No 187 May 2012 1

www.sihg.org.uk

Two of John Rennie’s engineering feats, see page 9.

Top: The main flight of 16 locks at Caen Hill near Devizes on the . Completed 1810. Photo: Jan Spencer.

Bottom: Kelso Bridge over the River Tweed. Completed 1804. Photo: Our Transport Heritage, www.transportheritage.com. Newsletter 187 May 2012 2

Contents

2 Industrial History Group Officers 2 Shannon Corner & Shannon Limited: A Surrey Factory Site (part 2) by Norma Cox 4 Venues, Times & Contacts 4 Reigate ‘Caves’ Open to the Public: Recent Improvements by Paul W Sowan 5 Industrial Archaeology News No. 160 Spring 2012 report by Gordon Knowles 6 The Life and Works of John Rennie (1761 – 1821) by Peter Cross-Rudkin, report by Mike Davison 6 Research Topics Inspired by SIHG Lectures (1) John Rennie in Surrey by Alan Crocker 7 SIHG and the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills 7 The Surrey Archaeological Society’s Margary Award 8 SIHG 2012 Conservation Award Presentation and AGM Shannon Corner & Shannon Limited: A Surrey an automated visible record system; Shannostrip, was a visible suspended filing system; the Shannoleaf bu- Factory Site (part 2) by Norma Cox reau could contain ten to fifteen thousand records; the The factory in New Malden employed over five hundred Shannoleaf Desk Pack held up to three and a half thou- people and was of Art Deco design12. The Art Deco facto- sand records; Shannoblic tabs were angled for quick ry with attractive grounds should not have been pulled sighting, pictured on page 20 in the March Newsletter. down13, see figure below. Today the Shannon site is occupied by B&Q. Advertising brochures published by Shannon Limited14, References listed the products available under the trademark Shannon 12 www.edithstreets.blogspot.com/2010/12/ Systems. The “846”, Functional Furniture, Wood, Steel thames-tributory-pgl-brook-beverley.html. and Colour are key advertising words. The “Arc of Activi- 13 www.trolleybus.net/subhtml/picture293.html. ¤ ty” suggested that each office occupant needed 40sq ft per person, in their autonomous self-contained unit. Colour is recognised as a great psychological help-mate. All of the pieces of office equipment in the Shannon Sys- tem had their own distinct Shannon name: Shannofan was

Surrey Industrial History Group Officers Chairman & Lectures Organiser: Robert Bryson, [email protected] Secretary: Alan Thomas, [email protected] Treasurer: Anne Lea, [email protected] Membership Secretary: Pam Taylor, [email protected] Newsletter 187 May 2012 3 SIHG Newsletter No 187 May 2012 DIARY The 37th series of SIHG Industrial Archaeology Lectures will start on Tuesday 2 October 2012, 1930 - 2130, University of Surrey (Lecture Theatre F) (Oct & Nov only) Enquiries to programme co-ordinator, Bob Bryson, [email protected]. Maps at www.sihg.org.uk Free parking is available in the evening on the main campus car park. Single lectures at £5, payable on the night, are open to all. * Programme / Application Form available online* discount for prompt return! * * New, almost step-free, venue after November *

The Autumn 2012 Thursday Morning Lecture Series at starts on 4 October 2012. Enquiries to Bob Bryson, [email protected]. As seating is strictly limited, enrolment is for the whole course only; casual attendance is not possible. A few places are still available!

SIHG Membership Renewal for 2012-13 is now due The SIHG membership database has been merged with the Surrey Archaeological Society database. Cheques payable to ‘Surrey Archaeological Society’ please, to Castle Arch, Guildford GU1 3SX Membership Form available online. You may also pay by Standing Order.

