THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY 110th ANNUAL REPORT

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1 THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY 11th ANNUAL REPORT Seven General Meetings of the Society were held, at which the following papers were read: 1964 r6 September J. M. Lee, Esq., M.A., B.Litt.: "The Gartree Hnndred". An address to mark the publication of Victoria County History of Leicestershire, Volume 5. 9 October Annual General Meeting in the Guildhall followed by a Social Evening. 2 November E. Clive Rouse, Esq., M.B.E., F.S.A.: "Some post-reformation Schemes of Painting in Churches". rr December January 26 March 3 April Professor J.M. C. Toynbee, F.S.A.: "Some Roman Monuments of Spain and Northern Italy". Joint Lecture with Vaughan Archaeological and Historical Society. Dr. Joan Thirsk, F.R.Hist.S.: "Farming in the Open Fields". D. T-D. Clarke, Esq., M.A., F.M.A., F.S.A.: "From Canton to Colonia". P. A. Clayton, Esq., F.L.A., F.R.N.S., Dip.Arch.: "The Tomb of Tutankhamnn". All lecture-meetings were held in the Museum and Art Gallery, Leicester and have been well attended. The Society accepted an invitation to attend a meeting of the Leicester Museums Association on 3 December when C. Blair, Esq., M.A., F.S.A., read a paper on "European Armour in the Middle Ages and Renaissance". Historic Buildings The price of our local and national heritage of historic buildings is eternal vigilance. At no time has the threat to many of them been so great, at no time the response to that threat greater. The Society has continued to express itself as forcibly as possible on the state and fate of many buildings in the City and County. It is much to be hoped that 18 Highcross Street and the Crescent in the City do not follow into the dust Garendon and Gumley Halls and the Ivanhoe Baths at Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Originally built for the Wyggeston family, 18 Highcross Street is a fine fifteenthcentury half-timbered town house with an eighteenth-century front. It is the finest old domestic building in the City. The Crescent was built c Both ought to be preserved. By the Historic Buildings Act of 1962, local authorities were empowered to make grants to assist the preservation of buildings of historical and architectural importance. Responsibility for making recommendations lies with the County Records Cqmmittee and the City Museums, Libraries, and Publicity Committee. The result, as already anticipated in the last Annual Report, has been to increase the volume of work in drawing up lists of and reports on buildings and sites which, it was thought by the Society, should be preserved, and also in drawing up reports upon individual buildings for which grants in aid of restoration were sought. It was felt,that,the time had come to utilise to the full all the resources of the Society for this important work and at the same time to lessen the amonnt of work which hitherto had been borne by the Honorary Secretary. xxi

