AGENDA

NOTE: In the case of non-members, this agenda is for information only

Committee - BRECKLAND AREA MUSEUMS COMMITTEE

Date & Time - TUESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2004 at 2.00 PM

Venue - THE BRITISH TRUST FOR ORNITHOLOGY, NUNS BRIDGES ROAD,

PERSONS ATTENDING THE MEETING ARE REQUESTED TO TURN OFF MOBILE TELEPHONES

Committee Members Breckland Council County Council Mr Duigan (Chairman) Mr C W Armes Mr P R W Darby Mr R Clayton (Vice- Mr R G Kybird Chairman) Mr J E Ramm Mr C B A Lloyd Owen Mrs P A Spencer Mrs B M Ravencroft Mr P Jimenez Co-optees Ex-Officio Members Mr R S Key Colonel H MacKinlay Mr S Murphy Mr B Morgan Vacancy Miss R Prior Substitutes Vacancy Mrs S M Matthews Mrs T I Paines

Committee Services Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, . NR19 1EE. 24 August 2004

Please ask for Julie Britton (01362) 656343 Email: [email protected] Breckland Area Museums Committee 14 September 2004

Page(s) herewith

1. MINUTES

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 7 May 2004. 1 - 5

2. APOLOGIES

To receive apologies for absence.

3. CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

4. URGENT BUSINESS

To note whether the Chairman proposes to accept any item as urgent business, pursuant to Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

5. DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Members are asked at this stage to declare any interests which they may have in any of the following items on the agenda.

6. EXCAVATIONS AND SURVEYS IN BRECKLAND IN 2003

Report of the Principal Landscape Archaeologist. 6 - 9

7. ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS IN BRECKLAND IN 2003

Report of the Principal Landscape Archaeologist. 10 - 11

8. THE ANCIENT HOUSE MUSEUM, THETFORD – DEVELOPMENT PROJECT UPDATE

Report of the Head of Museums. 12 - 14

9. THE ANCIENT HOUSE MUSEUM, THETFORD – DEVELOPMENT PROJECT UPDATE - ACTIVITIES

Report of the Head of Museums. 15

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

To agree a date for the next meeting and to consider suggestions for future venues and places of interest.

2A00ba mc20040914

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE

BRECKLAND AREA MUSEUMS COMMITTEE

HELD ON FRIDAY 7 MAY 2004 AT 2.00 P.M.

AT THE TOWN HALL

SWAFFHAM TOWN COUNCIL

SWAFFHAM

PRESENT:

BRECKLAND COUNCIL NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL

Duigan Mr P J (Chairman) Mr P Jimenez Darby Mr P R W Kybird Mr R G Spencer Mrs P A

ALSO PRESENT:

Prior Miss R Museums in Norfolk Group

IN ATTENDANCE:

Bone Mr O Curator, Ancient House Museum Britton Mrs J Committee Officer Gillis Mr S Breckland Area Museums Officer Bennett Ms J Museums & Heritage Project Officer (Thetford)

Action By

09/04 QUORUM

The Chairman informed members that, under the terms of the constitution, the meeting was, once again, inquorate as only one County Council member was present. The Committee noted that, whilst the meeting would proceed, in the circumstances no formal decisions could be made.

10/04 MINUTES (AGENDA ITEM 1)

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2004 were agreed as a correct record. The Chairman drew members’ attention to the fact that the Minutes of the Area Museums Committee were sent to the Joint Museums Committee for reference.

11/04 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS (AGENDA ITEM 2)

The Chairman welcomed Mr P Jimenez and Mrs P Spencer as new members of the Committee. He also welcomed Julie Britton as the new Committee Officer and expressed his thanks to Kate Finch for her contribution of minuting past meetings.

1 Breckland Area Museums Committee 14 September 2004

12/04 APOLOGIES (AGENDA ITEM 3)

Apologies for absence were received from Mr J Ramm, Mr C W Armes, Mr R Clayton and Mr C B A Lloyd Owen.

13/04 DECLARATION OF INTEREST (AGENDA ITEM 5)

1) Mr P Darby declared a Personal Interest in agenda item 8 (Swaffham Museum). The nature of the interest related to him being a Director of Swaffham Museum.

