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!)
Monday, 24 August 2009
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.
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Day 3 - Saturday 22nd August
The day started with the news (uhum, slight bombshell) that having fitted the landscape to the map yesterday, the map was not the correct one for the area. This illustrates how it is really easy to "find" exactly what you are looking for if you try hard enough. This is not the setback it might seem as we had identified enough targets to demonstrate that the landscape at Pwyll Court and Court Farm has changed over a period of time, and that features have been found that are worthy of recording for their own sake.
Today was spent making records of ten features, mainly agricultural, that would have been overlooked and possibly lost in time. Our "finds" include a decorated stone gate post, several platforms and lynchets, remains of stone walls, a track and possibly a stone building. These will be reported to CPAT for the HER.
Later in the day we travelled up the valley to look for the more obvious sites and to get a "feel" for the terrain. Those who had not travelled this way before were amazed at the beauty and peacefulness of the valley. It is timeless.
On Sunday we will be working at the Neuadd. Meet 9.30 at village car park or 9.50ish at the Neuadd. Take the south side road up the Dyffryn. Just past the junction where the road returns along the north side of the valley turn in left and park near first cottage. You will see the blue truck.
Today was spent making records of ten features, mainly agricultural, that would have been overlooked and possibly lost in time. Our "finds" include a decorated stone gate post, several platforms and lynchets, remains of stone walls, a track and possibly a stone building. These will be reported to CPAT for the HER.
Later in the day we travelled up the valley to look for the more obvious sites and to get a "feel" for the terrain. Those who had not travelled this way before were amazed at the beauty and peacefulness of the valley. It is timeless.
On Sunday we will be working at the Neuadd. Meet 9.30 at village car park or 9.50ish at the Neuadd. Take the south side road up the Dyffryn. Just past the junction where the road returns along the north side of the valley turn in left and park near first cottage. You will see the blue truck.
Friday, 21 August 2009
Day 2 - Friday 21st August
Considering the rain at the start of the day we were blessed with bright sunshine and just the occasional shower today. 15 people came along and this allowed us to work in 3 groups. We walked designated fields and noted features of interest. After lunch 1 team recorded features in a large field which has lost some of its original boundaries and contains a number of lumps and bumps. The other two groups went in search of a lane shown at the west side of the 1587 map. It defied us for a while, but with persistence it was located and traced. We also established a possible site for a house and two outbuildings show on the oldest map. This may make an interesting area for excavation later in the project. Overall the field boundaries are much altered from the 1587 and 1760 maps.
We will be returning to Pwll Court tomorrow to complete recording of the features found today. It has made us realise that even with a significant number of people the project as a whole is a monumental task. Thanks to everybody who turned out today. It was great to see more old friends.
Saturday - meet at village car park at 9.30 or Pwll Court entrance at 10.00. Look out for the blue truck parked inside the farm entrance.
We will be returning to Pwll Court tomorrow to complete recording of the features found today. It has made us realise that even with a significant number of people the project as a whole is a monumental task. Thanks to everybody who turned out today. It was great to see more old friends.
Saturday - meet at village car park at 9.30 or Pwll Court entrance at 10.00. Look out for the blue truck parked inside the farm entrance.
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Day 1 Thursday 20th August
In all 23 people met at the Red Lion. Dr Bezant gave a short talk and explained what we hope to achieve over the 15 days of the project. Bob Sylvester (CPAT) gave the background to the maps available for the survey. He showed examples of the Badminton atlas (1587) and told us about his work using these maps in the Dyffryn Crawnon. He extended his talk to the later maps (1760) and showed an example of how encroachment had taken place on common land at Llangattock. Bob gave some helpful suggestions of tasks we might undertake, given that there are gaps in the area covered by the Badminton survey. He also directed us to some of the grey literature, which will allow us to research further.
After lunch we walked to a field site in Castle Road to assess how we might go about recording, and as the walk progressed ideas about the features we might like to cover, and the variety of methods we could use were generated. The walk continued on a triangular route back to top village where we took the opportunity to look at some of the older cottages and to look at Persondy Field, the site of excavations up to 2002.
Thank you to everybody who supported the first day. I look forward to day 2. As usual, meet in the car park opposite the village hall at 9.30. The focus for day 2 will be Pwyll Court and Court Farm. These can be found on the road from top village up the east side of the Dyffryn Crawnon. Walking from the church gate head up hill on the wider road and bear right in front of the Beaufort. Prepare for showers.
After lunch we walked to a field site in Castle Road to assess how we might go about recording, and as the walk progressed ideas about the features we might like to cover, and the variety of methods we could use were generated. The walk continued on a triangular route back to top village where we took the opportunity to look at some of the older cottages and to look at Persondy Field, the site of excavations up to 2002.
