HADAS DIARY
Lectures are held at Avenue House, 17 East End Road, Finchley, N3 3QE, and start promptly at 8 pm, with coffee/tea and biscuits afterwards. Non-members: £1. Buses 82, 125, 143, 326 & 460 pass nearby and Finchley Central station (Northern Line), is a short walk away.
Tuesday 13th March 2012 – “It’s all in the Bones – St Bride’s crypt individuals” by Jelena Bekvalac (Curator of Human Osteology – Museum of London). The talk will be about the extraordinary assemblage of 227 individuals’ remains from the 18thand 19th century retained in the crypt of the church, which has kindly granted access and given permission for research. It will provide an insight into the lives and times of the people and some of the diseases/disorders observed in their skeletons, and how this informs us about them as individuals, and collectively about the time in which they lived – richly aided by documentary sources.
Tuesday 10th April 2012 -Conservation Techniques in Stone Masonry. Lecture by Stephen Critchley.
Tuesday 8th May 2012 -Bumps, Bombs and Birds: the history and archaeology of RSPB reserves. Lecture by Robin Standring (RSPB Reserves Archaeologist).
Tuesday 12th June 2012 -Annual General Meeting.
Sunday 26th -Thursday 30th August – Summer trip to Ironbridge
We still have a few places left for this trip. We will be based at the Best Western Valley Hotel, in the Severn Gorge. Although we will visit some of the museums in the immediate area, we have a number of other places to visit including Wroxeter Roman town, church and vineyard, Severn Valley railway, the RAF museum in Cosford and Shrewsbury – which has a large number of Tudor buildings.
Cost as last year is £390 per person in a double room or £450 in a single room. This includes bed, breakfast, packed lunches and evening meals, coach costs and the entry costs for visits. If you wish to join the group for this trip, please contact Jim or Jo Nelhams on 020 8449 7076.
Tuesday 9th October 2012 -The Life and Legacy of George Peabody. Lecture by Christine Wagg.
Tuesday 13th November 2012 – Tuesday 13th November 2012 – Archaeological Discoveries in Southwark. Lecture by Peter Moore (Pre-Construct Archaeology)
Sunday 2nd December 2012 – Following our enjoyable Christmas event at the end of last year, we have again booked Avenue House. The “party” will run from roughly 12:00 to 4:30. More details in due course.
THE MERCHANT TAYLORS’ GREAT FEAST OF 1607 Andrew Coulson
Report on the January lecture
A great feast. An annual event. The election of the Master and Wardens. An opportunity to demonstrate again that the Merchant Taylors are one of the twelve great Livery Companies of the Corporation of London. But this one was rather special.
Wool was the background of English Medieval prosperity and raw wool was exported to Europe. From 1480 the Merchant Taylors, or their predecessors, had gradually usurped the making of clothes from the continent and were doing very well. These distinguished and wealthy City gentlemen could fund the State and did. In the previous reign Queen Elizabeth the First had borrowed £50,000, much of it from the City. The Master of the Merchant Taylors had lent the Crown two tranches of £450 and £730 and the Company was, at that time, well able to lend the State £1000 per annum. And in return all manner of good things came their way. But the Queen died and James the First, frightened of assassination and the plague, spent some years before approaching the City in person.
The Merchant Taylors were one of the great twelve guilds and there were about a hundred lesser ones. Money could be borrowed from all of them. Further, even in their line of trade, they had competition -. the Clothworkers and the Mercers, for example. Inter-guild riots were common and bloodshed was normal. To invite the King to their annual feast ahead of anybody else would be a feather in their cap. But they had to move fast as the Lord Mayor, a Clothworker, had already invited the King to become a Clothworker. The date was June 27th. The invitation from the Master and Wardens was accepted on behalf of the King and of Henry Prince of Wales but the Queen, Ann of Denmark, declined to come. The traditional date for the great feast was the 16th of July. They had three weeks.
The first thing the Master and Wardens did was to advance their election to the 15th of July. This meant that the “ruling clique” which would meet the King would be in power for the next year. They then set about preparing.
