KAS Committee Round-Up
CHURCHES COMMITTEE
Visit to Crundale and Godmersham Churches on 24 April
Almost seventy people assembled on a gloriously sunny spring afternoon outside St. Mary’s Church, Crundale, and were greeted by Mr Les Cameron, a churchwarden, with a welcome that matched the warmth of the day. In a relaxed and open manner, Mr Cameron soon revealed the geography of the parish and the antiquity of the site on which the church stands, close by a prehistoric trackway. Our initial reluctance to quit the warm sunlight and enter through the 16th-century porch was rewarded by the glimpse of an extremely fine 15th-century incised alabaster tomb that marked the resting place of Sir John Sprak. The simplicity of the 11th-century interior, with its 13th-century additions, had largely escaped the worst embellishments of the 19th century. In 1895 the Revd. Vickers had renewed the dilapidated interior structure and added a fireplace for himself. Outdoors again we admired the expertly dressed flints that marked the chancel extensions built in 1298 by a local man, Roger de Crundale, who had once been stonemason to Edward I.
A picturesque descent from the chalk ridge soon led members to the church of St. Lawrence in Godmersham Park, where the Revd. Ian Campbell and our speaker, Mr Hugh Schryver, were waiting. The large, light interior of the church belied its ancient origins since it had been rebuilt by the cathedral monks of Canterbury in the 12th century on the site of a much earlier church and Roman bricks were incorporated into its structure. An unusual apsidal chapel on the north side of the church dates from this rebuilding, together with two windows on the north wall and a bas-relief on the south side of the chancel which is thought to be either one of Becket’s tomb, or that of his predecessor, Theobald. In the early 18th century Jane Austen joined her brother, Edward (who inherited Godmersham Park), in Sunday worship at St. Lawrence. At that time there were two raised pews at the west end which caused a serious problem with damp. No such problems are apparent today, and a quite fascinating afternoon was rounded off by a steaming cup of tea.
Sue Petrie
The winning entry in the Churches Committee Competition can be read on page 4.
FIELDWORK COMMITTEE
Over recent years the Society has purchased an array of tools and instruments for use on excavations and geophysical surveys. Members and Affiliated Groups may borrow this equipment for their projects, the proviso being that the Society’s usage will normally take precedence. For those who would like to use the equipment or would like more information, please contact the custodians listed below.
For Tools (e.g., wheelbarrows, spades, shovels, mattocks, etc.) and the Theodolite
Custodian: Chris Pout
Sunnydene, Boyden Gate Corner, Marshside, Nr Canterbury CT3 4EE
Tel: 01227 860207
For Resistivity Meter
Custodian: Brian McNaughton
Eltons, Warehorne Road, Hamstreet, Ashford TN26 2JL
Tel: 01233 732721
For G.P.S. Meter (Geographical Positioning System)
Custodian: Ted Connell
110 Manor Forstal, New Ash Green, Dartford DA3 8JQ
Tel: 01474 872763
Email: ted.connell@btinternet.com
For Auger Set
Custodian: Ian Jackson
128 First Avenue, Gillingham ME7 2LQ
Tel: 01634 575000
NB: All borrowed equipment must be collected and returned by the recipient. Before collection, the recipient must agree on the date of return.
PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
The Committee last met on Saturday 12 June and will next meet on Saturday 9 October. Consideration is still being given as to how best to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Society in 2007.
At the Society’s June History & Archaeology Show, £217 were realized from the sale of 31 past publications. The Committee has established a permanent Information Technology Subcommittee to continue advising, assisting, and acting for the Publications Committee. In the future, there will be four publishing formats:
on the kentarchaeology.ac website
on CD-ROM
in paperback
in hardback
Archaeologia Cantiana, however, will continue to be printed in hardback.
From the Kent History Fund, three grants have been awarded:
£150 to the Hadlow Historical Society, regarding its manorial survey;
£250 to the Shoreham and District Historical Society, regarding oral history and the Second World War;
£300 to the Ulcombe History Society towards the publication of a history of Ulcombe.
John Whyman (Chair)
MEMBERSHIP & PUBLICITY COMMITTEE
The Committee is currently reviewing items which could be used for the Society’s publicity material. Previously, items such as ties, greetings cards, and tote bags have been sold, all carrying the Society’s logo. The Committee would like to hear what sort of items members would be interested in. If you have any ideas, comments, or experience in dealing with these matters, please contact Margaret Lawrence