NOTES

TWO NEOLITHIC POLISHED FLINT AXES FROM THE VALE OF AYLESBURY

During a programme of systematic fieldwalk­ expected to be the flint mines of East Anglia or ing by Aylesbury Past Project between 1986 and , but flint mines have been found in the 1988 Roman, Saxon and medieval artefact Chilterns at Peppard Common (Peake 1913) so scatters were recovered (Dalwood and Platell a local source may be possible. Reworked axes, 1988). Prehistoric pottery and lithics were only such as No.2, are common finds: the reworking recovered in small quantities, but two items of the butt-end, perhaps to facilitate the re­ deserve publication in this note. Archive docu­ shafting of a broken axe, is found amongst mentation and the objects themselves are Cotswold flint axes, and it may reflect the retained at County Museum. distance from flint sources (Tyler 1976, 13).

1. Axe, broken, from Hartwell (SP 80901190). Both axes were recovered from localities The middle portion of a neolithic ground and which have not produced any other lithic polished flint axe, with slightly flattened sides. material. The neolithic occupation in the Vale It is broken at both ends: at the blade end, the of Aylesbury has been inferred from the re­ flake scars are unpatinated; at the butt-end, covery of artefactual material at Walton Vicar­ they have a white patina. The whole is battered age (Farley 1976, 160-1, fig. 2), in Aylesbury and worn, but the butt-end flake scars suggest (Dalwood forthcoming) and at Scotsgrove flakes struck to rework the piece. The polished House, Haddenham (CAS 4194). In addition, a surfaces carry a milky white patina over orange total of five stone axes and three flint axes have flint. (AFS 16, S.F. 1041; BCM CAS 5619, Ace. previously been found: two stone axe fragments No. 301.1987). from Walton Vicarage (Farley 1976, fig. 2: 17- 18), a stone axe from Aylesbury (CAS 4450), 2. Axe, broken, from Stone (SP 78971118). another probably from Aylesbury (CAS 1807), The butt-end of a neolithic ground and polished and two flaked flint axe fragments also from flint axe, with a rounded section. It has a clean Aylesbury (CAS 1807). In addition, a single regular break, and is slightly chipped at the stone axe has been found in (CAS butt-end. The sides are faceted towards the 2386), and a polished flint axe in Dinton (CAS break. The polished surfaces are patinated a 4982). The material from Walton Vicarage pale milky grey, over an opaque grey~brown comprised stone axe fragments, ceramics flint. (AFS 24, S.F. 1042; BCM CAS 5627, Ace. (Peterborough Ware) and other lithics, all as No. 308.1987) residual material: otherwise axes and datable neolithic scatters are not associated. The two axes are similar in size and type, both being ground and polished flint axes with It is generally supposed that neolithic flint faceted sides, well-known throughout southern axes were broken and discarded or lost in use, , and the commonest type of flint axe and that their distribution is a function of the (Class 6) in the East Midlands (Moore 1979, process of neolithic clearance (Tyler 1976, 3). 86). Their resemblance to Group VI (Langdale) Although some stone axes could not have func­ stone axes has been noted (ibid; Whittle 1977, tioned as tools at all, and others are too small to 65), although it is uncertain how this similarity have been heavy felling tools (Bradley 1978, should be interpreted. 12-13), the majority may be interpreted as timber-working tools, used for clearance to­ The source of these flint axes might be gether with fire-setting and ring-barking 181 1

2

Fig. 1. Neolithic polished flint axes from (1) Hartwell and (2) Stone. (Scale 2: 3)

182 (Fowler 1983, 165) . Another possibility is that Acknowledgements these objects were 'ritual' deposits as has been The Aylesbury Field Survey was part of a suggested in the Cotswolds and programme of fieldwork carried out by Ayles­ (Holgate pers. comm.) Neolithic activity in the bury Past Project, a Community Programme Vale of Aylesbury is certainly indicated by this scheme funded by the Manpower Services material, but the present distribution is largely Commission, to whom thanks are due for the product of chance discovery during archae­ enabling publication to be completed. The two ological fieldwork and more prosaic activities axes were drawn by Alison Hawkins. Thanks which probably account for the concentration in are also due to Mike Farley and Robin Holgate. Aylesbury's urban and suburban area. HalDalwood

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bradley, R. 1978. The Prehistoric Settlement of Fowter, P. J . 1983. The Farming of Prehistoric Britain Britain (). (Cambridge). CAS. County Antiquities Survey (Sites and Moore, C. N. 1979. 'Stone axes from the Midlands', Monuments Record), Buckinghamshire County in Clough, T. H . McK. and Cummins, W. A. (eds), Museum, Aylesbury. Stone Axe Studies, CBA Res. Rep. 23,82-6. Dalwood, C. H. and Platell, A. C. 1988. 'Aylesbury Peake, A. E. 1913. 'An account of a flint factory, with Past Project, 1987--88', some new types of flints, excavated at Peppard Archaeology 18, 35-9. Common, Oxon. ', Archaeol. J. 70,33-68. Dalwood, C. H. forthcoming. 'The Flints', in Farley, Tyler, A. 1976. Neolithic Flint Axes from the M. E . [Excavations at Prebendal Grounds, Cotswold Hills, BAR (Brit. Ser.) 25. Aylesbury]. Whittle, A. W. R. 1977. The Earlier Neolithic of Farley, M. E . 1976. 'Saxon and Medieval Walton, Southern England and its Continental Background, Aylesbury, Excavations 1973--4, Recs. Bucks 20, BAR (Inter. Ser.) 35 . 163--290.

