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THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY 1962-63

President Colin D. B. Ellis, Esq., C.B.E., M.C., M.A., F.S.A. * Vice-Presidents Kathleen, Duchess of The Hon. Lady Martin The Right Revd. The Lord Bishop of , D.D. The High Sheriff of Leicestershire The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Leicester The Very Revd. H. A. Jones, B.SC., Dean of Manchester Albert Herbert, Esq., F.R.I.B.A., F.S.A. Victor Pochin, Esq., C.B.E., M.A., D.L., J.P. A. Bernard Clarke, Esq. Levi Fox, Esq., M.A., F.S.A. W. G. Hoskins, Esq., M.A., PH.D. Miss K. M. Kenyon, C.B.E., M.A., D.LITT., F.B.A., F.S.A. Professor J. Simmons, M.A., F.R.HIST.S., F.R.S.L. * Officers Hon. Secretary: David T.-D. Clarke, Esq., M.A., F.M.A., F.S.A. Hon Treasurer: C. L. Wykes, Esq., F.C.A. Hon. Auditor: Lieut.-Col. G. L. Aspell, T.D., D.L., F.C.A. Hon. Editor: Professor J. Simmons, M.A., F.R.HIST.S., F.R.S.L. Hon. Librarian: G. H. Martin, Esq., M.A., D.PHIL., F.R.HIST.S. * Trustees of the Leicestershire Archceological and Historical Society J. E. Brownlow, Esq. Colin D. B. Ellis, Esq., C.B.E., M.C., M.A., F.S.A. Albert Herbert, Esq., F.R.I.B.A., F.S.A. J. N. Pickard, Esq., J.P. c. L. Wykes, Esq., F.C.A. * Trustees of the Leicestershire Archceological Research Fund Colin D. B. Ellis, Esq., C.B.E., M.C., M.A., F.S.A. Anthony Herbert, Esq., A.R.I.B.A. Professor J. Simmons, M.A., F.R.HIST.S., F.R.S.L. H. 0. Wilshere, Esq. c. L. Wykes, Esq., F.C.A.

vii LEICESTERSHIRE ARCH£0LOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Representatives an Other Bodies Council far British Archcealagy: David T.-D. Clarke, Esq., M.A., F.M.A., F.S.A. H. P. R. Finberg, Esq., M.A., D.LITT., F.S.A., F.R.HIST.S. County Records Committee: Mrs. E. M. Dickson Rural Community Council: J. A. Daniell, Esq., A.M.A. * Committee Mrs. F. E. (Chairman) The Hon. Secretary The Hon. Treasurer The Hon. Editor The Hon. Librarian 0. S. Bennett, Esq. J. E. Brownlow, Esq. F. S. Cheney, Esq. G. A. Chinnery, Esq., M.A. H. Collinson, Esq., A.R.C.A. J. A. Daniell, Esq., A.M.A. Mrs. E. M. Dickson The Ven. I. D. Edwards, M.A. Colin D. B. Ellis, Esq., C.B.E., M.C., M.A., F.S.A. H. P. R. Finberg, Esq., M.A., D.LITT., F.S.A., F.R.HIST.S. A. E. Grimbley, Esq. Albert Herbert, Esq., F.R.I.B.A., F.S.A. Anthony Herbert, Esq., A.R.I.B.A. Mrs. W. A. North L. A. Parker, Esq., B.A., PH.D. Miss M. P. Rippin, B.A. N. Searle, Esq., M.A. John R. Webster, Esq. K. C. Wright, Esq. * Sub-Committee for Lectures and Excursions The Hon. Secretary Frank S. Cheney, Esq. (Excursions Secretary) H. Collinson, Esq., A.R.C.A. A. E. Grimbley, Esq. P. A. Stevens, Esq., M.A., F.M.A. * Sub-Committee far Field Work and Research 0. S. Bennett, Esq. (Secretary) A. E. Grimbley, Esq. M. G. Hebditch, Esq., B.A. A. D. McWhirr, Esq., B.SC * Social Sub-Committee Mrs. E. M. Dickson (Secretary) Mrs. W. A. North Miss M. P. Rippin, B.A. viii LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHN.OLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

