Proc. Hampsh. Field Club Archaeol. Soc. 45, 1989, 219-227

REPORTS ON THE YEAR 1988

THE FIELD CLUB It was the treasurer Mr Caudell, who first identified the threat and then allayed it. Secretary's Report Always unobtrusive and deliberately eschewing the limelight, Mr Caudell has made 1988 was another good year for the Society. If both the success and the survival of the Society on balance the high point was the Local His­ possible. It is difficult to recall how only a few tory Fair, it was only by a narrow margin from years ago the Society was virtually bankrupt the Archaeology Section's second Brooks con­ and he restored financial order and discipline, ference, the publication of two archaeological first to keep essential services running and monographs, the revamping of the Newsletter latterly to fund each new venture in the most and the New Forest Annual Report, the defeat of economic and advantageous way. It is his the Lyndhurst bypass bill and the proposed achievement that the Society is so financially development of Buckland Rings, and the con­ secure, subscriptions so low, and the pro­ tinued vigour of all five sections. By any stand­ gramme of events and publications so ards the Society is meeting its objectives and attractive. forging ahead as efficiently and innovatively as Credit belongs elsewhere as well. Each sec­ it has ever done. tion puts on an elaborate and attractive pro­ Council met four times in the year, more gramme, which draws on the combined briefly than its wont, because there were no enthusiasms and expertise of the officers and crises to stir up recriminations or to ensure committee members. At headquarters too the 100% attendance. Editorial Board met four Publicity Officer and Membership, Pro­ times too, initiating work on an index to gramme, and Publications Secretaries conti­ Proceedings thanks to a grant from Hampshire nue to move mountains with little recognition. County Council, publishing monographs on A Few societies can have been as well-served as Banjo Enclosure at Micheldever Wood and Alton this one in recent years. And yet such dedi­ Anglo-Saxon Cemetery, and producing Proceedings cation cannot be expected forever from the as usual. Volume 44 was thinner than of late, same individuals, who age, become tired, and reflecting a decline in archaeological and thus are ever more busy. New blood is constantly grant-aided articles, and it is possible to pre­ required on committees and in offices for the dict a similar decline in monographs, although benefit of us all and before manpower crises several by Mr Fasham are in the press or develop. Therefore the December Council pending in spite of his move to Wales. Others decided as a first preliminary to issue standard lack funding and at present cannot be agendas for section AGMs in the autumn published. Ironically, given the unpretentious mailing to encourage members to put them­ efficiency with which the editors operate, it selves forward for election in plenty of time. was publishing that produced the one alarm of This is one reason why Council and the the year. This was when the publication of Annual General Meeting have retained direct monographs pushed the Society's turnover election of ordinary members to Council, the above the VAT threshold and threatened to governing body of the Society. Another reason undermine the whole operation. Elaborate is the need to ensure proper accountability to contingency plans were devised, including the members' wishes and for members' subscrip­ establishment of a Hampshire Monographs tions in a body which, in the last resort, is Trust, before it was established that merely a voluntary association, which cannot government grants are not eligible for VAT. afford defections. Fortunately at present 220 HAMPSHIRE FIELD CLUB AND AKCHAKOLOGICAL SOCIETY membership is growing, if never enough. The day's final lecture was given by Mr Strangely, the AGM remains ill-attended Maldwin Drummond, a Past President, who, despite recent attempts to brighten a poten­ as Chairman of the Maritime Trust, was well- tially dull occasion. Yet AGMs need not be qualified to talk about the restoration of histo­ dull, for it is on these occasions that members ric ships, with special emphasis on HMS can correct the official view and present their Warrior. own grass-roots opinions. It is also a convivial P.M. and entertaining occasion, enlivened by the President's lively addresses - in 1988 on 'The Hampshire Local History Fair, King Alfred's College, County Houses of Wessex' - and by wine and Winchester, Saturday 19th March. buffet organised by Mrs Moore and Mrs Turnbull. Altogether an occasion worth This first fair attracted stalls from 55 local attending from afar. societies and other bodies from throughout M.A.H. Hampshire and even beyond, most notably Southern History Society, the regional history