EXCAVATIONS AT MOAT FARM, HEDGERLEY

Introduction In 1978 the impending sale and possible use of Moat Farm, Hedgerley (SU 97738830 and the site of Moat Farm for gravel extraction Fig. 1) is thought to be the site of the original prompted the Hedgerley Historical society to Bulstrode Manor which was associated with the apply for permission from the Department of Knights Templars since before 1200. The order Transport for a preliminary field study at Moat was dissolved in 1308. An account of the history Farm, including trial excavations in selected of the site is given by A. Baker (1980). areas. Following receipt of permission excava­ tions took place in 1979 and an interim account Only a part of the moat now survives (Fig. 1), was published by B. Stainton (1980) and see the course of its southern and western per­ photograph in Rice (1980, 60). imeters are not known. The whole site is generally considered to be medieval in date, though the Ordnance Survey have suggested The Excavation that it may have utilized the remains of the ditch A survey of the site was carried out on the of an Iron Age plateau fort. This hypothesis can ground with a proton-magnetometer and from not now be easily checked as most of it has been the air with an infra-red pyrometer. Both of destroyed by gravel working on the west and by these surveys indicated hirge areas of anomalies construction of the nearby . within the moat. 183 EXCAVATION AREAS

N t

Fig. 1. Moat Farm, Hedgerley, showing the excavated area and moat section.

A section was cut through a dry portion of the considered that at least three building periods moat (Fig. 1). The line of the moat and its were represented. subsequent infilling was revealed, though a detailed profile could not be ascertained as the The outer edges of the phase 1 wall (trenches bottom lay beneath the water table. It is prob­ C4 and B4) were defined by lines of flints which able that the moat ditch had a generally wide, had not been dressed, and which were sitting in flat bottom. The only dating evidence from this a foundation trench. Irregular-shaped flints trench was a sixteenth-century lead-glazed were also present in the core .of the wall, along sherd found in one of the lower layers of fill. with some mortar and pieces of chalk. The phase 1 wall was traced for about 6 m running A grid was laid down within the moat and a westward, and it probably continued on the series of nine trenches were opened up. In all of same alignment underneath the later phase 2 the trenches a dense layer of building debris was wall. A mortar floor was associated with the found only 200 mm beneath the present ground phase 1 wall and overlay an earlier chalk floor. level. Fragments of walls were present in four The limited excavation did not determine trenches and there was evidence of robbed whether the chalk floor was associated with the foundations in a further twe (Fig. 2). Based phase 1 wall, or some earlier activity. Robbed mainly on differences in construction it was wall foundations a short distance to the north 184 -

,._ OCCASIONAL ,....._ POND

I _ _j

0 Sm

- m PHASE 1 WALL ~ PHASE 2 WALL

- ~ OTHER WALLS - - I: ::1ROBBED WALLS liit@l MORTAR

Fig. 2. Plan of excavations within the moat.

(trenches B2 and B3) were considered to be directly on the phase 1 wall and was traced for associated with the phase 1 wall. about 6 m running westward. The traces of wall showing in the sides of the intermittently filled The construction of the phase 2 wall (trenches pond to the west (Fig. 2) may be a further B4 and A4) was superior to that of phase 1, continuation of the phase 2 wall. though it also was constructed of flints, chalk pieces and tile, the proportion of the latter A short section of wall ran northwards at right being greater than in phase 1. In addition, the angles to the junction of the phase l and 2 waHs body of the wall was made harder by a greater (trench B4). This may be associated with the proportion of mortar. The phase 2 wall was built phase 2 wall, or may represent a separate 185 1

) 21 7 ) 31 '(

' 4 ' 1------7 5

Fig. 3. The medieval pottery. (Scale 1: 3) . building phase. The limited excavation did not years of the fourteenth century. The pottery provide sufficient information on this relation­ included a substantial part of a shallow bowl ship. (Fig. 3.1). 1. Bowl in hard fabric with fine quartz. Trench A further section of wall about 10 mm north­ A4. east of phases 1 and 2 (trench D1) was un­ 2. Bowl in hard fabric, olive green glaze on covered much closer to the surface. It too was interior. Trench B4. constructed with flints, chalk pieces and tiles 3. Jar in hard fabric with fine quartz. Trench but the proportion of mortar present was less B4. than with other wall sections. 4. Bowl in very hard fabric with a high pro­ portion of quartz. Trench B3. Features apart from walls were sparse but 5. Bowl in hard fabric with fine quartz. Trench included a post-hole and a small pit, both B3. located in trench B2. Conclusions The Finds The limited excavation at Moat Farm has There were no stratified finds from the exca­ indicated the presence of a medieval building on vation. None of the trenches produced any firm the site enclosed by the moat. The meagre finds dating evidence for the construction of the suggest a date in the early years of the four­ walls. However, a small quantity of medieval teenth century which largely agrees with the pottery was recovered from the general layer of date for the occupation of Temple Bulstrode by building debris which covered the site, along the Hospitallers. However, the evidence with some animal bones, oyster shells, a few provided by the excavation is insufficient to iron nails and a couple of lead items. confirm the site as that referred to in docu- mentary sources. The Medieval Pottery The medieval pottery, mostly io a hard, sandy Since the excavation took place, the sale of fabric, can be dated stylistically to the earlier the portion of the field in which the site was 186 located was withdrawn and the site has now Stainton and Christopher Stanley. The draw­ been scheduled. ings for publication were executed by Pauline and Stanley Cauvain, who compiled this note on Acknowledgements the basis of site records supplied by the exca­ We wish to thank the Department of Trans­ vators. The finds and original documentation port for permission to excavate and the tenants have been deposited at the County Museum, Major and Mrs A. H. Lascelles, and Mr and Aylesbury. Mrs Moodie for their forbearance. The exca­ Hedgerley Historical Society vations were directed and recorded by Bambi Chess Valley Archaeological & Historical Society

