Working in partnership

From Wiltshire Local Studies and Wiltshire and Swindon Archives Service

WILTSHIRE MONTHLY

INTELLIGENCER

INCORPORATING PAST MATTERS AND THE WILTSHIRE LIST OF

RECENT AND FORTHCOMING PUBLICATIONS

Issue 374 June 2013

Edited by Michael Marshman

In this issue:

Afternoon Lectures at the History Centre Some Recent Events at the History Centre

What’s New on the Blog Wiltshire Community History

Archaeology and Conservation Fair Anglo-Saxon Archaeology Conference

Afternoon Lectures at the History Centre

Thursday 18th July 2013 Old Photograph Workshop Bring in your old photographs - the older the better (maximum of six please) and let our experts date them. We will also try and identify Wiltshire scenes. We are happy to look at lantern slide, glass plates, daguerreotypes and tintypes as well as ordinary photographs.

Open from 2.15 to 5pm. Free Admission, no ticket required. Thursday 1st August 2013 Resources for Research World War I with Terry Bracher NEW A guide to researching your military ancestors who fought during the Great War and other topics from this period. This talk will guide you through archive material and online resources. Come along an make an early start before all the interest that will be generated by the centenary of the outbreak next year. Limited to 30 people

Both events will take place in the Education Room, off the Reception area, of the History Centre. Please arrive a few minutes before the start of a talk. Tickets for the talk may be purchased in advance at the Help Desk in the History Centre or can be reserved (payment by credit/debit card, or by cheque for 2 or more tickets) on 01249 705500 (Tuesdays to Saturdays 9.30 – 5.00). Numbers are limited so please buy your ticket in advance.

Admission for talks £3.50; Students, Unwaged and Pensioners £2.50

Talks will begin at 2.15 p.m.

Some Recent Events at the History Centre Our two afternoon talks this month attracted good audiences. Michael Marshman led 27 people on a canter around the white horses of Wiltshire with detours to the Fovant Badges and the Bulford Kiwi. Uffington and other horses were included as well as various giants, only two of which remain. There was a stimulation discussion about the ages of some of the horses. We had to twice extend the audience limit for Claire Skinner’s talk on ‘Do’s and Don’ts in Family History on the Internet’ and eventually an audience of 35 enjoyed an enthralling talk on the pitfalls of online research for your ancestors. We also had a waiting list in case any ticket holders dropped out, so this talk will also feature in our next programme of events, probably in early November. We may also be using it in a two venue day of mini courses in the south west of the county. Last Monday Michael Marshman and Joy Rutter led an enthusiastic day course researching the history and development of the village of Atworth. Unfortunately estate records for the village have not been deposited with us and so most of the sources used were post 1800. However a great deal of information about earlier history could be deduced from these and course members found the sites of three medieval manor houses, the routes of lost roads, the position of old inns and beer houses, and much more about the development of the village. A discussion about whether there was ever a market in the market place ended in agreement that it probably held a sheep fair. During the afternoon interpretive walk around the village several course members helped out by talking about the church and their own houses while one gave us a tour of the Independent Chapel. Walking from one end of the village to the other took 2½ hours so you will see there was a good deal of talking and discussion. A reminder that on 16th September we will be holding a one day course on Avebury and for 2014 we are planning two for Lacock (pre-1800 and post-1800) and one for Steeple Ashton. Last night I gave a talk at Chippenham Library about the meanings of Chippenham pub names, past and present. Among my audience was a party of American students that caused me to explain nuances of English language, little known aspects of English history, and stories of rural life that would mean little if you hadn’t been brought up in this country. An interesting and thought provoking exercise for me!

What’s New on the Blog this Month? Visit www.wshc.eu/blog

A new Bronze Age barrow and associated burials, plus a roundhouse! The Archaeology Team have been taking a look at archaeological remains discovered near the Woodbury

Iron Age settlement.

LGBT History in Wiltshire A work placement student from Bath Spa has been studying this area of hidden history, finding records

dating back to 1540.

Accreditation and the Conservator One of our conservators Beth has just received accreditation. Here’s her story of how she got there…

New Film Given World Premiere in Trowbridge We have been working with three Wiltshire schools alongside award-winning film maker Jamie McDine to

create some amazing animations based on stories from local community members.

Summer Solstice We take a look at some of the celebrations from 1906 to the 1980s.

Don’t forget – you can also follow us on www.twitter.com/heritagewshc

Wiltshire Community History http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/

I’m in the process of uploading text and images for Winterbourne Bassett at the moment and hopefully this will be available soon after you receive this newsletter. It’s probably worth pointing out that all the articles on the parishes, churches and schools are original and have been researched and written by History Centre staff and our enthusiastic volunteers; also all the modern photographs have been taken specifically for the web site and all the parish maps have been created in house.