Thank you to everybody who supported the first day. I look forward to day 2. As usual, meet in the car park opposite the village hall at 9.30. The focus for day 2 will be Pwyll Court and Court Farm. These can be found on the road from top village up the east side of the Dyffryn Crawnon. Walking from the church gate head up hill on the wider road and bear right in front of the Beaufort. Prepare for showers.
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
The night before.....
......not quite Christmas! But every bit as exciting.
Hopefully everything is now in place for the project. We have volunteers for every day, a talk to get us started, a leader with a vision, essential kit retrieved from its hiding place, initial research and documents to show us the way and permission to visit the majority of sites we are interested in - and a few others besides.
Personally I am looking forward to meeting those of you who are coming along for the first time, and to catch up with those who are old friends to Llangynidr History Society.
We start indoors tomorrow at the Red Lion (near the church for those who do not know the village). Dr. Bezant and Bob Sylvester are going to set the scene for us in an informal session, with coffee. After lunch we will be visiting a nearby site to practice recording and measuring.
For the remaining days - meet in the car park opposite the village hall at 9.30. Bring lunch and plenty of liquid refreshment and outdoor clothing appropriate to the weather conditions. We will return to the car park at around 4.30 each afternoon. For those who cannot come at the start of the day I will be posting venues on the blog so you will know where to find us if you come later.
Hopefully everything is now in place for the project. We have volunteers for every day, a talk to get us started, a leader with a vision, essential kit retrieved from its hiding place, initial research and documents to show us the way and permission to visit the majority of sites we are interested in - and a few others besides.
Personally I am looking forward to meeting those of you who are coming along for the first time, and to catch up with those who are old friends to Llangynidr History Society.
We start indoors tomorrow at the Red Lion (near the church for those who do not know the village). Dr. Bezant and Bob Sylvester are going to set the scene for us in an informal session, with coffee. After lunch we will be visiting a nearby site to practice recording and measuring.
For the remaining days - meet in the car park opposite the village hall at 9.30. Bring lunch and plenty of liquid refreshment and outdoor clothing appropriate to the weather conditions. We will return to the car park at around 4.30 each afternoon. For those who cannot come at the start of the day I will be posting venues on the blog so you will know where to find us if you come later.
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Just 5 days to go before we start
With just 5 days until the first day of the project I am pleased to say that everything is going well. The vast majority of people asked have indicated that they are happy for the volunteers to look at their properties. There are a good number of people who have committed to coming along on a daily basis, and about an equal number who have indicated that they will also be turning up as their other commitments allow. The first day is proving to be very popular.
On day one we will meet at 10.00 in the Red Lion to hear Bob Sylvester speak and to allow Jemma Bezant to give us information to get us started. On the subsequent days we will meet at 9.30 in the village car park, opposite the village hall. I will try to put details on the blog each evening so that volunteers who cannot join us at the start of the day will know roughly where to find us if they are coming later. Generally we try to take as few vehicles as possible to the sites as the roads are narrow and parking is very limited.
As a general rule volunteers will need stout shoes, plenty of liquid refreshment, a packed lunch, waterproof clothing if the weather dictates and sun protection. A mobile phone may be useful, but the reception is patchy and dependant on your network, so don't count on being able to get the cricket scores or being able to order a pizza delivery for lunch. A sense of humour is not compulsory, but it goes a long way in the rain.
We extend a warm welcome to those volunteers who are new to our summer projects and look forward to getting reacquainted with the weather beaten stalwarts who have passed this way before.
PS don't forget to add this blog to your favourites so you can find it easily in future.
On day one we will meet at 10.00 in the Red Lion to hear Bob Sylvester speak and to allow Jemma Bezant to give us information to get us started. On the subsequent days we will meet at 9.30 in the village car park, opposite the village hall. I will try to put details on the blog each evening so that volunteers who cannot join us at the start of the day will know roughly where to find us if they are coming later. Generally we try to take as few vehicles as possible to the sites as the roads are narrow and parking is very limited.
As a general rule volunteers will need stout shoes, plenty of liquid refreshment, a packed lunch, waterproof clothing if the weather dictates and sun protection. A mobile phone may be useful, but the reception is patchy and dependant on your network, so don't count on being able to get the cricket scores or being able to order a pizza delivery for lunch. A sense of humour is not compulsory, but it goes a long way in the rain.
We extend a warm welcome to those volunteers who are new to our summer projects and look forward to getting reacquainted with the weather beaten stalwarts who have passed this way before.
PS don't forget to add this blog to your favourites so you can find it easily in future.
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