The Company’s “New Hall” in Threadneedle Street was adequate accommodation and, despite being bombed during the war, was and is functional, and the medieval kitchens are in use to this day. The only structural change was caused by James I’s unwillingness to eat in public. He ate in a private room with a hole cut in the wall to provide a view of the top table where the Prince of Wales was presiding.
Furniture could be borrowed from the Merchant Taylors’ own resources, and from subsidiary or allied guilds; cutlery and china obtained through similar means and table linen was embroidered under the control of the Beadle’s wife who submitted a bill for £3-14s-4d. But catering staff presented a problem. In fact the Master, Sir John Swinnerton, and four Aldermen “borrowed” the Lord Mayor’s and the Sheriff’s staff of cooks, all thirty-two of them. Someone must have mentioned the need for “all pulling together for the good of the City”.
Provisions seem to have been made the subject of a similar “round robin”. Apparently everybody helped. Prince Henry sent six bucks; beef, mutton and pork arrived in the weights of 21, 41 and 79 stone; fish in proportion along with 17 swans, pheasants, turkeys, quails, peacocks, and 1300 hens eggs. A large portion of Westphalian ham and about 360 lbs of butter. And to eat it off there were 2880 trenchers. Records do not state what quantities of alcohol were provided but 24 chamber pots were available.
The dessert course consisted almost entirely of fruit enlivened by a rarity from the New World –
60 lbs of potatoes.
For entertainment the Master and Wardens had enlisted London’s theatrical community; John Rice, J.Hemmings and the Burbage Company at the Globe were all summoned to provide verses, instrumentals and singing. John Bull, a well known musician, was to accompany the King to his private room playing a tune which has been held to be a forerunner of the modern national anthem. Knowing the sycophantic habits of Stuart monarchy it could be true. As a structural addition the Master and Wardens had secured the pageant ship of 1602. This vessel, covered in light blue Watchet silk, and manned by three singers, was slung from the rafters of the Hall and the crew sang throughout the evening. One particular song was sung three times over to great applause. King James was, apparently, very impressed.
When any monarch wishes to enter the City, he has to be formally received at the gates by the Lord Mayor and then escorted to his destination. The Lord Mayor took his charge to the gates of the Merchant Taylors’ Hall and there had to hand him over to the Master and Wardens. Sadly he was not invited to the function despite having used the City Recorder to plead his case. He just had to wait outside until the King decided to leave.
The present capacity of the Hall is about 200 seated. The best estimate of the number of guests in 1607 is between 300 and 400. At least a quarter would be taken up with the King’s retinue. He had with him 21 Lords, 66 gentlemen – a sort of bodyguard – and three ambassadors and their retinues. Perhaps they were designed to be impressed by the economic might of the City and this part of it in particular. Certainly they discussed what sort of honours they might obtain when the Guild began handing out vellum rolls and packets of gold coin to the more distinguished guests.
The actual accounts of the occasion do not exist. All we have are bills, accounts of things borrowed, and letters. These bear witness to two facts: it was a most splendid occasion and the personality of the Prince of Wales made an indelible impression.
When the King and his retinue returned to Whitehall, the Master and Wardens counted the cost, arranged to return borrowed items, and set up a profit and loss account of influence gained and influence lost. The cost of the affair came to £1601; in modern terms about £100,000, and the present Clerk said, in his opinion they would need £1,000,000 to repeat the process. Apparently it took 100 staff 14 days to clear the Hall. It is not possible to account for influence gained or lost. An analysis of the Company’s fortunes in the near and distant future after mid-summer 1607 might help. But the fact is that the Merchant Taylors are still with us and are still part of the Great Twelve.
NEW INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY HANDBOOK Stewart J. Wild
The CBA is about to publish a substantial new Industrial Archaeology Handbook:
http://www.britarch.ac.uk/books/palmer2012
Edited by Professor Marilyn Palmer, the UK’s first professor of Industrial Archaeology, with contributions from some of the country’s leading specialists in industrial archaeology, this Handbook provides an informative and accessible guide to the industrial remains of the UK.