MELTON MOWBRAY AND DISTRICT BRANCH

Officers Chairman: H. L. Copson, Esq. Vice-Chairman: A. E. Grimbley, Esq. Hon. Secretary: P. A. Stevens, Esq., M.A., F.M.A. Hon. Treasurer: K. C. Wright, Esq. * Committee W. H. Bailes, Esq. J. E. Brownlow, Esq. L. W. Cullen, Esq. P. E. Hunt, Esq. Revd. R. T. H. Pearse, A.K.C. Mrs. H. A. D. Walkden

ix THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

107th ANNUAL REPORT, 1961.1962 The following meetings were held : 1961 5 May Professor C. N. L. Brooke, M.A., F.R.Hist.S.: "The Normans as Builders". 29 September Annual General Meeting. James A. Robens, Esq., A.R.I.B.A.: "The Manor House, West Bromwich". 10 November Social. 24 November A. C. Edwards, Esq., M.A.: "The value of some early estate maps as archreological and historical evidence". 1962 2 February M. M. Rix, Esq., M.A.: "Industrial Archreology". 5 March D. T.-D. Clarke, Esq., M.A., F.M.A.: "Roman Leicester"; by kind invitation of the Literary and Philosophical Society. 9 March Miss R. J. Cramp, B.Litt., M.A., F.S.A.: "Anglo-Saxon Art"; jointly with the Vaughan Archreological and Historical Society.

The Committee records with regret the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Percy Gee, Mr. George Arnold Cope and Mr. Charles Bramley. Mrs. Gee served on the Com­ mittee for over twenty years and both she and Mr. Gee were keenly interested in all the principles for which the Society exists, Mr. Cope was also a member of the Committee for fifteen years and was responsible for much conscientious and sympathetic work in local churches; he lived to see the completion of his extensions to St. Mary's, Knighton. Mr. Bramley, a trained draughtsman, made many detailed records of local buildings under demolition, especially Ragdale Hall, and was a devoted biographer of and his work. Owing to pressure of work Professor J. Simmons felt it necessary to resign the editorship, a post which he has held for fifteen years. The University has gained an excellent pro-Vice-Chancellor, but the Society has lost a valued editor, and the Committee records with deep gratitude the outstanding service which he has per­ formed in maintaining and enchancing the high standard of the Society's publications. It is good to know that his wide knowledge will still be at the Society's disposal. In matters of conservation the Society has been active. At Ashby-de-la- the protracted negotiations for preserving the baths eventually failed, largely since there was an almost total apathy on the spot. Thus Ashby has Jost one of its most beautiful and historic buildings which could have been a unique centre of its civic life, and whose passing the town will one day regret bitterly. During the debate in the local council chamber one councillor remarked that no building in this town was worth preserving except the castle. At the Society in common with the Melton branch had already made contributions to the removal of the tenth­ century cross shaft from the wall of the north aisle, and when it was known that the cost exceeded the estimate the Society offered further help, though a grant was ultimately received from the Pilgrim Trust. Representations were made over the proposed removal of Leicester market and negotiations have been opened to ensure that the crossing of the New Walk by the new ring road shall be seemly. At common cause has been made with the Archreological Society there in trying to prevent the destruction by the local authority of the tombstones at St. Mary in Arden, perhaps the finest series in the county. The competition for photographs suitable for postcards was again held and prizes were given to Miss, Mrs. and Mr. Cullen.

X 107TH ANNUAL REPORT

The Melton branch has suffered the loss of its founder-Secretary, Mr. T. H. Corfe, who is leaving Leicestershire. His efforts have made this branch a model much admired elsewhere. Members conducted a small excavation at Launde priory to discover if any walls remained below ground and discovered impressive masonry. A scale plan has been deposited with the Archdeacon of Leicester. During the year 18 new members were elected and 24 resigned or died, the total membership at 30 April being 480. The Committee feels some disquiet that the Society is not taking its full share in recording the history of the county. The appeal for help in the sale of publications met with almost no response and the survey of church monuments has relied on a handful of helpers. There is still no body of trained excavators or of draughtsmen and photographers available in emergency. Few members walk the fields with observant eyes and few watch over the lesser buildings which are vital to our land­ scape and quickly succumb to thoughtless development. Secretarial assistance would make possible letters to potential new members and even the launching of appeals. More vital, as the above figures show, is the need to bring the appreciation of the Society's work to all corners of the County and to attract as members the growing body of those interested in local history through evening classes. These people use our Transactions and must be invited to share in their production. With increased funds rising costs would be offset, and money might also be available for conservation: mill, chapel, and Butter Cross, are but three of the works now in urgent need of assistance in this way.

