Promoting awareness of the archaeology and history
of north Devon
ACTIVITIES
WEST YEO
Archaeology Projects (external)
Local History Days; 2004; 2005; 2007;
The NDAS Local History Day - Terry Green (Newsletter No 8 2004)
On Saturday 23rd October 2004 NDAS held an all-day “forum” for Local History groups in the Assembly Rooms at South Molton. Committee member Derry Bryant had taken on the task of setting it up and deserves hearty congratulations for the scope of her organisation and the allround success of the day.
The idea of such a gathering was first floated in the January NDAS Committee meeting and was discussed in the Editorial to the Spring 2004 Newsletter. At that time it was not clear whether it would take the form of an exhibition or a gathering of people with common interests or both. In the end it was decided that the primary purpose at this stage was to provide people with a meeting point where they could share ideas and information, so the idea of a public exhibition was put on hold. Invitations were therefore sent out both to Local History groups all across northern Devon and to NDAS members. The response was immediate and enthusiastic with up to 90 individuals wishing to attend.
On the day the weather was foul and it does credit to
those who attended that they were ready to carry their displays across
Devon, struggle through South Molton’s Farmers’ Market day
traffic and hump their kit up the stairs to the Assembly Rooms despite
the conditions. The result was well worth it. Seventeen groups were due
to put on displays (in the end two pulled out owing to illness) and by
9.30 on the morning of 23rd October, South Molton’s magnificent
main assembly room was lined with tables and display boards bearing photos,
documents, maps and some attractive publications illustrating the hard
work and enthusiasm of groups from all points of the compass (For a list
of exhibitors see below).
Among the displays was our own stand where we presented our fishweirs
project, the Holworthy dig, recent work
at High Bray and the participation of NDAS
members in the Exmoor Iron Project.
The format of the day was a split between 30- minute
talks, informal meetings and a final open forum. NDAS began the day with
a brief introduction to the Society and its aims and activities. This
was followed by Jonathan Edmonds of the Friends of South Molton Museum
who read a paper on the history of the South Molton Assembly Rooms, Guild
Hall and Courtroom. Jonathan then provided a guided tour of the building
in which participants had the rare privilege of viewing the Mayor’s
Parlour, while at the same time those who felt so inclined watched a slide
show about early 20th century South and North Molton. From this point
on, talks were held in a side room, giving people the choice of listening
or continuing to examine and discuss the displays in the main hall. The
morning’s talks concluded with a presentation by Tim Wormleighton
on the work of the North Devon Records Office in which he gave a “virtual”
tour of the building and introduced the range of documents that are kept
there.
After lunch Shirley Bray and Derrica Hodgson of South Molton Archive talked
about the loss of historic buildings in South Molton and the need to record
buildings before it becomes too late. Next came Stephen Hobbs of the Hartland
Archive Project who spoke about the monumental task of digitally recording
the wealth of historic documents that Hartland is privileged to possess.
Nicola Powell, Finds Liaison Officer for Devon followed on, speaking about
the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the benefits it promises to bring
in making sure that finds are properly recorded. Finally, tea and a further
look at the
displays led on to the Open Forum back in the main hall in which groups
were invited to have their say and questions were discussed.
Out of the Open Forum came two important proposals. The purpose of the day had been to begin a process of networking among groups who are widely dispersed, but share a common regional interest. It was felt that the purpose had been achieved and in this vein, Jenny Yendall of Tiverton Archaeological Group began the session with a proposal. This was that a central register of historical and archaeological groups in northern Devon should be formed. Initially this should be a simple list of groups with their contact details and a statement of their interests to be made widely available with the purpose of facilitating the exchange of information and ideas. The proposal was welcomed and Jenny began the process by asking representatives to register their interest on a list that was passed round. The second proposal was that an event such as this should be repeated regularly, and that in future an exhibition should be provided for the general public. This too was greeted with enthusiasm, but of course implies a need for organisation. Let us hope that a process has been set in motion that will ensure it.
Displays were provided by:
ACE Archaeology Club Winkleigh, Charles
Historical Society, Creacombe Historical Society, Filleigh History Society,
House Scouts (Winkleigh), Hartland Archive, Newton
Tracey and District Historical Society, North Devon Searchers, South Molton
Archive and Historical Society, North Devon Archaeological Society, Parracombe
Historical Society, Portable Antiquities Scheme, Tiverton
Archaeological Group, Torrington and District Historical Society,Westward
Ho! Historical Society, Witheridge Historical Society.
Apologies were received from:
Bideford and District Community Archive,
Tawstock History Society.