This book will be essential reading for professionals, academics, students and anyone with an interest in our industrial heritage, giving concise summaries of the history of different industries, together with descriptions of the structures and below-ground remains likely to be encountered.
Info: 304pp, 121 illus incl colour, ISBN 978-1902771922 Due to be published March 2012.
WEMBLEY HISTORY SOCIETY 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
On Friday 16 March 2012, Wembley History Society will be holding its 60th Anniversary celebration meeting. It was hoped that this would take place in the Town Hall, but the Society’s committee has recently decided to stick with its familiar venue of St Andrew’s Church Hall, Kingsbury.
The programme, from 7pm to 10pm, will include short talks from several speakers, including local history author and former Brent Mayor, Len Snow, as well as refreshments and informal discussion.
Members of local history societies in the area, which may include others formed as a result of a 1951 conference, will be welcome to join the Wembley society’s own members if they wish to. If you do intend to come, please advise Linda Theobald by email to: linda.vt@hotmail.com in good time beforehand to help her plan the catering.
HADAS Finds Class Blog Stephen Brunning
Regular readers of this newsletter will no doubt know that HADAS took over the running of the old Post Excavation Analysis class from Birkbeck College in September 2009 and renamed it “Looking at Finds”.
If you wish to find out about what we get up to behind the scenes on Wednesday evenings at Avenue House, check out the new blog at www.hadasfindsgroup.blogspot.com.
Please feel free to register as a follower, and/or post any comments you wish.
“ARCHAEOLOGY EXPOSED” – LAARC AT THE MUSEUM OF LONDON
As part of the LAARC 10th Anniversary Celebrations, for 10 weeks the Museum of London is featuring “Archaeology Exposed” where they will be doing exactly what it says on the tin – exposing the different aspects of LAARC in all its glory, promoting the excellent work and achievements of its volunteers [some of whom are COLAS members] and sharing the enjoyment that we all get out of archaeology with any and all visitors.
A team of volunteers representing the past decade (and beyond) will be taking residence at MOL every Monday, Tuesday & Friday, until 23 Mar from 10 – 4. They’ll be packing material from 1975 General Post Office excavations (GPO75) whilst engaging with visitors in Archaeology Action.
Alongside them on Mondays there is a table focusing on Conservation, on Tuesdays a table displaying human remains and on Fridays a selection of archaeological records. All three will have material connected to GPO75; in particular, Friday’s Records table will be manned by none other than Alan Thompson, former LAARC Records Officer and the actual Site Director of the GPO75 excavations.
To promote the 4 remits of LAARC (Curatorial, Research, Education & Leadership) there will be a table in the foyer manned by staff and volunteers, with a range of goodies including finds, records, an activity box from 2005’s community excavation at Shoreditch Park, and online facilities for Londoners to search for archaeology in their area. There’ll even be a hard hat and tools if young ones (and those young at heart) wish to dress up.
Finally, each day from 3.15 – 4.15 (some days from 11.30 – 12.30 as well) there will be free Hands-On Archaeology sessions in the learning centre enabling ANY visitor to get involved, learning about London’s Archaeological Heritage and how to pack finds alongside volunteers.
Even if you can’t come along, LAARC would really appreciate it if you could spread the word and let others know what they’re doing. If your friends and family have ever wondered what exactly happens at LAARC this is the opportunity for them to find out. Full information about the project can be found at:
http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/Corporate/Press-media/Press-releases/Celebrate+10+years+with+the+LAARC.htm.
