Battle of Hatfield Investigation Society

Dear All,

BOHIS have a major meeting with our preferred archaeological team (MERCIAN) at the Greendale Oak, Cuckney, this Thursday 8th September at 1pm.

These are exciting times and I hope you realise how much unpaid work has been performed, just to get us to this meeting stage.

In synthesis, we need to agree and cost the components of a now almost fully realised Project Plan and also decide which areas we would like to request permission to perform invasive work upon via the Parochial Church Council ("P.C.C.") / Diocese of Southwell.

We should aim for a Project start date of 1st March or 2nd April 2017 (... well .. we don't want to start on April Fools Day !!).

Meeting Objectives

After the meeting we :-

1/ Seek to be in a position to immediately complete the Heritage Lottery Fund ("HLF") online Project Enquiry Form (1000 words max.) which is a precursor to being granted a face to face meeting in Nottingham with the HLF.

2/ Seek to know what to put in a form to the P.C.C., which if accepted, would be presented by them to the Diocese of Southwell.

Proposed Phase 2 (Invasive) Project Title

The Cuckney Connection - A Battle, a Church and a Castle, cloaked in a riddle.

Proposed Plan Summary

BOHIS have been busy formulating a full (but still Draft) plan that encompasses which subjects to include in our Phase 2 (Invasive) bid to the HLF.

Presently we are considering including :

• Analysis of the skeletons possibly relating to the Battle of Hatfield (originally discovered in 1950/1)

• Invasive Cuckney Castle

• Norton Prisoner of War Camp (with Carburton Camp addendum)

• Possible additional subjects suggested by responses from (online) SURVEYMONKEY / or paper based equivalents (which needs to take place over the next couple of weeks).

Proposed Plan Details

Our project will involve educating and enabling the local Community (the 3 villages of Cuckney,Norton and Holbeck ,(plus 2 local schools) to fully participate in an interactive invasive quest.

This will attempt to locate physical evidence of Cuckney Castle , to analyse skeletons and determine whether they relate to the Battle of Hatfield plus to fully explore the history of Norton (Prisoner of War) Camp.

• Firstly, suggest / agree (Phase 2) CORE Subjects with Community via a, “Which Subjects Survey” delivered by SURVEYMONKEY & paper based survey.

• Follow with delivery of a “Setting The Scene” (MATCH FUNDED) Community Day 1 which will summarise the activities that will occur.

• This will be operationalised by delivering Pre & Post Activity Educational Field Schools and workshops. The Pre activity Field Schools will enable the community to get the most out of the archaeological activities that will take place shortly afterwards.

• The Workshops which reveal the research of Norton Camp will be Pre Invasive Activities.

• Deliver of a “Working Saturday” which will enable the Community to have weekend participation.

• The Workshops which reveal both the results of the Castle & skeletal archaeology will of course be Post Invasive Activities.

• There will also be an Art competition where children and Adults can enter one exhibit under the theme of, “Cuckney Long Ago” or “The Battle of Hatfield”, or “Norton POW Camp” with 6 prizes (Winners / Runners up – 3 categories U8, 8-12, Adults) – this will be a “During Invasive Activity”.

• We propose development of a Cuckney & Meden Schools delivery only scrapbook “This Is my Family tree” / “All about me” /  “Communitree” in order to engage children in thinking about the general concept of time, history and family. – again this will be a “During Invasive Activity”.

• “Findings & Interpretation” (MATCH FUNDED) (Final) Summary Community Days 2 & 3 will detail the findings of the activities that have occurred via the Castle and the skeletons (possibly from the Battle of Hatfield).

• Produce and distribute the (proposed 250) Community Books + 250 Norton Camp booklets.

• Finally assess Project Outcomes (as required by HLF) of Phase 2 chosen Subjects with Community feedback via a, “Community Events Satisfaction Survey” again delivered by SURVEYMONKEY & paper based survey.

Other News

1/ Welbeck Estates Permissions

As regards the ratification of Welbeck Estates Company Permissions re. land abutting St. Mary's (which may be especially relevant to Cuckney Castle).