The deadline for submitting copy for the next Newsletter is 10 July 2012. Submissions are accepted in typescript, on a disc, or by email to [email protected]. Anything related to IA will be considered. Priority will be given to Surrey-based or topical articles. Contributions will be published as soon as space is available. Readers are advised that the views of contributors are not necessarily the views of SIHG. Website: www.sihg.org.uk

SIHG Committee - New Members Wanted As you can see from the diary, SIHG is due to have its AGM on Saturday 7 July at the Rural Life Centre in Tilford. I would urge you all to attend. Despite the fact that we combine this event with the presentation of our annual conserva- tion award, attendance is often poor. The AGM is very short and the main event is the presentation and the talk / tour given by the award recipient. This should be very enjoyable. In previous years we have had some difficulty finding people to take on the roles of Treasurer, Secretary etc. Ideally officers of SIHG are recruited from existing committee members who have had some previous committee experience. This year we have a number of vacancies on the committee for which we would be grateful to have nominations. Like all groups someone has to organise the meetings and lectures and a number of our long-standing committee mem- bers have resigned or are wishing to take a less active role. If you think you have something to contribute and would like to join the committee please contact any of the current officers; their contact details are shown below. Bob Bryson Chairman

SIHG is a group of the Surrey Archaeological Society, Registered Charity No 272098, Castle Arch Guildford Surrey GU1 3SX Group President: Prof AG Crocker FSA

Published by the Surrey Industrial History Group and printed by YesPrint 3 Leafy Oak Workshops Cobbetts Lane Yateley GU17 9LW © SIHG 2012 ISSN 1355-8188 Newsletter 187 May 2012 4

Other Industrial Archaeology Organizations Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre: by Amberley Railway Station on the B2139; www.amberleymuseum.co.uk. Ardingly South of England Showground: West Sussex RH17 6TL. Brooklands: Brooklands Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0QN. Chatham Historic Dockyard: Chatham, Kent ME4 4TZ; www.thedockyard.co.uk. Crofton Beam Engines : Crofton , Crofton, Marlborough, Wilts SN8 3DW; www.croftonbeamengines.org. Crossness Pumping Station : The Old Works, Crossness STW, Belvedere Road, Abbey Wood, London SE2 9AQ; www.crossness.org.uk. Didcot Railway Centre: Didcot Parkway railway station, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 7NJ. Hawker Association: The Old Sports & Social Club, Hawker Centre, Kingston, free car park, hawkerassociation.org.uk. Holmesdale Natural History Club: 14 Croydon Road, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 0PG. Kempton Great Engines: Feltham Hill Road, Hanworth, Middx TW13 6XH, www.kemptonsteam.org. Kew Bridge Steam Museum: Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, Middlsex TW8 0EN, www.kbsm.org. Kingston Museum : Wheatfield Way, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2PS. London Canal Museum: 12/13 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RT, www.canalmuseum.org.uk. London Transport Museum Depot: 2 Museum Way, 118-120 Gunnersbury Lane, London W3 9BQ, www.ltmuseum.co.uk. Windmill: Russ Hill, , RH6 0EL (TQ 234 407). Markfield and Museum: Markfield Road, South Tottenham, London N15 4RB, www.mbeam.org. Museum of English Rural Life: Redlands Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 5EX. National Trust: www.nationaltrust.org.uk. : Crowborough Road, Nutley, East Sussex TN22 3HY. Oldland Windmill: The Thatched Inn, Lane, Keymer, Sussex BN6 8DH. Railway & Canal Historical Society: The Rugby Tavern, Rugby Street, London WC1, www.rchs.org.uk. Reigate Caves: Entrance in Tunnel Road, off Reigate High Street, Wealden Cave & Mine Society, www.wcms.org.uk. Rural Life Centre: Old Kiln Museum, Reeds Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 2DL. Saddlescombe: (TQ273115); Signposted 2 miles north of A27 Brighton ring road and 1 mile south of A281. Surrey History Centre : 130 Goldsworth Road, Woking, Surrey GU21 6ND. Twyford Waterworks: Hazeley Road, Twyford, Hampshire SO21 1QA, www.twyfordwaterworks.co.uk. U3AFetcham: Village Hall, 1000, [email protected]. Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Singleton: Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0EU.