You can follow progress via the blog: http://www.mymuseumoflondon.org.uk/blogs/blog/category/archaeology/archaeology-in-action/
And find our more about events on the MoL events pages: http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/London-Wall/Whats-on/Events/eventDetails.htm?eventID=3292 and
http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/London-Wall/Whats-on/Events/eventDetails.htm?eventID=3293
HADAS TRIP – WEDNESDAY 21 September 2011
Needles Breezer Bus Tour Vicki Baldwin
Following our voyage of discovery to Hurst Castle, our intrepid party embarked upon an excursion by land, namely a round-trip on the open-topped Needles Breezer. This is one of three Island Breezer circular routes linking places of interest and has a running commentary providing information on the route. Most of our party had boarded with the intention of visiting the Old and New Batteries at Needles Park, but Lydia and I had decided to make the 55 minute round-trip so that we could explore Yarmouth.
After leaving Yarmouth, we passed the site of the 1970 Isle of Wight festival where Jimi Hendrix played shortly before his death. It is an apparently empty green fields and I wonder what archaeological evidence survives. There are numerous contemporary accounts and a recent photographic exhibition in Bristol, but what is in the ground? Take away the documentation and what conclusions would be drawn about the site by future archaeologists? The report would probably include the words ‘ritual’, religious’, ‘seasonal campsite’, ‘feasting’.
Passing Afton Apple Park, we arrived at Freshwater Bay. This seems a rather quiet place with a hotel, a café and a lifeboat station, although it is home to one of the oldest churches on the island, All Saints, which was recorded in the Domesday Book. Nearby is Dimbola Lodge, once home to the pioneering photographer Julia Margaret Cameron and now a photographic museum. Originally it was two cottages, but Julia Margaret Cameron had a tower built to link them and had the frontage redesigned. One of her subjects, Alfred Lord Tennyson, lived further along the road at Farringford House which is now under-going renovations with a view to reopening as a Tennyson study centre and venue for concerts and poetry readings.
Another notable site is the thatched church dedicated to St. Agnes. Tennyson’s son Hallam donated the land and his wife, Audrey, suggested the dedication. It was consecrated in 1908.
The bus route continued to Needles Park and then to the site of the Needles Batteries. In places the view across Alum Bay is breathtaking, especially if you happen to look down and see the apparently sheer drop down the cliff! The famous multi-coloured sands are visible in the cliff face.
After returning to the Needles Park, the bus now followed an inland route and we could no longer see the sea and coastline. We next passed stops for Totland and Colwell Bay, two popular holiday resorts which are linked by a mile-long promenade. A short while later our journey was completed with our return to Yarmouth.
The Needles Old Battery David Bromley
The Island Breezer Bus is very appropriately named as we were heading for the Needles, the western-most point on the Island and today the windiest. On the way, we dropped two passengers at Dimbola Lodge. Needles Point Light was turned on in 1859 and became computer controlled in 1994.
Our first stop was the Needles Old Battery, sited on the triangular headland and reached over what was a tractable bridge across the defensive ditch, the mechanism for which can still be seen in the Winch Chamber. The ditch now houses a number of buildings that are not open to the public. One of these is the head of a lift shaft, sunk in 1887 and descending to just above sea level. It leads to five emplace-ments on the Solent side that housed searchlights and quick-firing guns to counter fast torpedo boats trying to enter the Western Solent. Also at the bottom is a spring and reservoir to supply some fresh water to the battery.
After the bridge is a tunnel through the outer defensive bank, which houses a number of rooms including the cartridge and shell stores and the guardroom. Through the tunnel the full extent of the fort is ahead: round a central parade ground the red brick structures of the six gun emplacements are sited, 76 meters (250ft) above sea level. Four-faced over the Solent on the northern side, one directly out over the Needles light and a sixth southwest. The latter was built over in 1940 to house the Admiralty Port War Signal Station and is now a warm tea and cake shop – most welcome on a windy day!
The fort was constructed between 1861 and 1863, following the Royal Commission on UK Defences in 1859. It was designed by the Royal Engineers and built by George Smith of Pimlico at a cost of £6,950. The original armament, installed in 1864, was six 7” guns with a range of three miles, but these were replaced in 1873 with 9” rifled muzzle-loaders. These guns were moved from Hurst Castle where they were no longer needed.