We are asking  for an amended timescale agreement to the end of 2020.

You should note that we do not wish to unneccesarily elongate the project until 2020 but that the current agreement is only until the end of 2017.

Last week we received word from Welbeck that a permissions letter will be forthcoming around mid September (so only another couple of weeks to go !). This is great news.

2/ Match Funding for HLF Bid

It's been confirmed in writing by Grantscape (acting as administrative agents for SolarCentury) that the funding awarded to BOHIS will remain available beyond their originally stipulated "Start of Project work Must be by" date of September 16.

We will let you know the outcome of the meeting as soon as possible.

Regards,

From all the Team

Dear All,

We are now beginning the "ground work" in preparation for another HLF bid re. an exciting Phase 2.

As part of this, BOHIS have secured a meeting at St. Mary's Cuckney with both of the Diocese of Southwell archaeological advisors – on Monday 25th July @ 11:30am.

This is with a view to the potential granting of permissions (via another Faculty).

 Archaeology Leader at Nottinghamshire County Council, Ursilla Spence, will also be present.

The first part of the meeting will be a tour of the potential invasive sites re. the (possible) Battle of Hatfield skeletons. This will be more of a "listening brief" for those in attendance.

In my opinion, there are 4 main reinterment areas and an area along the nave area up to 10 feet outside the church that represents bodies not displaced during the subsidence operations of 1950/51.

For the 2nd part of the meeting, Ursilla expressed a wish for as many members of BOHIS / Community to be involved as possible, and I am sure she would love to hear your opinions about any future project.

Your attendance and enthusiasm will reflect well on the project so I urge you to attend if you are available.

You should note that Ursilla will want to hear your opinions about what the whole project should represent (not just the Battle of Hatfield component).

For example, BOHIS / MERCIAN would suggest that our Phase 2 should include an invasive (ie. digging) search for the Castle.

Another possible component could be to include an invasive search for St. Edwin's Chapel near Edwinstowe.

Our archaeological partners, MERCIAN, completed some work there in 2014 and discovered many interesting things, including what may be the footings of the Chapel.

MERCIAN also noted some faded wall paintings inside St. Mary's which may be uncovered and brought back to life. Could this be the start of a children's painting competition ?

As per Phase 1 (non invasive), BOHIS intend to be fully Community participatory in Phase 2 (for example another online Survey via SurveyMonkey etc..) & this has been informally endorsed as an approach by the HLF.

We really hope to see you there next Monday.

Regards,

Paul Jameson

Dear All,

Firstly, our 7th meeting of May 13th had an attendance of over 40 who witnessed a presentation on the discoveries found in Phase 1 last November. These included 6 anomalies which may represent original burials in and around the church and reinterment sites, plus notification of a 7th anomaly on land belonging to the Welbeck Estates Company Limited.

The 6 anomalies included what may be a large pit in the central eastern section of St. Mary's, Cuckney - not far from where suggested.

The full agenda from the meeting can be downloaded here.

A pdf of the presentation can be downloaded here.

The focus now is on securing invasive (digging) Permissions from the Parochial Church Council (P.C.C.) and the Diocese of Southwell, plus extending the timeline of our existing invasive permission with Welbeck Estates.

On the 27th May, Andy Gaunt (from Mercian) & I met with a representative of Welbeck Estates & just yesterday I sent a letter formally requesting an extension to our current permission timeline to examine parts of their land (abutting St. Mary's).

Having already had a recent 3 hour meeting with the Rev. Simon Cash (Priest In charge at St. Mary's) we're also close to arranging a date for an informal meeting with the 2 Archaeological advisors to the Diocese of Southwell.

We need to create a compelling argument for future HLF funding and we believe that securing permissions is 1 vital component.

As part of this however, we are now approaching a requirement to "firm up" any new proposals from the many options that may be available. This includes the parcelling of potential invasive work into multiple options in order that we don't just put our faith in 1 archaeological proposal that could perhaps be rejected due to the inadmissibility of a small component.