2 LEICESTERSHIRE ARCH LOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY In March, largely as the result of suggestions by Professor Jack Simmons, it was decided that a Historic Buildings Advisory Panel should be set up. The response has been gratifying, and already fourteen members of the Society have agreed to serve on the Panel which has been made responsible for the drawing up of reports and for the listing of buildings and sites. Fur.ther offers of assistance in both these tasks will be welcomed from those who feel strongly that this side of the Society's work should be developed and strengthened and who can give the necessary advice upon the drawing up of such reports. The funds available are very limited and the Society realises that only a representative selection of buildings can be assisted, which makes the drawing up of reports all the more important. The list of buildings and sites which the Society feels ought to be preserved now stands at almost two hundred. Many more could be reported on and added to,the list. The Society has also welcomed the scheduling of towns with historic centres by the Council for British Archreology in the light of the Buchanan Committee Report. Four have already been named as worthy of special treatment: Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Melton Mowbray, Market Harborough and Kegworth. Lutterworth, Castle Donington, and Market Bosworth are to be added. The aim here is to preserve as a whole, if possible, distinctive town centres where the danger of 'development' is perhaps the greatest of all. It is pleasant to record, amidst much gloom at the fate of so many buildings, that the Society has played a part in saving some. The Malt House Cottages at Desford, having been saved from demolition, are now in safe hands and well on the way to restoration. The Manor House at Donington-le-Heath, in which the Society has long been interested and which contains many interesting architectural features from the thirteenth century to the present day, has been purchased by the County Council and is to be restored. The Arch of Hadrian, the Obelisk and the Temple of Venus in Garendon Park have all been scheduled as Ancient Monuments by the Minister of Public Building and Works. The setting up of the Leicester and Leicestershire Historic Churches Preservation Trust has been welcomed by the Society. Archa,ology Hopes that members of the Society would be able to participate in excavations in the County in cooperation with the Museum and the University have not yet been fulfilled. Plans are well advanced to extend this side of the Society's work considerably and there is much enthusiasm for it. The possible re-formation of Group 6 of the Areas laid down by the Council for British Archreology is being keenly canvassed. The one major 'find' to result from extensive roadworks, a fine Anglo-Saxon cemetery astride the A46, proved to be just outside the County boundaries and so the Society was unable to do anything. Experience there shows the necessity of vigilance when enthusiastic amateurs get in first. Many valuable 'finds' were removed before it was possible to direct the digging. Committee and Officers Membership of the Committee stands at. twenty-three. Mrs. F. E. Skillington continues to act as Chairman. Three new members of the Committee were elected at the Annual General Meeting: Messrs. T. G. Daniels, R. J.B. Keene, and A. D. McWhirr. Mr. J. F. L. Norwood was elected to the Committee in December During the year Mr.. S. Bennett and Mr. M. G. Hebditch resigned from the Committee. The former is undertaking a full-time degree course at Oriel College Oxford; the latter has joined the staff of the Bristol Museum. Both have done much to encourage the Society's archreological interests and work through the Fieldwork and Research Sub-Committee. This Sub-Committee has now been re-organised and consists of Mr. A. D. McWhirr (Hon. Secretary), Mr. A. E. Grimbley and Mr. G. H. Green. In October Mr. F. S. Cheney felt compelled to resign as Honorary Secretary but continued as acting Honorary Secretary until December. He took over the office from Mr. David T-D. Clarke in April 1963 and has worked for the Society with indefatigable zeal in all its activities. Almost alone he shouldered the increasing burden of drawing up reports on historic buildings in the County and countless other tasks. The Society is greatly indebted to him and the Committee unanimously xxii

3 I 1TH ANNUAL REPORT, thanked him for his services as Honorary Secretary. Fortunately the Society and the Committee retain his services as Honorary Librarian which office he accepted in May after Dr. G. H. Martin's resignation earlier in the year. It was felt that the burden of work falling upon the Honorary Secretary was becoming too great for one person and so, in December, the office was divided. Miss M. P. Rippin accepted office as Honorary Secretary, Mr. James Crompton as Minutes Secretary. The work entailed by the Historic Buildings Advisory Panel is, for the present, being shared between them. At the Annual General Meeting Mr. J. ' R. Webster was appointed as a Trustee of the Society, and Mr.. S. Bennett a Trustee of the Archreological Research Fund. Mrs. E. M. Dickson now represents the Society on the local Victoria County History Committee (vice Mr. C. D. B. Ellis, resigned) of which Dr. L. A. Parker, a member of the Society's Committee, is Honorary Secretary. Transactions Volume XXXIX of Transactions was published in March before Volume XXXVIII. Membership The total membership on 3 April 1965 was: Ordinary Members 418 Honorary Member I Associate Members 54 Associated Societies 6 Student Members 29 Libraries and Museums It appeared The total remains the same as for last year. During the year 54 new members were elected, 48 resigned and 6 died. The drive for new members must continue if the Society is to fulfil all its commitments. The stronger its membership the stronger its voice will be in making representations about historic buildings. The Society records with regret the deaths of two former officers: Mr. Selwyn Parkinson, who was Honorary Treasurer from , and Mr. Percy Russell, F.C.A., F.S.A., who was Honorary Auditor from A keen antiquarian, he wrote A Leicestershire Road in 1934 and collaborated with Levi Fox in writing Leicester Forest which was published for the Society by Edgar Backus in In his retirement Mr. Russell lived in Devon where he continued his antiquarian interests, writing a History of Dartmouth (Batsford, 195) and other Devonshire studies. Canon Hugh Casson, who succeeded to his father's membership of the Society, died as a result of a tragic road accident. Library It was decided in February to make a slight alteration to the library hours at the Guildhall to come into effect on I May The new hours on Thursday are from I p.m. to 3 p.m.; it was felt that this might encourage members to use the library more during the lunch-hour. The Saturday hours, from 1 a.m. to noon, remain unchanged. In addition to learned journals obtained by subscription and exchange agreement the following books were acquired during the year : The Belvoir Manuscripts, Vol. r. Hist. MSS. Commission, 19I1. The Belvoir Manuscripts, Vol. 3. Hist. MSS. Commission, The Viatores, Roman Roads in the South-East Midlands, F. A. Girling, English Merchants' Marks, Anne S. Robertson, The Antonine Wall, Audrey Meaney, A Gazetteer of Early Anglo-Saxon Burial Sites, T. Davis, The Architecture of 'John Nash, 196. J. D. Bennett, Historical Plaques in Leicester, D. Ashby, Friar Lane Baptist Church, Leicester I, D. Ashby, Friar Lane Baptist Church, Leicester , G. H. Green and M. W. Green, Loughborough Markets and Fairs, E. S. Wood, Collins Field Guide to Archceology, xxiii

