From the Honorary Treasurer: Dr MM Raraty. 41 Bridge Down, Bridge, Canterbury, CT-4 SBA Telephone (01227) 830508 Email: r111111‘arzlt\f(Zllbtintei'.net.oom Mr RD Nearne Court House Bishopsbourne Canterbury‘ CT4 5.113 24 January 2002 Dear 5\/Ir Neame, Archaeological Investigations Some eighteen months ago you very kindly gave us permission to undertake some exploratory work on an hexagonal feature in the field on ‘star hill’ that I had seen on an aerial photograph. We were unfortunately delayed by the foot and mouth disease restrictions for the whole of last year, as well, l have to say, as by a lack of funding for the project. I am now happy to record that both these problems have been resolved; and we hope to be able to make an investigation during the weekend of 4”‘-6”’ May this year. The work will be undertaken by a professional group — The Kent Archaeological Field School, who will be able to work entirely without the need for heavy machinery, and so will create minimal disturbance to the field and any animals in it. Any finds will of course be reported. I do hope you will be pleased that we are at last able to capitalise on your generosity, and offer you my very best wishes. Yours sincerely, ‘ ,. fin. «w v« » N ,. éswi 0%, ( . .. xvw x saw. WW. x v ,7 41 Bridge Down Bridge Canterbury Kent CT 4 5 BA 30 June 2000 Phone 830508 Dear Mr Neame, Archaeology on Star Hill You may recall that I approached you at about this time last year concerning a curious hexagonal cropmark on Star Hill, which showed up clearly on an aerial photograph. You subsequently kindly lent me a copy of a book by Francis Vine which mentions the feature, and a commentary on it by Matthew Bell in 1886. I have recently been in touch with Mr Brian Philp, who is Director of the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, based in Dover, and he has expressed considerable interest in the site, speculating that it may be Tudor in origin, or perhaps associated with defences relating to the Spanish Armada. Clarity on these matters will however only be established by a site investigation. To this end we would need to employ an excavator to remove a shallow layer of soil in a line crossing part of the site, the precise location of which we have pinpointed with, I hope, some accuracy. Any such excavation would of course be reinstated, possibly on the same day, depending on what was found. To do this however we do obviously need your permission, and I hope your encouragement and support. You have in the past already shown great interest in what underlies your land in various locations. This particular site does seem to be of especial interest, and a closer inspection would seem to promise much. I do hope you will feel able to give us permission to go ahead, and to support us in finding out more of the history of the area. Yours sincerely, MM Raraty RD N eame, Esq. Court House Bishopsbourne Canterbury Kent CT4 SJB 41 Bridge Down Bridge Canterbury Kent CT 4 5 BA 30 June 2000 Phone 830508 Dear Mr Neame, Archaeology on Star Hill You may recall that I approached you at about this time last year concerning a curious hexagonal cropmark on Star Hill, which showed up clearly on an aerial photograph. You subsequently kindly lent me a copy of a book by Francis Vine which mentions the feature, and a commentary on it by Matthew Bell in 1886. I have recently been in touch with Mr Brian Philp, who is Director of the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, based in Dover, and he has expressed considerable interest in the site, speculating that it may be Tudor in origin, or perhaps associated with defences relating to the Spanish Armada. Clarity on these matters will however only be established by a site investigation. To this end we would need to employ an excavator to remove a shallow layer of soil in a line crossing part of the site, the precise location of which we have pinpointed with, I hope, some accuracy. Any such excavation would of course be reinstated, possibly on the same day, depending on what was found. To do this however we do obviously need your permission, and I hope your encouragement and support. You have in the past already shown great interest in what underlies your land in various locations. This particular site does seem to be of especial interest, and a closer inspection would seem to promise much. I do hope you will feel able to give us permission to go ahead, and to support us in finding out more of the history of the area. Yours sincerely, MM Raraty RD Neame, Esq. Court House Bishopsbourne Canterbury Kent CT4 5JB RD Neame Esq. Court House Bishopsbourne Canterbury 16 July 1999 Dear Mr Neame, I write to you in the hope that you may find the enclosed aerial photograph of interest, and that you may perhaps be able to shed some light on certain aspects of it. It has been kindly provided from the collections of the National Monuments Register in