Newsletter

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HADAS DIARY

Tuesday,9 May ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 8.00pm for 8.15pm at Hendon Library. Business meeting followed by Review of HADAS 1988¬89. Will include slides of, Brockley Hill Flints Collection & Barnet and Whetstone excavations. (Does any member have slides of last year’s outing to Flag Fen? If so, please ‘phone Dorothy Newbury: 203 0950 Screens showing samples of surface finds from Brockley Hill will be on display.
SUMMER OUTINGS

Saturday, 13 May STAMFORD, Lincs., AND BURGHLEY HOUSE. Details and booking form with this Newsletter.

Saturday,24 June GREAT BUSTEAD AND MALDON.

Saturday,8 July BEDDINGHAM ROMAN VILLA EXCAVATION, Sussex AND MICKLEHAM PRIORY. Enquiries, advance booking and further details about all HADAS summer outings should be made to Dorothy Newbury
SPECIAL EVENT

Saturday,3 June DISCOVERING BARNET’S TRIANGULAR MARKET. See back page for details.Re-discover a long hidden feature of our Borough’ Explore what remains of the ancient town of Chipping Barnet – before it disappears for ever! This outing is intended primarily for our younger members, but all are welcome. PROGRAMME Assemble at 10.15 -10.30am at Barnet Museum, Wood St. Morning: visit Tudor Hall, St. John the Baptist, site of Middle Row and Old Bull Arts Centre. Lunch about 12.15pm Afternoon: visit some of the buildings in the market triangle – The Mitre, The Dandy Lion, 52-62 High Street. Back to Barnet Museum to see photographic exhibition Chipping Barnet’s William Breughton, the landlord of The Red Lion. was postmaster from 1772-88, and the Red Lion. was used as a Post Office where letters were put on to the mall coaches. The buildings in the centre of the picture formed part of Middle Row, which divided the High Street. The Row was burnt down in 1889 and demol¬ished the next year, (Note the market hall.) The sign of a bunch of grapes (indicating a tavern selling wine) is displayed by The Mitre.

Market Triangle – Then and Now. SPECIAL COMPETITION organised jointly by Barnet Museum & HADAS. 1st prize: £10 2nd prize: £5 plus FREE subscription to CURRENT ARCHAEOLOGY for one year (worth £8) for each completed entry. More details on 3 June

PLEASE BRING WITH YOU • Packed lunch including a drink. • A clipboard, pen and pencil and sketchpad. • Some spending money in case you wish to buy anything from the Old Bull Arts Centre or Barnet Museum. If you wish to come or would like more details ring Jennie Cobban as soon as possible:

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WHAT HAPPENED AT THE A.G.M. LAST YEAR?

Official Minutes are recorded in the Society’s Minute Book. To refresh members’ memories before they attend this year’s Sixty-nine members attended the 27th AGM on 10 May 1988 at Hendon Library. The meeting was chaired by Vice-President Edward Sammes. Following the Chairman’s welcome to members, apologies were received from Brian Jarman, John Enderby, Margaret Maher, Myfanwy Stewart & Sheila Woodward. The Minutes of the 1987 AGM were approved & signed. Andrew Selkirk, Chairman of HADAS, gave the Annual Report which was accepted by the meeting. The Accounts of the Society were then presented by Victor Jones, Hon. Treasurer and as they had not yet been audited, were accepted provisionally by the meeting, subject to later audit and presentation at a Special General Meeting of members. The Hon. Treasurer drew attention to increase in costs and pointed out that but for the Minimart, there would have been a deficit. He expressed gratitude for the sum raised by the Minimart but warned that subscriptions may have to be raised. Reports on Research and Group activities were made for Industrial Archaeology Group by Bill Firth; for Excavations Working Party by Brian Wrigley; for the Prehistoric Group by Brian Wrigley on behalf of Margaret Maher and for the Roman Group by Gillian Braithwaite (who used her report as the basis for an illustrated talk given after the formal meeting). Officers of the Society were declared elected as only one nomination had been received for each vacancy. They were:

Chairman: Andrew Selkirk

Vice-Chairman: John Enderby

Hon. Secretary: Brian Wrigley

Hon. Treasurer: Victor Jones

As thirteen nominations had been received for the thirteen vacancies on the Committee 1988-89, the following were declared elected:

Christine Arnott

Dorothy Newbury

Phyllis Fletcher

Peter Pickering Liz Holliday

June Porges

Brian McCarthy

Kim Russell

Margaret Maher

Ted Sammes

Robert Michel

Jean Snelling

Myfanwy Stewart

The meeting ended at 8.55pm.
CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES APPROVED AT SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY,4 APRIL 1989

Andrew Selkirk, Chairman of HADAS, introduced a proposal to amend the Constitution to provide that the President shall hold office for 5 years, instead of for life or until resignation, in the following terms, as set out in the Notice of Meeting: 1. That in Clause 6(a), at the end of the first sentance there be deleted the ‘s’ at the end of the word ‘Presidents’ and following that word there be added’ who shall be elected for five years and the Vice-Presidents 2. That in Clause 6(a), after the words ‘elected for life’ there be added, ‘or until resignation’. 3. That in Clause 6(b) there be deleted the words ‘shall retain office for life or until resignation and such Officers…’ Clause 6(a) and 6(b) will then read: 6(a) The Officers of the Society shall be a President a number of Vice-Presidents as the Society may from time to time in a General Meeting determine, a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman. an Honorary Secretary and an Honorary Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting of the Society, with the exception of the President who shall be elected for five years and the Vice-Presidents who shall be elected for life or until resignation. A retiring Officer shall be eligible for re-election. 6(b) The President and Vice-Presidents now holding office and those elected to these offices hereafter shalluotbe Officers of the Society within the meaning of Clause 5(b). The President and Vice-Presidents shall not be prevented however, from being elected to an active office or to membership of the Committee. In reply to questions, the Chairman confirmed that the proposed Rules did not provide any bar to re-election of the President, and there was no change proposed in the position of Vice-Presidents. The Resolution was passed unanimously

Prehistoric Society’s Spring Conference Report by Christine Arnott

WAR AND PREHISTORY During the weekend 31 March-2 April, the Prehistoric Society devoted their Spring Conference to the study of “War and Prehistory”. It is possible to approach this subject from several different aspects and the many speakers taking part discussed the reasons for aggression, the role played by ritual, and (a move towards placating some in the audience) the role played by women. It was amazing to hear how much can be demonstrated as a result of archaeologicsl evidence, although it was inevitable, perhaps, that we should learn more about the Iron Age and the Celts, because at that stage written evidence from Roman sources is available.Quoting from Roman historians, one speaker gave details of the fighting traditions of the Celts, including their practice of confronting the enemy naked. Slides showing scenes inscribed on Trajan’s column in Rome and other famous sculptures bore out their behaviour in battle. Dr.Mallory, from Ireland, gave a blood-curdling account of warfare in early Irish literature from the “Ulster Cycle”. Although as it is written evidence,& is not strictly within the classification of pre-history, he believed that these were actually rewording of an ancient oral tradition extolling the deeds of Iron Age warriors. The practice of taking heads as trophies of war was a dominent theme in these horrific stories. It was suggested that this practice might have arisen so that the eating of the brain could enhance a warrior’s vigour. A very interesting account of the ritual practices of primitive tribes in New Guinea was given. There is a controlled approach to war in their culture, and there are strictly laid down lines to follow in war prep- aration and execution. There was a fascinating contribution from a Russian scientist (at present working at Reading University) describing the effects of various foods on behaviour, (including the possible after effects of eating ‘brains’!). A lively discussion followed as diet is a popular matter of argument these days. After two full days of very concentrated work, both by the speakers and listeners, it was a refreshing break towards the end of the second day to watch our secretary, Brian Wrigley, demonstrating the elements of fencing technique. With the help of Andrew Lawson, he gave hints for parrying blows from your opponent. Brian finished with a hair-raising demonstration of ways to dispose of your enemy, depending on the type of sword that was used. Andrew helped again, showing how to use a shield to counter the deadly swipes and thrusts. After watching them carefully, I began to wonder if I had learnt enough to counter a mugger attempting to attack me!