Reigate ‘Caves’ Open to the Public: Recent Improvements by Paul W Sowan

The centre of Reigate is riddled with tunnels, popularly heights, and profiles differ from mine to mine. And re- and locally called ‘caves’, in the Folkestone Sand under markably little primary documentation has been located and around the castle earthworks. The numerous and for this intensive extractive industry right under the cen- most extensive ‘caves’ are former sand-mines, worked tre of one of east Surrey’s oldest and most important largely for silver sand for glass furnaces along the banks towns! of the Thames in London. These industrial-scale dig- Two of the more interesting and impressive ‘caves’ are gings are thought to have been worked from the 1750s open to the public on the second Saturday each month or 1760s into the 1850s or 1860s, after which (and per- from May to September, with walk-in access from Rei- haps on account of two major mine collapses {in 1858 gate High Street via Tunnel Road. The caves are lit, and and 1860}) sand has been worked from open pits. Indus- there are no significant hazards other than a few steps trial-scale mining is thought to have developed on the and some slightly uneven floors in places. Guided tours completion of a turnpike road northwards up Reigate commence from within the pedestrianised tunnel, be- Hill in or about 1756. Sand is still dug commercially for tween 10 am and 4 pm. (an entry fee is charged to cover glass-making at nearby Buckland. costs such electrical lighting, insurance cover etc). The Other tunnellings in the sandstone at Reigate include ‘Barons’ Cave’ is also open on the same dates. Further domestic and pub cellars, and the curious ‘Barons’ details can be had from the Wealden Cave and Mine Cave’ (perhaps a wine cellar) under the former castle. Society’s website, www.wcms.org.uk. And of course the now-pedestrianised road tunnel, The visitor experience has been greatly improved in the through which Tunnel Road runs, England’s earliest last year or two, with new and revamped displays. These successful tunnel for road traffic (there are runners-up in Dorset and Nottingham). Attempted road tunnels under include a reconstruction of a short length of the Croy- the Thames (the Brunels’ Thames tunnel) and at don, Merstham and Godstone Iron Railway; artefacts Highgate (which collapsed before completion) never and displays from east Surrey mineral industries, espe- functioned as such. cially the mines and underground building-stone quar- A curious feature is that, although they are all dug in the ries; and displays relating to post-mining uses to which very weakly cemented Folkestone Sand, the five or six the caves have been put including cellars for the storage relatively large mines differ markedly in mining tech- of alcoholic drinks, and air-raid shelters and an emergen- niques. Some were worked from vertical shafts, other cy control centre. ¤ from drift (walk-in) entrances. Mine tunnel widths, Newsletter 187 May 2012 5 Industrial Archaeology News No. 160 Spring 2012 report by Gordon Knowles Bill Barksfield describes in detail the AIA tour to Aus- within 20 years of service. There was a village hall with tralia in autumn 2011, starting in Melbourne and then theatre, library, restaurant and games rooms. In 1929 a moving to Tasmania, where members made arranged hotel was built and a church and chapels constructed. The visits then joined a three day Engineering Heritage Con- core of the estate is Listed Grade II. Many of the original ference. Visits in Melbourne included the LaTrobe read- Crittall metal framed windows were replaced in the 1950s- ing room in the State Library, an old shot tower, the 60s and more recently many of the non-listed houses have Spotswood former sewage pumping station where the had double-glazed Crittall-style replica windows fitted. 1901 Hathorn Davey triple expansion engine was viewed. In 1933 Bata built the first of their houses in Tilbury, After a trip on the preserved ‘Puffing Billy’ railway the based on the modernist designs used by the parent compa- group transferred to Hobart. ny in Zlin, Czechoslavakia. Three hundred houses were The first visit in Tasmania was to the Coal River Valley completed by1939 and, post war, more were built in vary- crossing, the 1823 Richmond Bridge, built by the Royal ing sizes and layouts depending on the status of the occu- Engineers and convict labour and which is the oldest in piers. Developments in 1959 and 1966 moved away from Australia. Then on to the 1885 Morey bark mill powered the modernist style and more conventional pitched roof by a Marshall portable engine which worked until 1960. designs were used, typical of the post war New Towns. It is Australia’s only restored black wattle bark mill, The factory is now closed and all the houses have been which produced a powder used for tanning, and is