Excursions r96I In view of a decrease in support for mid-week half-day and day excursions during recent years the Committee decided to substitute evening excursions and to transfer the whole-day outing to a Saturday The result was a most encouraging attendance at five of the six excursions. On the pleasantly warm evening of Wednesday, 31st May, 44 members visited and churches which were described by Mr. F. S. Cheney. The scenic attractions of Thornton presented considerable difficulty in getting the party together in order to move on to where Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Selkirk welcomed members to the Hall. Here Mr. J. A. Daniell described the house which stands adjacent to an ancient moated site and was built during the latter part of the seventeenth century, presumably by Lord Crewe, Bishop of Durham. The intention was to view only the major rooms but, thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Selkirk's kindness, members were able to explore the house from roof to cellars. A half-day excursion on Saturday, 10th June to Garthorpe, Coston, , and Wymondham churches was conducted by Mr. David T.-D. Clarke and proved to be a most interesting afternoon. The inclusion of so many churches was made possible by resorting to a picnic which was partaken on the village green at Buckminster. At Coston the party was met by Mr. Albert Herbert, a Vice-President of the Society, who, after Mr. Clarke's able description of the building, proceeded to give an interesting talk on the fourteenth-century glass panel of the Crucifixion and Virgin in the south aisle window. Mr. Herbert enlivened his talk by exhibiting his drawings of the glass in the church and by displaying fragments of medieval glass from his collection together with his own attempts at painting glass quarries in the medieval manner. At Edmondthorpe and Wymondham members were welcomed by the rector, the Revd. J. L. V. Houghton, who, at the former church, had placed on display an old map, the registers and the relative volume of Nichols. On Thursday, 22nd June, an evening excursion to , , and Tilton churches was attended by 24 members. Mr. F. S. Cheney described the first three churches and at Beeby the party was honoured by another visit from Mr. Albert Herbert who had done considerable work on the building in the 1930s. It was unfortunate that time did not permit Mr. Herbert to tell members xi LEICESTERSHIRE ARCH1£0LOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY of his researches into his ancestors, the Nuttall family of Beeby. At Tilton the party was welcomed by the Revd. D. W. Hoare, vicar, who gave a lively description of the church and also displayed a copy of the Halstead Award. The third and final evening excursion was on Friday, 7th July, to , Foston and Arnesby. At Newton some so members were privileged to visit the Manor House where they were welcomed by Group-Capt. and Mrs. H. G. Goddard who, with the assistance of Miss C. Epps and Mr. R. E. Bowers, guided the party around the house and its collections of ceramics and paintings. One of the pictures in particular stimulated much discussion and great interest was also shewn in the human skull found during the rebuilding of Bow Bridge, Leicester, in 1862. At Foston the rector, the Revd. G. F. Cooper, greeted the party and Mr. David T.-D. Oarke drew attention to the main features of the church which had been recently restored and most effectively limewashed internally. At Arnesby church also, Mr. Clarke indicated the various periods of the building and the recent improvements in some of the fittings were noted with satisfaction. On Saturday, 22nd July, a half-day excursion to West Leicestershire was con­ ducted by Mr. Norman Searle. Fifty members assembled at Sir John Moore's School, Appleby, where Mr. Scarfe gave a short biography of the founder and described the building which was afterwards fully explored. The clock, which un­ fortunately was temporarily out of action, excited much interest. The party then moved on to the parish church where the Revd. A. R. Meakin greeted them. Here Mr. Scarfe indicated the development of the building, making particular reference to the early nineteenth-century plaster vault and to the "Gothick" box pews and west gallery. The rector had kindly placed on display the church plate, the Grammar School Statute Book and one of the School Registers. At the nearby Moat House the party was met by the new owner, Mr. H. S. Hall. After Mr. Scarfe had described the building and its position relative to the former manor house, members were allowed to view the interior. The carved stones in the kitchen evoked the usual speculation and, on heraldic grounds, it was decided that one of the figures depicted is St. George on horseback. Members were relieved to know that the threat of demolition of this interesting house had receded and that it was Mr. Hall's intention to restore the building in order to make his home there. Tea was taken at the Royal Hotel in Ashby-de-la-Zouch and afterwards the party assembled in the hotel grounds to view from a distance the mouldering remains of the Bath building which, despite protracted negotiations, was to be demolished in the near future. Time was also found for a look at another relic of the period of Ashby's attempt to become a spa-the Grecian Doric railway station. The final visit was to see the small isolated church of St. Thomas at where the company was welcomed by the Revd. A. J. Day, vicar. The last excursion of the season, on Saturday, 9th September, was a whole-day outing to conducted by Mr. Hugh Collinson and blessed with perfect weather. Thirty-seven members reached Broughton Castle at II.IS a.m. and spent an hour viewing this interesting moated Elizabethan mansion. After a break for lunch at Banbury the party left for Bloxham church-a fine spacious building incor­ porating some excellent carving. A wedding ceremony had clashed with the visit to Broughton church scheduled for the morning but, by last minute alterations to the programme, it was possible to squeeze in the visit during the afternoon-only to interrupt the organist in his practice. However, he took it all in good part and members had the opportunity of hearing about, and inspecting, the fine series of monuments in the church. Wroxton Abbey, next to be visited, was reached according to plan. A Jacobean house, formerly the home of the Pope and North families, it had of recent years been restored by Lady Pearson whose grand-daughter conducted the party on the tour of the house. After an excellent tea in the Abbey tea rooms members sought out relics of eighteenth-century landscaping in the grounds. In Wroxton church Mr. Collinson gave an interesting talk on the building and its monuments. A leisurely walk through the picturesque village before returning to the coach was a fitting end to a memorable outing.