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Baker, A. 1980. 'Bulstrode: Part 1', in Rice 1980, history of Hedgerley (Hedgerley.Historical Soc.). 32-4. Stain ton, B. 1980. 'Moat Farm, Hedgerley', CBA Rice, M. (ed.) 1980. A South Bucks -the Group 9 Newsletter 10, 19-20.

THE MUSEUM The Museum has undergone considerable and staff will be in temporary premises in the changes during 1988. Following the retirement former Halton Middle School for a period of up of Christopher Gowing after 26 years of service, to four years. This will enable the Museum's the post of Curator was redesignated 'County buildings to be completely renovated and will Museums Officer' and Colin Dawes took up this allow the construction of modern facilities and position in March. displays, and will result in the production of a fine new County Museum. An in-depth assessment of the Museum's work, collections, management and facilities The Museum has continued to acquire items was carried out by the County Museums for its collections. Of particular importance was Officer, and this Museums Service Appraisal the acquisition of 611 Roman silver denarii from was presented to the Library and Museum Sub­ Little Brickhill, which were purchased with help Committee of the County Council in Decem­ from the Victoria and Albert Museum Purchase ber. Another report, by the Area Museums Grant Fund. They represent an additional part Service for South-Eastern England (AMSSEE), of the hoard of 292 coins previously acquired in was also presented to the Committee. This was 1967. A fine nineteenth-century painting of produced as part of a 'Major Project' carried Brill, by Edmund J. Niemann, was also out by AMSSEE, and was the first such project acquired with substantial assistance from the in Britain. Over 80 experts visited the Museum Victoria and Albert Museum Purchase Grant to assess all aspects of its work and collections, Fund and the National Art-Collections Fund. and important recommendations were made for the future. Special exhibitions in the Museum continued to be successful, and an exhibition of banners The structural problems of the Museum proved to be a particularly popular attraction. building have become more apparent, and it Visitor numbers, however, dropped to 26,563, was decided that, apart from the Aylesbury compared to 29,549 in 1987. Much of this Gallery and Special Exhibitions Gallery, the reduction may be accounted for by difficulties in Museum would have to be closed for a con­ the galleries due to the Museum's structural siderable period of time. By 31 March 1989 the problems. Museum will have closed, and its collections Colin V. Dawes 187 COUNTY RECORD OFFICE Extracts from the Report of the County Archivist for 1988

This was an uneventful year, during which Hearne of Bourne End, were acquired. The hoped-for relief from the problems of staffing, former begin in 1889. Thomas Wethered & accommodation and storage again failed to Sons, brewers, of Great Marlow, deposited materialize. It ended however, with the property records of public houses in many welcome news that the budget panel had parishes, some of which go back to the 17th recommended that priority should be given to century. Mr Alan Wigley passed over more filling the two additional posts of assistant records of the family estate agents' business archivist and trainee conservator. including a complete set of bidding books for properties auctioned, 1877-1934. There was one new departure, the introduc­ tion of a readers' ticket system as part of a A further sizeable consignment of mixed coordinated attempt to improve security in deeds and documents was received from Parrott county record offices. and Coales, Solcitors, of Aylesbury. Among them are records relating to William Rickford, There was a total of 131 accessions during the MP for Aylesbury from 1818 to 1841 and year; the corresponding figure for 1987 was 108. founder of the town's first bank.