possi- sold on to individuals or housing trusts. East Tilbury is bly the only one in the world. A visit to the remains of the now a Conservation Area and many of the first build Anchor mine was almost prevented following recent houses are Listed Grade II. Meanwhile the factory lies storms which had washed away the road. But a track was derelict, remaining an important, but dilapidated reminder opened up over difficult terrain which was made worth- of the settlement’s industrial past. while by the sight of the rusting machinery, the remains Alain Foote writes on Peter Willans and the Willans Cen- of a waterwheel and a bank of locally constructed stamps tral Valve Engine. This is of local interest as Willans set made in 1883. Next, the group went to the 1908 Moorina up his first factory in Kingston with Mark Robinson in hydro-electric power station, where the AEG equipment 1880. He soon moved into the Ferry Works at Thames had run for 100 years. Other visits included a slab-and- Ditton where he built his patented steam engines mainly buttress dam which operated until 1961 supplying water for marine use. In 1883 a compound engine was installed to the Mount Paris tin mine and which was drained in in a parcel van of the South Eastern Railway Company. 1970; a convict built pilot station of 1835 and the light- This drove a generator which was used to supply electrici- house with a twin cylinder Gardner kerosene engine and ty for lighting a train on the London Underground. The compressor which powered the fog horn; the Don River Willans Three-Cylinder Engine was superior to other Railway which carried mainly bulk ore until closure in small high-speed engines of the period, but it was far from 1963 and is now operated by volunteers. More hydro- perfect. Further patents were taken out and the first Cen- electric dams and the power station at Miena followed. tral Valve Engine was delivered to the Admiralty in 1885. This had, originally, Metro-Vickers generating sets when The 14 horsepower simple engine drove a Crompton dy- opened in 1916, later supplemented by US General Elec- namo at 400 rpm and was installed in HMS Black Prince. tric units in 1922 and by English Electric sets in 1944. By 1887 a range of engines from 5 to 17 inch bore had A water-powered flour mill at Nant was next. Built in been developed. In November 1888 the factory was swept 1823 it worked up to 1897 and was then used for agricul- by fire but was back in full production by the end of 1889. tural purposes, and in the 21st century has been converted By 1892 Willans had almost a monopoly of supply for into a distillery. Norske Skog, the sponsors of the confer- engines to generate electricity; it was said at the time that ence, opened up their Boyer mill on the Derwent River. It 68% of the aggregate capacity of plant at work in British produces 40% of Australia’s newsprint, originally re- power stations consisted of Willans engines directly cou- growth eucalypt, but has now switched to radiate pine, a pled to generators. Willans was killed in May 1892 when more environmentally friendly material. Whole trees go he was thrown from his pony trap, but his business contin- in one end of the plant and come out as paper at the other. ued to prosper. By 1894 the company had outgrown the The pulp has some 60% water which is transformed into Ferry works and moved to a new factory in Rugby. (In the paper with about 6%, and comes off the line in 6m wide 20th century the Ferry works became famous as the home rolls at a rate of 60km/hr. As part of the conference visits for AC Cars; the building survives as light industrial units were also made to a restored windmill, a heritage muse- - GK.) 1898 to 1904 was the zenith of the Central Valve um and trips on the Redwater Creek and West Coast Wil- Engine including the award of a Gold Medal at the 1900 derness Railways. Paris Exhibition. The double acting steam engine became Essex Industrial Housing Estates of the Crittall Window a serious competitor with higher speed and lower steam Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and of the British Bata Shoe consumption. In 1905 a licence was taken out to build C A Manufacturing Co. are discussed by Adam Garwood. Parsons & Co. designs for sale in the UK only. (The busi- Crittall developed an estate of 500 houses between 1926 ness eventually became part of English Electric and more and 1932 at Silver End, Braintree. They are some of the recently of Alstom - GK.). Engine number 3226 from 1901 earliest concrete-block flat-roofed domestic buildings in was in use at Maples in Tottenham Court Road until 1957 this country. All had hot and cold running water, sanita- and is preserved in the Willans Works of Alstom in Rugby tion, gas or electric light and front and rear gardens. today. ¤ Rents were low and each employee had the right to buy Newsletter 187 May 2012 6