On the parade ground can be seen the foundations of the barracks accommodation for the complement of one officer, two NCOs and 21 men. Beneath this were two rainwater tanks holding 10,400 gallons, enough for one month. In the centre of the parade ground is a spiral staircase down to a brick-lined tunnel, built in 1885, which leads out to a point directly above the Needles – a definite photo opportunity. It was converted to an armoured searchlight position between 1898 and 1899.
By 1893 the need for new more powerful guns was apparent and as the chalk headland was too unstable, construction of the New Needles Battery was started. This is sited further inland and higher at 120m (390ft) above sea level. It comprised three emplacements and by 1904 housed three 9.2” breech-loading guns. Once the New Battery was operational the Old Battery was established as a Fire Command Post and the old 9” guns, weighing 12 tons each, were heaved over the cliff into Alum Bay. The Navy recovered four in the 1960s and two are displayed here on replica carriages in their barbets.
Both batteries played a part in both World Wars and were added to and changed a great deal. Both were mothballed at the end of the war and the guns were scrapped in 1954. In 1955
Saunders Roe leased the sites and the area was brought right up to the modern era with the construction of the Highdown Test Site. Here between 1957 and 1971 the Black Knight and Black Arrow rockets were static-tested. The two concrete sites where the rockets were anchored and test-fired out over the sea can be seen.
The whole site was closed in 1971 and the National Trust purchased it in 1975, opening the Old Battery to visitors in 1982 and the New Battery in 2004.
Following this excellent visit, it was time to board the Breezer Bus again and be blown back to Yarmouth.
HADAS TRIP – THURSDAY 22nd September 2011
Isle of Wight Jim Nelhams
Thursday was to cover a wide range of historical dates, including stone age, Roman, a church founded in the thirteenth century, a Norman castle, and then some industrial archaeology. Most of us visited the Isle of Wight Postal Museum, while Andy Simpson elected for what Flanders and Swan would describe as a “Transport of Delight”.
Brading Roman Villa Sheila Woodward
I first visited Brading in 1999 (with HADAS) and I had a vivid memory of its magnificence and its amazing mosaics, Perhaps it was inevitable that a second visit should produce some slight disappointment. The remains of the villa are now completely enclosed by an award winning Exhibition and Visitors’ Centre” – essential for preservation, but I found its design strangely obtrusive. It was sad to have to enter the villa from one side rather instead of via its own “front door” and the small souvenir guide on offer was a poor substitute for a proper up-to-date Guide Book, though producing one while excavation and re-interpretation continue could be problematic. Even the glorious mosaics at a second visit seemed slightly shabbier.
Successor to an Iron Age farm on the site, the first Roman Villa at Brading seems to have been a simple structure which was altered and expanded over the years as the farm prospered. By the mid 3rd century AD it had become a handsome 12-roomed courtyard villa, centre of a thriving farm and extensive trading complex, and home to a wealthy and educated family. But troubles soon followed in the form of pirate raids (the villa was then much closer to the sea), and a disastrous fire in the late 3rd century brought an end to prosperity. Even farming eventually petered out and all traces of the villa sank beneath undergrowth and soil.
The old (1998) guide book gives a dramatic account of its rediscovery in 1880. Captain Thorp, a retired army officer and keen antiquarian, recognised casual finds from the area as Roman and became to probe. He in turn enthused a local farmer, Mr Munro. One evening during the lambing season of Easter 1880, Munro was using an iron bar to make holes for an overnight sheep pen. “In the dimming light, he struck upon the mosaic …. and by 7 o’clock the following morning he and Captain Thorp had uncovered a small portion of the Bacchus pavement.” A charming drawing illustrates this event. Captain Thorp clasping a massively unsuitable (for archaeology) trowel kneels in a trench beside an uncovered portion of the Bacchus mosaic in pristine condition and immediately recognisable. Farmer Munro holds aloft a lantern and looks on admiringly, accompanied by his dog and a flock of rather bemused sheep! The amateur diggers were soon
supplemented by professionals. The local landowners, the Oglanders, gave practical and financial help (the villa is still administered by the Oglander Roman Trust, a registered charity) and by 1885, the excavation had been completed and published,
Of course, by modern standards it seems very inadequate: so much apparent misinterpretation, so much unintended damage and destruction. The site has remained vulnerable, wracked by wind, storm and tide, and severely flooded in 1994. Plough damage over the years was supplemented by the Dig for Victory campaign. Even some attempts at conservation have miscarried: a flood-damaged mosaic floor was relaid on a modern non-organic concrete base which caused efflorescence and further damage to the mosaics.