A complete series of registers of permanent There were six accessions of manorial records teachers, 1904-30, was transferred from the of various dates including good runs of court Education Department, supplemented by regis­ rolls for the manors of Temple Wycombe, 1342- ters of teachers' salaries for various dates 1544, and Winslow, 1619-1701, and steward's between 1935 and 1946. Anyone writing the papers for the manor of Aylesbury, c.1650-60. history of a school will find these volumes invaluable. A fine series of 29 early deeds relating to was acquired by purchase with Chiltern District Council deposited the assistance from the Purchase Grant Fund ad­ building contract plans for the former ministered by the Victoria & Albert Museum Rural District Council, 1917-47, and from the Buckinghamshire Record Society. with accompanying registers. This large ac­ The earliest document is thought to date from cumulation of well over 5000 plans will be of the end of the twelfth century and is possibly the great value for research into the social and oldest document in the Record Office. economic history of the area as well as for the study of particular houses. Also acquired by purchase were an annotated poll book for the county election of 1784, and an The records of the ecclesiastical parish of outsize map of part of the Wotton estate, 1847. , comprising over 180 volumes The poll book notes deaths and changes in land and a considerable quantity of papers, were ownership and gives names of new voters. deposited. The parish registers date from 1610 and the accounts and rate books from the 1660s. Other estate and family records received Additional records were received for over included papers relating to the Bell family of twenty other ecclesiastical parishes. Milton's Cottage, Chalfont St Giles, 1788-1919; diaries of John Pope Fordom, farmer, of Little Records of two local building firms, George Kimble, 1822, 1827-9, 1833, and two eighteenth­ Darlington & Sons of Amersham and W. century estate maps, one for property in Little 188 Kimble, 1748, and the other for the manor of was logged of which 1253 (1186) were enquiries. , c.l763. The problem of storage space continued to Cataloguing was again devoted almost exclu­ worsen and will become acute before the end of sively to recent accessions. A start was made on next year unless extra space can be found. The classifying and relisting the manorial records proposal to build extra accommodation in the deposited by the Buckinghamshire Archaeo­ courtyard above the Record Office, mentioned logical Society, which will be kept as one in last year's report, is in abeyance for the time collection. Cataloguing of one older accession, being. the additional Bulstrode MSS, was finally completed. An unexpected challenge to the conservator's skills presented itself when the statue of John Place-indexing of the contents of the valuers' Hampden in Ayles Market Square was moved books in the records of Wigley, estate agents, to an adjacent site. A 'time capsule' in the form Winslow, was completed, and indexing of the of a sealed jar containing newspapers, docu­ various series of sale particulars in the same ments, and other souvenirs of the unveiling in archive begun. Name indexes were prepared for 1912 was recovered from the base but the several recently completed catalogues. papers were found to have suffered badly from damp and the conservator was called in to The number of personal visits during the year restore those that could be salvaged. They were was 2580 (2611 in 1987). Postal enquiries were then inserted in an enlarged capsule which was 636 (719). A total of2842 (2576) telephone calls substituted for the original. REVIEWS

Aldbury People: 1885-1945. Jean Davis, the games, the home-made entertainments, so pp. 96. Aldbury Archive Collection, 1988 ISBN wholeheatedly undertaken and enjoyed, were 0 9512688 1 3. £4.95 from the compiler, Little all 'lovely'. Little girls in white pinafores dance , Aid bury, Herts HP23 SRZ. in a ring on Church Meadow-an image of piercing innocence-the village band poses with This is a lovely book. The text consists almost its drums and fifes, Charles Delderfield, born in entirely of reminiscences by older inhabitants of 1843, sits in the sun outside his cottage. A Aldbury, and these are lavishly illustrated by a school group of 1911 prompts the question, remarkable collection of photographs, span­ 'How many of these little boys survived after ning the sixty years that began with the coming 1918?' of the motor car and ended with the atomic bomb. If any justification is needed for review­ The darker side is not ignored. 'Fear of the ing it in these pages, it is that Aldbury is part of wealthy was ingrained in the older people . .. I only by an historical accident; it is remember feeling rebellious for them ... it was essentially a Chiltern village. a pity, the understanding of each side took so long in coming, but come it did, and so much The arrangement is thematic rather than happiness resulted'. Much of English social chronological, and this makes for greater co­ history is summed up in these words. Yet it is herence, although it inevitably fragments the clear that these unassuming lives were not em­ contributions of individuals. bittered, and the reader is left in an elegiac mood; shall we ever again derive such pure keen Happiness is the predominant impression: 'so Ieasure from simple things? much happiness'. The expression 'It was J.C.T. lovely!' recurs again and again. The landscape, 189 House History: a Short Guide to Sources. changes in the landscape, the size and shape of Buckinghamshire Record Office, 1987. pp. 26 estates, the relationships between the different ISBN 0 860459 428 9, paper. types of rural settlement, the density of popu­ lation-and attempts to address them within the Very good 'starter pack' for anyone inter­ limits imposed by the available evidence from ested in tracing the history of their house. . The extent of landscape Answers comprehensively the question, changes within the late lA and RB periods is not 'Where do I start?', and guides the enquirer yet clear in this area, but phased maps of late lA through the various classes of document that and RB occupation would have been useful in may (or may not!) illuminate moments in the this discussion, although they would have to be history of particular houses. A valuable bibli­ used with care. It would also have been useful ography lists all the published material for for quick reference to have had a map on which Bucks, and points to the general works most at least the major sites were named rather than likely to help beginners to understand the un­ numbered. The historical pattern of settlement published sources they are much more likely to is not unlike that noted further south in the be using; in several of these, readers will find Chilterns, with late first/early second-century signposts to more advanced works. It is, as the development followed by later third-century introduction points out, an excellent way of recession, and a fourth-century revival. introducing yourself to local history. Roman Milton Keynes. Excavations and Attempts to calculate population figures are Fieldwork 1971--82. Ed. D. C. Mynard, pp. notoriously dangerous, but approved of by this xiii+ 198. Buckinghamshire Archaeological reviewer. The suggested figures for the small Society Monograph Series 1, 1987. ISBN 0 towns of Lactodorum (Towcester) and Magio­ 949003 018. vinium (Dropshort) may well be about right at the lower end of the estimates (around 1500 and The excavations and fieldwork undertaken 1000 respectively), but populations of rural sites during the development of Milton Keynes have are surely overestimated at between 25 and 50. added greatly to our knowledge of north Bucks Most are family farmsteads, which even with in the Iron Age and Roman period, and it is extended families would rarely have reached good to at last have the definitive report on our populations of more than 20. desks. This volume provides a comprehensive coverage of all RB discoveries, both by field­ There are useful discussions of the industrial work and excavation, made between 1971 and and trading environment for the rural settle­ 1982, and it is good to see that earlier work by ments and a valuable discussion of another local archaeologists is also included. difficult topic, estate boundaries. This raises the interesting possibility that the RB estates in the The main sections of the book are a gazetteer Milton Keynes area occupied broadly similar of sites, reports on minor excavations, reports territories to the later parishes. on the six major excavations, and a report on the finds (building materials, other finds, and en­ How these estates were farmed is obviously a vironmental material). All of this is wisely key question, and it is here that the results from prefaced (rather than followed) by a chapter Milton Keynes are most disappointing. The which attempts to summarize the results of all faunal samples are generally too small to be this work and set them into a wider context. useful, and where larger ones occur they are published as single large groups with no refer- This arrangement, and the recognition that ence to the contexts from which they came. All excavated and surveyed sites are part of a much recent faunal research suggests that such groups wider landscape and need to be placed in con- are virtually meaningless. The seed and plant text, is to be applauded. This discussion chapter remains are few in number, and there is no also recognises several of the important themes environmental evidence in the normal sense of currently under discussion in RB archaeology- the term at all. One would love to know more 190 about the walled garden(?) and what it might aspects of the settlements are not well repre­ have grown, for example. sented in the report, and this must be a dis­ appointment in a report almost entirely con­ This volume then contains a lot of useful cerned with farming establishments of one kind information, derived from a lot of hard work, or another. Perhaps future work in the area can about Roman occupation of an area about seek to fill some of these gaps. which we knew very little previously.It presents Keith Branigan the information clearly and in a well-ordered Dept. of Archaeology & Prehistory manner, and it attempts to set the results of the University of Sheffield work into a wider context. But economic

