On Thursday 4 March, a large gathering at Clavering Village Hall gave their unanimous support to the setting up of the Clavering Landscape History Group with the initial aim of studying and disseminating information on the Clavering Castle, and helping with its conservation; the group would also undertake projects in the wider landscape as and when time and opportunity permit.

The new initiative, provisionally entitled 'Project Castle' already has nearly 50 people interested in joining, after enjoying a full evening of presentations. Special guest of the evening was Ken Neale, a distinguished Essex historian who runs 'Heritage Sampford' a large-scale community archaeology project in the Sampfords on the other side of Saffron Walden. Mr Neale described how their project got going and how it had snowballed into a massive effort aimed at analysis of the landscape of the entire parish. They had received a large input of funds from the Lottery Heritage Initiative (LHI) and elsewhere and were making spectacular finds. An additional aim of the project was to evolve methodology which could be transferred to other villages like Clavering, and at the end of the evening the Sampfords group offered to train Clavering volunteers in field-walking techniques when the time comes.

The second presentation was from Clavering historian, Miss Eileen Ludgate who has written two best-selling books on the village history. She explained the complex manorial history of the village in the 11th and 12thcenturies, when Clavering had links to some of the mightiest men in the land. Robert FitzWymark and Sweyn of Essex, in particular, were closely involved with the monarchy and Clavering was part of their holdings. It could have been this first Robert or a later Robert who actually built the Castle, depending on the date it was built (one of the aims of Project Castle). But Miss Ludgate also put forward an alternative theory that the original moated site might have been thrown together to protect people and their animals during the troubled times when the Vikings were invading England. If so, this would take the history of the site back even further.

Adrian Gascoyne, the archaeologist who set the project in motion, spoke next and with the aid of a slide presentation explained the various options available to communities who wish to undertake funded landscape and conservation projects. Adrian is the countryside officer with the Essex County Council heritage conservation branch and spends his time helping groups like Clavering to organise projects and putting in place management agreements on important sites.

The co-ordinator, Jacky Cooper then asked those gathered whether, on the basis of what they had heard, they would like to set up a new group, and the vote in favour was unanimous. The name of Clavering Landscape History Group was agreed and Mrs Cooper then showed slides to illustrate, firstly the recent work parties and visit by Christopher Taylor to the site and, secondly, the features of the Castle area which might be explored by the Group. These include not only the central mound, but also the very deep moat, the two areas supposedly once occupied by fish ponds, the Bury meadows and 'humps & bumps' with all their earthworks and surrounding fields.

The meeting ended with refreshments, kindly organised by Joy Barrow, while Brian Barrow set out the hall and Peter Upson lent the projectors for the presentations. There were also a number of displays. The next stage will be for the working committee to meet and toss round the various ideas so that Adrian Gascoyne can put together a draft proposal to see whether it might attract funding. While that is in process, activities which might attract funding cannot be undertaken, but it is hoped to organise one or two other low-cost activities later in the year to keep the interest going. Those who expressed interest will be asked to pay a nominal amount as subscription purely for admin purposes and will be kept in touch with progress. We would like to thank the site owners, Mr & Mrs Hosford for their enthusiastic co-operation in what we are now calling 'Project Castle'.