Archaeology in Marlow www.archaeologyinmarlow.org.uk

NEWSLETTER Volume 18 Issue No: 4 August 2019 AiM’s Forthcoming Events

Thursday 12th September at 8pm in the Main Hall of Liston Hall, Chapel Street, Marlow, SL7 1DD. (This is an MAS Joint talk with AIM)

‘Anglo-Saxon Estates and Defences’ (thoughts on Wessex and the Thames Valley)

a talk by Dr Ryan Lavelle

This talk will investigate royal landholdings in Anglo-Saxon Wessex, and politics and war- fare in the 9th and 11th century England. The subject has local appeal, as Cookham was a royal estate in the Anglo-Saxon period with an early minster, then a burghal hidage fort of Alfred the Great in defence against Viking raids.

Photograph courtesy of Hugh Mothersole

Members of AIM and MAS £3, visitors £4.50

There is Free Parking in the adjacent car park after 7pm

1 AiM’s Events at a Glance

Future Events

‘Bucks Archaeological Sites from the Air’ by Mike Farley at 8pm, Thursday 17th Octo- ber, in the Garden Room of Liston Hall, Chapel Street, Marlow, SL7 1DD.

Members of AIM and MAS £3, visitors £4.50

There is Free Parking in the adjacent car park after 7pm ------

‘Beacons of the Past’ hillfort project by Ed Peveler

Thursday 14th November at 8pm in the Main Hall of Liston Hall, Chapel Street, Marlow, SL7 1DD.

(AIM Joint talk with MAS)

Members of AIM and MAS £3, visitors £4.50

There is Free Parking in the adjacent car park after 7pm

Hunt’s of Marlow

For First Class DIY, Hardware and Garden Supplies

35 Station Road, Marlow Tel 01628 488228

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Obituary - Dave Greenwood

I am sad to report that Dave Greenwood passed away in early June. Some members will remember Dave as one of the founding members of AIM. Dave was the first Chairman of AIM and was elected to the position of Secretary between 2004 and 2008.

Dave was also a member of AIM’s Fieldwork and Research Group and contributed much in both areas. During the ROMADAM Project (Recording of Marlow’s Ancient Monu- ments), Dave concentrated most on the First World War Training Trenches at Marlow Common. Dave spent much time establishing how the extensive network could be sur- veyed and recorded. Sixteen visits during 2005 ensured that the whole network was rec- orded (see graphic below).

In 2007 three Mayors (Marlow, Great Marlow and Medmenham) attended the unveiling of AIM’s information board at Marlow Common. Dave and the Mayors can be seen in the photography below.

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CBA Talk by CBA Trustee, Sue Dormer

gists’ Club (YAC) for 8 to 16 year olds, which now has nearly 100 branches and in 1995 the CBA mag- azine was launched, which has now had 167 issues (so far).

Each year the CBA organises and promotes its Fes- tival of Archaeology. This year it began on the 13th of July at the British Museum. The Festival lasted for two weeks and, this year, is based on Archaeo- logical Science and Technology. The CBA is on the All Party Parliamentary Archaeological Group (APPAG), liaises with the Office for Portable Antiq- uities, and contributes to projects such as HS2, the necessary repairs to Westminster Palace and the Stonehenge by-pass, as well as trying to resurrect ‘A’ Level Archaeology.

On the planned costly redevelopment of the A303 road running close to Stonehenge, Sue emphasised On Thursday the 20th of June, Sue Dormer gave the problems with the lengthy entrances and exits to AIM members a talk on the workings of the Council the tunnelled road, as well as the damage that for British Archaeology (CBA). Sue had spent 10 might be caused by construction traffic to a World years at the Museum of London and then taken up Heritage Site. Sue talked about the future of CBA a career in marketing; Sue then joined the CBA as a and the necessity to attract sponsorship to maintain Trustee. and expand its interests. They are currently seeking to employ a Fundraiser to gain more additional Sue commenced by saying that the CBA had been funds. established at the end of World War II in response to plans for the demolishing of bomb damaged The CBA received a grant from NLHF to establish a buildings, prior to new buildings being constructed, new strategy. This will help them to consult with var- without archaeological investigations taking place. ious bodies about the current shortage of Archaeol- ogists, the planned increase in housing across the The Council was founded 75 years ago for the UK, the problems that might occur due to Brexit and 'safeguarding of all kinds of archaeological material archaeological education in general. and the strengthening of existing measures for the care of ancient and historic buildings, monuments, This was an entertaining and informative talk, which and antiquities, and to improve public education was enjoyed by all. about archaeology’. John Laker During its existence, the CBA has been involved in many projects, bodies and enquiries over the years. In addition in 1972 it formed the Young Archaeolo- Saddle Safari CYCLE SALES & SERVICE 9 Dean Street, Marlow, Bucks, SL7 3AA. Tel. 01628 477020 www.saddlesafari.co.uk