2) Mr R Kybird declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in agenda item 8 (Charles Burrell Museum). The nature of the interest related to him having a financial interest in the building.

14/04 THE ANCIENT HOUSE MUSEUM – THETFORD (AGENDA ITEM 6)

After introducing Jane Bennett as the new Project Manager for the Ancient House Museum, Mr Bone the Curator drew members attention to two issues that had occurred since the last meeting:

1) Ancient House – ‘The Duleep Singhs’ Book Launch.

On 19 April 2004, the Ancient House hosted the launch of Peter Bance’s new book ‘The Duleep Singhs’. The event had proved very successful with excellent press coverage. The Independent and Observer had taken a keen interest in doing a book review.

A copy of the book was circulated to members to view.

2) The Website

The website had been updated and training for certain staff members had been completed.

The Chairman suggested that it would be a good idea for the Ancient House Museum to produce a leaflet giving advice on how to search the Oliver Bone website. Some suggestions, for inclusion on the new website, were updates on archaeological sites and having links to the Oxford Coin Registry.

The Project Manager then presented the report that provided an update of developments at the museum for the period January 2004 to April 2004.

Members were advised that the final piece of match funding had been secured for the AHM project and spending had started in January. A digital camera and two new PCs had been purchased in order for the curator and new staff to work on the collections more effectively.

Ms Bennett advised members that, from September 2004, the building work to the Ancient House Museum would commence and the search for alternative accommodation to store the collections was still being investigated. Ms Bennett stressed that it was a very difficult task trying to estimate the volume of the collections for storage. Members were

2 Breckland Area Museums Committee 14 September 2004

informed that as well as working with Norfolk Property Services, a company who look after such matters for Norfolk County Council, Breckland Council and Thetford Town Council were also currently assisting the AHM to search for an appropriate temporary site.

In answer to a question Ms Bennett informed members that the museum would be closed for around a year, closing at the end of the summer season in Autumn 2004 and re-opening in the Spring of 2006.

A member suggested asking the CCTV station to monitor the area more closely during this period to prevent possible arson and vandalism. Mr Bone agreed and said that he would look into this. Oliver Bone

The report was otherwise noted.

15/04 CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE NORFOLK RURAL LIFE MUSEUM (AGENDA ITEM 7)

The Area Museums Officer presented his report, which updated members on the successful application for funding to further develop the Norfolk Rural Life Museum.

As part of the Norfolk Museums and Heritage Attractions Package, Norfolk Rural Life Museum had secured £1.035 million for development work.

Part of the funding would be used to open up the workhouse outdoor working yard and laundry block.

Mr Gillis informed members that the museum needed to move away from closed collection storage and now with funding in place would enable the museum to purchase more display cabinets and eventually eliminate this.

As the funding had to be spent over a three-year period, Mr Gillis would Stuart Gillis/Julie bring a marketing plan to the next meeting. Britton

A member highlighted the lack of transportation for tourists etc to and asked whether anything was being considered to remedy this. Mr Gillis informed members that The Railway were considering extending the track to Hoe although this would still leave the problem of transportation from Hoe to the museum. Suggestions were made to have a mini bus link or even a horse drawn carriage to carry passengers to and fro.

On a lighter note, Mr Gillis informed members that a new Suffolk Punch had been purchased to replace Zebedee, who had unfortunately passed away in 2003. Queenie, the mare, was in her element with the arrival of her new friend George.

The report was otherwise noted.

3 Breckland Area Museums Committee 14 September 2004

16/04 INDEPENDENT MUSEUMS (AGENDA ITEM 8)

The Area Museums Officer presented his report, which informed members of the Objective 2 funding at Breckland independent museums.

Oliver Bone praised Stuart Gillis, Jane Bennett and Mark Stanton the European Programme Manager for Breckland Council, for their hard work in securing the funding package, which included support for the three following organisations:

1) Charles Burrell Museum, Thetford

2) Swaffham Museum

3) British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford

The funding would be spent between January 2004 and March 2007.

