-grown. We want to celebrate the community spirit in Sheffield, and welcome more entries next year.”

But organisers raised concerns about whether there would be a Sheffield Fayre next year.

Event organiser Claire Taylor, the council’s parks area officer for east Sheffield, said: “It’s been going really well. The weather has helped - at one point we thought it would be very wet.”

She said there were doubts as to whether the council could afford to run the event next year because of funding cuts, but added: “We think it’s very good for this area, there’s not a lot else that happens like this.”

Arbourthorne ward councillor Jack Scott said: “It’s been a fantastic day and it’s great to see so many people here.

“I think events like this really put Sheffield on the map. We want to do everything we can to support it.

“However, the massive government cuts have an impact on everything the council does, so we are going to have to look really hard next year at all our priorities.”

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/sheffield_fayre_2011_history_comes_alive_slideshow_1_3724008

Conference - Historical Metallurgy - Research in Progress 2011 (Sheffield)

Research in Progress 2011, Wednesday the 9th November, 2011
Department of Archaeology, University of Sheffield

This meeting is aimed at a wide variety of contributors, from historical and archaeological metallurgists to excavators, historians and economists. If you are working, or have just finished working, on a project related to archaeological or historical metallurgy, we would like to hear from you. We are particularly interested in bringing together contract and public sector archaeologists with academic researchers, and in fostering links between the different disciplines studying metallurgy and related activities. Whether you are a student, a researcher, an interested non-specialist, or a professional excavator, we invite you to meet others working in this field and present your research to an interested community.

Call for Papers
Download the call for papers poster.
Proposals for 10-15 minute oral papers are welcomed from anyone undertaking work in any area of ancient, historical, or industrial metallurgy, and from other researchers whose focus is of relevance to this subject.
Titles and 300 word abstracts should reach the organisers at hms.rip2011@gmail.com by Monday 26th September.

Registration
Download the registration form as MS Word or Adobe Acrobat file.
The cost of the conference will be £15 for members of the Historical Metallurgy Society, and £20 for non-members.
Lunch and coffee is included. Please make cheques payable to The Historical Metallurgy Society Ltd.
Registration is requested by Friday 4th November as there are limited places.

Venue
The conference will be held at the Humanities Research Institute at the University of Sheffield, 34 Gell Street, Sheffield, S3 7QY.
How to Find Us http://www.shef.ac.uk/hri/findus.html

Organisers
The meeting is being organised by:
Derek Pitman – d.pitman@shef.ac.uk
Jessie Slater – j.slater@shef.ac.uk
General enquiries and abstracts can be directed to hms.rip2011@gmail.com

From: http://www.cba-yorkshire.org.uk/events-1/conferences-dayschools/sheffieldhistoricalmetallurgy-researchinprogress20119nov2011

Event - Rotherham Local Heritage Fair 2011

The 2011 Rotherham Local Heritage Fair will take place at Rotherham Minister on October 15th between 10.00-16.00.

If groups wanting to set up stalls or displays could get in touch with the Rotherham Heritage Association's secretary as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

SURVEY - 2011 Southumbria Survey (Notts & South Yorkshire)

Please take part in the 2011 'Southumbria' Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire Archaeology and History Survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BY3PM2C the more results we get the better :)

Event - Local Area History Group's Heritage Fair (Creswell Crags)

Priories Historical Society will be attending the Local Area History Groups Heritage Fair on 1^st October 2011.  We’ll be selling books as well as creating a display for the event.  Last year it was held at the Turbine Centre in Shireoaks and was a great success.

The event opens at 08.30 and car parking for the general public will be in the La Farge car park with shuttle buses transporting the public on-site.

Event - Farm and Country Festival (Retford)

Come and see the vintage tractors and vehicles, traction engine, Gypsy caravan, wrought iron demonstration, woodcraft and cane chairs and watercolour artist.


There will be stalls from the Notts Wildlife Trust, Butterfly Conservation Trust and local shops as well as stalls of country crafts, cards and books and local produce. You can listen to the Retford Oaks School Band and observe a line dancing display.This is along with children's activities, refreshments and ice cream.

Bassetlaw Museum, Saturday 25th June - Sunday 26th June, 10 am - 4 pmAdmission: FREE

From: http://www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk/events.asp?page=events&id=>0

Event - Tickhill Castle Open Day (12th June)

Hi everyone,

I've just been informed that Tickhill Castle will be open on 12th June between 14.30 and 17.00

Dave C

Event - Sheffield Fayre 2011

The annual Sheffield Fayre will be taking place in Norfolk Heritage Park between 28th August 2011 to 29th August 2011 (10:30 - 17:30). This is one of the largest free events in South Yorkshire and this year looks like being another bumper year for this celebrated city festival.

