'PROJECT CASTLE': update July 2006
GATE: 'Project Castle'
, organised by the Clavering Landscape History Group, is spilling over into
extra facilities beyond those paid for by our grant. Our latest activity
involves the provision of a new larger and improved mobility kissing-gate
between the churchyard and the Humps & Bumps. The gate fits in to the Project
Castle remit in terms of improving access to the public part of the Ancient
Monument. The conservation working party of the group will be working on the
gate on 7 July, and we hope it will be ready for a brief informal opening
ceremony on SATURDAY 15 JULY at 2.30 pm. Please come along and try it out! There
will also be a history tour of the Castle grounds for those who missed it last
year, starting at 3 pm at the new gate (email to book or ask for details).
Thanks to Janet and John Hosford, the PCC, Lisa Cross and Rebecca Stanford, and
our volunteers.
CASTLE: The results from the survey of the moated Castle platform are now
complete and the diagram confirms that underground there are indications of
former buildings - of what date we don't know of course since excavation is not
allowed on Scheduled Monuments. We have, however, found some dating evidence,
since English Heritage gave permission for us to pick up the material lying on
the surface, brought there by burrowing animals. This was analysed through
Saffron Walden Museum and the Portable Antiquities Officer, who confirmed the
site was in use from at least the 13th century since Essex micaceous sandyware
of that date turned up, including one piece of glazed Hedingham ware. We also
found a lot of oyster shells and some animal bones, probably cow or pig,
indicating kitchen use, masses of later tile (17-19th century) and a fossil of
Jurassic date. Our thanks to those who took part and to Cliff and Rosemary Nash
for organising the recording of these finds, and Caroline McDonald for getting
them identified.
DAM MEADOW: The results from the survey of the Dam meadow (inc Humps &
Bumps) have come through for the geophysics (underground) survey, but there was
no sign of settlement on this field, in spite of there being such evidence in
the adjoining new section of churchyard. The field was presumably more valuable
for pastoral uses, and for the fishponds surmised to have been here. What we did
find was quite significant, however - this was the line of some ditches which do
not match the existing boundaries and therefore must pre-date the present field
pattern - this may tie up with the evidence of early boundaries found in the
adjoining new churchyard. The results of the earthwork (above-ground) survey are
still being analysed and may enable more understanding of the significance of
this finding.
BURY MEADOW: Meanwhile the third phase of Project Castle, surveying Bury
Meadow, begins in July (please email if you would like to help or want to know
more). We are carrying out both types of survey - the magnetometer which
produces an indication of what lies underground, and the Topcon Level, which
produces a picture of the mounds and hollows on the surface. The two surveys go
together on a computer to end up with an idea of what the field may have been
used for in the past. We hope the humps and hollows indicate former settlement
but they could just be clay diggings or...??? As ever, we are very grateful to
Janet and John Hosford for allowing us to roam all over their land doing these
surveys! Thanks especially to Rosemary & Cliff Nash, and Jane & David Laing who
are team leaders for these surveys.
EVENTS: Our recent AGM was an enjoyable evening, with reports on all the
activities and slides of the past year's events, including the never-to-be
forgotten medieval re-enactment event a year ago. The idea of a local history
exhibition was mooted. We are also keeping up contact with Clavering School, and helping them on a history project re the Castle and village
towards the end of term. Finally, the group is combining with Clavering evening
class for a barbecue in July. If you would like to join the group, we welcome
new members from anywhere (not just Clavering), subs £3 individual, £5 family:
email jacqueline.cooper@virgin.net