The NDAS Local History Day, 8th October (Newsletter No 10 2005)
On Saturday 8th October, NDAS held its second Local History
Day. It had been suggested that, since
the aim was to draw in local history researchers from across the region,
the venue should be moved around. So this year, it was held at the RHS
Rosemoor Gardens near Torrington. Thirteen groups took part, putting on
well constructed displays of their work. Represented were:
ACE Archaeology (Winkleigh), Chulmleigh
Old Fair Archive, Combe Martin Silver Mines
Research Group, Filleigh Historical Society, NDAS, North Devon Museums
, Parracombe Historical Society, Rolle Canal & North Devon Waterways
Society, South Molton & District Archive and Historical Society, Great
Torrington Museum, Tawstock History Society, Torrington Historical Society,
Weare Giffard Historical Society
The day was well attended both by NDAS members who had bought tickets
in advance and by members of the public, a number of whom had come to
visit the gardens, but found themselves drawn in. As on the previous Local
History Day at South Molton in October 2004, the programme included three
talks. These were held in the log cabin. The speakers were Sean Hawken
of the Community Landscapes Project, Peter Christie,
the well known local historian and Tony Barnes of the Rolle Canal and
North Devon Waterways Society.
Sean spoke about the achievements of CLP in involving
local people in researching their own parts of Devon, including areas
as diverse as the Blackdown Hills and the Hartland Peninsula. He spoke
about his hopes for the future of the project and the need for support
from local people. Peter Christie spoke very entertainingly about the
folklore of North Devon drawing his material from 19th century editions
of the North Devon Journal.
Tony Barnes outlined the work of the Rolle Canal group in preserving and
restoring the remains of Lord Rolle’s early 19th Century enterprise
to extend the commercial navigation on the Torridge upstream as far as
Great Torrington. Unfortunately the venue for the talks was quite small,
so the number of tickets was limited, which left a number of people disappointed.
This is something to be addressed on any future occasion.
The aim of these days has been to provide local historians
with a forum in which to catch up on each other’s work and to exchange
ideas and information. Certainly there was a buzz of conversation throughout
the day, so hopefully this is what was happening. The other aim this year
was to provide local historians with a window in which to display their
work to the public at large. It has to be admitted that attendance by
the general public was limited, and it was suggested that on another occasion,
more should be done to publicise the event. Finally, the ultimate aim
should be to spread the organisational load by involving members of local
history groups in the organisation. If the event will bear annual repetition,
then any future committee should be set up on this basis.
The Society owes its thanks to Derry Bryant, Harry Cramp and Ann Mandry
for organising this successful event.
LOCAL HISTORY DAY,
SATURDAY 13 OCTOBER, LYNTON TOWN HALL
by Derry Bryant (Newsletter No 14 2007)
NDAS played hosts to a Local History and Archaeology day on Saturday
13 October at Lynton Town Hall. This was the third such event in recent
years run by our Society and was attended by 14 local history/archaeology
groups from across North Devon, as follows:
NDAS
Parracombe Local History Society
South Molton Museum
South Molton Archive & Local History Society
North Devon Museum, Bamstaple
Explore North Devon Project
ACE Archaeology, Winkleigh
Paul Madgett, geologist
Combe Martin Silver Mine Research and
Preservation Society
Taw & Torridge Metal Detectors
Lynton Museum
Kings Nympton Local History Society
Chulmleigh Local History Society
Bratton Fleming Local History Society
The morning session consisted of 3 lectures:
Terry Green, NDAS Chairman, on "NDAS Projects in Parracombe and Lynton";
Chris Preece, NDAS,"Archaeology of the Taw/Torridge estuaries",
Dr Judith Cannell, "Archaeology of Woodland".
The day was open to the general public - about 60 people attended the lecture, and we had casual visitors in the afternoon to see displays/exhibitions of local society projects and artefacts.
Terry's lecture centred on the landscape around Parracombe, Martinhoe and Lynton,featuring the Society's excavation and survey work and taking a look at patterns in the landscape that are indicative of early settlement.
Chris Preece's talk covered the investigation and recording of remnants of fish-weirs in the estuaries which are constantly being revealed/hidden by the shifting silts and sand. He talked about his work on hulks of ships beached in the estuaries which are gradually deteriorating, and which need to be recorded before they eventually disappear, Chris is hoping to produce a book on his work in the near future.
Judith's talk showed how woodland on the edges of Exmoor has been exploited
and has changed over the years. Woodland has been used for coppicing/grazing
animals, and charcoal burning. It was interesting to see the illustrations
of charcoal burning and the industry which was involved, the remaining
evidence for which is platforms within the woods
.
Once again it was an enjoyable and interesting day, with a lot of networking
between groups. It was particularly nice to meet members of groups