Monday 3rd May
KENT’S CAVERN ARCHAEOLOGY
Kent’s Cavern is one of the most important archaeological sites in the SW - especially
rich in Pleistocene fauna showing the wide range of animals that roamed South Devon
in Glacial and Interglacial phases of the last million years or so. Durham and Sheffield
Universities have been re-excavating and re-examining the evidence to clarify the
use of the caverns by Neanderthals. We will get an archaeological presentation then
a guided tour with an archaeological bias. The Refreshments Bar will be open for
us from 5pm (but not the cafeteria) where we will meet at 6pm. Park in the Cavern’s
Car Park (Ilsham Road, Torquay, TQ1 2JF). Cost £8 adults and £6 children for members
and visitors alike.
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Monday 7th June
INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY AT SHAUGH BRIDGE, DARTMOOR
Leader: Bob Bruce
Bob will lead us on a guided tour around the remains of the china-clay processing
works, an iron mine and a ferro-ceramic brick-making site all close to Shaugh Bridge
at the confluence of the Rivers Plym and Meavy. First there will be a short uphill
walk up the lane and across two fields to join the pipeline which brought clay slurry
down from the pits near Cadover Bridge, then we’ll follow the clay down through all
the processes to end up at the loading bays by the car park. Then we’ll cross the
Plym where we can see the shafts, adits, leat, wheelpit and smithy of the iron mine
and finish with the settling pits and linear kiln of the brickworks. Some uphill
and rough ground, potentially slippery if wet, so please wear suitable footwear.
Total distance about 2 km. No dogs please. Meet in the Shaugh Bridge car park (SX
533 636) at 7pm.
Click to see map and directions
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Monday 5th July
PENTILLIE CASTLE GARDENS
Coordinator: Janet Cambridge
Mr or Mrs Coryton, the owners, will give us a short talk about the House and Gardens,
then there will be a guided tour of the estate and gardens (designed by Repton in
1809), possibly with long and short options. The walks, with panoramic views over
the Tamar, up to about 3 miles maximum, will include uneven paths and some uphill
and downhill sections, so please wear suitable footwear. Advance booking, with payment
of £8 per person, member or visitor alike, is required. This includes entry to the
Estate and tea and cake refreshment. Please be prepared to remove boots or bring
a change of footwear in case tea is in the house. Please send the booking form with
payment and SAE to Janet Cambridge before 28th June. Enquiries to Janet at 01752
669 737. Meet at 6.30pm at Paynter’s Cross (SX 399 641) at the entrance to the
Estate, where instructions on parking will be given.
[ Advance Booking Required - click here for printable booking form. ]
Click to see map and directions
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Monday 2nd August
BLACKDOWN RINGS
Leader: Robert Waterhouse
Robert Waterhouse is a freelance archaeologist who has led us on many interesting
trips over the years. This year he has chosen to show us Blackdown Rings (also known
as Loddiswell Rings). This high point in the South Hams is the site of an Iron Age
univallate hillfort with a Norman ringwork and bailey in the NW corner. The IA defences
were recut in the 11th century for use as a large outer bailey - large enough to
accommodate an army! This strategic fort lies on a major ridge road from Brent Moor
to the sea and on a major E-W cross-country route from Totnes to Plympton. Meet
at 7pm in the car park (SX 7175 5190).
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Monday 6th September
PLYMOUTH - BACK-STREET WALKING
Leader: Nigel Overton
Nigel Overton, the Maritime Officer at the Plymouth City Museum, will lead us on
a meander from Sherwell to Ladywell and back - via Ebrington Street and Beaumont
Park - up to about 2 miles total. Topics range from Drake’s Leat and the first electricity
supply, to the Civil War to cast iron street furniture and more. Meet at 6.30pm
at Drake’s Place - Reservoir Park, North Hill (SX 481 550). Please wear suitable
footwear. Limited parking in the Museum Annex car park in Tavistock Place (first
come first served), otherwise metered street parking, some side street parking or
Regent Street Car Park.
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