Newsletter
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Owing to the impossibility of holding the last lecture, because
of the ”black-out” in Hendon on 15th February, the Treasurer was unable
to offer tickets for the eleventh anniversary party on that evening.
The SOCIAL EVENING arranged for Friday 10th March from 8 p.m. at 166
Station Road, Hendon, NW4 will, however take place, with electricity or
with candles! Tickets for the party are enclosed with this letter. The
cost is 45p each, and money will be collected at the door. Do please
come; we shall be please to welcome any friends you may wish to bring.
Additional tickets, at the same price, are also obtainable at the door.
Wine and refreshments are included in the price. The Treasurer has
received some raffle prizes in response to last month’s appeal and
further gifts would be appreciated. Anyone who is able to help with
refreshments is asked to contact the Treasurer, Richard Deacon. Gifts
of refreshments will be as welcome as offers of help.
Lectures
As mentioned above, the cancellation of the February 15th meeting is
much regretted, and the committee apologises for any inconvenience
caused thereby.
The next meeting – 21st March 1972. Mr. Dawson will talk
about the excavations of Delftware kilns at Montagu Close, Southwark,
S.E.London.
College Farm
It will not be possible to take a party to this farm as Express
Dairy have written that no conducted tours are given on Saturdays. The
farm is open to the general public during the summer months from June
to September. It would be best if members make their own arrangements
for a visit, as Express Dairy do not like numbers such as we envisage,
going round at one time.
Annual General Meeting
Preliminary notice is given that this will take place on 16th May 1972.
St. Mary’s Churchyard
Members may like to know that an account of the work done by the
Society has appeared in the February edition of “Cornerstone”, the St,
Mary’s Parish Magazine. Mr. Sammes mentions that the work of
deciphering and recording the inscriptions on the memorials is still in
progress – volunteers will always be welcome at 3 p.m. on Sunday
afternoons, weather permitting. The object of this work is to put on
record an index of the people, rich and poor, notable or otherwise,
interred or commemorated there, so that historians and others doing
genealogical research may have an extension of their information
readily available, either through the Central Reference Library at The
Burroughs, or the Library of the Society of Genealogists.
Leaflets
Accompanying this newsletter are several leaflets of general
interest. The London Archaeologist have sent us leaflets to distribute.
We would draw your special attention to the short courses on “The
recognition of finds” which will be given at The Institute, Hampstead
Garden Suburb, on Wednesday evenings from 7.30-9.30, beginning on 26th
April for six weeks. As the Society has been instrumental in
encouraging Mr. Enderby to arrange these, we do hope that members will
make an effort to join.
Hon. Secretary
During the month of March, The Hon Secretary, Mrs. Grafton Green,
will be moving house. The new house number will be given. There is no
change of road or telephone number.
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BBC Radio 3
From Thursday 13th April, the BBC radio will broadcast weekly a
series of 10 programmes “This was their World”, designed specifically
to serve and support the study of local history. These broadcasts at 7
p.m. will concentrate on the late Victorian period, toughly the 1870s,
thereby taking advantage of the 1871 census returns. Although the
series focuses on the late Victorian period, the topics are dealt with
in such a way as to be relevant to students with interests in other
periods. A case-bound book called “This was their World” has been
written by Dr. Alan Rogers to accompany the series. The book covers a
somewhat wider period of history and considerably expands the basic
material. It is extensively illustrated with photographs, diagrams and
maps, and is being published by BBC Publications at about £2.40.
Available towards the end of April, copies may be ordered from
booksellers or direct from the BBC.
University of London
The Department of Extra-Mural Studies is presenting a course of 11
University extension lessons on Archaeological Field Techniques. Give
by two notable lecturers, these will begin on Wednesday 19th April at
6.56-8.45 p.m. at the Extra-Mural Centre, 32 Tavistock Square, W.C.1.
Applications should be addressed to the Deputy Director (Ext.), Dept of
Extra-Mural Studies, 7 Ridgmount Street, London WC1E 7AD.
Palaeography
Would any members be interested in joining a weekly course next
winter, if one could be arranged. Even 18th century documents pose
problems of unscrambling variations in Secretary, Chancery and the
various hands; the problems are intensified if investigations are being
made among Tudor or Medieval papers. Such a course would enlighten us
as to the more common abbreviations and contradictions used
particularly when writing Latin. Understanding could be gained of such
mechanical point as the interchangeability of I and j, u and v or the
vagaries of the long s. The Hon. Sec. Would be very pleased to hear
from any member willing to take part in such a course; the minimum
required is 10 to 12, and it would then be possible to canvass
authority to arrange lectures, bearing in mind that something practical
is desired, so that the lecturer would bring actual documents for
students to work on.
Development Watching
The London and Middlesex Archaeological Society recently began a
scheme for Borough Secretaries, the appointment of people or
organisations in each London Borough to be responsible for (a) plotting
onto 6” Ordinance Survey maps all known archaeological sites and finds
in each borough; (b) watching sites which are being developed for
evidence of archaeological interest. HADAS was asked to act for the
London Borough of Barnet and agreed to do so. During the winter, the
organisation of the project has been worked out and now it is ready to
go into action. Its importance is underlined by the threat that
increasing urban development poses to archaeological evidence (not only
house-building, but pipe-laying, road building, etc.). Some 20 members
have so far volunteered to be “development watchers”.
Through the helpful co-operation of the Borough, the Society receives
regular lists of planning applications and decisions. These are checked
for sites that are thought worth watching, and the details sent to the
nearest development watcher. The member concerned can inspect plans for
the development at the nearest planning office and can find out when
work is likely to start. He can then keep in touch with a friendly
foreman, visiting the site regularly to watch for any interesting
finds. In the event of a major find, The Society hopes to take
immediate action, backed by LAMAS. The scheme is in its infancy and may
need adapting. We hope many members may like to take part, and anyone
prepared to help should get in touch with the Hon. Secretary.
River Walk
Don’t forget the river walk along the course of the Brent on March
25th. Led by Mr. J. Evans, time 2.30 p.m. at the roundabout at Holders
Hill Road (240 bus from Golders Green).