Annual Conference at Southampton University on society. There were other well-established Saturday 17 September 1988. county bodies, such as the Hampshire Archi­ ves Trust and Hampshire Gardens Trust, Win­ Chaired by the President, Mr Jude James, chester organisations such as the Preservation organised by Mrs Moore, and attended by 60 Trust and Archaeological Rescue Group, and people, the 1988 conference treated various many more from the periphery of the county, aspects of'Hampshire's Maritime Heritage'. some very new. Some were members of the Four maritime industries were explored in Field Club, such as those from Basingstoke, the morning session. In 'Dirty but Necessary: Wickham, Somborne, Andover, and The Coal Trade of Portsmouth and the Solent Broughton, but many others were not, such as Ports 1700—1830', Dr James Thomas explored Fleet and Crookham and Waltham Chase the Cinderella of them all, demonstrating its Local History Groups. The fair thus offered impact on the local economy and the quanti­ the means to reach many people with whom ties and types of coal carried. Mr Arthur Lloyd we normally have no dealings. The record followed with 'Salt Industry around Lym- offices and local history publishers also parti­ ington', an account of a major (and now cipated. At least 500 stallholders, sporting the defunct) maritime activity, and by Dr Edwin new Field Club badges, and visitors attended. Course's '150 Years of Southampton Docks', The event was appropriately opened by our which graphically illustrated the changes since Past President Mr Emery-Wallis, Leader of the days of the great passenger liners. Con­ Hampshire County Council, who spoke most cluding the morning session with 'The Devel­ interestingly on 'Opportunities for Local His­ opment of Hampshire's Seaside Resorts', Mrs tory', which he has done much to foster. The Moore highlighted four very different conference occupied the newly refurbished examples: Lee-on-Solent, Hayling Island, Professional Studies Suite, a complex of nine Bournemouth, and Southsea. interlocking rooms, which were used for stalls, The afternoon was even more varied. Mr workshops/lectures, discussion, and conti­ John Bagley gave an illustrated talk on the nuous display of videos of activities at Ham­ Solent Marine Aircraft Industry, including its pshire Farm Museum. Stallholders were industrial archaeology. In complete contrast, arriving from 8.30 in the morning, but the Mr David Tomalin (Isle of Wight County event proper lasted from 11 am to 5 pm. Archaeologist) talked about the island's The event was inspired by the Four Coun­ Maritime Heritage Project and the discoveries ties Festival of the British Association of Local made by this example of underwater archaeo­ History at Avebury, which several Hampshire logical excavation. societies attended, many meeting for the first RETORTS ON THE YEAR 1988 221 time, and was proposed by Mr Reginald Sand­ their experiences. Finally a teacher from ers at the AGM of the Local History Section at Henry Beaufort School, Winchester spoke on Alton in 1986. The Hampshire Fair imitated Local History and Education — a highly rel­ Avebury in its provision of stalls for Local evant subject in the light of the new GCSE History societies and in its workshops, but examinations! differed in using permanent buildings with The main memory of the day, however, must basic facilities, whereas those at Avebury all be the local society stalls, which amazed by had to be imported for the event, and in the their number, their variety, and the vigorous omission of such side-shows as morris dancers. activity they portrayed. Every society, however Although focused purely on Hampshire, it small and obscure, had worthwhile exhibits to attracted considerably more societies than display: old documents or photographs, lea­ were at Avebury. flets and posters, and above all publications - The event was organised on behalf of the booklets, regular newsletters and bulletins, Society by a committee, chaired by the Secre­ and even substantial tomes. Local History in tary. It was fortunate to draw on the experi­ Hampshire is thriving, it appears, in every ence of two of the organisers at Avebury, Mrs town and village. The societies met to display Philippa Stevens (Hampshire Local Studies their wares and exchange views: the hall Librarian) and Dr James Thomas of buzzed with informal discussions all day and Portsmouth Polytechnic. Other members the prime aim of the event, to bring the local represented Hampshire Record Office, Ham­ societies together, was triumphantly achieved! pshire Archives Trust, the Hampshire Field And the Field Club has found a new way of Club Local History Section, the Lower Test coordinating historical study throughout Valley Area Studies Society and the Worthies Hampshire! Local History Group. They met many times, M.A.H. corresponded