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Wednesday October 25th 2023. CAMP visit to Ilchester, Somerset
Six of us had a really enjoyable day in Ilchester
We looked at all the things on the history trail, including the oppidum, Roman town/fort walls, Medieval town boundary, nunnery, friary , jail etc, everything dating up to quite modern times.
The museum, open today,(the last day until Easter), was packed with artefacts ranging from Iron Age through to 19th Century, in two small rooms. They even managed to fit in a Roman lead coffin plus the skeleton.
We just missed a group of children ( half term) hence all the Roman clothing to try on. Needless to say we had a Roman helmet wearing demonstration.........very good.
We managed to obtain the key to St. Andrews church which is under the care of The Churches Conservation Trust. A very lovely space.
Lunch consisted of cheesy chips in the Ilchester Arms. Thoroughly recommended.
Our thanks to John who guided us. He arranged the weather for us too. Perfect. I can’t believe we packed in so much.
These lovely " forgotten" towns in Somerset, that we just drive through, are so deceptive.
Linda. Secretary CAMP
The group during their tour of Ilchester
Friday March 10th 2023. CAMP visit to Avalon Archaeology Park on the Somerset Levels
Members outside the Saxon Hall
The replica Saxon Hall
Inside the Saxon Hall
The recently opened Avalon Archaeology Park has been constructed by over 100 volunteers under the auspices of the South West Heritage Trust and Heritage Lottery Grant funding. It comprises a Saxon Hall, Roman villa and an Iron Age roundhouse, at present under construction.
The Roman Villa, complete with underfloor heating
Handmade tesserae
Mosaic floor in the making
Sunday February 26th 2023. Members' Day
Our annual Members' Day featured talks related to our Chewton Excavations. Julie Bassett ran a workshop on recognising flint types from our collection, Ann Bihan spoke on the history of the name 'The Priory' given to the Waldegrave mansion which stood at Bathway until the 1950s, and the names connection with our dig site. Pip Osborne explained the significance of the analysis done by Clare Randall on our animal bones from the dig and finally Rosemary Walker talked about her researches into the history of the Poor Houses of Chewton.
Talk given by member Julie Bassett on flints
