NASNEWS
Newsletter of Northamptonshire Archaeological Society
Website: www.northants-archaeology.org.uk

October 2005

NAS AGM & LECTURE BY STEVE PARRY, - LANDSCAPES OF UNCERTAINTY. NEW QUESTIONS CONCERNING ANCIENT SETTLEMENTS IN THE EAST MIDLANDS;  THE VIEW FROM RAUNDS. 

Thursday 8th December at the Jeffery Room, Guildhall, Northampton (close to the Museum, at the top of Guildhall Rd in the town centre). 
Doors open at 7pm, tea & coffee available. AGM commences at 7.15pm with the lecture starting at 7.30pm. Admission to both AGM and the lecture is free to all but as space is limited, must be on a first come first served basis. Nominations would be very welcome for new members to serve on the NAS Council; please submit any nominations to the Andy Chapman, NAS Secretary, c/o Northamptonshire Archaeology, Wootton Hall Park, Northampton NN4 8BE  E: achapman@northamptonshire.gov.uk
NAS are fortunate to welcome Steve Parry, Principal Archaeologist with the Northamptonshire’s foremost archaeological contractors, Northamptonshire Archaeology to give this NAS lecture. Steve is a long standing member of Northamptonshire Archaeological Society and led the archaeological survey component of the Raunds Area Project during the 1980s. To mark the forthcoming and eagerly awaited publication of the RAP Survey report, Steve will remind us of why and how the work was conducted and the new questions posed by its results. Come along and learn more about the Raunds Area Survey and its results.

ARCHAEOLOGY OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

The NAS book edited by Martin Tingle, The Archaeology of Northamptonshire which was launched at last years AGM has been selling well and there are now only 150 copies left of the first print run. The book is on sale in bookshops from £17.99. It is available by post from the NAS at  £12.99p plus £2.50 postage for NAS members and  £14.50p plus £2.50 postage for non members. Please make cheques payable to N.A.S. and send orders to NAS, Dial House, High Street, Creaton, Northants NN6 8NA. 

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGY VOLUME 31

Preparation of the next volume of the NAS journal Northamptonshire Archaeology (for 2004) is well advanced. It is anticipated that the volume will be available for distribution early in 2006. The main papers are on sites at Earls Barton, Harringworth, Stanwick Quarry and Higham Ferrers. 
 
30th ANNIVERSARY PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION

Just a reminder that the closing date for the NAS photographic competition launched last year as part of our 30th Anniversary celebrations, has been extended to 1st January 2006. Members of NAS, of other local societies in Northamptonshire and anyone else with an involvement or  interest in the archaeology of Northamptonshire is invited to enter. The competition theme is a record of any aspect of archaeology within Northamptonshire in the last 30years. This can involve field survey, excavation, post excavation work, finds, historic landscape, historic buildings, industrial archaeology, a NAS or other local society event or activity or indeed any aspect of the wide field of archaeology as practised in the historic county of Northamptonshire. 
The photographer whose photograph best represents the competition theme, as judged by the NAS Committee, will receive a cash prize of £50. A second prize of £25 will also be awarded.   In additional two junior prizes (aged 16 or under), each of £20, will be awarded. A copy of the competition rules and an application form are available on request from Graham Cadman, contact details below.

PORTABLE ANTIQUITIES SCHEME 

The Midlands PAS Newsletter No3, which features amongst other objects, an Anglo-Scandinavian, Jellinge style disc brooch from the south of Northamptonshire, is now available free from Tom Brindle, Northamptonshire Finds Liaison Officer. Tom has also produced an exciting series of travelling finds suitcases to help promote the local scheme at events and lectures. Tom can be contacted on 01604 237249 or at tbrindle@northamptonshire.gov.uk

In addition, the national Portable Antiquities Scheme has recently launched a new website www.pastexplorers.org.uk   This provides an interactive children’s site about archaeological finds. It is aimed to be a teaching and learning resource, both for formal and informal learning and links in with the national curriculum (Key stage 2). Well worth viewing.

23rd BRIXWORTH LECTURE

The Friends of All Saints’ Church, Brixworth and the University of Leicester are holding the 23rd Brixworth lecture at 5pm (tea from 4pm) on Saturday 5th November at All Saint’s Church, Brixworth. Prof Susan Rankin of the University of Cambridge will present a talk entitled ‘Music to Adorn the Liturgy of the Anglo-Saxon church’. Prof Rankin’s talk will be illustrated with contemporary Anglo-Saxon music provided by Christopher Hodkinson and Jesse Billett. 

Tickets £5 on the door (£3 students and ‘Friends’) or in advance by post (please enclose a s.a.e. with cheques payable to ‘Friends of All Saints, Brixworth’) to John Dawkin, 15 Kennel Terrace, Brixworth, Northampton NN6 9DL. Tel: 01604 880604  brixworth.friends@virgin.net

TRADITIONAL SIGNPOSTS

A new leaflet, jointly produced by the Department of Transport, Countryside Agency, CPRE and English Heritage urges the rescue from decay of fingerposts and milestones along with other advice. The oldest known example of a fingerpost, from the Cotswolds, dates to the late 17th century. They were later widely used by Turnpike Trusts with early 20th century signs being erected initially by the RAC and AA. The leaflet, called ‘Traffic Directional Signs’ is available via the English Heritage website.  The Northamptonshire Sites and Monuments Record (SMR - PO Box 163, County Hall, Northampton NN1 1AX tel: 01604 237246) would welcome information about local fingerposts and milestones.  Members concerned about the condition of any fingerpost or milestone, should contact the County Council Highways Engineers via the Street Doctor Service website at  www.northamptonshire.gov.uk or call 0845 601 1113 (local rate number) or write to The Street Doctor, NCC, Riverside Hse, Bedford Rd, Northampton NN1 5NX. 

MAGIC

Members not already familiar with the web-based interactive environmental mapping provided at  www.magic.giv.uk may be interested to know that it can be used to provide access to information on key environmental schemes and designations. For example it can provide details of the location and boundary of Scheduled Monuments, Registered Parks and Gardens, World Heritage Sites and SSSI’s across Northamptonshire.     

NAS SUBSCRIPTION REMINDER

Subscriptions were due for renewal on 1st September 2004. Subscription rates remain extremely good value at an unchanged £10 for individuals, £12 family, £8 student and £15 Local Association. We would encourage members to sign up to Gift Aid as this provides some valuable additional income to your Society. If you are renewing your subscription or want a Gift Aid form, please contact  Pat Chapman (Membership Secretary) Northamptonshire Archaeology, 2, Bolton House, Wootton Hall Park, Northampton NN4 9 BE. Those in subscription arrears may not receive the next Journal.
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This NASNEWS edited by                                    
Graham Cadman, 90 Lower Thrift Street, Northampton NN1 5HP    email c/o: gcadman@northamptonshire.gov.uk