with 120 local societies in Ham­ pshire, and organised a corps of marshals. Involving societies from far and near, fifty ARCHAEOLOGY SECTION stalls in six different rooms, and a quite uncertain number of the general public, it was 1988 was a memorable year for the Archaeo­ a formidably complicated event, which went logy Section. Two events in particular attrac­ off generally very well. Inevitably there were ted a remarkable amount of interest. In August teething troubles at this first attempt: over well over 110 people climbed Danebury Hill- provision to refreshments and access to further fort to hear Barry Cunliffe describe the rooms - one stallholder closed a door to keep findings of the twentieth and final year's exca­ out draughts, thus shutting off half the stalls vations and, in November, for the second year until his offence was discovered and corrected! running, all seats for the section's annual These will be avoided next time. conference were sold out well in advance of the The workshops, organised by Dr Thomas, day. were free of charge and were well-attended. The year's events began with an evening There were three sessions. First of all, Dr walk around Romsey expertly led by com­ Thomas himself as Course Director and Tony mittee member Steve Cooper. Hampshire Gutteridge as former pupil discussed the Field Club members joined those of the Lower highly successful Portsmouth Polytechnic Test Valley Archaeological Society in a guided Diploma in Local History - the only postgra­ tour of the historical sites of Romsey. duate course in local history in Hampshire. It was the Archaeology Section's Treasurer, After lunch Mary Ray, one of the well- Tony King, that hosted the second field trip, established Petersfield Area Historical showing members around his excavation at Society, and Veronica Ward of the very new Shavard's Farm, Meonstoke in the Meon Stubbington Local History Society discussed Valley. They were able to see the superb 222 HAMPSHIRE FIELD CLUB AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY collapsed gable end wall of the Roman villa, Once again, the most significant event of the with its triple round-headed window, Section's calendar was the Annual Confer­ uncovered as part of the Hampshire County ence. For the second year running it was Council's Meon Valley Landscape Project and devoted to The Brooks Excavation in Winches­ King Alfred's College Archaeology Depart­ ter and organised in conjunction with Win­ ment's training dig. chester Museums Service Archaeology In July another committee member, John Section. Speakers paid particular attention to Barton, organised a whole day's exploration of discoveries made since the last conference in the extensive earthworks surviving around the November 1987, until the dig ended in August point where Hampshire meets both Dorset and 1988, and during the watching brief that foll­ Wiltshire. The tour began on Martin Down, 8 owed. In the morning, following an introduc­ miles from Fordingbridge, with a visit to tion by City Archaeologist Ken Qualmann, Bokerly Ditch and Grim's Ditch. The party of Mike Morris (director of the excavations) gave about 30 members then moved on to examine a very thorough presentation of the new various stretches of Ackling Dyke, the Roman Romano-British information extracted from road that linked Salisbury with Badbury the site. He was followed by David Johnston of Rings, and the Neolithic henge monument and Southampton University, who talked in detail ruined church at Knowlton. The field trip on the mosaics discovered at the Brooks, ended with a walk around the impressive Iron including a fascinating description of the floor Age ramparts of Badbury Rings. fragment found during the watching brief after During his evening tour of Danebury Hill- the site was closed to the public. fort, Professor Barry Cunliffe drew the atten­ After lunch, Senior Supervisor Graham tion of his large audience to the results of his Scobie examined the latest information final season's excavations on the hilltop. Two retrieved from the site's medieval remains, weeks' work had already exposed a length of focussing on the merchant's house, particu­ the inside face of the rampart that he was able larly on the backyards and ancillary buildings to use to illustrate the history of the defences. excavated during the Spring and Summer of He spent some time describing the latest 1988. His comprehensive examination of the examples of deposits, probably ritual in archaeological evidence was then comple­ nature, that have been a feature of the last mented by Derek Kccnc, Director of the twenty year's discoveries. Professor Cunliffe London Historical Survey, which looked at the finished by looking ahead at the next five documentary evidence for the site and the year's work, during which he plans to concen­ surrounding area