4 LEICESTERSHIRE ARCH LOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Itinerary of 1ohn Leland ed. Lucy Toulmin Smith, foreword by Thomas Kendrick, 5 Volumes, J. Milne, Footprints of 1 / 4th Leicestershire Regiment August 1914-November 1918, ed. J. M. Lee & R. A. McKinley, A History of the County of Leicester, volume 5, Gartree Hundred, Victoria County History, Excursions 1964 Five excursions were arranged and all were enjoyed though they were not so well attended as on previous years. r. 9 May, half-day to Newstead Abbey and Wollaton Hall. At Newstead Abbey the party of thirty three was met by Mr. F. C. Tighe, Nottingham City Librarian, who conducted the trip and described the various stages in the building of a house whose major interest lay in the Byron exhibits. Tea was taken in the grounds but time was too short to enjoy these fully before the party proceeded to Wollaton Hall and Park. The splendid view from the roof was enjoyed by all, but only the more intrepid descended, bearing lamps and torches, through labyrinthine passages to an underground reservoir. The party was re-united for its return to Leicester June, evening excursion to Loughborough Bell Foundry. Limited to one coach at the request of the owner of the Foundry, Mr. P. L. Taylor, a party of thirty-four was able to follow up his lecture to the Society during the previous session. The tour was of great interest, both to those who were given a lesson on handbell-ringing and to those who were entertained and less exhausted as spectators June, whole-day outing to Long Melford and Lavenham. One coach-load of thirty-two made an early start at 8 a.m., and at noon arrived at Long Melford where Mr. Norman Scarfe met the party and took it straight to the magnificent wool church with its nine bays and extended chancel which make it in all 25 feet long. After a picnic lunch on the village green the coach passed slowly down the village street from whence comes the designation 'Long' in Long Melford and thence on to the medieval town of Lavenham with its unspoilt Market Square, its fine old houses and another wool church rivalling Long Melford. Tea was taken at the Angel Hotel. A stop was made at Bury St. Edmunds on the return trip but, interesting as it is, it was felt to be an anti-climax after the beauties of Suffolk seen earlier in the day July, evening excursion to Rothley and Cossington. A party of thirty-seven was led by Mrs. F. E. Skillington. At Rothley attention was drawn to the handsome well-proportioned tower, the Anglo-Saxon Cross in the churchyard and a curious eighteenth-century headstone showing the collapse of Swithland church at the Last Judgement. Inside the church at the east-end of the north. aisle there is an altar-tomb with an incised lid, one half showing Bartholomew Kingston and. his wife, the other his will. On arriving at Cossington the party were exhorted to pronounce its name correctly as 'Cussington', since it derives its name from a ninth-century personal name, 'Cussa'. Some parts of the church go back to the twelfth century, but it has mainly the form it took in the later Middle Ages, without its two side altars. By kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Sowter the party was allowed to wander at will inside and outside the Old Rectory at Cossington and was also given coffee and biscuits on the lawn. They were also handed a description of the house by Mr. V. R. Webster. In perfect weather the return journey was made via Syston September, half-day excursion to Castle Ashby, Easton Maudit, and Passenham. A party of forty was shown round the house at Castle Ashby by the efficient and well-informed butler in an unhurried tour which allowed time to enjoy the lovely pictures and the collection of Grecian antiquaries. After high tea and a visit to the church the party proceeded to Easton Maudit church where Thomas Percy of Percy's Reliques was vicar in the eighteenth century. At Passenham the wall-paintings were the chief attraction. Leicester was reached at about 9 p.m. Donations from the Excursion Fund were made to all the churches visited. xxiv