xii IO]TH ANNUAL REPORT

Donations from the Excursions Fund were made to all the churches visited and also to the Sir John Moore's School Appeal Fund.

MELTON MOWBRAY AND DISTRICT BRANCH 1961 7 October Members' evening. 27 October Visit to Leicester Museum. 17 November H. Collinson, Esq., A.R.C.A.: "The Landscape Makers". 1962 12 January M. W. Barley, Esq., M.A., F.S.A.: "Medieval Houses in the ". 9 February J. S. Wacher, Esq., B.Sc., F.S.A.: "Excavations at Catterick". 16 February Ivan Tarratt, Esq., T.D., J.P.: "The History of English Hall-marks". 16 March Revd. J. C. Dickinson, M.A., B.Litt., F.R.Hist.S., F.S.A.: "The Augustinian Monasteries of Leicestershire" (at ). Excursions 25 May Kirby Hall, Fotheringhay, Longthorpe Tower. 1 June Lyddington, Stoke Dry. 15 June Southwell Minster. 29 June Priory, Temple. 15 July Crowland, Toomey, Whittlesey.

xiii THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCH.lEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT for the Year ended 30 April 1962

GENERAL ACCOUNT £ s. d. £ s. d. £ S, d. £ s. d. To Subscriptions: By Subscriptions 524 0 6 2 2 0 Income Tax Repaid on Covenanted Subscrip­ Council for British Arch::eology 2 10 0 tions 85 3 8 English Place-Name Society 1 5 0 Income from Investments : British Record Society 2 12 6 Interest on £101 Ss. 4d. Leicester Cor­ Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings 1 1 0 poration 3 % Mortgage Loan (gross) 3 0 10 Mids. Fedn. of Museums & Art Galleries 10 0 Interest on £150 3½% Conversion Stock The Leicestershire Trust (2 years) 1 1 0 1961 (gross) 5 5 0 Institute of Arch::eology ... 1 1 0 8 5 10 12 2 6 Profit on Teas at Lectures 4 10 0 Grant for the Restoration of Asfordby Cross 5 0 0 Donations 12 8 Provision for the net cost of printing and issue Grant from County of Leicester Education e1. of Transactions, Vol. xxxvu Committee 25 0 0 < SOO O 0 Cost of Postcard views 23 0 0 Interest, Leicester Trustee Savings Bank 16 3 6 Less Sale.s 11 6 6 11 13 6 663 16 2 Cost of Prizes for Photographic Competition 6 7 0 Less balance of account .. . 1 16 8 Deficit for the year 113 1 0 4 10 4 Library Additions, Binding and Honorarium 80 2 6 Lecturer's Expenses ... 26 5 11 Administrative Expenses : Rent ... 10 0 0 Fire Insurance 2 10 0 Printing, Stationery and Postage . 106 0 6 Bank Charges 3 0 0 Melton Mowbray Branch (year to 31 December 1961) 13 18 0 Sundries 1 13 11 137 2 5

£776 17 2 £776 17 2 THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT for the Year ended 30 April 1962

THE S. H. SKILLINGTON MEMORIAL FUND £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Publicity, Postages and General Expenses ... 3 10 0 By Balance of Fund at 1 May 1961 166 14 7 Balance of Fund at 30 April 1962 ... 252 1 10 Sales: The Incised Slabs of Leicestershire and Rutland 24 3 10 Other Publications, including back numbers of Transactions 64 13 5 ~ 88 17 3