Late 13

th Century Grave Slab with a Relief Carving of a Man and his Wife Holding Hands, in the Church at

Winterbourne Bassett

The number of hits received is most gratifying, especially in June, which traditionally is a quiet month. One day this week we received 2,284 hits, which may have partly been due to our being off line for three days owing to IT maintenance work. We apologise to anyone who could not get information from the site during this period.

Current Top Twenty Communities Visited

1. Salisbury (2)

2. Tidwoth (10) 3. Warminster (7) 4. Lacock (9) 5= Bradford on Avon (4) 5= Minety (-) 7. Trowbridge (3) 8. Lydiard Millicent (13) 9. Aldbourne (-) 10. Corsham (5) 11. Stourton with Gasper (17) 12. Wilton (-) 13. Donhead St. Mary (16) 14. Mere (-) 15. Tisbury (20) 16. Longbridge Deverill (11) 17. Melksham (14) 18. Bishop’s Cannings (-) 19. Marlborough (-) 20. Bromham (19) The Folk Search portal was used by 636 people during the last month to gain access to folk songs, singers, plays and folklore. The most popular school was Stonehenge School at Amesbury with 193 visits, with Bradon Forest School at Purton in second place with 111. There has been a good number of searches for churches and details for a large number of churches has been viewed. Most popular was the church of St. Cyriac at Lacock with 67 visits. The most popular history question, with 174 visits, was one I answered about eight years ago on the definitions of clothiers and merchant tailors; second (107 views) was an even earlier one on Longford Castle and the possibilities of viewing this splendid building. The latter is always a favourite with many views each month. 20 local organisations are joining together to provide visitors with a unique opportunity to find out about archaeology in Wiltshire at this FREE event hosted by Wiltshire Council’s Archaeology and Conservation teams, which is part of the British Festival of Archaeology. County Archaeologist Melanie Pomeroy-Kellinger says “There will be something for everyone at this exciting event; activities for children, careers advice, volunteering opportunities, real objects to handle and a chance to hear about the latest finds, surveys and excavations in the county.”

Archaeology and Conservation Fair

Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre Chippenham

Sunday 14th

July 2013 11am – 4pm

Want to get involved in archaeology in Wiltshire, but don’t know where to start?

Join 20 local archaeological organisations at the

Archaeology Fair where you can:

Meet the County Archaeology team Listen to an exciting range of short talks

Find out about fieldwork, volunteering & courses Handle prehistoric finds Take a tour of the conservation labs

Lots of fun activities for children including: Build your

own Stonehenge & sand pit dig

FREE admission and parking 01249 705500 www.wshc.eu

Those considering a career in archaeology can find out about work experience placements and courses, talk to people who are self-employed, work for large archaeological units and work for Wiltshire council in a range of roles. They can find out about related careers in museum archaeology and object conservation from people doing the job today. Why not take a tour of the conservation labs and learn more about this fascinating role, literally piecing together the past one find at a time. An exciting programme of short talks will run throughout the day offering updates on local archaeology surveys by English Heritage, news from the First World War soldiers’ project ‘Finding the Forgotten’, advice on how to date your house and the experiences of local archaeologists. Children and families will find lots to do at the event including games, quizzes, object handling and a practice excavation. Find out about the fun activities offered by local museums and archaeology clubs for children – and plan yourselves a summer holiday full of fun activities. Organisations participating in this event include: English Heritage, National Trust, Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site, Wessex Archaeology, Wiltshire Museum, Bath and Camerton Archaeological Society, Young Archaeologist Club, Portable Antiquities Scheme, Oxford

University, Cotswold Archaeology, Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum, Wiltshire Buildings Record, Bournemouth University, Finding the Forgotten, CBA Wessex, WAHNS field group, Lacock Unlocked, Wyvern Heritage, Chippenham Museum, Archaeological Surveys, Wiltshire Council’s Archaeology and Conservation teams. For more information and directions please visit www.wshc.eu email archaeology@wiltshire.gov.uk or call 01249 705500

Anglo-Saxon Archaeology Conference Presented by Bradford on Avon Museum at the Lecture Theatre, St, Laurence School, Ashley Road, Bradford on Avon. Saturday 6th July from 2.00 t0 5.00 p.m. Programme: Digging up Bradford on Avon – problems and possibilities by Roy Canham Wild West frontier town – Bradford in the politics of Wessex and Mercia by Martyn Whittock Troubled times – Edward, Ethelred and the Viking Wars by Hannah Whittock Tickets: £5 for members, £7 for non-members, from Bradford on Avon Museum, Bradford on Avon Tourist Information Centre, or Roy Canham (01225 866748)