Christmas Social

Huge thanks to The Ship Inn, in West Cowick, for hosting our Christmas Social on Tuesday, 5th December 2023.  A wonderful meal was followed by an excellent (and challenging!) quiz put together by Richard.  We were also treated to a display of metal detecting finds by our excellent metal-detectorist, Phil.

We all agreed that this was a lovely start to the festive season!  

The Archaeology of Jersey

On Thursday, 9th November 2023 one of our members, Anthony Scott-Warren, presented a fascinating talk on the archaeology of Jersey.  

We learned about Jersey's history from prehistoric times right up to the German occupation in WW2.  The presentation was accompanied by videos of local sites and by a real treat ... tasting samples of Jersey Black Butter!  Known in Jèrriais as lé nièr beurre, this looks like Marmite, but is actually a dark spicy spread made from apples, spices (including liquorice) sugar and lemons.  It is a traditional specialty of Jersey and is delicious!  Thank you, Anthony!

On Thursday, 12th October 2023 we were treated to an excellent talk by Dr. Peter Halkon, on the excavations at Brough.

Peter told us about the many excavations which have taken place on the site, beginning in the 17th century, when the first evidence of Roman activity in the area was documented.  However, it was another 300 years before any systematic excavations took place. The first, in 1933-1937, focused on the Burrs Playing Field (then known as Bozzes Field) in the centre of the modern town. It was directed by Philip Corder (later Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries of London), with the rather appropriately named Rev. Thomas Romans, and revealed traces of a sequence of forts, a stone wall with external towers, and various buildings. The highlight of their work, however, was a stone inscription discovered by their foreman, Bertie Gott, and now held by Hull Museum. Its text recorded the presentation of a proscaenium, or stage for a theatre, by Marcus Ulpius Januarius, an aedile (an official responsible for public buildings and other civic duties) during the reign of Antoninus Pius, c.AD 140. (https://the-past.com/feature/petuaria-revisited-searching-for-brough-on-humbers-lost-roman-theatre/ )

Further excavations have taken place, the most recent being during the Summer of 2023.  An amazing number of finds have been recorded over the years but, sadly, the site of the theatre continues to evade them.  The quest continues ...

Wressle Castle Visit

We were very fortunate to be offered a tour of the amazing Wressle Castle on Wednesday, 27th September 2023, organised by Stephen Lonsdale.

Wressle Castle was built around 1390 for Sir Thomas Percy, whose descendants still own Alnwick Castle in Northumbria.  The castle, which is now privately-owned, even provided lodgings to King Henry VIII for three nights in 1541!

The demise of the buildings began during the English Civil War when it was garrisoned by Parliamentarians.  The King ordered it to be demolished, apart from the south wing, which was used as a manor house and is all that remains of the castle today.

Grateful thanks to Stephen for organising this and to Robert Falkingham for his hospitality and for doing such a wonderful job on the restoration and preservation of this fascinating site!

Hook Into Archaeology - A Heritage Open Day Event

On Saturday, 9th September 2023 we held an exhibition in the Memorial Hall, Hook, celebrating the archaeology and history of the area.  We focussed on our recent digs and gave visitors opportunities to handle and discuss archaeological finds and to learn more about the sites that we have investigated, especially the medieval moated manor site in Hook.

Despite the very hot day and the road closure in Hook, we were pleased to welcome a number of very interested visitors.  

Thank you to everyone who helped out on the day!

Skipwith History and Archaeology Walk

We enjoyed a very informative walk around Skipwith on Saturday, 2nd September 2023.  This was led by Jon Kenny and Stephen Lonsdale and included a tour of the moated site and of Skipwith Church, with its amazing Viking drawing.

Thank you, Jon and Stephen, for a very interesting afternoon!  

Tour of Ellerton Church

On Saturday, 19th August 2023, Phil Thomas treated us to a superb guided tour of the Priory Church of St Mary the Virgin and St Lawrence at Ellerton.  What an amazing job Ellerton Church Preservation Trust has done in restoring this wonderful church!  Thank you for a very informative - and fun! - afternoon, Phil !

Thank you to Anthony Scott Warren for the use of his photographs of the Church and of the beautiful East window.

PS:  If you missed this tour, or would like to visit again, the Church will be open to visitors from 10.30 - 5pm on Sunday, 10th September 2023 as part of the Heritage Open Days.  There will be interesting displays, book sales, local produce and cards for all occasions, amongst other things.   

Phil Thomas will be running his superbly informative guided tours of the church and the site at 11.30.am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm, and  trustee Michael Thomas will be providing refreshments.  His cakes are definitely not to be missed!

Summer Social

Many thanks to our Chair, Stephen, for organising our Summer Social, which was held on Thursday, 10th August 2023 at The Wellington Hotel, Howden.

It was lovely to catch up with everyone!  And there wasn't a trowel in sight!!

Hook History and Archaeology Walk

Our Community Archaeologist, Jon Kenny, led an informative and fun walk around Hook on Sunday, 16th July 2023.  This was closely linked to our 2023 excavation on the moated site in Hook.  

Many thanks, yet again, to our "Unofficial Society Photographer", Jane!  😊

The Inclesmoor Map

Our final talk of the Winter 2022 - 2023 Season was on the medieval Inclesmoor Map.  

The map was created around 1407, possibly to illustrate a boundary dispute between the Duchy of Lancaster and St Mary's Abbey, York.  It covers an area of around 200 square miles across East Yorkshire (previously West Yorkshire) and may be seen at The National Archives.

The Archaeology of Abbots Staith, Selby

On Thursday, 16th February 2023, we were treated to an excellent talk by Mark Simpson, on "The Archaeology of Abbots Staith, Selby".

Abbots Staith is a Grade II* Medieval warehouse, which once formed part of the Selby Abbey complex.  More information on this historic building may be found at their website:  https://www.abbotsstaith.co.uk

The Changing Face of Howden

On Thursday, 19th January 2023, Susan Butler very kindly "dug the Archaeological Society out of a deep hole" (to quote Gary!), stepping in at the last minute to give us a fascinating illustrated talk on "The Changing Face of Howden".

Susan has a strong background in historical research and has been researching Howden, Goole and the surrounding Yorkshire villages for many years on a professional basis.  Susan has also published many local history books about the district.

Her excellent Howdenshire History website may be found here:  http://www.howdenshirehistory.co.uk