I am in the north preparing for a conference at Buxton.
Jemma writes: Today we investigated more of the fascinating Tyle Farm and also a ruined building known as Tir Bullock. The weather let us down occasionally, but the Richardson's obliged with coffee and fabulous views from their living room. Rodger has lead an excellent geophysical survey in the vicinity of Castle Farm with the able assistance of David and Michael. Results are enigmatic but no definite castle so far. The odds of there actually being a castle are looking good - we have yet to find it though!
Work will continue on Saturday.
If you want to see first hand what is happening the whole team will be at the Llangynidr Agricultural Show on Sunday.
Friday 28 August 2009
Thursday 27 August 2009
Day 6 - Thursday 27th August
I am pleased to report that Rodger Burchell came today and undertook some magnetometry in an area around Castle Road. The results are not in yet and I will let you know when we have some answers.
A second group visited Tyle and Tyle Bach. Many thanks to the Richardson family who have been supporting us from day 1 and have provided information about this location. As hoped, the 1587 map fits perfectly.
Friday will be a follow up to today. Meet in the car park at 9.30, as usual.
Wednesday 26 August 2009
Breaking news
CPAT have asked us to look at their online historical environmental record. This is the destination for the data we are collecting through our survey. We are privileged to be asked to do this as its not public yet.
If you would like to have a go, the link is below. Let Jan or Jemma know how you got on. We will feed back to CPAT.
http://www.herwales.co.uk/her/app/pub/
My first impression is that the search criteria are many and if you are looking for something specific you could miss it by entering the wrong term, even if its close. If you keep the search broad and get over 100 hundred hits you are restricted to the first 100 hits(letters ABC) and anything further down the alphabet cannot be accessed. Its a start, and as yet there are gaps in it, but the work we are doing is designed to help fill them, as well as to educate us. Overall its a useful tool and we should make every effort to contribute as much as we can.
If you would like to have a go, the link is below. Let Jan or Jemma know how you got on. We will feed back to CPAT.
http://www.herwales.co.uk/her/app/pub/
My first impression is that the search criteria are many and if you are looking for something specific you could miss it by entering the wrong term, even if its close. If you keep the search broad and get over 100 hundred hits you are restricted to the first 100 hits(letters ABC) and anything further down the alphabet cannot be accessed. Its a start, and as yet there are gaps in it, but the work we are doing is designed to help fill them, as well as to educate us. Overall its a useful tool and we should make every effort to contribute as much as we can.
Preparing for week 2
Hello everybody. I hope you have all had a relaxing two days off. It all kicks off again on Thursday with a short trip to Tyle, which is in the first part of the valley as you leave the village.
Some of you will be familiar with this map as its the one we mistakenly fitted to Pwyll Court!
Meet as usual at the car park at 9.30. New volunteers are always welcome. At least four of the first weeks workers have to go back to the day jobs, so any time you can spare will be brilliant.
Stop press - volunteer needed on Thursday to help with magnetometry. Will need to be totally metal free. I am told flip flops and pyjamas are the best outfit for the job. Those with hip replacements and bolts in their neck are ruled out sorry.
Some of you will be familiar with this map as its the one we mistakenly fitted to Pwyll Court!
Meet as usual at the car park at 9.30. New volunteers are always welcome. At least four of the first weeks workers have to go back to the day jobs, so any time you can spare will be brilliant.
Stop press - volunteer needed on Thursday to help with magnetometry. Will need to be totally metal free. I am told flip flops and pyjamas are the best outfit for the job. Those with hip replacements and bolts in their neck are ruled out sorry.
Monday 24 August 2009
Day 5 - Monday 24th August
Ten intrepid souls braved the morning showers and recorded a platform and barn at The Neuadd. After lunch some of the group ranged further afield and came back with that grin that tells you they have found something special. A series of platforms between the branches of a fast flowing stream could be anything, but we are hoping for a mill site. We will get this checked out next week.
On the subject of mills there is a reference to the Lord's mill in the manorial survey and another about 1km downstream from it on the Crawnon. Late in the afternoon a party set off to see what remains of these sites. At this time it is inconclusive, but again warrants further investigation and can be looked into.
The project has a two day break and will resume on Thursday. I would like to thank all those who have come along this week. Your input has been invaluable. I will put a notice in place on Wednesday when Jemma has decided the priorities for next week.
Breaking news - we have a volunteer who specialises in geophysics who will be working with us for a few days next week. Perhaps we can locate that illusive castle that Castle Road is named after (or kill the myth altogether!)
On the subject of mills there is a reference to the Lord's mill in the manorial survey and another about 1km downstream from it on the Crawnon. Late in the afternoon a party set off to see what remains of these sites. At this time it is inconclusive, but again warrants further investigation and can be looked into.
The project has a two day break and will resume on Thursday. I would like to thank all those who have come along this week. Your input has been invaluable. I will put a notice in place on Wednesday when Jemma has decided the priorities for next week.
Breaking news - we have a volunteer who specialises in geophysics who will be working with us for a few days next week. Perhaps we can locate that illusive castle that Castle Road is named after (or kill the myth altogether!)
Sunday 23 August 2009
Day 4 - Sunday 23rd August
A very interesting day. A happy band of 12 workers met up at The Neuadd. Initially we explored further the possible site of a chapel of ease. The evidence for this site is mainly folk memory with three enticing place names. In 1809 the antiquarian Theophilus Jones reported this as a pile of stones, and so the mystery continues and perhaps tomorrow we will get a few answers.
After a very civilised coffee break we split into three teams and set out field walking. Each group was able to report at least one site that was hitherto unrecorded by the end of the afternoon. There are several places which warrant closer examination and this will take place on Monday. Those without a head for heights, or weak legs need not apply.
On the other hand, if you are a "digger" there will be a job for you tomorrow!
For Monday's session, meet at the car park opposite the village hall at 9.30, or at The Neuadd at about 10.00. See yesterdays blog for directions. Thanks are due to the householders and landowner at the site for their tolerance and support.
After a very civilised coffee break we split into three teams and set out field walking. Each group was able to report at least one site that was hitherto unrecorded by the end of the afternoon. There are several places which warrant closer examination and this will take place on Monday. Those without a head for heights, or weak legs need not apply.
On the other hand, if you are a "digger" there will be a job for you tomorrow!
For Monday's session, meet at the car park opposite the village hall at 9.30, or at The Neuadd at about 10.00. See yesterdays blog for directions. Thanks are due to the householders and landowner at the site for their tolerance and support.
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