SIHG lecture 29 November 2011 The Life and Works of John Rennie (1761 - 1821) by Peter Cross-Rudkin, report by Mike Davison

John Rennie was born near Edinburgh, the son of a ten- Bridge, which had a span of 240ft. He was always care- ant farmer. After leaving school he spent two years ap- ful to design the centering (formwork) so that when it prenticed to a millwright and later went to Edinburgh was stripped the bridge would deflect to the required University, the first engineer to do so. In 1784 he ob- profile. tained a position with James Watt where he gained expe- The construction and improvement of many docks and rience with steam engines, and in the same year de- harbours, such as the London docks, Hull docks, Sheer- signed an engine for him which proved to be one of the ness and Chatham dockyards and Dublin harbour were best ever produced. all products of Rennie’s genius. The great breakwater at He moved to London and in 1791 he began as an engi- Plymouth, started by Rennie, was not completed until neer in Blackfriars on his own account. Much of his well after his death and contained some 30 million cubic early work was in connection with canals, and his first metres of rockfill. Always innovative, he designed, commission was the massive aqueduct which carries the among other things, a machine for cutting 12inch x Lancaster canal over the River Lune. He also oversaw 12inch timbers, and a gantry crane for lowering a diving the survey and construction of the Crinan, Rochdale and bell. He built several cast iron buildings, including the Kennet & Avon canals. For the latter canal, he built the Customs House in Dublin. Here, knowing the relative near Bath, the Caen Hill staircase properties of the two materials, Rennie used cast iron for locks, Crofton steam pumping station and the water- members in compression and wrought iron for those in wheel at Claverton. Where machinery was required, he tension. He was elected a Member of the Royal Society used cast iron parts and equipment made at the Albion in 1798. Works in London. He also did an 18-month survey for Peter Cross-Rudkin illustrated his talk with a large selec- the proposed Croydon to Portsmouth canal, but because tion of slides. He said that in his opinion Rennie was the of the difficult topography construction did not go ahead country’s leading engineer in the early 19th century, and the Wey and Arun canal was built instead. rather than Thomas Telford who usually gets this plau- Rennie then turned his hand to the design and construc- dit; but he acknowledged that both men were highly suc- tion of masonry bridges. His first road bridge was over cessful and influential. the Trent, followed by the bridge over the Tweed at Kel- Peter Cross-Rudkin is a member of the ICE Panel for so, see photo on page 1. He was responsible for the orig- Historical Engineering Work. ¤ inal Waterloo Bridge, built using the cofferdam method. He also built some cast iron bridges, including two in Boston, Lincolnshire, and his biggest, Southwark

Research Topics Inspired by SIHG Lectures (1) John Rennie in Surrey by Alan Crocker