17/04 BRITISH TRUST FOR ORNITHOLOGY (AGENDA ITEM 8)

Following a suggestion from a member about having a co-optee included on the Committee from the British Trust for Ornithology, the Chairman thought it would be a good idea as the Committee was currently one Committee Officer member short. It was agreed that the Committee Officer would make enquiries as to whether this would be possible.

18/04 CHARLES BURRELL MUSEUM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (AGENDA ITEM 8)

The Project Manager updated members on the development project. She advised the Committee that a Project Officer, Abi Hunt, had been appointed and suggested inviting her to the next meeting of the Area Museums Committee.

In answer to a question regarding opening hours, Ms Bennett informed the Committee that the museum currently had very limited opening hours, opening to the public on Bank Holidays, Sundays and Tuesday mornings only. The museum would also be opening on 5 June 2004 to co-incide with Thetford Carnival.

The report was otherwise noted.

19/04 SWAFFHAM MUSEUM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (AGENDA ITEM 8)

The Area Museums Officer called upon Cllr Darby to update members on the forthcoming improvements planned for the museum.

He informed the Committee that the whole building was going to be renovated and would include a new extension and council chamber.

The report was otherwise noted.

4 Breckland Area Museums Committee 14 September 2004

20/04 ANY OTHER BUSINESS (AGENDA ITEM 9)

A suggestion was made to have a system set up at the museums called ‘COMMA’ (Community Multimedia Archive). Mr Bone pointed out that there was a growing interest in Norfolk for community archive work and explained that it allowed members of the public to record their memories and photographs by providing suitable recording equipment at the museum. 21/04 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed that the next meeting would be held late September - early Committee Officer October 2004, not to co-incide with any Norfolk County Council meetings. Oliver Bone The possible venue for this meeting would be The British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford.

The meeting closed at 3.55pm. CHAIRMAN

5 Breckland Area Museums Committee 14 September 2004

BRECKLAND AREA MUSEUMS COMMITTEE: 14 SEPTEMBER 2004

REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGIST (Author: David Gurney)

EXCAVATIONS AND SURVEYS IN BRECKLAND IN 2003

Summary: This annual report comprises summaries of archaeological excavations, fieldwork and surveys carried out in Breckland during 2003. It is often several years before post- excavation work on larger projects is completed and a full report is published, while many smaller projects are the subject of ‘grey reports’ for the client and the Local Planning Authority and for inclusion in the Norfolk Historic Environment Record (HER), without further publication/dissemination. These summaries therefore provide a useful guide to recent archaeological research in the District.

1. Ashill, The Glebe (HER 38135; TF 8846 0412) by Edwin Rose, Norfolk Landscape Archaeology. A previously unrecorded type of C18 ice well was recorded.

1.1 bypass A11 Improvement Scheme (HER 39690; TM 026 931 – 058 966) by Kenneth Penn and Chris Birks, Norfolk Archaeological Unit. A desk-based assessment for Faber Maunsell and the Highways Agency was followed by trenching and test pitting, revealing a Late Bronze Age/Iron Age ditch and pit with contemporary finds. NAU Reports 832, 868.

1.2 , Quarry, Salters Lane (HER 13025; TF 9240 1705) by Sarah Bates, Norfolk Archaeological Unit. Excavation for Entec UK revealed ditches, pits and postholes of prehistoric date, some representing a structure.

1.3 , land at East Bilney quarry, Hungry Hill (HER 39348; TF 96302 18871) by Leonora O’Brien (ADBA), Nicholas Crank, Philip Weston and Ben Roberts (Fieldwork), Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust / Archaeological Solutions. Following an Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, fieldwalking and metal detecting for Middleton Aggregates Ltd recorded sparse struck flint. AS Reports 1450, 1501.

1.4 Brettenham, Dairy Farm (HER 39790; TL 9227 8128) by Ben Hobbs, Norfolk Archaeological Unit A watching brief for the Shadwell Estates during work to a C15 barn (formerly part of the medieval Rushford College) and attached C19 cottage recovered a fragment of C18 masonry. NAU Report 885.

1.5 Croxton, Hill Farm, The Street (HER 39585; TL 8728 8672) by Chris Birks, Norfolk Archaeological Unit. Evaluation trenching for Bennett Homes recovered prehistoric flints, and Late Saxon and medieval pottery. NAU Report 850.