OBITUARY

Sir Frank Francis, KCB, FSA, FMA, elected his 94th year. He achieved distinction as a a Vice-President in 1978, died aged 86. Almost biochemist, serving as Professor at Imperial his whole career had been with the British College 1936-43 and Cambridge 1943-49. On Museum where he started in the Printed Books his retirement he turned to local history; he Department and rose to be Director and Prin­ continued to live at Cambridge but concen­ cipal Librarian 1959-68 and the last Director to trated his research on the Bucks village of be appointed under the 1753 British Museum Sherington where his ancestors had lived since Act. He was much concerned with successive the fourteenth century. The result was two plans for the new British Library. On his books of fine scholarship: Sherington-Fiefs and retirement he came to live at Nether Fields of a Buckinghamshire Village ( 1965) and Winchendon. Beyond Sherington ( 1979).

Major John Darling Young of Thornton Hall Kenneth Webb, a solicitor, served on died there aged 78. He served in the Life the Council for many years. With much legal Guards 1932-46, on the County Council 1964- skill he strongly opposed the agreement with 77, was High Sheriff in 1960 and Lord Lieu­ the County Council in 1957 but remained a good tenant 1969-84. He took a keen interest in the friend of the Society and seldom missed a history and antiquities of the county, much meeting. enjoying his Presidency of the Bucks Record Society and that of the Bucks Historic Churches Harry Bradburn, a most popular member, Trust. He was elected a Vice-President of this will best be remembered for his work for the Society in 1970. Natural History Section of which he was Sec­ retary 1976-9 and Chairman from 1983 to his Professor William Francis Grimes, CBE, death. He seldom missed an outing, and served D.Litt, FSA, was a most distinguished archae­ on Council for many years where his enthusiasm ologist and historian. He became well known and good sense will be much missed. for his post-war work on bombed London whilst Director of the London Museum. From 1956- Mrs Maisie Cooper was for many years the 73 he was a Professor at London University and outstandingly successful Headmistress of the Director of the Institute of Archaeology. He former village school at Weston Underwood. gave much help to the Society in the 1950s, She and her husband seldom missed an outing when he served on the Council; elected a Vice­ when her great fund of knowledge, always President, he resigned in 1975 when he returned trenchantly expressed but with great good to his native South Wales. humour was much appreciated by her many friends. Professor A. C. Chibnall, FRS, FSA, died in 191 THE SOCIETY Membership The structure of the buildings in places has The Society learnt with regret of the deaths of now been judged unsafe for museum purposes Harry Bradburn, Mrs May Cooper, Frank by the County Architect. The Museum will, Davies, Sir Frank Francis, Mrs P. C. Gardiner, therefore, be closed from the end of March 1989 Professor W. F. Grimes, Mrs H. J. Howie, Mrs and staff and material moved to what was N. James, Mrs Joan Kunzer, Miss K. Leslie, Halton Middle School, so that a thorough Mrs A. L. McCann, Mrs P. Munro, E. A. survey can be made of the structural condition Remnant (Life Member, died in 1969) and of the Museum buildings. The County Council Kenneth Webb. will then have to reach a decision as to the action it wishes to take, a decision that must depend on At the beginning of 1989, there were 358 financial considerations. ordinary members, 122 family memberships, 3 juniors, and 14 affiliated societies. Society representatives, backed by Council, have indicated willingness to offer a long-term Council lease to the County Council on the termination Council met five times. Dr Arnold Baines, of the present lease in 1999. Alternatives for FSA was elected chairman. Co-opted was Ted County Council consideration are-either to Bull (Meetings Organizer and Newsletter repair, strengthen, adapt, alter and extend the Editor). existing Museum buildings and take up such a long-term lease from 1999, or to repair the Council decided at its July meeting that existing buildings to the extent required by the subscription rates, basically unchanged since current lease but with no intention of taking up 1981, had to be increased for 1989 in line with a new lease in 1999 (possibly planning or inflation over the previous eight years. Mini­ building a County Museum elsewhere). mum rates to be-ordinary member £8, Family membership £12, junior £4 without Records or £8 with, and affiliated society £12. Price of Recommendations as to the future develop­ Records on publication would be £11 plus £1 ment of the County Museums Service and the packing & delivery. County Museum have been presented to the sub-committee by the Area Museums Service Bucks County Council for and the County Library & Museum Sub-Committee Museums Officer. The recommendations call Society representatives were Elliott Viney, for increased activity in virtually every part of FSA, Dr Arnold Baines, FSA and Dr R. P. the Service, requiring increased staffing, and of Hagerty. At its March meeting the sub­ course increased funding. Archaeology is just committee welcomed Colin Dawes, the new one of the seriously underfunded and under­ County Museums Officer, on his second day in staffed areas. office.