All is not doom and gloom. Now (we hope) adequately insulated from the weather, excavation of the site has been resumed under the direction of Professor Barry Cunliffe, and re-interpretation of the Victorian dig is underway. Preliminary results are described as exciting and challenging. A huge aisled hall in the villa’s north wing continues to be studied. It probably pre-dates the main house, has a substantial hypocaust and a bath suite was built over a disused well.
Continuity/coincidence between Iron Age and Roman settlement is being exposed. An Iron Age ditch has been identified and it appears to overlie pits which could have been Bronze Age or even earlier. The south wing of the villa, excavated and re-buried in the 1880s, could be re-excavated: its outline is still traceable on the ground. As well as storehouses and stables, it is though to contain the main bath suite.
The twelve main rooms of the villa are all accessible. They (probably) differ slightly in date, considerably in degree of preservation and noticeably in quality of decoration. The function of each room is purely speculative. The most memorable feature of the building remains its mosaics: memorable for their craftsmanship, their variety and their vigour. Those in room 12, largest and grandest of the rooms, are said to be amongst the most impressive in Northern Europe, Some of the themes are popular with mosaicists – e.g. the Four Seasons. Here there are lovely depictions of Spring, her head wreathed in fresh flowers. Summer with long-stemmed poppies in her hair, and Winter, snug in a warm hood but carrying a dead bird. Autumn’s depiction has sadly been lost. Less well known as a theme (in this country) is the astronomer or philosopher equipped with sundial, globe and bowl. In room 3, the Bacchus Mosaic uncovered so dramatically by Captain Thorp shows a much debated cock-headed figure variously interpreted as an obscure Roman or Eastern God or a venator, trainer of gladiators. A gladiator is depicted on the same mosaic. Another popular subject for mosaics is Orpheus, shown here surrounded by the birds and animals he has charmed with his music; they include a monkey. And other mosaics feature water-nymphs and shepherds, so appropriate for a seaside farming community.
There is much to see at Brading Villa apart from the mosaics. The finds on display are many and varied. Huge quern stones, carpentry tools, ploughs, mortaria, loom weights, crucibles and glass slag witness to a busy workforce. Pottery includes some good Samian, local Victis and New Forest ware. There is good metalwork ranging from doorplates and keys to jewellery and the usual collection of coinage. Outside the villa there are glorious views in all directions and you can peer down the old well or wander round the little garden. There is no evidence of a garden here in Roman times but the Romans liked gardens, and it adds another visitor attraction – and neatly rounds off the tour.
Brading Church Simon Williams
Brading Church is important, as it’s one of only four churches in England with a tower open on three sides (pierced by arches); external wooden steps lead to the bell chamber (one inscribed 1594 ER). It also has some of the finest family tombs and monuments on the Island – these are of the Oglander Family.
The Church occupies a very early Christian site, it is said (though without proof) that in the 680’s St.Wilfrid embarked on a mission to convert the heathen Islanders from here. It is known that Wilfrid was Bishop of Ripon (from 634-709); and that he was at the Council of Whitby in 664 (which settled the date of Easter, as in use today).
The Oglander Chapel is named after the Oglander Family, who came to the Island in the wake of William the Conqueror. Sir John’s will (dated 1649) provided for tombs for his father, Sir William, as well as for himself.
There are two Parish Chests of the 1630’s, which have three locks, so that they could only be opened in the presence of the three key-holders: the Vicar and the two churchwardens, to reduce the chance of theft.