1.6 East Dereham, High Street (HER 39688; TF 989 131) by Kenneth Penn and Andy Shelley, Norfolk Archaeological Unit. Following a desk-based assessment for Dencora Construction Ltd, evaluation trenching recorded mostly post-medieval boundaries, medieval activity and possibly occupation along the Street frontage. Further work W of the High Street recorded postholes and slight evidence of a timber structure, possibly prehistoric and 6 Breckland Area Museums Committee 14 September 2004

Neolithic in date. Evidence for C13/14 activity (quarry pits?) near the street frontage, possibly occupation along the frontage, was found. Finds include two medieval pottery wasters. NAU Reports 821, 896 and 905.

1.6.1 East Dereham, Withburga Lane, former Coach House (HER 39448; TF 9875 1329) by Kenneth Penn, Norfolk Archaeological Unit. Following a desk based assessment, evaluation trenching for the trustees of the Anguish Educational Foundation recorded a C19 industrial chimney base. NAU Report 863.

1.7 Foulden, 82 School Road (HER 37611; TL 7647 9905) by M & M Archaeological Services. Evaluation trenching for Mr A. N. Bougher recorded two linear features with prehistoric flints and pottery.

1.8 Hoe, Roostinghill quarry (HER 37159; TF 9946 1881) by Matt Sutherland and Ben Roberts (Excavation Interim) Brendon Wilkins (Trial Trench Evaluation) Ben Roberts and Brendon Wilkins (Excavation Interim), Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust / Archaeological Solutions. Evaluation trenching for Barker Bros. Aggregates Ltd to the S of known Saxon cremations recorded two Roman ditches, a Saxon pit and an undated pit. The excavation of the site revealed a continuation of the Romano-British field system identified in earlier phases of work, a cluster of three Roman pottery kilns dating to c. AD 100 –150 and a probable Roman timber structure. HAT Reports 1260, 1404, AS Reports 1416, 1435.

1.9 , land adj. The Lodge, The Street (HER 39700; TF 9199 1961) by Victoria Mellor, Archaeological Project Services. Evaluation trenching for Mr C. Greenslade recovered a few prehistoric flint tools, but there was no evidence for Roman, Saxon or medieval activity. Post-medieval and later artefacts were retrieved and several gullies and a ditch are thought to be post- medieval agricultural features. APS Report 174/03.

1.10 , Saffron House (HER 37648; TM 0893 9045) by Ben Hobbs, Norfolk Archaeological Unit. Excavation for Mr P. Eccleston recorded early medieval features. NAU Report 798.

1.10.1 New Buckenham, former snooker hall (HER 39661; TG 8801 9063) by Brendon Wilkins, Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust / Archaeological Solutions. Evaluation trenching for Wedge Homes indicated significant disturbance across the site due to successive phases of Victorian building work and the recent development of the snooker hall. Two medieval inhumations were found in the less disturbed part of the site. AS Report 1422.

1.10.2 New Buckenham, Queen Street, former garage (HER 39460; TM 0883 9039) by Chris Philips, Norfolk Archaeological Unit. A watching brief for Irvine and Harland Ltd recorded a pit of probable medieval date.

1.11 , Road (HER 36964; TG 0450 1480) by Steve Thomson, Archaeological Project Services. Groundworks for a new dwelling near to Roman and medieval remains were monitored for Mr and Mrs Johnson. Several N-S and E-W aligned ditches containing post-medieval pottery were revealed and are thought to be part of an early post- medieval field system. A single sherd of medieval pottery was also recovered. APS Report 191/03.

1.12 , St Mary’s chapel (HER 39594; TM 0850 9035) by Sarah Bates, Norfolk Archaeological Unit. 7 Breckland Area Museums Committee 14 September 2004

A watching brief for Mr C. Pearson recorded a wall of the former medieval chapel and details of the later barn. NAU Report 854.

1.13 , Leech Pit Wood (HER 3018; TG 0785 1790) by David Robertson, Norfolk Archaeological Unit. A watching brief for Redland Lafarge Aggregates Ltd recorded undated pits and postholes, and post-medieval boundaries. NAU Report 910.