£255 11 10 £255 11 10

EXCURSIONS ACCOUNT To Printing, Postages and Bank Charges 21 14 9 By Balance of Account at 1 May 1961 . 32 0 8 Balance of Account at 30 April 1962 37 4 11 Excursion Receipts 118 2 6 Less Expenses 91 3 6 26 19 0

£58 19 8 £58 19 8 THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY BALANCE SHEET-30 April 1962

£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Accumulated Funds: Investments : Excursion Secretary's Account 37 4 11 £101 5s. 4d. Leicester Corporation 3% The S. H. Skillington Memorial Fund 252 1 10 Mortgage Loan (Value £101) ... 101 5 4 Library Fund 50 0 0 £150 3½ % Conversion Stock 1961 (Value 339 6 9 £84) 121 4 9 General Account : 222 10 1 Balance at 1 May 1961 ... 200 14 6 Current Assets: Less Deficit for the year .. . 113 1 0 Sundry Debtors 4 2 10 87 13 6 Leicester Trustee Savings Bank 963 7 3 Cash at Bank 217 16 8 427 0 3 Ditto Excursion Account ... 37 4 11 Provision for the net cost of printing and issue of Ditto Melton Mowbray Branch (as at Transactions less payments on account: 31 December 1961 only) 8 17 3 ~- Vol. XXXVI 250 0 0 Cash in hand ... 5 0 0 Vol. XXXVII 491 12 0 1,236 8 11 741 12 0 Current Liabilities : Sundry Creditors 12 15 9 Subscriptions paid in advance 227 11 0 290 6 9 --- £1,458 19 0 £1,458 19 0 C. L. Wykes, Honorary Treasurer. AUDITOR'S REPORT I have examined the Balance Sheet dated 30 April 1962 and the Income TRUSTEES OF THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCH£0LOGICAL and Expenditure Account for the year ended that date and certify such SOCIETY accounts to be in accordance with the Books and Vouchers of the Society. J. E. Brownlow, Esq. I have satisfied myself that the Scrip of the above Investments in is the Colin D. B. Ellis, Esq., C.B.E., M.C., M.A., F.S.A. possession of the Bank. Albert Herbert, Esq., F .R.I.B.A., F.S.A. · G. L. ASPELL, Chartered Accountant, J. N. Pickard, Esq., J.P. C. L Wykes, Esq., F.C.A. 19th September 1962. Honorary Auditor. THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCH.lEOLOGICAL RESEARCH FUND INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT for the Year ended 30 April 1962

£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Net Income for the year 73 12 10 By Income from Investments: Interest on £1,750 3½% War Loan (gross) 61 5 0 Ditto £284 19s. 9d. 4% Consols (gross) 11 7 10 72 12 10 Sales of Index to Transactions 1 0 0 £73 12 10 £73 12 10

BALANCE SHEET-30 April 1962

~ Capital Account: Investments on Capital Account: ~: Balance at 1 May 1961 1,314 19 4 £1,029 4s. 8d. 3½% War Loan (Value £574) 1,064 19 4 Income Account: £284 19s. 9d. 4 % Consolidated Stock (Value Balance at 1 May 1961 1,029 10 9 £182) 250 0 0 Add Net Income for the year 73 12 10 1,314 19 4 1,103 3 7 Investment on Income Account : £720 15s. 4d. 3½% War Loan. (Value £402) 752 9 1 Balance at Bank ... 350 14 6 £2,418 2 11 £2,418 2 11

TRUSTEES OF THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHlEOLOGICAL AUDITOR'S REPORT RESEARCH FUND I have examined the Balance Sheet dated 30 April 1962 and the Income Colin D. B. Ellis, Esq., C.B.E., M.C., M.A., F.S.A. and Expenditure Account for the year ended that date and certify such Anthony Herbert, Esq., A.R.I.B.A. Accounts to be in accordance with the Books and Vouchers of the Trustees Professor J. Simmons, M.A., F .R.Hist.S., F.R.S.L. of the Research Fund. The Scrip of the above Investments has been pro­ H. 0. Wilshere, Esq. duced to me, or I have satisfied myself that it is in the possession of the Bank. C. L. Wykes, Esq., F.C.A. G. L. ASPELL, Chartered Accountant, 19th September 1962. Honorary Auditor.