There will be the Through the Ages Living History show with reenactments and displays ranging from the Romans (Legio VIII Augusta MGV), to World War II (The Northern World War II Association,. The American Civil War will also be occurring with attendance from the American Civil War Society.

There will also be the annual Horitcultural Show, fair rides, craft tent and market stalls

Admission is free. For more details email: centreinthepark@sheffield.gov.uk or phone 0114 286 0400.

For further details see http://www.norfolk-park.com/ or http://www.eventplan.co.uk/

Event - Vintage cars head to show (Auckley)

A FLEET of vintage cars, tractors and motorbikes will be descending on Auckley, Doncaster, for a three-day extravaganza this weekend.

The Vintage Vehicle and Machinery Show, which has attracted 200 exhibitors, takes place at Hayfield Lakes over the Bank Holiday from Saturday to Monday, each day from 10am to 5pm.

Attractions include vintage tractors, miniature steam engines, model displays, and traditional fairground amusements.

Proceeds from the event will be shared between Doncaster Children’s Hospital and Save Britain’s Heritage. Admission is £4 for adults, £2 for OAPs and children.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/lifestyle/vintage_cars_head_to_show_1_3408475

News - Parties agreed that private sector must help out with city's heritage offering (Nottingham)

THERE are not many subjects that the three main parties at Nottingham City Council agree on.

But the Labour, Tory and Lib Dem leaders all believe that culture and heritage cannot be a priority at a time of unprecedented cuts.

This year, the Labour-led council unveiled plans to reduce opening hours at Newstead Abbey, the Brewhouse Yard Museum and Green's Windmill and Science Centre, in Sneinton.

And none of the three main parties have committed to protecting the city's museums and heritage in their manifestos.

Deputy leader of the Labour group, Councillor Graham Chapman said: "It's very difficult to give commitments when you face £60 million of cuts this year, £25 million next year and £30 million the following year.

"We're still trying to talk to the private sector about Robin Hood and we're looking at options for Newstead to keep it open and make it more sustainable.

"The reality of it is when we're facing cuts to children's services, adult service and the most vulnerable in the community, we're going to have to rely on the private sector to play more of a role with heritage."

But the city has already seen a demise of its museums and heritage in recent years.

The council stopped running the Nottingham Industrial Museum at Wollaton Hall in September 2009 – it is now only open on the last Sunday of every month, run by volunteers at the Arkwright Society.

The Lace Centre, which was in the historic Severns building near Nottingham Castle, shut its doors in April 2009.

And the Museum of Costume and Textiles in Castle Gate closed in 2002 while Tales of Robin Hood closed in 2009.

City Tory leader Councillor Andrew Price, said volunteers and businesses had to play a larger role in preserving the city's heritage.

"A lot of the retired members of Rolls-Royce in Hucknall help run the museum up there," he said.

"It's a combination of using our money but also encouraging the role of volunteers, it's going to be essential in the future.

"The other thing I would explore is if we can get any sponsorship [from local businesses].

"I don't think you need mega bucks – a few thousand pounds would go a long way to train volunteers."

And Liberal Democrat party leader Councillor Gary Long added: "While it's a good thing to have all these things, at a time when we've got a shortage of money then cutting down of opening hours has to be compared against social services, the elderly, education.

"But also against some of the things the council does, like excessive communications, spin and banners.

"We can't have a guarantee that no museum will have its opening hours reduced but none the less, there are things the council could be cutting before they get around to doing that."

While the party manifestos make no pledges to protect museums and city heritage, Labour does promise to deliver international sporting events including tennis, triathlon, international cricket and football matches, which continues to put Nottingham on the map.

The city has also seen some new additions to its cultural menu including the Nottingham Contemporary and the New Arts Exchange.

Richard Mallender, leader of Nottingham Green Party, said the city's attractions must be kept in "public ownership" despite the cuts.

He said he was disappointed to see opening hours reduced.

"I think it is a real shame that they are doing that," said Mr Mallender.

And Irenea Marriott, chairman of UKIP Nottingham District branch, said: "It's important for educational purposes to keep these places open."

The Post reported earlier this year that a deal had been struck to save the DH Lawrence Heritage Centre at Durban House. Run by Broxtowe Borough Council, it has been under threat for a couple of years but now money from the University of Nottingham will keep it open for at least two years.

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Parties-agreed-private-sector-help-city-s-heritage-offering/article-3510502-detail/article.html?cacheBust=Yp8C6FvN1rc0&success=true