1.14 , The Street (HER 39677; TF 8484 1122) by Ben Hobbs, Norfolk Archaeological Unit. Evaluation trenching for Development Insight Ltd recorded two pits, one medieval, the other post-medieval. NAU Report 869.

1.15 Thetford, Lodge Way, Fison Way Industrial estate (HER 38138; TL 8671 8489) by Kenneth Penn, Norfolk Archaeological Unit. Evaluation trenching for Mr R.W. Rice close to the findspot of the Thetford Treasure and the excavated late Iron Age and early Roman complex at Gallows Hill recorded a further group of Iron Age pits. NAU Report 836.

1.15.1 Thetford, Road, cemetery extension (HER 39670; TL 863 824) by Jess Tipper, Cambridge Archaeological Unit. Evaluation trenching for Thetford Town Council showed that the site had been extensively used for the extraction of sand and chalk during the C11 and C12 AD. There were also a number of ditches, pits, gullies and slots, concentrated in the N part of the site. Those containing datable material were also dated to the C11 and C12 AD. One feature on the E side of the site contained a large quantity of pottery and slag indicating both domestic and industrial activity in the immediate vicinity, but there was no evidence of extensive occupation. CAU Report 585.

1.15.2 Thetford, 60 Newtown, St Mary’s Court (HER 39257; TL86748 82794) by Aileen Connor, Cambridgeshire County Council Archaeological Field Unit. Evaluation trenching for Mr A. Yorke recorded deposits, the lowest of which contained Late Saxon pottery. Flint surfaces and a single pit were also encountered. AFU Report N24.

1.15.3 Thetford, Two Mile Bottom (HER 39843; TL 8574 8630) by John Ames, Norfolk Archaeological Unit. A watching brief for Anglian Water recorded scatters of prehistoric flints and evidence of flintworking.

1.15.4 Thetford, White Hart Street car park (HER 39595; TL 8695 8321) by David Adams, Norfolk Archaeological Unit. Evaluation trenching for Anglia Support Partnership recorded prehistoric flints, Late Saxon/medieval quarrypits, and structural details of late-post-medieval buildings and yard surfaces. NAU Report 862.

1.16 and , Godwick (HER 37684-37691 and 39368-39377) by Alan Davison. The fieldwalking survey of arable has been concluded. Flints and pottery on the northern lighter land and potboilers on the southern heavier land suggest a low level of prehistoric activity. Roman sherds came from Whissonsett (HER 7169), where the deserted village is under grass but with an aura of medieval finds on arable, including two Early/Middle Saxon sherds, three Ipswich Ware sherds and Thetford-type Ware. This suggests that Godwick was founded earlier rather than later in the Saxon period. There is a close correlation between finds and land-use as shown on a map of 1596, with the north shown as arable strips and the south as woods and pasture.

8 Breckland Area Museums Committee 14 September 2004

1.17 Watton, former garden centre, Watton Road (HER 39786; TF 9283 0082) by Tim Upson-Smith, Northamptonshire Archaeology. Evaluation trenching for John Samuels Archaeological Consultants for Bennett Homes plc recorded a single probable Iron Age sherd from a pit, and undated linear features.

1.18 Weeting with Broomhill, Grime’s Graves (HER 5640; TL 817 898) by Peter Topping and Cathy Tuck, English Heritage. A second laser scan project has begun in Greenwell’s Pit, using different technology to that previously used in 2002, and designed to increase the levels of accuracy and detail recorded three dimensionally. The project will be completed in March 2004, and will produce what is probably the world’s first interactive 3D model of the underground workings of a prehistoric mine. This laser scan will be joined to the underside of a digital terrain model of the surface remains of the entire site to create a seamless ‘fly through’ of both the above ground and subterranean parts of the mine complex.