Swindon and although it is, I fear, a rather poor photocopy (I have now had sent to me a proper copy) you will be able to identify it as an image of the upper end of the field overlooking Bourne House, with the line of Bridge Hill cutting diagonally across it. My attention was drawn in particular to a curious feature in the upper corner of the field, which is a crop-mark in the form of a perfect hexagon of some size. Other marks (not very clear on this image) of circular form may well indicate some of the hundred or so tumuli which were recorded here in the 1770's. The hexagon is however hard to explain. Experts at Swindon who have examined the photograph describe it as "possibly a World War II military installation", namely an "Anti Aircraft Battery", though this is based on "uncertain evidence". In view of its apparent size, shape and location I find this hard to believe, and wonder if, with your knowledge of the area, you have any recollection of a structure in this position‘? My own view is that it dates from a much earlier period. Incidentally, the circular form of "Old England's Hole" also shows up extremely well. I should very much like to have your view on this feature, and would be very happy to show you the original image, which as you see was taken in 1982. Yours sincerely, MM Raraty 41 Bridge Down, Bridge, CT4 5 BA 41 Bridge Down Bridge Canterbury Kent CT4 SBA 01227 830 508 Emai1 18 July 2000 Dear Mr Philp, Excavations at Bridge Following on my letter to you of May 17”‘, and our subsequent telephone conversation, I am now pleased to say that we have obtained written permission of the landowner, Mr Richard Neame, to go ahead with ‘further investigations’. Mervyn Gulvin (whom I think you may know) advises me that we now need to know: - How much a preliminary investigation might cost, in your estimation; - Whether you can advise us on sources of funding; - Whether you would supply the machinery, or whether we should take steps to do this; - What starting date you might have in mind. - Would it be useful to have a site meeting? — What else should we do? The field is currently sheep pasture. Yours sincerely, MM Raraty 41 Bridge Down Bridge Canterbury CT4 5 BA Tel: 01227 830508 Email: mmr@cwcom.net 17 May 2000 Mr Brian Philp Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit Roman Painted House New Street Dover Kent CT 17 9 AJ Dear Mr Philp, An intriguing feature in Bridge My very brief conversation with you last Saturday in F aversham encourages me to think that you may find the following of interest. I enclose: 1. A copy of a photograph in the NMR collection at Swindon, taken on 2/2/1982, showing a portion of a field near Bridge, adjacent to the old A2 which runs diagonally across the picture. There is a known Anglo-saxon burial complex in the top corner of the field, but nearby there is the mark of a largish hexagonal structure. A comment held at Swindon suggests that it is possibly a WW11 military installation. It is not now visible on the ground which is currently sheep pasture. In 1982 it appears to have been ploughed. Extrapolation from the dimensions of the nearby houses (of which mine is one) suggests that it is approx 36-37 metres maximum diameter, or 32 metres across the parallel sides of the inner hexagon. It is situated at what is to all intents and purposes the highest point of the hill. 3 A drawing of what I (perhaps fancifully) perceive to be its principal features - more clearly visible on the original. A copy of pp 190-193 of a privately printed volume (1886) by FT Vine, then vicar of Patrixbourne, Caesar in Kent, in the possession of Richard Neame, Esq, current owner of the field. From this we see that it predates WW11, and was clearly visible on the ground. This is confirmed by the extract from MS comments on the book made by Matthew Bell, Esq, the landowner in 1886. The tenor of Bell's remarks is largely to rubbish and disparage Mr Vine's deductions about Caesar (which are indeed thoroughly imaginative). He does agree however about the reality of the hexagon. I find it hard to suppose that a fir plantation should have deserved so perfect and elaborately designed an enclosure. The rounded corners I detect appear to be centred on the angles of the inner hexagon. I do not know the whereabouts of the second hexagon that is mentioned. The 1838 tithe map identifies 'Star Hill’, but no woodland is marked. I would be delighted to kindle your interest in this, and to know what you make of it, as well as to learn what possibility there might be of further investigation, supposing it to be of significance. Yours sincerely, . ‘V /1 Maurice M Raraty Hon Treasurer, Bridge & District History Society 41 Bridge Down Bridge Canterbury CT4 SBA 21 May 2002 Dear Paul, Herewith some items you requested. I hope they are not too creased. It is nice to see the formal garden in the photo confirmed by the picture! I have yet to