during the medieval period. trate on the Iron Age landscape surrounding The last talk of the day was given by Martin the hillfort, and by encouraging members to Biddle, Director of the Winchester Research visit the Museum of The Iron Age at Andover. Unit, who placed the results so far into their The Archaeology Section's annual early wider context. He also highlighted central Autumn cheese-and-wine party was held in government's current policies towards urban the delightful surroundings of the Treasury of archaeology, which triggered off some lively Winchester College by kind permission of the discussion. Headmaster, Warden and Scholars. Mary The Section AGM was held during the Oliver prepared an appetizing range of food, extended afternoon tea break at the confer­ which was served amongst a fascinating exhi­ ence. Having led the committee through a bition of some of the College's Classical, successful year's events, Geoff Denford stood Chinese and Egyptian treasures. Curator, down as chairman. Committee-member David Leila Partner, introduced the members to Johnston was elected in his place and thanked many of the objects on display and described his predecessor for his valuable contribution to how many of them were acquired by the the life of the section. The other officers on the College. committee are Jo Bailey (Secretary), Tony REPORTS O.N THE YEAR 19B8 223

King (Treasurer), and David Allen (Newsletter the Arts and Crafts Movement, with guided Editor). tours, at Tylney Hall, Rotherwick. Mrs M The years events were concluded • with an Drummond masterminded this event which illustrated talk by David Rudkin on the recent included illustrated lectures from C Aslct, J excavations at Fishbourne Roman Palace. The Brown and D Cole. The house, now an hotel, results of two season's work on the west wing was remodelled by Wornum in 1899-1901. of the palace were both delivered and received Later R Weir Schultz and Gertrude Jekyll were with great enthusiasm. to lay out the luxurious gardens, now being j.B. restored. Through the hospitality of the Odiham Society, especially Mrs S Millard and Mrs H HISTORIC BUILDINGS SECTION Lee, the historic buildings of Odiham proved a revelation to many on 2nd July. The guides, G Once again the Section organised four varied SofTe, J Crook and E Roberts were honoured to winter evening lectures at King Alfred's be partially relieved of their duties by Prof G College, Winchester, and an exciting summer Meirion-Joncs, the leading architectural histo­ programme of events. The Newsletter also conti­ rian, and expert on the town. The tour started nued to act as an outlet for our work. The from the Priory, a large medieval stone priest's winter lectures were given by J Crook on house with extensive additions, where we saw Marwell Hall, E Roberts on medieval hall the fine timber roof over the first-floor hall. houses, G SofTe on Benstede St Clair manor, Next, at the historic Palace Gate, J Crook and T Maile and J Budden on Chalton. revealed how the site was threatened with Except for the cancelled visit to the Isle of redevelopment. After the medieval All Saints Wight, all summer excursions were over­ Church, Church Cottage, Pest House and subscribed and blessed with fine weather. A Almshouses, lunch at the George Inn was tour of medieval Southampton on 14th May accompanied by a view of the newly discovered was led by P Davies (Historic Architecture 17th-century wall paintings in a first-floor Dept) and R Thomson (City Museums). The bedroom. Prof Meirion-Jones led the peram­ leaders' illustrated talk in the Tudor Mer­ bulation of the Bury and High Street after chants' Hall introduced an itinerary which which we drove to King John's Castle to hear first took us to the current excavations and the results of recent excavations and see the renovation on the exterior of the Town Walls renovation work. and Towers north of West Gate. We next The famous Church of St Cross Hospital scrambled into the 12th-century Castle Vault was the subject of an exhaustive study visit on and the Undercroft before an exhaustive 9th July led by Dr Y Kusaba and M Carden, exploration of the medieval core of Tudor the two leading experts on the building. Mem­ House Museum. Dr A Russell guided us bers were joined by the Master of St Cross, around the excavations of 95-98 High Street; Canon A Dcedcs and the Brothers, and after four medieval stone vaults with a long history tea some stayed on for a tour of the roof of merchants' houses above them; and we also spaces. examined the vault at 94 and Lankester's Two conferences were held at King Alfred's Vault. On the eastern Town Walls we saw the College. On 27th February J Crook led a recently uncovered Friary Gatehouse and valuable seminar on Listed Historic Buildings. Dovecote followed by St Julien's Chapel, God's Other speakers were N Molyneux (DOE & House Tower, and the restored medieval HFC), A Rutter (WCC), K Stubbs, (HCC), F house and shop at 58 French Street. Green (TVAT & HFC) and A Brodie On 19th June we joined the Hants Gardens (RCHME). Our AGM on 1st October was Trust and NACF for our country house meet­ accompanied by a review of Documents in the ing, a conference on Edwardian Opulence and Study of Historic Buildings. G Soffe examined 224 HAMPSHIRE FIELD CLUB AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY rural manors and farms, followed by E Roberts prising walk amongst the Itchen water mea­ on his discovery of the East Meon Court House dows between Compton and Shawford. Dr building accounts in the Winchester Pipe Bowie, curator of Eastleigh Museum, led the Rolls. J Brushe (English Heritage) and I Leith party on the first part of the tour to the (RCHME) highlighted the evidence of Twyford meadows, where he pointed out some drawings, paintings and historic photographs, of the lesser known technicalities of water followed by Dr M Doughty on local authority meadow husbandry. The second part of the housing in Southampton. At the AGM Dr tour was led by Mr Currie, who imparted other Doughty was re-elected chairman and editor lesser known facts about the Compton land­ with Miss K Parker (minuting secretary) and scape as the walkers made their way to see the G SofTe (programme secretary). P Davies took more traditional, later, meadows of Compton over the treasurership from F Green (now parish that lie in the shadow of Hockley publicity). J Crook continued with listed viaduct. buildings and E Roberts now edits the Newslet­ The second trip took the section to the ter. Mrs A Sutton was also re-elected and we villages of Chalton and Idsworth as the guest were joined by Mrs M Gale. N Molyneux and of Mr John Budden, farmer of Manor Farm, D Hinton resigned and we thank them for all Chalton. Again brilliant May weather greeted their work. a large party, who were given a thoroughly On behalf of the Field Club and the CBA, diversified day beginning with a tour of Manor the Section has continued to vet planning Farm led by Mr Budden. They then toured applications for Listed Building Consent; over Chalton village and church before setting out 200 this year, responding in c 150 cases. This on a picturesque downland walk via the site of figure excludes industrial buildings, which are the now-famous Saxon village to the deserted separately examined by Dr Course and the village of Idsworth and its isolated church, SUIAG. Local correspondents were coordi­ now set amidst cornfields. Mr Budden, Mr nated by J Crook. Many of our comments have Oliver, and Mr Currie indicated points of been in the nature of advice, highly valued by interest to an attentive audience. most local authorities, but a firm stand had to The highlight of the year, however, was be made in the case of the Arcade, Aldershot - undoubtedly the autumn conference on 'Art, an interesting small-scale 19th-century shop­ Literature and the Landscape', at King ping arcade threatened with redevelopment. Alfred's College, Winchester. This conference G.S. was considered a particular success, because the subject was one considered to be both experimental and difficult. It was therefore LANDSCAPE SECTION highly gratifying that the day was such a success with all the speakers rising to the The 1988 programme of the Landscape Sec­ complex challenge of the role of the arts in tion continued to build on the good work of its landscape change and development. inaugural year and has helped to establish it The day began with what can only be firmly as a positive and active body within the described as a brilliant talk by Dr Peter Bran­ Field Club. It is hoped to continue this success don, who showed clearly why he had acquired and to incorporate more outdoor field trips such a reputation as a landscape interpreter. It and field activity into the section programme. would have been thought that such a spellbin­ The programme for 1988 was relatively ding beginning would have been hard to light, comprising only two spring/summer out­ follow, but all the subsequent speakers, in ings and a winter conference. their own different ways, equalled Dr Bran­ The first outdoor session found a small party don's eloquence. of enthusiasts greeted by glorious April Mr Surry followed with a talk that high­ weather for an interesting and sometimes sur­ lighted his deep knowledge of Hampshire REPORTS ON THE YEAR 1988 225 sources for the 18th century. Pam Moore lively talk, he described the approaches brought the audience back to earth with a talk adopted by the VCH in its study of the parish on the use of artistic sources in interpreting unit. The lecture produced much interesting industrial sites. After the slides of Brandon discussion. Elizabeth Hughes of the Ham­ and Surry, it was fitting that Mrs Moore pshire