We also need to decide which other subjects we might like to include in another "umbrella of events". This may continue to include Cuckney Castle and ought to involve at least 1 other subject (in much the same way that Bob Needham's Photo Collection was part of our portfolio in Phase 1).

What is that other subject ?

For example, is it something pertaining to St. Mary's church - do Welbeck Estates have information that they might let us utilise (this question has already been asked) ?

Certainly, the history of Edwinstowe, its church and St. Edwin's Chapel / Chantry should not be dismissed and I am starting to research this (beginning with a lovely small book (c. 35 pages) called, "The Story of Edwinstowe and its Parish Church" by the Rev. H. Pickles originally published in 1961 which I purchased via Amazon recently).

All of this will greatly help determine the cost component of the next bid.

To help us to decide such matters we urgently need to seek the advice and support of the HLF (including Tim Allen of Historic England) and the County Archaeologist, Ursilla Spence. This will be arranged shortly.

A cross fertilisation of ideas is often a compelling way of moving forward.


Keep in touch with your ideas also !


Thanks,

Paul Jameson

(07894 297206)

Battle of Hatfield Investigation Society

A 7th Meeting will be held at

Cuckney Village Hall on

Friday 13th May 2016 @ 7:30pm

Admission is free

Agenda

 1. Phase 1 (Non Invasive) … Official End was 31st March …

• Still awaiting final sign off and final 10% of Grant (£1,324)

 2. CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR FUTURE HLF FUNDING

 a/ Funding for Phase 2 (Invasive) #1 - Solarcentury Community Fund - Bid Successful

• Bid was for (max.) allowable £10,000. Bid closed Dec 15. Notified in Feb 16 that we would receive £4,000.

b/ Getting The Most Out Of The Media

• We would like to use the media to create an irresistible momentum for further funding …

• Talk on April 14th to about 40 members of Southwell Community Archaeology Group

• Interview with Kev. Rogers of the CHAD on 4th May ... article should make following weeks edition

c/ Obtaining Permissions

• P.C.C. – informal 3 hour meeting on 22nd April with Rev. Simon Cash (Priest-In-Charge of St. Mary’s)

• Diocese of Southwell – contact made with their archaeological advisors ( Dr. Chris Brooke and Dr. Mike Hawkes) – meeting being arranged

• Welbeck Estates – 2nd meeting with Tom Cooper imminent – need to ratify existing invasive agreement

• New Letter to Dr. Glenn Foard to support the sending of Community Book

 3. Future Funding Options

• The pros and cons of continuing our relationship with HLF

• Alternative sources of funding

 4. Presentation - What Was Discovered at St. Mary’s and abutting fields in November 2015 ?

• A small diagrammatic representation and talk about some exciting finds ….

  5. The SCOPE of a Future Phase 2 - Which Subjects To Include in Phase 2 - Your Ideas – via SURVEY MONKEY and hardcopy questionnaires

• Getting future HLF funding will mean that we need to offer another umbrella of events & seeking your opinions, for example :

• 1/ Dating skeletal remains from St. Mary’s that may relate to the Battle of Hatfield

• 2/ Finding Cuckney Castle

• 3/ At least 1 more major subject

 6. Vice Chair still required – are you interested ?

1. • This position has been vacant since last May – are you the person to help the project on an occasional basis … eg. would you like to help us search out alternative sources of funding ?

 7. Your questions

 8. Summary

Dear All,

Apologies for the severe lack of notice but way back in June 2015 I gladly accepted the opportunity from the Southwell Community Archaeology Group to talk about the Battle of Hatfield and our project on April 14th 2016.

I  had half forgotten this but did realise on Monday (thanks to having put a reminder in Outlook way back then) and quickly communicated with the group. They confirmed that it was still on and they were also in the process of getting in touch.

Whilst the talk will be about the Battle of Hatfield, as some will be aware, we did receive HLF funding last July and have now formally completed that non invasive project (on 31st March) (subject to HLF sign off), so I will also talk about the results and a possible way forward to an Invasive stage.

We would like this to take place this year and therefore need to start the ground work work very soon to have any chance of making this happen.

