Binham Local History Group Binham Local History Group, Priory Cottage, Binham, Norfolk NR21 0DW 01328 830270

A SUMMER OUTING

On the 3rd June twenty members of our Local History Group set off on our summer outing to three Norfolk churches under the guidance of Matthew Champion, an expert in the subject of Mediaeval wall paintings.

We started at All Saints, Weston Longville, (of Parson Woodforde fame), where we saw 14th century paintings of St John the Baptist and St John the Divine either side of the beautiful rood screen. But perhaps the highlight was the very well preserved Jesse tree, painted around 1350 and covering a large part of the north aisle wall. We were also shown the clear outlines of a Saxon Calvary carved into the base of the font.

From Weston Longville we went in convoy to St Faiths, Little Witchingham, (you get there by turning towards the Bernard Matthews signpost in the middle of Lenwade - church key in the farm opposite). When we were let in, we let out a collective "Wow!" This tiny church, reclaimed by Mrs Eve Baker in 1975 and restored thanks to the Norfolk Churches Trust, enjoys the clear remains of a complete set of mediaeval painting covering most of the walls plus the fragment of a Calvary on an outside wall.

From Witchingham we all went our separate ways for lunch and met again at the enormous church of St Agnes, Cawston. Apart from the size of the place, the highlights were the magnificent rood screen, the carved angels and other figures in the roof and a well-preserved wall painting, possibly of St Agnes, possibly of the Virgin Mary on the east wall of the south transept.

Our speaker was very informative, explaining how the artists would have set about their work and the colours they used. It was a gloriously sunny day and a great day was had by all.

Allan Eagle

MORE HOLES IN BINHAM

Under the auspices of our Local History Group, the village of Binham is fast becoming beset with metre cube holes! At the beginning of July we were, for the third time, delighted to welcome the 'time' Team from Cambridge University under the leadership of TV personality Carenza Lewis. Ten pits were dug over two days, nine by young people from three local schools and one in charge of local detectorist Cliff Hudson.

The participants had spent the previous day at Cambridge where they had been instructed in the procedures and documentation in order to ensure that the results were consistent with those of the previous digs. The following two days started in the Priory for local instruction and then the teams were escorted to their designated plots. All credit to the diggers as both days proved to be extremely hot which made the ground extremely hard to excavate. Large quantities of water were consumed.

Understandably, a large collection of Victorian pottery was found but finds in the grounds of 'The Chequers' and on the Playing Field disclosed signs of Roman and Saxon occupation. Over 500 pieces of identifiable pottery were unearthed with the most (166) being found in the grounds of Victoria Cottage. In addition there were many finds of bone and glass in all the pits and one so-called 'feature' which was possibly a pre-historic ring ditch.

At the end of the final day everybody retired to the Priory where Carenza plotted on a screen the time frame of the current finds superimposed on the results of the previous two digs. The results clearly indicated the 'who and where' of the earlier inhabitants of our village from AD100 up to date.

Many thanks are extended to the brave householders in allowing their precious gardens to be attacked. The team has obviously found out what we already know –that Binham is a most hospitable place – as they are planning to return in due course for Mini-Dig 4.

If you read this in time, look out for the Community Mini-Dig to be held on the two days from 31st July. This is our contribution to the Festival of British Archaeology and we hope to have 4 or 5 pits in and around the village. The results will be recorded in the same way as the other mini-digs and the finds sent to Cambridge for identification.

Allan Eagle

Festival of British Archaeology

The Festival of British Archaeology is a nationwide fortnight long extravaganza of heritage events, running from 17th July to 1st August, aiming to celebrate archaeology for all, and encouraging people to get involved in archaeology. It is made up of hundreds of events across the UK.

Saturday 31st July & Sunday 1st August

The Binham Local History Group is organising a COMMUNITY DIG, which will be part of this National Festival. Catherine Ranson will be here the whole weekend to supervise the digging of 4 or more mini pits in Binham. Catherine, known as Cat, is the Archaeological Supervisor for H.E.F.A. with an MSc degree in Forensic and Biological Anthropology. All the results will be recorded in detail and will be included in the ongoing H.E.F.A. research which is being coordinated by Carenza.

We are not only looking for enthusiastic diggers, there are other jobs to do as well: recording each ten centimetre layer as it is dug, sifting the spoil, washing the finds, perhaps providing sustenance and more. So, if you would like to help in any way for all or part of that weekend, please contact Carolyn Wright.

Lectures for 2010 – 2011

23rd Sept. Matthew Champion - Kett's Rebellion 28th Oct. Charlotte Paton - King of the Norfolk Poachers
25th Nov. Minstrels' Gallery - A Plain and East Introduction to Early Music.
13th Dec. Peter Trudgill - History of the Norfolk Dialect
27th Jan. Christopher Hartop - The Paston Treasure 24th Feb. John Labouchere - An Andean Horseback Adventure.
24th March Derek Edwards - The Archaeology of Norfolk from the Air

All meetings (except the December Monday meeting) are on Thursdays at 7.30 p.m. in the Binham Village Hall. Annual Membership remains unchanged at £5 per couple, £3 single. The charge at each talk is £2 per member, £3 for non-members.

Carolyn Wright, Priory Cottage, Binham NR21 0DW

Tel: 01328 830270 - email: cpwrightuk@aol.com