2021 was a great year for Leintwardine History Society. Many members had used lockdown to get stuck in to some serious historical investigation or else had taken to the keyboard to record their memories of growing up in or around Leintwardine. Others had decluttered their home and found postcards and photographs that had been unseen for years. Genealogists, amateur landscape historians and would-be archaeologists had all been busy. The result? A 2021 programme of walks, talks, project reports, Facebook posts and four fat colourful issues of the Leintwardine History Society Journal containing pretty much something for everyone.
Once restrictions began to ease, members were eager to meet up again and a spring programme of socially distanced guided rambles billed as ‘Tumps, Twts and Castle Mounds‘ was well received. The objective was to explore and understand some of the 20 sites of minor early earthen and timber-built castles that are situated within a 5 mile radius of Leintwardine. In April, groups walked from Leintwardine to the sites of Upper Buckton Farm motte and Walford motte, pausing to view the site of Buckton Roman camp on the way. Refuelling took place at Court House before the walk back to Leintwardine over Brockley Meadow. On 23rd June, Mike Rix organised a midsummer evening ramble to the dramatic Stanage Farm motte. Walkers met at Weston, followed the footpath alongside the Teme, crossing it via a footbridge, before climbing the steep bluff which rises from the valley floor and up to the site to take in the impressive views. To finish the evening, tea and biscuits were provided by Wilde Lodge.
On 16th June, LHS Annual General Meeting was held in St Mary Magdalene church. The business of the meeting over, members were treated to a thought provoking talk by Leon Bracelin, archaeologist at Ludlow Castle. His ‘props’ were small insignificant finds – fragments of pottery, a bit of clay pipe, the remains of an old shoe. Holding them up for the audience to see, he explained what was at the heart of his love of archaeology – that immediate and electrifying connection with an unknown person in the past. Listen to Leon’s talk here https://youtu.be/DG9Mzw_kgwo
On 9th October, 30 people enjoyed John Williams church tour. It prompted Karen Rentell to post on our Facebook page ‘Had a fabulous morning with John and the team finding out about the history of the church. Even got a look from the very top and found a bat on the way!! Thankyou!‘ John is a founder member of the society and author of ‘Leintwardine Church – an Illustrated History’. See our ‘Publications’ page.https://leintwardinehs.wordpress.com/publications/
In November, another free activity was well received by non-members and members alike. Lifelong Leintwardine resident and LHS member Ken Dodd guided upwards of 40 people around the village on his ‘Leintwardine Characters’ walk. There have been plenty of those over the years!
During Covid, LHS talks were delivered via Zoom including, in March, a fascinating talk by Rob Cock on the population of Victorian Leintwardine, based on his analysis of the historic census returns. In September, Brian Wilkinson addressed a socially distanced audience on the subject of the Leintwardine water supply (always a vexed subject). On 20th October, Dr Roger While of Birmingham University returned to Leintwardine to give an account of Leintwardine’s place in the Roman world. He addressed a full house at the Leintwardine Centre. His talk was the subject of our previous blog.
Our archive of historical documents including transcribed parish records, old wills, inventories and photographs continued to provide valuable material for people researching their Leintwardine family history.
The highlight of 2021 had to be the Letton Mill Project. Documentary evidence shows that a ‘Watercorne Mill’ had existed in the manor of Letton from the 14th – 17th centuries. Initial fieldwork started on the site in late spring and on 27th June, a dozen or so LHS volunteers undertook a geophysical survey under the direction of geophysicist David Thornley. The results of the science, combined with local knowledge and historic maps identified a promising site for further exploration. The initial findings were published in Issue 77 of the Leintwardine History Society Journal (September 2021). In late September, preparations were made to excavate the site and diggers arrived to cut the main trenches. On 7th October the dig officially started. By the end of day 1 there was good news “We’ve definitely got archaeology!” For the next couple of weeks, dozens of LHS volunteers, under professional supervision, worked tirelessly at Letton while Bonzo the Dig Dog looked on. The rest of us followed daily posts on Facebook. Plenty of structural remains were found – rubble walls, trenches and surfaces plus smaller items which will help to date activity at the site. These included fragments of 17th century Lingenware pottery. “Perplexing” was one word used to describe the findings. “Quite a few features are appearing, which, in combination, are capable of a variety of interpretations.” Digging ceased on day 15 and the site was closed for the winter. Work continues indoors as the team analyse what they have found so far, validate their many theories and make plans to revisit the site in 2022. Watch this space!
LEINTWARDINE HISTORY SOCIETY 