5 11TH ANNUAL REPORT, Arrangements for the excursions were in the hands of Miss W. A. G. Herrington, Honorary Excursions Secretary May MEL TON MOWBRAY AND DISTRICT BRANCH The following general meetings of the Branch were held during the year : 16 October 13 November 4 December January Annual General Meeting. L. W. Cullen, Esq.: Illustrated Lecture on "The Evolution of Furniture". T. B. Davis, Esq.: "Public and Private Heraldry in Leicestershire". Members of the Loughborough and District Archreological Society attended this Lecture. J. F. L. Norwood, Esq., B.A.: "The Coinage of Roman Britain". The Very Reverend J. C. Hughes, M.A., Dip.Th.: "The White Canons of Leicestershire". P. A. Stevens, Esq., M.A., F.M.A. : "Early Railways in Leicestershire". 12 February Members' Evening. P. E. Hunt, Esq. : "Maundy Money". Mrs. W. Green: "Historical Places visited in Libya and Egypt". 12 March S. Jeavons, Esq., F.S.A.: "Local Elizabethan Goldsmiths". 9 April The Reverend J. E. Yates, D.D. : "Archaeology in relation to the Bible". Excursions 1964 Five excursions were organised from Melton Mowbray : 1. 7 June, whole~day excursion into Norfolk, led by Mr. R. R Gilson. At the fenland town of Brandon the twenty-seven members of the party were fascinated by a demonstration of the ancient art of flint knapping. A picnic lunch was followed by a visit to the flint mines known as Grimes Graves, where the more venturesome descended into the depths to inspect the galleries and creeps wherein the miners used to work. At Thetford, the party was escorted around the remains of the Priory and the Castle site by Mr. Preston of the Thetford Historical Group. A sudden storm sent the members scurrying for shelter among the ruins. The visit to Thetford coincided with the unveiling of a memorial to Tom Paine. After tea at Downham Market the party returned home after a most enjoyable day June, half-day excursion to the Bell Foundry of Taylor & Company, Loughborough, under the leadership of Mr. P. E. Hunt. Mr. John Fidler conducted the party through the Foundry, from the Moulding Shop to the tuning and final testing of the bells. Tea at Woodhouse Eaves was followed by a tour of the College and gardens of Stanford Hall, where the party was met by the chaplain and two guides July, evening excursion to the ruined church of Colston Bassett, to Whattonin-the-Vale and to Langar Churches under the able leadership of Mr. P. A. Stevens, M.A., F.M.A., to whom the participants were indebted for his knowledge of the history and features of these three chll)'ches July, evening excursion to Prestwold Hall, led by Mr. K. C. Wright. At this beautiful house, which has been in the possession of the Packe family since the time of Cromwell, the party was met by Mrs. P. M. Packe-Drufy-Lowe, who personally conducted a tour of the House and its delightful gardens. In the church lie the remains of many of the Packe family, among them Charles Hussey Packe who died at Eton in 1842 aged only July, half-day,excursion into Northamptonshire, led by Mr. G. King, B.Sc. A party of twenty-four travelled to Deene Park Hall where the Hon. Mrs. Brudenell gave a lively and charming account of the exploits of the earl of Cardigan, of Balaclava fame, and then led them through the rooms of this historic house, commencing with the Great Hall. It contains a remarkable set of rare stainedglass windows depicting the coats-of-arms of all the families connected with the Brudenells. After visiting the church in the park nearby, the company travelled to Oundle for tea. On the way home, by way of the Harrington viaduct, members amused themselves in the ancient maze at Wing. XXV

6 THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT for the Year ended 3 April 1965 >< >< ;S. s. d. s. d. To Subscriptions: Lincoln Record Society 2 2 Council for British Archreology 2 1 English Place-Name Society 1 5 British Record Society Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings 1 1 Mids. Fedn. of Museums & Art Galleries 1 Leicester and Leicestershire Historic Churches Preservation Trust Grant towards cost of moving Royal Coat of Arms at Leicester Magazine Drill Hall 2 Grant to the Richard III Society towards the cost of restoration of King Dick's Well 5 25 Provision for the net cost of printing and issue of Transactions, Vol. XL 5 Less Overprovision for Vol. XXXIX, per contra Library Additions, Binding and Honorarium Lecturers' Expenses Purchase of Filing Cabinet and Trays for Addressograph plates Administrative Expenses: Rent... 1 Fire Insurance Printing, Stationery and Postage Bank Charges 3 19 Melton Mowbray Branch Sundries GENERAL ACCOUNT By Subscriptions: Income Tax Repaid on Covenanted Subscriptions Income from Investments: Interest on 11 Ss. 4d. Leicester Corporation 3 % Mortgage Loan (gross) Interest on 15 3½% Conversion Stock 1961 (gross) Sale of Postcards Grant from City of Leicester Education Committee Grant from County of Leicester Education Committee Interest, Leicester Trustee Savings Bank Transactions, Vol. XXXIX Cost of Printing and Issue, including Binding Less: Charges for bound copies Advertisments Less: Provision made Overprovision to contra Deficit for the year s. d.. s. d =-J