A lecture was given at Guildford by Peter at Quarter Sessions accounts of the formal Cross-Rudkin on the life and works of the application to establish the mill. As permis- celebrated Scottish millwright and engineer sion was refused, the applicants built a gun- John Rennie, see previous page. He men- powder mill at Gorebridge in Scotland in- tioned that Rennie had prepared a plan in stead. This opened in 1794 and was only 1789 of a proposed gunpowder mill at 32km from Rennie’s birthplace near East Hammer and that this was deposit- Linton. We told this story to the editor of ed at the Surrey History Centre (SHC) at Surrey History and she has encouraged us Woking. We knew about the proposed mill, to write a full account of it for the 2012 which in practice was not built because of strong local issue due to be published in September. The title of the objections but we were unaware that Rennie was in- project as it appears on the Rennie plan is shown in the volved. So I went to SHC, saw the plan which measures figure. ¤ 1.51 x 0.63m, purchased a digital image of it and looked Newsletter 187 May 2012 7 SIHG and the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills The Surrey Archaeological Society’s As the author of A Guide to the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills, Margary Award now in its fourth edition, I have been asked to explain why SIHG was pleased to be awarded the second prize complimentary copies of the third edition are being sent with for its display at the annual Research Symposium this Newsletter. The honest answer is that a member found a held in February at . The first prize went to box that had been stored for some time and the staples had the Epsom and Ewell Archaeology and History Soci- gone rusty. The justification is that members who have joined ety for their presentation on excavations at Church SIHG in recent years may not have a copy at all and may ap- Meadow, Ewell, which were prompted by plans to preciate having one, and even be tempted to buy the enlarged extend the graveyard. fourth edition (2005), price £1.50 but sometimes offered at £1.00 on guided walks and at special events. The SIHG display was set up in conjunction with the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills Group. The main theme The Guide was first published in 1985 as a separate version of was the publication of the Conservation Manage- the appendix to Chilworth Gunpowder (SIHG 1984). This ment Plan for the site commissioned by Guildford was a short history of the mills which clearly filled a public Borough Council from Oxford Archaeology, which need for information as it sold out very quickly. The Guide was published in three volumes in November 2011. was therefore prepared, with a summary account of the tech- nology and history, and this was reprinted in 1990. A second Extracts from the Gazetteer section illustrated some edition was published in 1994 and the third in 1999. of the most important sites for future study and con- servation. One of the six display panels was on trees Public interest in the mills has continued and grown and led and wildlife. Trees are being managed both to pro- to the formation of the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills Group, its tect the industrial remains from damage and to en- annual public meetings, Heritage Open Days and support for sure the long-term health of the woodland and wild- Guildford Borough Council’s Conservation Management Plan life habitats. Clearance of some trees is being fol- for the site. We recognised the achievements of the CGMG lowed by new planting, including a group of alder and the Borough Council by awarding them our Conservation buckthorn bushes - known by gunpowder makers as Award plaque in 2010. ¤ ‘dogwood’. GMC The tree work, and vegetation clearance by the CGMG Volunteers, is revealing many details of structures that have long been hidden. Two panels showed discoveries made on Heritage Open Day in September. Scheduled Monument consent has been obtained from English Heritage for lim- ited clearance of vegetation and record- ing by working parties. One of these was held to demonstrate the group’s work to visitors at the site of a mixing house (for mixing the saltpetre, charcoal and sulphur). Interesting details of the wheel pit were recorded including the remains of the overshot waterwheel itself. ¤ JS

Top: The working party on Heritage Open Day 11 September 2011.

Right: Detail of the waterwheel revealed in the wheel pit of building 15 at Chilworth gunpowder mills.

Photos: © Andrew Norris. Newsletter 187 May 2012 8

Surrey Industrial History Group 2012 Conservation Award Presentation and AGM Saturday 7 July 2012 Rural Life Centre Tilford, Farnham, Surrey GU10 2DL Programme 1400 Annual General Meeting - see Agenda 1430 approx. Emma Corke, President of the Surrey Archaeological Society will present the SIHG Conservation Award to the Rural Life Centre and Gerald Baker for the construction of a replica of a Wealden Iron Furnace. The presentation will be followed by a talk on the work and its background. 1530 approx. Viewing of the furnace, followed by refreshments Non-members are welcome to the presentation but may not participate in the AGM.

The centre is 3 miles south of Farnham, just off the A287 and midway between Frensham and Tilford villages. Trunk road access from the A31 at Farrnham & A3 at Milford or Hindhead. M3 junction 4.

Admission to the RLC is free on showing this notice (Admit Member + Associate)

Surrey Industrial History Group AGM held at the Bagshot Archaeology Centre on 9 July 2011 Present: 11 members were present. The chair was taken by Robert Bryson. 1. Apologies for absence: M. Hoskins, H. G. Knowles, C. R. Mann, P. Minett, G. P Moss, P. A. Tarplee. 2. Minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2010 These were accepted as a true record. 4. Treasurer’s report for the year ending 31 March 2011 The total value of the Group had increased by £2,676 to £32,127. The surplus on the Leatherhead lectures was used to subsidise the visits organised as part of the lecture series there. The expenses and receipts for SERIAC2010, although passed through the SIHG bank account, are not included in the SIHG accounts. £1,600 was passed on to the Sussex IAS for SERIAC2011. The accounts were approved nem.con. 5. Election of Officers In the absence of other nominations, Robert Bryson was declared elected as Chairman, Alan Thomas as Secretary, Anne Lea as Treasurer and Jan Spencer as Newsletter Editor. The duties of Membership Secretary were being carried out by Pam Taylor, and the subscriptions collected by Castle Arch. 6. Election of Committee members In addition to the nominations of Gerry Moss and Margaret Levett made by the Committee, Hugh Anscombe had been proposed by Jan Spencer and seconded. by Pam Taylor. All three were elected nem.con. 7. Appointment of examiner of the accounts The accounts are now examined as part of the SyAS accounts. 8. AOB None Newsletter 187 May 2012 9