David Gurney Principal Archaeologist Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service Tel: 01362 869280 Email: [email protected]

9 Breckland Area Museums Committee 14 September 2004

BRECKLAND COUNCIL

AREA MUSEUMS COMMITTEE: 14 SEPTEMBER 2004 REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGIST (Author: David Gurney)

ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS IN BRECKLAND IN 2003

Summary:

This is a selection of important finds in Breckland from an estimated total of around 17,000 objects from the County seen and recorded by the Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service's Identification and Recording Service for Archaeological Finds and details of which have been entered on to the Norfolk Historic Environment Record (formerly the Norfolk Sites and Monuments Record) during 2003.

PALAEOLITHIC (PRE-10,000 BC)

Colkirk 37129. Flint flakes (N. Abram).

Mesolithic (10,000-4000 BC) Beetley 39703. Flint blade (M. Riddiford). 21441. Mesolithic or early Neolithic flint blade (M. de Bootman). Tittleshall 39376. Possible Late Mesolithic blade core (A. Davison). Weeting with Broomhill 14945. Two blade cores (T. Clark).

NEOLITHIC (4000-2000 BC)

Sporle with Palgrave 19824. Early Neolithic or possibly Mesolithic flaked tranchet axe (T. Palmer). Watton 39299. Blade-like flake (H. Hines).

BRONZE AGE (2000-650 BC)

Besthorpe/Wymondham 37262. Fragment of Middle Bronze Age rapier (F. Garner). Merton 37665. Middle or Late Bronze Age bracelet fragment, the terminal decorated with transverse nicks. Also rapier blade (A. Harvey). 34131. Triangular object, perhaps a sickle re-used as a razor (A. Oliver). 39286. Late Bronze Age socketed axehead, Wilburton phase c.1000 BC (K. Littlechild). 4697. Late Bronze Age flesh hook (B. Hamilton). 31038. Middle Bronze Age rapier point (P. Rilings).

IRON AGE (650 BC-AD 43)

Colkirk 37132. Nail with decorated enamelled head (N. Abram). 38164. Late Bronze are or Early Iron Age Late Halstatt brooch, slightly curved with a head of conjoined discs and bow with rectangular attachments. C7 to C5 BC(C. Walters). Quidenham 35174. La Tène I brooch with a high arched bow and swan’s head terminal. C4/C3 BC (E. Crick). 37201. Handle or foot with recessed pelta, once filled with red enamel. Probably C1 AD (B. Dodgson).

Roman (AD 43-410) Billingford 39283. Gold lamella (tablet) inscribed with magic symbols and Latin and Greek text to the god Abrasax. Found in soil imported from elsewhere (K. Owen).

10 Breckland Area Museums Committee 14 September 2004

Narford 3974. Exquisite and complete Dragonesque brooch with enamelled chequered decoration. Lead-filled steelyard weight in the form of the head of Venus. C2 AD (J. and P. Wells). Scarning 31038. Handle from a folding razor in the form of a dog seizing a hare. C3/C4 AD (P. Rilings). Shipdham 37201. End-loop cosmetic mortar (B. Dodgson).

EARLY SAXON (AD 410-650)

Beachamwell 4539. ?Base silver gilded buckle frame with Style I animal ornament and empty triangular settings with gold foil. Late C6 (S. Brown). North Elmham 25848. Early or Middle Saxon openwork suspension unit in the form of two confronted beaked beasts. Probably continental and C7 AD (B. George). Quidenham 31677. Early or Middle Saxon hanging bowl escutcheon, the disc decorated with a central equal-armed cross with flattened peltas in a red enamel ground. C7 AD (E. Crick). Quidenham 39294. Part of the openwork foot-plate of a gilded great square- headed brooch. C6 AD (K. Worton).

MIDDLE SAXON (AD 650-850)

Mattishall 37264. Middle or Late Saxon prick spur, the extant arm decorated with nicks and an animal-head terminal. Probably C9 AD (K. Brock). Merton 38055. Possible Middle Saxon stylus with ribbed shaft and banded collar. One band is faceted like Middle Saxon dress pins. Flaring, rounded eraser. Perhaps C8/C9 AD (H. Hines). Newton by 32935. Middle/Late Saxon strap-end. C9 AD (M. Slaven). Roudham 39659. Double hooked clasp dress fastener or ‘shroud hook’. C8/C9 AD (L. Swallow). Sporle with Palgrave 28738. Stylus or styliform pin with triangular ‘eraser’ (M. Slaven).