The Society owns major parts of the County Lecture Series Museum buildings which were let on a 42-year, Ted Bull arranged seven lectures, held on full-repairing lease to the County Council in Saturday afternoons. At the County Museum, 1957 at a rent of £1 per annum, the lessee being the usual venue, the Educatjon Room was also responsible for staffing and operating. All always well-filled. Dr Wallace's lecture at the items of the collection acquired before 1957 Amersham Community Centre attracted an belong to the society. audience of over 150. 192 23 January: In 'Taplow Revisited', Grace Environmental Scrimgeour described the British Museum's Council has confirmed its policy that, in recent reappraisal of the famous Anglo­ dealing with structure plans, local plans, plan­ Saxon burial and its treasures. ning applications and so forth, comment should 30 January: At the Amersham Community be confined to architectural and archaeological Centre, in conjunction with the Amersham implications, in co-operation with the Council Society, and District Historical for British Archaeology and the County Field Society, Chess Valley Archaeological and Archaeologist. The Hon. Secretary acts as Historical Society and Gerrards Cross His­ county agent for the CBA which must, by torical Society. Dr Patrick Wallace gave an statute, be notified of proposed demolitions enthralling account of the 20 years of exca­ affecting Listed Buildings. vation of 'Viking Dublin'. Other matters should be left to other bodies, 20 February: Elliott Viney traced the 'Develop­ such as local conservation societies. Landscape ment of the English Landscape Garden'. impact was the concern of the County Keeper of 19 March: Dr R. P. Hagerty surveyed Natural History and Geology (with assistance if 'Romano-British Traces in Bucks'. required from the Hon. Secretary of the Natural 7 May: At the Misbourne History Section) and such bodies as the Council Centre. Tony Harman reminisced on the for the Protection of Rural England and the theme of his TV documentary series 'Seventy Chiltern Society. Summers'. 19 November: Ted Sammes described the long During the year, some 130 planning applica­ history of 'Mills and Milling'. tions affecting Listed Buildings or Scheduled Monuments were dealt with. Two objections 3 December: 'Early Photographs of Aylesbury', were registered both of which were upheld, with commentary by Elliott Viney, Brian although one (demolition of Lower Greatmoor Simmonds, George Lamb and the audience. Farm to allow extraction of brick clay) will go to !]ublic inquiry. Comments were made in 21 Outings other cases. Five outings were arranged by the President. All enjoyed reasonable weather in a generally County Museum Archaeological Group dubious summer. Due in no small degree to lack of funding, 4 June: Somerset. Montacute House (NT). 1988 was a dead year as regards excavations Brympton d'Evercy House (C. Ponsonby­ involving Group participation. The Group Fane). undertook several field-walks and otherwise continued, in its Tuesday sessions at the County 16 July: East Sussex. Herstmonceaux Castle Museum, to assist the County archaeological (Royal Observatory). Battle Abbey (English staff in post-excavation work and other Heritage). Great Dixter (Quentin Lloyd). activities. 27 August: Northamptonshire. Longthorpe Cathedral. Boughton House (Duke of Publications Buccleuch). Records of Buckinghamshire, Volume 28 ( 1986) was distributed during April with the 17 September: Derbyshire. Bolsover Castle help of the Corps of Deliverers for whose (English Heritage). Haddon Hall (Duke of assistance the Society is again grateful. Our Rutland). thanks are due also to the Hon. Editor, John 8 October: Church Crawl. The Lee (ancient and Chenevix Trench, FSA, for his continuing modern), Amersham (Drake Chapel), Chal­ devotion in editing and arranging production font St Giles, Gerrards Cross, Chenies not only of Records but of the Milton Keynes (Bedford chapel). Also visit to the Chiltern monographs. Spring and Autumn Newsletters Open Air Museum. were also distributed. 193 NATURAL HISTORY SECTION

