HAARG Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group  
Registered Charity No.294989
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NEWSLETTER - January 2007

THE SECOND JOURNAL UNDER THE 2006 SUBSCRIPTION IS ENCLOSED for all paid-up members - another extended 24-page edition like the last two, going still further towards making up the unavoidable shortfall the previous year. Some contributions are already in hand for the next Summer issue. We are also hoping to publish later this year a members' version of the final report on Glossams Place, Beckley which Andrew Woodcock is preparing.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW DUE , and a renewal form is enclosed which please return to Kevin Cornwell as soon as possible. For the sixth year there is no increase in amount - £8 individual, or £9 for a household or family, with a reduction to £7 for full-time students, unwaged and retired - but donations over and above are always welcome!

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF HAARG WILL TAKE PLACE AS USUAL ON THE LAST WEDNESDAY IN FEBRUARY - 28TH - at 7.30pm in the same place as the past few years: Clive Vale United Reformed Church, Edwin Road. Anyone needing a location plan should contact the Chairman. A copy of the Agenda and all the reports and accounts are enclosed. Please bring them with you if attending. We are pleased to say that the new County Archaeologist, Casper Johnson, has agreed to talk afterwards on his major excavation of a few years ago - the "Ashford Warrior Burials", which is the next best thing to Sutton Hoo...

COLLECTORS' FAIR AT THE HISTORY CENTRE: On Saturday 30 March we are staging this event jointly with the other groups involved, and Lynn and Kevin are manning a table in aid of our own funds. They are seeking donations of good quality bric-a-brac and collectables and members are asked to get in touch to offer anything suitable and arrange a collection or delivery in advance of the day. Items can also be handed over at the AGM.

NETHERFIELD PLACE FARM : A Total Station survey will be carried out when the weather improves and we hope to conduct a small excavation later in the spring. More details at the AGM.

An excavation of the garden at Netherfield Place Farm is planned for Sat. 17 March and possibly Sun. 18 March if further time is required.

On Saturday 24 March, HAARG members have been invited to attend a community morning at Netherfield Place Farm commencing at 10am, organised by the farm manager. The title of the meeting is "Delving into the Past at Netherfield Place Farm". A guided tour and chat will be followed by lunch. This event must be booked in advance before 17th March. If you are interested then please contact Topsy Jewell at Netherfield Place on 01424 775615 or Kevin and Lynn on 01424 224405.

Later in the spring we are planning to conduct further work on this site, dates are from 12-15 April 2007. Further information will be given at the AGM or is available from Kevin and Lynn on 01424 224405.

CASTLE CROFT, NINFIELD : Since Christmas we have been conducting work at Castle Croft, Ninfield which is a raised platform previously recorded as a "cattle refuge" on the marsh. This site was at one time scheduled, but subsequently de-scheduled, and has recently started to produce Romano-British tile/brick from an eroded area of the bank. During our resistivity and contour survey we also recovered two sherds of East Sussex ware, along with two Roman coins from the metal detecting survey (taking the total to five from this site).

GREAT PRAWLS FARM, ISLE OF OXNEY- a moated site : We have been invited to take a look at this impressive moat site just over the border into Kent. The site is too extensive for our workforce and we have suggested conducting a joint project with interested groups within the local area. A guided tour is planned for later this spring.

WARREN GLEN, HASTINGS COUNTRY PARK : Hastings Borough Council plans to plough three fields close to the site where the barbed and tanged flint arrowhead and other lithic implements were recovered in September 2006.

If you are interested in any of these projects or are willing to assist in any way, then please contact Kevin or Lynn on 01424 224405 or via e-mail to [email protected]

HAARG MEETINGS continue every Wednesday morning in the upstairs room of the Fishermen's Museum, Rock-a-Nore from 1030 to 1200. Coffee and biscuits are provided, with plenty of chat - even a little archaeology and history discussion - and there is access to most of our library. We still plan to transfer meetings to the History Centre where work was held up over details of planning control, as soon as possible.

A DETAILED SURVEY OF EAST HILL, HASTINGS is to take place shortly by English Heritage officers. There may be an opportunity for HAARG members to visit at short notice on one day to observe their methods; anyone keen to attend should keep in touch with Lynn & Kevin.

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