Surrey Industrial History Group A Group of the Surrey Archaeological Society (Registered Charity No. 272098) Annual General Meeting 7 July 2012 Agenda 1. Apologies for Absence 2. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting on 9 July 2011 3. Chairman’s Report for the year ending 31 March 2012 4. Treasurer’s Report for the year ending 31 March 2012 5. Election of Officers: The Committee nominates: Chairman: Robert Bryson Secretary: Alan Thomas Treasurer: Anne Lea Newsletter Editor: Jan Spencer 6. Election of Committee members: Pam Taylor, Ken Tythacott and Robin Turier retire in rotation after three years’ service. Mrs Taylor and Mr Turier offer themselves for re-election and are nominated by the Committee. (There remain three vacancies.) 7. Appointment of examiner of the accounts 8. Any other business Other nominations for the Officers or committee members should be sent to the Secretary not later than 29 June and must bear the names of the proposer and seconder and the signature of the nominee indicating willingness to serve. Any matter for Item 8 should be notified to the Secretary not later than 29 June. Alan Thomas Honorary Secretary

Surrey Industrial History Group Chairman’s Report for the year ending 31 March 2012 The autumn half-term visit was to the Watercress Line where several steam engines were being prepared for a This is my seventh annual report as Chairman of the gala event. In spring the group went on a cruise down the Surrey Industrial History Group. Thames taking in all the bridges and river crossings about As usual the South East Region Industrial Archaeology which Geoff had previously given an excellent talk. The Conference was the first event of the year. This year the day out concluded with a visit to the horological collec- event was hosted by the Sussex Industrial Archaeology tion in the British Museum, this linked in with an earlier Group on 16 April 2011 at the University of Sussex. talk on the “Golden Age of English Clockmaking” given The conference had as its title “An IA Miscellany” and by the curator of horology David Thompson. included talks as diverse as: Ice Wells fit for a Metropo- The Surrey Archaeological Society Autumn Conference lis, Magnus Volk & his Amazing Railway and The Victo- held on 15 October featured “Industrial Archaeology - rian Working Horse. The research Framework” as its theme. Alan Crocker Our AGM was held on 9 July at The Archaeology Centre kindly acted as conference chairman and organised the in Bagshot, where the Conservation Award was presented speakers. Jan Spencer gave a talk on “Animal Powered to the Surrey Heath Archaeology and Heritage Trust. The Engines” while Paul Sowan spoke about “Extraction In- award was in recognition of the work done to rescue the dustries: The Evidence Left Behind by Miners & Quarry- former Police Station and adapt it for use as an Archaeol- men” and Gordon Knowles talked about “Surrey’s Air- ogy Centre. The centre houses, amongst other things, a port Buildings”. collection of clay pipes large enough to be used as a ref- Our Guildford series of winter lectures finished on 6 erence collection to assist in the dating of further finds. March with a very interesting talk on “Personality Clash- The 36th series of winter lectures held at the University es and Power Struggles in the History of British Radar” in Guildford commenced on 4 October with a talk on by Dr Phil Judkins. The Leatherhead lectures concluded “The Changing Nature of Innovation-an Historical Over- on 22 March with an extended version of his talk on view” by Dr John Russell of the Newcomen Society. The “Animal Powered Engines,” given by Jan Spencer who Thursday morning talks at the Institute in Leatherhead stood in for the previously advertised speaker. were again organised by Ken Tythacott, supported by Finally, I would like to thank all the members of SIHG, Geoff Roles who organised the visits. The autumn course especially my fellow committee members and those men- of lectures commenced on 22 September with a talk from tioned above who have supported the work of the group Paul Gower on the “Revival of the Lynton and Barnstable Railway”. There was a second Leatherhead course in the throughout the year. spring of 2012. Bob Bryson