In 1988 the Section's activities had added The following is a summary of our own pro­ interest as we were asked to take part in two gramme, indoor lectures being held as usual at exhibitons. The first, called 'Bucks Goes Wild' the County Museum. and organised by the Berkshire, ­ shire and Naturalists' Trust 16 January: A subject of topical interest was (BBONT), was held on 25 and 26 June at Ayles­ aired when Roy Maycock spoke at the year's bury Civic Centre, when many organizations first indoor meeting. A good attendance heard connected with the countryside were asked to him talk about the results of his survey of 'The provide displays with a view to making the Flora of Buckinghamshire Churchyards'. general public more aware of the need for Should churchyards have grass cut to near conservation and make known what is already bowling-green standards or left, at least in part, being done in the County. With help from so that wild flowers and insects can flourish? For County Museum staff, a display was mounted of the benefit of any enquirer, BBONT has pro­ photographs and literature which gave some duced a leaflet on the subject of care of idea of what the Section and the Society churchyards. generally are involved in. Literature was 13 February: A winter birdwatch at Calvert's handed to those who visited the stand and some Jubilee Reserve. Having to book the date a year showed genuine interest about membership of in advance one takes a chance with the weather. the Society. To increase awareness of the This day's weather was rotten, blowing a near­ countryside and its conservation a programme gale, damp and cold, and thus we are more than of field events was organized to which the public usually grateful to Crispin Fisher for turning out were invited. At BBONT's request the Section to welcome a small number of members. On the promoted a natural history walk to see butter­ water were seen Tufted Duck, Mallard, flies and flowers. Victor Scott kindly offered to Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Widgeon, Coot lead and on 10 July 14 people met on a damp and Goldeneye; and Common, Lesser Blacked­ afternoon at Longdown Hill car back, Black-headed and Herring Gulls. Else­ park to walk over Grangelands. Butterflies seen where: Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Pheasant, where Marble White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, and Small Heath. Many plants were identified Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Great and including Orchids-Pyramidal, Common Blue Tit. Spotted, Fragrant, Bee and Musk ( 49 of the 12 March: There was another good attendance latter counted at one site). when the Section's President, Sir Thomas Barlow, talked about and showed slides of his The second exhibition was at the Chiltern recent visit to the Galapagos Islands. Open Air Museum, Newlands Park, Chalfont St Giles. As one of their special events of the 9 April: The Section's annual general meeting, year a 'Chiltern Wildlife Watch Day' was held following which there was a showing of mem­ on 17 July to further the cause of nature and bers' slides. wildlife conservation and the Section was asked 21 May: Mick Jones, Warden, showed 17 to be represented. Our Aylesbury Civic Centre members around Dancers End Reserve. He display was set up again, its location being in the talked of his experiments in controlling Dog­ toll house which has been translated from wood and how the BBONT sheep are used in London Road, High Wycombe to the Museum. the management of the reserve. A male Duke of Many people inspected the display and were Burgundy fritillary was seen on its food plant, given literature. the Wayfaring Tree. Among other plants seen 194 were White Helleborine, Butterfly Orchid, Morocco and showed slides taken on a recent Twayblade, Wood Vetch, Sweet Woodruff, Fly visit. Orchid, Figwort, Valerian, Ramson, Solomon's Seal, Bugle, Yellow Archangel, Lady's Mantle, Our Honorary Recording Secretary, Aubrey and Adderstongue fern. T. Woodward, writes: In the main 1988 was a 9 July: Nine members went to succession of dull-weather months although, reserve near Abingdon. Dr David Lloyd was according to the weathermen, no excessive the guide at this very interesting reserve which amounts of rain were recorded; but it was very also contains a geological SSSI. Sightings of dismal and damp, especially during the summer particular interest were Weld, Barberry and months when the usual species of butterflies masses of Marsh Helleborine. Scarlet Tiger were scarce. Autumn species were also down in Moths had come over from their nearby Cothill numbers, the usual flush of Small Tortoiseshells Fen habitat, and we were fortunate to see a was absent and it was a rare sight to see a pregnant Common Lizard. Peacock or Red Admiral. Late summer moths such as the SilverY were also scarce. There was 10 September: Members Mr and Mrs Colmer however a plague of Large and Small Whites were hosts for this visit to and in a number of gardens greenstuff plants Reserve near High Wycombe and a party of 16 had the appearance of lace curtains. enjoyed a fine afternoon. Herb Paris in fruit was one of the more exciting sightings. This was also Wild flowers were very good, particularly an opportunity to see an interesting gardening Orchid species, and the Snakes-head Fritillary experiment with cultivation adjacent to natural flowered well at its site south-west of areas left for wildlife. Aylesbury. 1st October: Victor Scott was the expert guide when a party of 16 met in the woods above Bow Spring migrant birds are, sadly, showing a Brickhill to look for fungi. Owing to unsuitable decline in numbers. Warblers, Flycatchers and weather conditions in the days before the visit Swallows were almost non-existent in the expectations for a 'good crop' were not high, Aylesbury area. A Hobby was observed near but the following were identified: Boletus varie­ Winchendon in August and in June the bird gatus, Calocera viscosa, Collybia maculata, population around my house (at Stone) was Geastrum Triplex, Hypholoma fasciculare, preyed upon by a Sparrowhawk which took two Laccaria laccata, Lactarius rufus, Lycoperdon small birds while I was in the garden. Watching excipuliforme, L. pyriforme, Panaeolus semio­ this raptor returning to the same wood several vatus, Paxillus involutus, Piptoporus betulinus, times with prey one could only assume it was Psilocybe semilanceata, Russula atropurpurea, feeding young. Russula emetica, R. ochroleuca, Scleroderma areolatum, S. citrinum, Stereum purpureum, Holly and Cotoneaster berries were numer­ Tricholomopsis rutilans. ous. This makes one wonder about the old 12 November: An indoor talk on fungi by Peter saying that many berries portend a hard winter, Creed attracted and audience of just 15, but but the fact that Redwings and Fieldfares are those present enjoyed a clear and informative absent from the area seems to cancel this out. lecture enhanced by fine photography. (Aubrey Woodward, whose address is on the 10 December. Once again Victor Scott enter­ Natural History Section's programme card, is tained a large gathering when he spoke about always grateful to hear of interesting sightings.) the countryside and wildlife of Tunisia and