LATE SAXON (AD 850-1066) Merton 38055. Lead disc brooch. C10 AD (H. Hines). MEDIEVAL (AD 1066-1500)

Harling 37449. Buckle plate with repoussé decoration of a seated king with a bird perched on his left hand. Late C12/early C13 AD (M. Forder). Merton 38055. Pottery bowl rim in a very odd part-oxidised fabric (H. Hines). Newton by Castle Acre 32935. Minute silver annular brooch, perhaps to fasten a silk veil (M. Slaven). Animal-head finial from an elaborate ?shrine or ?lamp. Probably C12 AD (M. Slaven). Thetford 5912. Stone carving in Caen stone depicting a beast with massive rear legs and leaning over a ledge. Probably a frieze decoration from the gateway, buttress or eaves-drip course of the Augustinian Friary (T. Clark). Thetford/Croxton 38083. Lead trial piece for coin die for Henry II cross and crosslets (Tealby) penny, moneyer Turstain, mint Thetford. AD 1158-80 (G. Powell).

POST-MEDIEVAL (AD 1500-1950)

Hockering 36541. Silver crucifix, the hollow interior perhaps once holding a relic. Probably C19 (A. Carter). North Elmham 25848. Gold posy ring inscribed ‘Rather dye then fayth denye’. Early C17 (B. George).

David Gurney Principal Archaeologist Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service Tel: 01362 869280 Email: [email protected]

11 Breckland Area Museums Committee 14 September 2004

BRECKLAND COUNCIL AREA MUSEUMS COMMITTEE: 14 SEPTEMBER 2004 REPORT OF THE HEAD OF MUSEUMS

(Author: Oliver Bone)

THE ANCIENT HOUSE MUSEUM, THETFORD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT UPDATE

Summary: This report provides an update on the Development Project for the period June – August 2004.

Work on the project is progressing well with lots of meetings as the detailed architectural schedule of works is developed.

1. Project Staffing

Lucy Yarham started as Project Curator on 1 June and is settling in well. Lucy joins us from Lincolnshire Museum Service. She is working with Oliver on the preparation of material for the new displays. The 1st main curatorial task is to have a complete list of objects ready for our NMAS designer by the end of August and the team are on course to achieve this.

Ellie Hill was started in the post of Outreach & Audience Development Officer also in 1 June. Ellie was previously at Kings Lynn Museums (NMAS) as Education Officer, spending 1 day per week at Thetford. Her old post will be advertised soon, and will continue to have 1 day spent with us. We are currently recruiting our Collections Move Team and interviews are scheduled for the end of August. 2. Architectural Specification. The design team have been working hard on the development of a detailed schedule of works and architectural drawings. Areas we have looked at include:

2.1 Frontage. A meeting was held on11 June with Conservation Specialists (EH, SPAB, NCC, Breckland and the Project Architect) to refine brief for frontage conservation scheme. Subject to the results of further trails on exact techniques, a scheme has been agreed. The tar will be removed from the timbers and they will be treated with limewash, which will then be brushed off towards the end of the contract. The infill panels will be repaired and limewashed. The specialists advised that the limewash treatment was the best way of treating the frontage and preserving it for the future. It is a ‘breathable’ material and allows water to escape – currently water can become trapped behind the tar and can start to rot the timbers. The delicate carvings on the frontage which are currently ‘clogged’ with tar will be much easier to see.

2.2 Ramp. The design for the ramp has now been agreed by all parties and the drawings are being finalised.

2.3 Rear Boundary. A formal letter has been submitted to the Asset Management section of Breckland Council (as trustees of the Museum Charity) regarding the redefinition of the boundary and access for contractors.

2.4 Heating, Lighting and Electrical Schemes. These are now nearing completion. Great care has been taken to ensure cable and pipe runs will not damage the historic fabric of the building.

12 Breckland Area Museums Committee 14 September 2004

2.5 Party Wall Surveyor. Once the architect has completed his specification our surveyor will seek the agreement of our immediate neighbours to the plans.