We distributed an HLF funded Community book as part of our non invasive project (but also had some extra copies produced at our cost).

I will bring the last few along. They will be £7 as they cost  virtually that to produce.

Thanks,

Paul Jameson (07894 297206)

Venue : The Old Court House, Burgage (Southwell) NG25 0EP

Talk date : Thursday 14th April

Talk starts @ 7:30pm

I believe the admission fee for non members is £3

Dear All,

During our recent HLF funded activities, BOHIS have been grateful to have the support of members from other projects such as, “The Friends of Thynghowe”.

Those such as Steve Horne have also provided practical support, such as helping strim the church yard at St. Mary’s, Cuckney to enable that part of the Fieldwork to take place.

So it’s only right to support and publicise their causes.

Thynghowe is a Viking Assembly site in Sherwood Forest.

Click the link below to find out more.

www.thynghowe.org.uk

Dear All,

BOHIS would like to support one of our BOHIS supporters, Charles Cannon, who has organised an independent, excellent, worthy and very good value event, “ Ransom Wood’s Earth Day”.

This will take place between noon and 10pm at Ransom Wood Business Park near Mansfield.

For more details email :

[email protected]

or

please ring 01623 675323

Dear All

The Community book is now available in PDF format. Click here to download it.

The hardcopy books are also back from the printers in Devon and I have them at my house, ready for distribution this week & next.

Just to remind you, we promised to deliver a FREE copy but only to each house in Cuckney, Norton and Holbeck by 31st March - but we also had some extra copies produced (cost borne by BOHIS).

This was to enable those who took part in the recent activities (Community Days, Workshops and Fieldwork) (but who don’t live in the 3 villages) to also obtain a copy as our way of saying thank you for your support.

As it will be difficult to get copies to you otherwise, I intend to be at the Greendale Oak, Cuckney on Saturday (26th March) between 8pm – 10pm with copies to distribute.

Come along for a drink and catch up as well.

For those that can’t get this Saturday, I’ll put another post on the website very soon with another Greendale “catch up” date where you can collect a copy of the book.

Please note we are not charging for these (extra) books but if anyone does wish to make a donation then that would be great (it’s a 64 page book, which cost nearly £7 each to produce).

However, you are under no obligation to make a donation at all as this is really just a thank you.

See you on Saturday hopefully.

Thanks,

Paul Jameson (BOHIS Chairman)

Firstly, sincere apologies for there being no posts for nearly 3 months now.

Normally the idea is 1 post per month or more if necessary to maintain momentum. This deficit is purely down to the huge workload faced in formally completing the project as rightly required by the Heritage Lottery Fund [“HLF”] by 31st March 2016.

The Community book is now at the printers in Devon and is due back on about 25th March, for free distribution to 200 homes in Holbeck, Cuckney & Norton. by 31st March.

We are also getting another 50 printed at BOHIS’s expense, in order to be able to say thank you to those who took part in the Community Days & Fieldwork but do not live in the 3 villages.

Additionally, an electronic copy of the Community Book will be placed on the Website by the end of March 2016 (2 PDF files).

We have further been hugely distracted in having to produce 3 Evaluation Surveys (1 each for Cuckney and Meden Schools and an online one utilising SurveyMonkey).

All the surveys are due back this Friday 18th March & we then need to collate the results and see how we performed. In fact very recently, Cuckney school have returned their 50 completed surveys and I think Meden’s may be available shortly.

As part of the project, the Bob Needham 300 Photo collection has now been uploaded to the, “Photos” tab (please see the “Welbeck“ & “Cuckney” photo collections). Please note, as an extra, I’m going to nip down to Bob’s within the next week & borrow his collection (once again). This is in order to add some descriptions to photos / postcards which were on the reverse side

MERCIAN will include their Magnetometer Survey and General Reports on their website by 31st March.

We hope that the Community book will provide you with food for thought. There’s some extra information there regarding the findings which I hope will stimulate you.

After the end of March we are free to consider the considerable options available and then how best to take the project forward as quickly as possible but without ignoring any crucial elements in the process !