Record Office then outlined the mater­ should remind the audience that beauty is not ial on the parish held at the HRO, examining, always picturesque and the stark (and some­ in most detail, vestry records. She had also set times dramatic) quality of her slides was quite up a workshop with which to open the after­ breathtaking. noon session, making use of photocopies of The afternoon session opened with Pro­ documents such as churchwardens' accounts fessor Sambrook, who offered a truly original and poor law papers. Members derived from approach to the 18th-century landscape this display a full and rounded picture of garden in literature. Finally, another superla­ parochial administration. Two further lectures tive talk by Dr Chatfield treated Selbornc in followed. First, Diana Coldicott gave a literature. Rarely can an audience have been detailed and carefully researched paper on her treated to such consistently high standards of study of a specific parish, namely Long Sutton original thought on a subject hitherto some­ near Odiham. Secondly, Michael Hicks what neglected. Hence the barrage of ques­ investigated the subject of the parish and the tions provoked after each talk. poor, looking at the different ways in which the The AGM was held after lunch. Committee local authorities tackled the problem of membership changed little, but responsibili­ poverty between Elizabethan times and the ties were redistributed. Mr Currie and Mr 1834 Poor Law. Some thirty people attended Oliver remain as Programme Secretary and the meeting. Chairman; Mr Gray becomes Newsletter The Summer Outing took place on 23rd Editor and Mr Broderick, back from America, July. The forty members who attended first becomes Treasurer. The rest of the committee visited Tufton, where the Reverend David are Miss Gosling, Dr Hare, Mr Moir, Mrs Ray, Warner spoke of the history of the church and Mrs Smale, Mr King and Mr Ford. showed them around it, and Mr Chris Tozer Despite the formal division of roles, the showed the party his ancient barns and old officers work closely together and the section's farming equipment. The group then moved on success stems from the joint contributions of to Whitchurch, where the recently formed all concerned. There is no shortage of inno­ Whitchurch Historical Society acted as their vative ideas and future plans. hosts. Before lunch, they looked around the C.K.C. Silk Mill, which the staff had kindly opened for the visit. The guides were Mr Reg Smith, the builder engaged in the mill's restoration, and LOCAL HISTORY SECTION Mr Ted Moss, who worked lifelong at the mill, and much was learnt about the working prac­ In 1988, the Local History Section organized tices there and about the building's structure. the three usual events of its annual pro­ In the afternoon, Mr Moss showed some of his gramme, namely a Spring Symposium, a slides taken from old pictures of Whitchurch Summer Outing, and the Section's AGM in in the Parish Hall, where an exhibition of local the autumn. events and scenes was'displayed. The party The Spring Symposium, which had as its then broke into smaller groups in order to theme The Parish: Evidence and Recon­ explore different facets of the town under the struction', was held on 16th April at King guidance of members of the Whitchurch His­ Alfred's College, Winchester. The first speaker torical Society and the visit concluded with Mr was Christopher Ellington, the General Editor Moss completing the slide show begun earlier. of the Victoria County History series, and, in a The day was planned by Mr W H Boorman, 226 HAMPSHIRE FIELD CLUB AND AKCHAKOLOGICAI. SOCIETY the Chairman of the Whitchurch Historical expected in the spring of 1989. The Highway Society, to whom the Section is most grateful. Strategy is also now under consideration The Annual General Meeting was held on before final recommendations are published. 15th October at Petersficld, and the pro­ In advance, an experiment in reducing speed gramme for the day was arranged by members had been tried near Sway, consisting of a of the Pctersfield Area Historical Society, and, roughened surface. This is likely to be dis­ in particular, by Mrs Mary Ray. It was Mrs continued as not only do drivers proceed even Ray who delivered the first lecture, sketching faster over it to reduce the impact, but the in the general background to Petersfield's his­ noise is a considerable disturbance to local tory and describing how the borough had residents. Monitoring over a period of time has changed over the course of time. Next, Dr E M shown a high percentage of speeds in excess of Yates talked, with slides,, about Durford Abbey 70mph over the whole length of this road. In and monastic interests in the Petersfield Area, another area reflective collars have been fitted and admirably succeeded in putting this topic to some animals. into its