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August’s Quiz Question

Q1 Who was the resident engineer for the building of the Marlow Branch Railway? Q2 On which building is there a commemorative plaque in his memory? Q3 What was this building used for in the first half of the 20th century? Prize for the AIM member with the first correct answers: One ticket to any talk organised by AIM. Email or phone your answer to Ann Pitwell, details on back page.

June’s Quiz Question and Answer

Toll roads have existed for a long time; trains have run to Marlow for decades. But in what year were regular bus services to Henley, Maidenhead and High Wycombe first available to the public?

Answer - In 1925 Marlow and District Motor Services Limited ran buses to Maiden- head, High Wycombe and Henley.

This company’s headquarters were in Glade road, with a slightly later garage in Victoria road.

Subsequently, services were taken over by the Thames Valley Traction Company, which merged with the Aldershot and District Company to become the A1alder Valley Compa- ny. No correct entries to the June Quiz were submitted

Marlow Market & Tony’s Grill Bar

Dean Street Car Park, Marlow

 A small friendly market offering large quantities of English and Foreign fruits and vegetables, along with fresh eggs, with discounts for bulk orders. Every Wednesday, 8.00am - 3.00pm  Fresh fish from Grimsby. Every Wednesday, 8.00am - 12.00 noon  The best kebabs, burgers and chicken in the UK. Every evening, 5pm - 12 midnight (2 am Fridays and Saturdays)

All enquiries - Peter Smith 07789-713099

5 Warren Wood Update

Wessex Archaeology have now provided us with their report on all the non-ceramic finds of flint, animal bone and metal. Thanks again to members Brian Vallis and Eileen Bottjer for col- lecting the finds and returning them to us. This report, along with the ceramics report from medieval pottery expert Paul Blinkhorn, have been added to the draft excavation report, which is nearing completion.

Wessex archaeology were able to identify the one interesting iron object that had been found during our WW14 project. This was a medieval prick spur, used in horse riding, which probably dates from the mid-11th century to the end of the 13th century.

Out of the 239 pieces of flint we sent for analysis, 57 struck flint flakes of probable late pre- historic date were identified. This means 76% of the flints were considered to be natural flint flakes, so we’re obviously not experts at identifying the worked pieces. One of the more in- teresting pieces was the tertiary flake below.

Martin Fowkes (Field Work Co-ordinator)

6 Other Organisations’ A talk given to AIMEvents on 25 April byand Louise Resources Fowler. Louise is an archaeolo-

Other Events of interest This is the information available to us at the time of publication, but we advise you to check as this may have changed since then. The website addresses given are sometimes copied from other publications and we cannot therefore guarantee they

Marlow Society Marlow Museum Town Walks Saturdays and Sundays 1-5pm, Wednes- Saturday 17 August 2pm (Victorian days 2-5pm. Marlow) & We aim to open as many Bank Holidays Sunday 15 September 2pm (Mar-Oct) as we can 1-5pm Meet at Marlow Museum, Peacock Room, Court Garden Leisure Centre ‘The Story of Marlow from Prehistory to Higginson Park, Pound Lane, Marlow the Present Day’ Celebrating the 10th SL7 2AE Anniversary of Marlow Museum. £2.50, children free [email protected] This exhibition is the result of several months of research and compilation by members of the museum and supporters from other societies. Supporting booklets Marlow Society Local History Group available ‘The Story of Marlow’ 4.50 and Monday 19 August 2019 8.00pm ‘Stories of Marlow for Children’ £2. ‘Insights into Marlow’s Past’ Peacock Room, Court Garden Leisure Cen- Garden Room, Liston Hall tre, Higginson Park, Pound Lane, Marlow Marlow SL7 1DD SL7 2AE £3 visitors £2 members, 01628 472579 Free entry, donations welcome http://www.marlowsociety.org.uk/ www.marlowmuseum.org events/

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