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OUT and ABOUT

A selection of places to visit, things to see and lectures to attend,
Saturday,6 RAILWAY RAMBLE

along the Parkland Walk, Islington., 2pm-5pm. Once an old railway line, now a haven for Spring flowers and wildlife. Meet Highgate Underground Station (Shepherd’s Hill exit). Walk ends near Finsbury Park Station. Arranged by Herts & Middx Wildlife Trust
CHILTERN OPEN AIR MUSEUM

Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St. Giles, Bucks. Wednesdays,Sundays and Bank Holidays, 2pm-6pm Historic buildings from 16th-19th centuries in 45 acres of park and woodland. Home-made teas. Free parking. Admission: Adults £1.50, OAPs £1.00, Children £.00, Under 5s free.
TRANSPORT AND STATIONARY ENGINES FESTIVAL

Saturday,13 May and Sunday, 14 May

CHURCH FARM HOUSE MUSEUM Greyhound Hill, .Hendon.

A Stroll through the Andes 10 April – 28 May Photographs by Maz Iqbal Sunday,4 June
CATHEDRAL OF SEWAGE=

Visit to the Abbey Mills Pumping Station arranged by Lee Valley Park. Meet at Three Mills Sports Centre car park, Three Mills Lane, Bronley-by-Bow, at 2.15pm. Bus S2; Tube Bromley-by-Bow (District Line). No children under 8 or dogs. Book in advance Phone 0992 713838
THE MUSEUM OF LONDON
LUNCHTIME LECTURES Wednesdays at 1.10 pm

3rd May The Management and Charting of London’s River Down the Ages, by Alex Werner

10 May The Medieval Port of London. by Gustav Milne

17 May The City Vaterfront in Later Centuries by David Dewing

24 May A Performance of Music- Theatre to commemorate 800th Anniversary of the Mayoralty Performed by students of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama

31 May Paintings of London’s River by David Cordingly
EXHIBITIONS Museum of London

The Story of Pewter 1200-1700: a Celebration of the Craft May for one year This exhibition sheds new light upon aspects of London’s role as a major centre for pewter production and explores its manufacture and use. Exhibits from important public and private collections as well as those of the Museum. Lord Mayors, The City and The River Due to open late May/ early June until December To celebrate 800 years of the City Mayoralty,
CONDUCTED TOUR

Friday, 19 May at 1.10pm Visit to a site under excavation in the City
UNEARTHING SOUTHWARK’S PAST Report of April’s lecture by Sheila Woodward

It takes more than a wet and windy evening to quench the enthusiasm of HADAS members. Over 80 of us attended the April meeting to hear Harvey Sheldon, always a popular speaker, talk about the recent archaeological excavations in Southwark. The City of London and Southwark, facing each other across the Thames, have always presented a contrast: the City sleek and prosperous on its higher ground, Southwark more down-at-heel and ramshackle on its marshy flats, its development piece-meal and the threat of flooding ever-present. Yet the sandy islands in the marsh attracted settlers from quite early in pre-history. Many artefacts (flint tools, potsherds etc.) bear witness to this but it is only recent carefully controlled excavations which have begun to fill in the details of the settlements, Bronze Age and Iron Age burials and traces of roundhouses have been recovered. Cow hoof-prints appear to show where Bronze Age cattle were led to the water and cultivation is indicated possible ard (scratch plough) marks dating from the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age. There is no evidence of urban or proto-urban settlement before the arrival of the Romans.Southwark proved useful to the Romans both for docks and for its communications potential. It was the first point up-river where bridging was possible, the river being narrow enough and the land-edges sufficiently firm. There is evidence of early Roman settlement (coinage suggests a supply base) and land reclamation, and two main roads were laid down 7-10 years after the conquest. The settlement expanded rapidly after 70AD. Much of the evidence for this is recent because the clay and timber buildings are tricky to excavate. Most are simple rectangular structures, running back from the roads. A few are more pretentious, for example a large courtyarded building on the town outskirts, possibly a mansio. Another 2nd century waterfront building, almost opposite the Governor’s Palace, has stone foundations, a hypocaust, mosaic flooring and very fine-quality painted wall- plaster. In the staking area were the remains of a stone inscription with the recurring word “cohort”. Epigraphists (displaying, Harvey commented, even greater imagination than archaeologists!) suggest that this may be a commemorative plaque indicating occupation by a guild of soldiers. Recent excavations at the Courage Brewery site have uncovered a large timber building, possibly a warehouse, of early 2nd century. Waterlogging has preserved its superb wooden floors and base walls and there are even some indications of roofing. The timbers are being lifted and removed for study as they should produce important evidence of wood-working techniques. Burials found on this site (i.e. within the Roman settlement) are difficult to date. They could indicate a later shrinkage in the size of the settlement area or may be Christian burials within a churchyard. Here, as elsewhere in London, dark earth deposits overlie Roman levels, obscuring stratigraphic changes and posing problems of interpretation. Medieval and later buildings abounded. Pre-development excavation has produced evidence of 9th century warehouses, incorporated in 15th and 16th century waterfronts; traces of old Southwark Bridge; two moated buildings and a fine collection of Tudor artefacts. To round off his most informative and entertaining lecture, Harvey showed us slides of the recent publicity campaign and its supporters following the discovery of the Rose Theatre site. The excavation there is in its very early stages; we look forward to hearing all about it in Harvey Sheldon’s next
BENNINGTON LORDSHIP