7 THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT for the Year ended 3 April 1965 To Cost of Offprints from Transactions, Vol. XXXIX and Reprints Postages and General Expenses Balance of Fund at 3 April THE S. H. SKILLINGTON MEMORIAL FUND s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. By Balance of Fund at 1 May Sales of Publications, including back numbers of Transactions ~ ~: To Printing, Postages and Bank Charges Balance of Account at 3 April 1965 EXCURSIONS ACCOUNT By Balance of Account at 1 May Excursion Receipts Less : Expenses

8 THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY BALANCE SHEET-3 April 1965 Accumulated Funds : Excursion Secretary's Account The S. H. Skillington Memorial Fund Library Fund at 1 May 1964 Less Purchase of Books during year General Account : Balance at 1 May Less Deficit for the year Provision for the net cost of printing and issue of Transactions, less payments on account: Vol. XXXVIII Vol. XL.. Current Liabilities: Sundry Creditors Subscriptions paid in advance s. d, s. d Investments : 11 5s. 4d. Leicester Corporation 3 % Mortgage Loan (value 11) ½% Conversion Stock 1961 (value 11 s. d. 5 4 s. d. 8) Current Assets : Sundry Debtors Leicester Trustee Savings Bank 1, Cash at Bank Ditto Excursion Account Ditto Melton Mowbray Branch 8 Cash in hand 15 2, , TRUSTEES OF THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY J.E. Brownlow, Esq. Colin D. B. Ellis, Esq., C.B.E., M.C., M.A., F.S.A. J. N. Pickard, Esq., J.P. J. R. Webster, Esq. C. L. Wykes, Esq., F.C.A. 2, REPORT OF THE HONORARY AUDITOR The accounts set out on pp. xxvi-xxviii are in agreement with the books which, in my opinion, have been properly kept. I obtained the information and explanations I required. In my opinion the accounts give a true and fair view of the state of affairs and the results of the Leicestershire Arch::eological and Historical Society. Leicester, 15th September G. L. ASPELL, Chartered Accountant

9 THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL RESEARCH FUND INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT for the Year ended 3 April 1965 To Grant to Mr. A. D. McWhirr for research on the Fosse Way Net Income for the year s. d. s. d By Income from Investements: Interest on 1,75 3½% War Loan (gross) Interest on s. 9d. 4% Consols (gross) Sale of Index to Transactions... s. d s. d BALANCE SHEET-3 April 1965 Capital Account: Balance at 1 May 1964 ~ Income Account : :<. Balance at 1 May 1964 Add Net Income for the year 1, , , Investments on Capital Account: 1,29 4s. 8d. 3½% War Loan (value 547) s. 9d. 4% Consolidated Stock (value 176) Investment on Income Account: 72 15s. 4d. 3½% War Loan (value 383) Balance at Bank: Deposit Account Current Account Due from the Leicestershire Archreological & Historical Society 1, , , TRUSTEES OF THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCH.lEOLOGICAL RESEARCH FUND. S. Bennett, Esq. Colin D. B. Ellis, Esq., C.B.E., M.C., M.A., F.S.A. Anthony Herbert, Esq., A.R.I.B.A. Miss M. P. Rippin, B.A. Professor J. Simmons, M.A., F.R.Hist.S., F.R.S.L. C. L. Wykes, Esq., F.C.A. 2, REPORT OF THE HONORARY AUDITOR The above accounts are in agreement with the books which, in my opinion, have been properly kept. I obtain.ed the information and explanations I required. In my opinion the accounts give a true and fair view of the state of affairs and the results of the Leicestershire Archreological Research Fund. Leicester, 15th September G. L. ASPELL, Chartered Accountant.