195 OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY (as at 31 December 1988)

President ELLIOTT VINEY, FSA

Vice- Presidents DR A. H. J. BAINES, FSA (Chairman) C. N. GOWING, FMA LADY BARLOW T . A. HUME, CBE, FSA, FMA MRS S. COWDY, MBE PROFESSOR W. R. MEAD MAX DAVIES BRIAN PULLEN MRS E. M. ELVEY DR E. CLIVE ROUSE, MBE, FSA COMMANDER THE HON. JOHN SIR DENIS WRIGHT, GCMG FREMANTLE, Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum

Council E. J. BULL H. A. HANLEY MRS PAT COLE MRSBARBARAHURMAN J. H. COLLIER-WRIGHT, CBE G . C. LAMB COLIN V. DAWES MISS MARY MOUNTAIN A. J. DELL E. R. THROSSELL, FRIBA P. M. GULLAND R. J. WILLIAMS

Han. Secretary Han. Treasurer DR R. P. HAGERTY H. I. R. SPRINGTHORPE, IPFA

Han. Editor Han. Archivist & Librar)an J. G. CHENEVIX TRENCH, FSA MRS L. M. HEAD

Han. Secretary, Natural History Section A. F. ELCOATE

The Society's representatives on the County Library and Museums Sub-Committee ELLIOTT VINEY, FSA DR A. H. J. BAINES, FSA DR R. P. HAGERTY

Headquarters THE COUNTY MUSEUM, CHURCH STREET, AYLESBURY, BUCKS HP202QP

196 Copyright Bucks Archaeological Society 1988

CONTENTS

Rectory Cottages, A. T. Adams, MSA&l, P. N. Jarvis, MB, ChB, MRCGP, and E. Legg, JP ...... 1 Excavations at Desborough Castle, High Wycombe, 1987 Mark Collard, BA ...... 15 St Wulfstan in Buckinghamshire A. H. J. Baines, MA, PhD, FSA, FRHistSoc, FRSA , FSS ...... 42 Medieval Pottery Production Areas near Rush Gree n, Denham, Buckinghamshire M. E. Farley, BA, FSA, MIFA ...... 53 The Buckinghamshire Saints Reconsidered. 3: St Rumwold (Rumbold) Buckingham R. P. Hagerty, PhD ...... 103 Another Roman Building at Wymbush, Milton Keynes R. J. Zeepvat, BA, MIFA ...... 111 A Political Agent at Work in Eighteenth-century Aylesbury Alan Dell ...... 117 Excavation of an early Post-medieval Kiln at Temple Street, Brill, 1983 Peter A. St J. Yeoman, BA, FSA (Scot), MIFA ...... 123 'New-Town Blues' : How a Railway Company Avoided the Problem at PeterS. Richards, MA , FRGS, AFT Com ...... 156 Salvage Excavation of a Roman Enclosure at the Watermead Roundabout, Buckingham Road, Aylesbury Hal Dalwood, BA, MIFA and Alison Hawkins, BA, MSA&l ...... 161 Archaeological Investigation of The Old Churchyard', Olney Mark Collard, BA ...... 165 A History of the Society Elliott Viney, FSA ...... 170 Archaeological Notes ...... 177 Notes Two Neolithic Polished Flint Axes from the Vale of Aylesbury ...... 181 Excavations at Moat Farm, Hedgerley ...... 183 The Museum ...... 187 County Record Office ...... 188 Reviews ...... 189 Obituary ...... 191 The Society ...... 192 Natural History Section ...... 194 Officers of the Society ...... 196

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