wider context. Following the AGM and On the open Forest measures to control the lunch, the Section was taken to see spread of Scots Pine, rhodedendron and Petersfield's places of interest by members of bracken continue. the PAHS. The day concluded with a dramatic The New Forest Museum in Lyndhurst was presentation of a power-struggle between the opened by the Duke of Edinburgh in June. two powerful gentry families of Petersfield in Tourist information is included in this the 18th century - the Jolifles and the Gibbons building. - a bizarre conflict which centred on the rights of various parties respecting the fish pond. Planning and Development The Section is much indebted to the PAHS for making the arrangements for this successful The Secretary of State for Energy had deferred day. Some thirty members attended the AGM. until May 1989 a decision on whether to hold a At the AGM, Colin Haydon was elected public inquiry into CEGB proposals to build a Chairman, Jan Housby was elected Secretary large coal-fired power station at Fawley, (in place of Barbara Burbridge), Sarah Lewin together with a port and jetty for importing was elected Treasurer, and George Watts was coal. The deferment is to allow CEGB to elected Newsletter Editor. The remainder of the consider the proposals in the light of priva­ Committee was re-elected en bloc. A vote of tisation. thanks was passed to Mrs Burbridge, whose British Gas has postponed its plans for an work as Secretary was greatly appreciated. It exploration well at Boldre. Clyde Petroleum was noted that the financial position of the has applied for an exploratory well at Ipley, on Section remained healthy, and that the New­ private land but well within the peram­ sletter continued to attract material: and the bulation. Hampshire County Council has Treasurer and the Newsletter Editor were refused permission. thanked for their efforts. At Buckland Rings, Lymington, a scheduled C.M.H. ancient monument, proposals were made by owners for large scale development including housing and leisure facilities. The application NEW FOREST SECTION was opposed by local bodies and permission was refused, on the grounds that not only New Forest Affairs would it be detrimental to the site itself, but on visual grounds the approach to Lymington Comments on the New Forest Review have would be much disfigured. The application been considered by the Forestry Commission went to appeal, but has been rejected by the and the final recommendations are now Secretary of State, after a public inquiry. REPORTS ON THE YEAR 1988 227

The Private Bill promoted by Hampshire Programme County Council for a bypass for Lyndhurst was rejected by a House of Commons Select In January 1988 the section heard an interest­ Committee. The committee's decision was ing talk on 'The Ecology of the New Forest' by taken on the principle that the building of a Colin Tubbs, Assistant Regional Officer of the bypass could have been effected under exist­ Nature Conservancy Council. In February Bill ing legislation without further authority from Bide, Hampshire County Council Rights of parliament. Further details are contained in Way Officer, spoke on 'Footpaths and Brid­ the New Forest Section's report for 1988. leways'. In March there was a joint meeting with the Archaeology Section on 'The Iron Age Section Affairs and Roman Temple at Hayling Island', by Anthony King. All these were held at Following a request from the Historic Lyndhurst Community Centre. Buildings Section, all committee members are Summer meetings included an evening walk now concerned to monitor Listed Building in the New Forest led by June Irvine and a Consents in their areas. day-long visit to kiln sites of East Dorset Mr Sturgess retired as chairman at the AGM kindly arranged for us by the Verwood and under the section's rules. He was warmly District Potteries Trust. The annual fungus thanked by the President, Mr James. Mr A H foray in October was led by Gordon Dickson of Pasmore was elected in his place. the British Mycological Society. The section's display stand was taken to the In December at Lyndhurst Community Local Studies conference at Romsey in March, Centre, Gordon Pearson gave a most interest­ the Local History Fair in the same month, to ing talk to a joint meeting with Lyndhurst the New Forest Show in July, to the Country­ Historical Society on how he had pieced side Education Trust Open Day at Beaulieu in together the history of his house in Kings September, and to the Leisure Exhibition in Somborne from examination of various clues Lymington in October. in the structure itself and from documentary It proved impossible to excavate at Church evidence. Green this year, but a small site in the vicinity J.I- was examined with a view to dating it. It appeared to be Iron Age, but examination of the finds has not yet proved conclusive.