Five miles east of Stevenage.Tel.043 885 668 Old-fashioned hilltop garden on the site of a Norman castle, with ruins and spectacular views. Home-made teas on Sundays Picnics welcome. Regret no dogs.

WEDNESDAY FROM MAY, llam

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HOLES TO KEEP AN EYE ON Sites to watch compiled by John Enderby

Members living In these areas are asked to keep an eye on these developments and report anything unusual to our Site Co-ordinator, John Enderby, on 203 2630
NORTHERN AREA

25-35 Bells Hill, Barnet Erection of four storey block of twelve flats. 58 High Street, Barnet Erection of three storey office block. 2 Moxon Street, Barnet Ground & first floor extensions. 120 High Street,Barnet Side extension. Hadley Lodge, Hadley Common, Barnet Demolition of existing house.
WESTERN AREA

194-210 Station Road, Edgware Three storey office block at rear of premises. 3 Francklyn Gardens, Edgware Front, side and rear extensions, 67 Francklyn Gardens, Edgware Front, side and rear extensions. 18 Brockley Avenue, Edgware Front, side and rear extensions, Rose-bank Farm, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, NW7 Extensive conversions.
KEYS ABOUT BROCKLEY HILL

Andrew Selkirk, our Chair-man, has recently received a letter from Graham Sutton, concerning the proposed Iver to Arkley Trunk Water Main to be laid by Lee Valley Water Company. (See Gillian Braithwaite report in Newsletter No.202 for January 1988), Final approval for the scheme has not yet been given by the Board, but it seems likely that the construction of the main will start in September 1989. There is a proposed alteration in the route. The new route will follow Wood Lane and then go diagonally across to take up the original route at the A41. Graham Sutton says he will try to keep HADAS informed of latest developments.

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OLD ORDNANCE SURVEY MAPS Mill Hill Village 1898

Latest in the series published by Alan Godfrey covers The Ridgway area of Mill Hill from Nether Court to the Grammar School. Includes John Cooke’s 1792 map of the “Roads from London to Mill Bill & Barnet”, street directory of 1898 and notes on the map by Graham Roberts, Local History Librarian for Barnet Libraries. Price L1.20 from mill Hill Library, Hendon Library, Totteridge Library, Local History Library or by post (add 20p P&P) from Room 6, Ravensfield House, The Burroughs, NV4 4BE
THO. NICOLL OF BARNET A note from George Ingram

Members may be interested to know of the following extract from an old Essex newspaper, The Chelmsford Chronicle, dated 10 September 1779. “The following inscription is painred over the door of a cobler(sic) at Barnet, Herts. Tho. Nicoll, operat¬or in ordinary and extra-ordinary; translator of soles; uniter of the dis-united; restorer of union and harmony though of ever so wide or long separation. He gives his advice gratis even in the most desperate cases.” I wonder if this cobbler’s workshop or perhaps his abode, still still exists today? Could this Tho. Nicoll have been related to a churchwarden of the same name at Hendon St. Mary’s c.1565? There was another family of this name who lived at Hendon Place about 1711. Relations perhaps?
FROM THE EDITOR

I hope members have enjoyed reading the Newsletter in this format. Those of you who are experts with a word processor will realize that I haven’t mastered all the keys yet – I’m still struggling through the instruction manual! Any comments (for or against) will be most welcome, although I shall be out of the country when you receive this issue!