HAARG Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group  
Registered Charity No.294989
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NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 2006

THE FIRST OF THIS YEAR'S TWO PLANNED JOURNALS HAVE NOW BEEN SENT OUT for all paid-up members (almost everyone, but further reminders are enclosed for a few who we are sure have unintentionally overlooked payment). The Summer journal is an extended 24-page edition like the last one, and goes further towards making up the unavoidable shortfall last summer. A good number of contributions were received from members, and the forecast report on Dickens Cottage phase 2 has been held over pending completion of identification of a large quantity of finds. We also welcome the opportunity to summarise two reports of professional watching briefs in our area, with acknowledg­ments to the Field Archaeology Unit of London University, based at Ditchling. Readers will note the great attention to detail which, while making dry reading is intended to enable future researchers to return to the site and associate new research with old. Who knows, it may be HAARG next time! For the somewhat different purposes of HAARG Journal, which has to be of more general interest, a balance of contents has to be struck, but still our prime aim is firstly to record everything archaeological which happens in the district, and secondly to publish reports on landscape studies and the earlier period of local history. Members may not realise that HAARG is one of the very few purely local groups in SE England to issue a regular publication on this ambitious scale.

The next Journal, Winter 2006, is already being planned and should be circulated with AGM papers early after the New Year holiday. After that, we are expecting to publish a members' version of the final report on Glossams Place, Beckley which Andrew Woodcock is preparing.

THE COUNTY ARCHAEOLOGIST has always kept in close touch with HAARG and usually attends our Committee meetings and gives us friendly advice. As previously announced, Andrew Woodcock retires on 14 October but we propose to invite him to remain an Honorary Member. The name of his successor has recently been made public: Casper Johnson, who is already known to some members. He was formerly with the Field Archaeology Unit in Sussex, and moved to the Kent County Archaeology Service a few years ago. Casper also lectures on Practical Archaeology for the University of Sussex at the Hastings Centre, and a few years ago brought his class to take part in our dig at Beckley. We congratulate him him on his new appointment and look forward to continued contact and support as an ex-officio adviser to our Committee.

EXCAVATION AND SURVEYING AT NETHERFIELD PLACE FARM : As announced in the April Newsletter, work on this site will take place between Sat. 9 Sept. and Sat. 16 Sept. from 10.0am to 4.0pm daily. Members on the "active" list will have received either an e-mail or a letter from the Field Officers recently, but anyone else able to come, even for a day, should contact Lynn or Kevin at 224405, or e-mail: [email protected]

An old estate plan of 1639 shows no moat and possibly the old house was in a more southerly position than the present one, so there is plenty to investigate.

RYE MEDIEVAL CONFERENCE will take place over the weekend 28-29 October, with lectures on the theme "Medieval weaponry and Rye's response", the main venue being Thomas Peacock School. Financed by the Rye Partnership, HAARG member Jo Kirkham is in the Chair and there is an impressive list of speakers. Fees for the two days are £70 including lunch, or £45 for Saturday or Sunday alone, with discounts for full-time students. Further details are available from HAARG Chairman, David Padgham, or from the Rye Partnership at 25 Cinque Ports Street, RYE TN31 7AD.

THE ROMNEY MARSH RESEARCH TRUST , to which HAARG is affiliated, has developed plans for "The Rye project" over three years on the theme of the rise and fall of Rye as a Cinque Port. Work is already being done by volunteers directed by Dr. Gillian Draper of the University of Kent.

Work is going on reviewing the evidence for Rye's foundation, from charters, coins, manorial and ecclesiastical records. Christopher Whittick of East Sussex Record Office has joined their committee to assist. They are also looking at bequests from persons in Kent to St. Bartholomew's Hospital and Rye Friary, which may throw more light on these foundations which have already been the subject of archaeological work by HAARG members.

David and Barbara Martin are carrying out a detailed study of the town's medieval buildings, which has revealed a hitherto unrecognised major town house with courtyard, near the church.

UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX CENTRE FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION : the full brochure of courses is now available from HAARG. Open courses at University Centre, Hastings (Havelock Road) have been announced as follows:

Practical Archaeology by Casper Johnson, Thursdays 7-9 pm from 5 October 2006 for 20 weeks. Fees £120 (£44 concessions).

English Castles and Fortifications by Michael Hughes, Tuesdays 10.30am - 12.30pm from 3 October for 10 weeks, fees £60 (£22 concessions).

There are many more courses at Falmer.

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