Three years ago we posted  Stonehenge – the great escape  in which we celebrated the fact that at last an end to decades of frustrating delay, indecision and inactivity was in sight. Now, three years later…. well, there’s still cause for celebration. Despite recent suggestions to the contrary the various tunnels that might have permanently damaged the World Heritage Site have almost certainly been consigned to history, thanks to the National Trust, lots of other organisations and the world recession. Hurrah for the banking crisis!

Not that everything at Stonehenge is fine. As usual it is enveloped in a fog from which tiny packets of information are occasionally allowed to escape. For instance, three years later and with the first sod ready to be turned we have no idea who the financial philanthropists are or what effect they may have on the project. Nor what the transit system will look like. Nor whether the Summer shenanigans are to be curbed. No doubt the Public will be told when they are deemed worthy, which may be a while yet!

There are two roads scheduled to cross the stone row but work has now stopped in the area around the row pending clarification by archaeologists working for Cambrian Renewable Energy Limited, the company building the wind farm. We are watching for further updates with worry as this country’s recent record with important sites discovered during development isn’t exactly glowing, see Rotherwas Ribbon et al.  Preservation in situ under a road isn’t an option as far as we are concerned.

There is some confusion in the use of the term “West Midlands”, as the name is also used for the much smaller West Midlands county.

West Midlands region. Creative Commons

The region contains five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), including all of the Shropshire Hills, Malvern Hills and Cannock Chase, and parts of the Wye Valley and Cotswolds. The Peak District national park also stretches into the northern corner of Staffordshire.

Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society

Founded in 1870, the Society, promotes the study of archaeology and history in Birmingham, Warwickshire and West Midlands County by the investigation, preservation and restoration of local antiquities and historic buildings and by the publication of these activities in its Transactions.

Ordinary Membership is £15, and receive the Transactions, the newsletters of the Society and get discounted rates for attendance at Society events and excursions. A full range of lectures is held on a regular basis.

Coventry and District Archaeological Society

CADAS has a full programme of informative lectures, and a regular Bulletin, as well as an active Fieldwalking Group.

The society is involved in:

• Local historic projects, working alongside partner organisations.
• Excursions to sites of interest.
• Society led projects, involving field-walking, excavations and research.
• Assisting professional archaeological units on local digs.

Membership is £12 and provides free access to lectures, the Society Bulletin (10 per year) and involvement in projects. A lst of recent Bulletin articles is available on the web site.

Shropshire Archaeological and Historical Society

Shropshire, on the border between upland Wales and lowland England, has had a complex and turbulent history. This fascinating past is reflected in a wealth of archaeological sites of all types and periods and in a rich collection of archives. The society campaigns for the recording and protection of Shropshire’s rich and varied archaeological heritage. They also promote and publish original research into the county’s history and prehistory. There is a full program of walks and talk and an annual lecture.

Members (£14) receive a 6-monthly newsletter and a copy of the Transactions, and have access to the society library.

Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society

Membership is £18.50 and provides access to newsletters and an annual Transactions volume. There are the normal Lectures and Excursions also available, as well as the opportunity to partake in both desk-based research and on-site surveys. Past Transactions are available to download online for members only (a fee is payable per volume).

Worcestershire Archaeological Society

The stated aims of the society are to:

• Promote research in archaeology and history of the area
• Work for the understanding and care of all kinds of antiquities
• Take part in archaeological research
• Publish its work and exchange information with similar bodies
• Collect and make available relevant publications
• Arrange appropriate excursions
• Exchange in holding exhibitions, seminars, lectures and classes
• Commission and publish works that will advance its cause
• Affiliate with similar bodies sharing similar aims

The society undertakes a range of activities in pursuit of its general aims. Membership is £20 and provides Lectures excursions and a bi-Annual Transactions as well as a 6-monthly Newsletter.

North Worcestershire Archaeology Group

A relatively young group, formed in 2009, their aims are not only to investigate, analyse and record the history and archaeology of the region, but also to encourage interest and participation from the wider community. Single membership is £10 and members get the opportunity to be proper archaeologists, working alongside an experienced team of amateurs and professionals.

Their website (link below) contains details of a variety of projects that the group is undertaking – the emphasis seems to be very much about getting involved!

South Worcestershire Archaeological Group

The group aims to encourage local people to learn about archaeology and history. They offer walks and visits during the summer and lectures and workshops during the winter. They also undertake fieldwork when possible, including geophysical prospecting. The group has links with the Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeological Service (WHEAS), which enables members to be involved with community excavation projects. They have also worked in association with the National Trust at Croome Park over several years and with archaeology students at the University of Worcester.

Membership is £12 for individuals.

Useful Links

Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society
Coventry and District Archaeological Society
Shropshire Archaeological and Historical Society
Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society
Worcestershire Archaeological Society
North Worcestershire Archaeology Group
South Worcestershire Archaeological Group

Oswestry & Border History & Archaeology
Kenilworth History and Archaeology Society
Kidderminster and District Archaeological and Historical Society

© James Mitchell

Last April the funding package for the Stonehenge Visitor’s Centre and improvements was said to be almost in place – money is coming from the Government, from the Heritage Lottery Fund, from English Heritage’s profit from its commercial activities and fundraising and £2 million from their historic reserves of money given philanthropically over the years.

But not quite all. As the article says – “Today’s announcement means there is now just £3m to raise – a sum English Heritage is confident of getting to allow work to start in 2012.”

That was last April. By all accounts it is still proposed to start the work next April so it seems highly likely the remaining funding has now been secured. Yet no announcement has been made about it.  Shouldn’t the details have been made public by now, particularly if it is coming from new “private philanthropy” as the government seems to want, so that everyone can be reassured that there IS such a thing as a free lunch? No-one wants to be paying for over-priced philanthropy burgers!

Howard Carter in festive mood....... Wikimedia Commons

The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) are coordinating the highly successful Festival of British Archaeology once again this year.  The Festival includes hundreds of special events individually organised and held by museums, local societies, national and countryside parks, universities, and heritage organisations across the UK. The Festival presents everyone the opportunity to learn about their local heritage, to see archaeology in action, and to get involved, from formal lecture sessions to hands-on archaeology to family fun events.

The CBA has been organising an annual UK-wide celebration of archaeology and heritage since 1990. The ‘Festival for British Archaeology’ grew out of ‘National Archaeology Week’ (NAW). Before that, the event took place over one weekend and was called ‘National Archaeology Days’ (NADS).

This year the Festival runs for the two weeks from Saturday 14th to Sunday 29th July 2012. If you are organising an event for this year’s festival, and wish to be included in the Festival Program, events can be registered on the Festival web site now.