2.6 Offsite Store and Office. We have been working with NPS and our NMAS Collections and Information Manager, Martin Warren, on sourcing an off-site store and have found a suitable building. We are currently negotiating with Breckland Council about the lease of office space near to the Ancient House Museum.

2.7 Marketing & PR. We have been working on our PR plan with our NMAS Marketing colleague, Helen Mitchell. Helen will also oversee the re-launch of the museum in 2006.

2.8 Training. The AHM team have attended training on MS Project (timetabling software), procurement and finance.

3. Outreach & Audience Development Project – Ellie has begun the research and development stage of her project. This has involved meeting the key partners for the project and educational providers in the area. Possible links for future work have been discussed. New links have also been made with the U.S.A.F. at Lakenheath, and with people working directly with the Portuguese community in Thetford.

Ellie will be working with staff at Watton Library on the development of a reminiscence project delivered through Special Services to local residential care homes. She has also been working with Adult Education in Thetford to devise courses for Basic Skills and ESOL (English as a Second or Other Language) students. These will start in the Autumn 2004 term.

To compliment our opening exhibition on Thetford Pulpware, which will take place in our new Changing Displays Space, Ellie has been working with the Schools Waste Action Club to plan sessions based on recycling and environmentally friendly art.

There will be an art event during Family Learning Week (11–17 October) entitled ‘Drawn to Thetford’ which will take place at Tanner House. The Museum’s contribution to September’s Heritage Open Days in has also been planned. This will involve a week of events at a local school, highlighting Thetford’s Anglo – Sikh heritage, including sessions on Sikh art, the Maharajah Duleep Singh and Bhangra dancing. The Bhangra session will be also offered to local adults. During the closure period, we intend to use portable display cases to take objects into the community. There will also be a series of new handling boxes for use by schools and other groups. Consultation on the themes of these cases is now underway. 4. Timetable. We are on course to be able to tender for a main contractor at the end of September.

We can now confirm the museum’s last public opening day will be Saturday 2 October 2004 and we plan to hand over the site to the contractor in early 2005.

Assuming a contractor can start when we require them to, and the work goes smoothly, we plan to re-open the museum in Spring 2006.

6. Project Board The first meeting of the Project Board was held on 17 June, and the next is planned for September. Breckland Council is represented on the Board by Amar Dave, Cultural Development Manager. 7. Recommendation That the report be noted.

13 Breckland Area Museums Committee 14 September 2004

Originator of Report: Jane Bennett, Museum Development Project Manager, Ancient House Museum, Thetford, Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service Tel: 01842 752599 Fax:01842 860951 Email: [email protected]

14 Breckland Area Museums Committee 14 September 2004

BRECKLAND COUNCIL

AREA MUSEUMS COMMITTEE: 14 SEPTEMBER 2004

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF MUSEUMS

(Author: Oliver Bone)

THE ANCIENT HOUSE MUSEUM, THETFORD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT UPDATE - ACTIVITIES

Summary: This report provides an update on activities at the Ancient House Museum for the period June – August 2004

Whilst we have been working hard on the project, we have maintained our normal service to the public.

1. Tourist Information Centre Launch, 18 June The long awaited TIC opened to the sound of Elizabethan music and the sight of the Ancient House Museum staff in period costume.

2. Friends Summer Social, 18 June This annual event was well attended and gave the Friends the chance to receive an update on the Development Project.

3. National Launch of the Anglo Sikh Heritage Trail, 2 July The Maharajah Duleep Singh Centenary Trust’s trail launch took place at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea and was attended by Oliver Bone and Lucy Yarham. Thetford and Eleden are key points in the trail. A regional launch is planned for early September in Ipswich. More details can be found at www.asht.info

4. BBC Radio Norfolk 4 August The Museum featured in a very positive article on the BBC Radio Norfolk Breakfast Show and news bulletins throughout the day.

5. Summer Fun – Mondays in August Our summer holiday arts and craft sessions for children based have been well attended and we have lots of drawings of favourite museum objects to consider when planning the new displays.

6. Recommendation That the report be noted.

Originator of Report: Oliver Bone, Curator, Ancient House Museum, Thetford, Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service Tel: 01842 752599 Fax:01842 860951 Email: [email protected]

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