write to the NMR re Local History Packs, but I hope they will come up with something. I shall look forward to your programme for next year with interest. Yours sincerely, Maurice Raraty KENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESCUE UNIT 5 HARVEST BANK ROAD East Kent Office (Dover): WEST WICKHAM West Kent Office (BromIey): 01304 203279 KENT BR4 9DL 0181 462 4737 REGISTERED CHARITY NO 273581 ’ Dear Mr. Raraty, 20.7.00 Many thanks for your letter re. Bridge excavations. This site has no rescue priority and thus a full programme of work is not appropriate in terms of cost, time and effort. - However, we could justify one day trial to test the ditches. we could do the archaeology one day in August without eharge. Could you get a machine for one day ? No obvious sources of funding for such a project. Best, ' s s, .wr &.4r~ Brian Philp 4 I 95 C.»zs;.~s.-ttz IN K§£NT. the strezun where, after their tweive Iniles’ night; march, they cmzhi obtain wzzter fer the horses. Af'ter the victory of the Roman army on ,B3.}'hA.II}, Downs. the greater pox-ticm of‘ the left wing was no doubt quartered within. the tines cf one of the g1‘f_"E1fC'dD1pS on the d0\I.'n$; but an exmninatiatt 0? the clechvity between Barham Doxvns and the river opposite Ch;12‘]t()£‘i I‘Cv’e3h: the traces of three hues of e:Lrth\wrk;~:. each of the iength of about three F111-ionge. 1’x'obahly Cgsesar here quartereai his cavzdry, in Consequence of the proxintity to the r§vcr. These hues of fortificttion were perhaps nrtgiually thmxm up in e:u'her British w;1z‘.<.. but even if they were .90, they wottid dotxlatless he used by the Roznzuls as an outer iizte Qt’ defence far the camp. It t11‘a}’b€* noticed 3530 that on the opposite hiil, beyond the river, there is :1 doubie line of ezttrenchmeuts, as iF of an opposing army. These corresponding cn.tren<:h- ments on each side of the river extend, with greater or less prontinence, as fat‘ as Kingston Church. ,Befbx'e qnitfing Bauihzttn Dewzts and their nei§;'t1h<1t‘:1°11cJ0ti, it will be we}? to notice we 0:‘ , ,,.,, .... . ,1 ,7?“ -sun--r~ ,, ,,;~ <.L'Tl"‘,;C-;\ 1{“.f\i H R .9’? !NLA,N D it-1;\*€_‘.-‘~. M Phi E T. 19 If two other Features, wlticxh are cun'c:hc)r'ative as to their hzwhlg been the site of C;:es:u"s czunp. On the brow of the hiii, in Bourne Pa1’1~:, there ;::'e What appear to be the renzaitls at two {Jet-= pasts, 400 yatcls apart, stm-ouncied each hy 2*. ditch. They are of the 5'.-umv‘: dimensions, and forrn ahnost perfect he,\*;Lg<)11s, each side being about 50 Feet in length. They are situated in coxnmamiing positions on 21 hih, <:a§¥ed Iocaily “Star H18.” and wouht ;uh>1‘d exceilent statitims For the guards plztceci before the gates of the camp, whence they could View the p0.'\‘ii:.Eon and snovemezats of the enemy. They are kttoxm t:“aditi0naHy as “ the Forts." 'i‘hey are now hare of trees, but have the ztppearance of having been pizmted at some compamtivel_v recent period.‘ A deep dep1'essio11 21 few ymds distant hvxn (me 1 I ixnagine that these id.t1m"’; but that afte1W.v;t1‘ti.«:, \v}~.et1 the camp W85 extended during C;z:.s;:r‘s absence at. the coast, they, and the eppidem itseii; were inuludeti within the lines of the et1c:amp- meat, the ground of Beurne Park l3;n.',ing been eIe.—1I'ed of trees {:37 the RoE 12th February 2002 Dear Dr Raraty, Thank you for sending me material on the the feature we are going to excavate at Bridge. I have ordered from English Heritage all the aerial photo’s they have. We are also investigating the area around Ickham and Wickenbreaux. Does this fall in your area or if not do you know someone there I could contact? Yours sincerely, l>«u~/l C/J~l\<—%»~:~—\ Paul ‘Nilkinson Director., Dr Paul Wilkinson, PhD., FRSA., MSIA., MIFA. School Farm Oast, Graveney Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8UP Telephone 01795 532548 Website www.1GI[CAIL, FIELD S<:EooE 3 1 st January 2002 Dear Dr Raraty, Thank you for your letter concerning our evaluation and excavation of the feature at Star Hill, Bridge. I know of the aerial photo, but could you send me a photocopy of the one you have obtained from Swindon. I remember a couple of years ago coming acoss an 19th century book written by a clergyman on the Roman invasions. Could it be the same book you have? It did have a large map which showed two hexagonal features on the Downs. I need to obtain a copy of that map (and book). But it certainly isn’t WW2, although it may be Napoleonic, but we shall see. I do need to have permission from the landowner and access for a tracked mini-digger. We of course will leave the site as we found it. I enclose a recent ‘house magazine and look forward to hearing from you. With best regards, Yours sincerely, Paul Wilkinson Director., Dr Paul Wilkinson, PhD., FRSA., MSIA., MIFA. School Farm Oast, Graveney Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8UP Telephone 01795 532548 Website www.l