Along the north aisle are a fine set of hatchments (large black diamond-shaped wooden boards displaying heraldic coats of arms), these were restored after the fire of 1989. On the back wall of the north aisle, a window is the only remnant of the late 1100’s church. The north aisle was widened and the roof raised to its present position in the 1200’s. The simple windows of the north aisle were likely to have been replaced in the 1400’s. From the south aisle one sees that the roof is higher, and the windows are larger and more ornate. The south aisle was improved in the 1500’s. All the beautiful stained glass is from the 1887 Victorian restoration.
On entering Brading Church we were lucky enough to be greeted with the sweet smell of apples, and freshly-cut flowers for the Harvest Festival.
OTHER SOCIETIES’ EVENTS ERIC MORGAN
Friday 2nd March 10.30 am – 12 noon, Friends of Barnet Borough Libraries, South Friern Library, Colney Hatch Lane, N10 The Story of English High Roads – talk by Ollie Natelson (who helped HADAS with resistivity at Friary Park).
Saturday 3rd March 11 am – 12.30pm and 2.-3.30 pm. LAARC, Mortimer Wheeler House, 46 Eagle Wharf Road, N1 7ED John Dwight’s Fulham Pottery. Part of the regular tours held every Friday and first and third Saturdays each month at above times. Book in advance on 020 7001 9844 or on www.museumoflondon.org.uk/events , cost £5.
Monday 5th March 1pm. Gresham College at Museum of London, 150 London Wall EC2Y 5HN. The Lost Hospitals of London: Leprosaria, talk by Prof. Carole Radcliffe (Medieval History). Free.
Wednesday 7th March, 6pm Gresham College at MoLAS Museum of London (as 5th March). On Top of the World, 1830-1914, talk by Simon Thurley. Free. (On English Building).
Monday 12th March, 1pm Gresham College at Museum of London, (as 5th March). London’s Forgotten Children: Thomas Coram and the Foundling Hospital, talk by Dame Gillian Pugh.
Monday 12th March 3pm Barnet & District Local History Society, Church House, Wood Street, Barnet (opposite the Museum) The Story of the Bow House, talk by Pauline Brown.
Wednesday 14th March 2.30-4pm Mill Hill Historical Society, Wilberforce Centre, St Paul’s Church, The Ridgeway, NW7 1QU An Eyeful of Architecture, National Trust, talk by Mike Watts (preceded by AGM).
Monday 19th March, 1pm, Gresham College at the Museum of London (as 5th March) The Lost Hospitals of London: The Bethlem Hospital, talk by Colin S. Gale (Archivist). Free.
Monday 26th March 1pm, Gresham College at the Museum of London (as 5th March) The Lost Hospitals of London: St. Luke’s. Talk by Prof. Nick Black. Free.
Wednesday 28th March, 1-2 pm, Museum of London, London Wall, EC2Y 5HN. Meet the Expert, with Jackie Kelly. Looking at Leatherwear. Free. Talk on Roman and Medieval leather objects in the Museum by the Curator.
Also 1.30-4.30 pm Local History Workshop on Getting the Best from the 1911 Census. Details on LAMAS website www.lamas.co.uk and applications by e-mail on www.museumoflondon.org.uk.
Wednesday 28th March, 7.45 pm Friern Barnet & District Local History Society, St John’s Church Hall (next toWhetstone Police Station) Friern Barnet Lane, N20. History of Gypsies in Barnet, talk by Hugh Petrie (Barnet Archivist). Cost £2. Refreshments 7.45 and after meeting.
Thursday 29th March, 8pm Finchley Society, Drawing Room, Avenue House, East End Road, N3 3QE Business Talk and Discussion by Albert Wright (Director of Small Business Solutions and Millionaire Coaching Academy). There will be tea, coffee and a cash bar, members free. Non-members £10. Pre-book preferred.
Friday 30th March 10.30 am-12 noon, Friends of Barnet Libraries, South Friern Library, Colney Hatch Lane, N10 The Story of Friern Barnet Town Hall, talk with coffee/tea and biscuits 50p
