The Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust News - old stories

On 4th October Jeff Spencer gave an illustrated talk to about 18 members of ‘Sarn Wednesday Club’ an Age Concern supported group at the excellent new Sarn Village Hall (near Newtown).

Right: Members of Sarn Wednesday Club.

He spoke about the various aspects of the work of The Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust and its changing roles over the years, and introduced the group to some archaeological sites and monuments in the area of Sarn and Kerry. An image of Old Hall Camp just over one kilometre south of Sarn proved popular, this being the monument known locally as 'Hubert's Folly' and possibly built as an outpost of Montgomery Castle in the 13th century by Hubert de Burgh.

Information about excavations undertaken by CPAT at the Upper Short Ditch (a bank and ditch monument south of Sarn on the Kerry Ridgeway) was also received enthusiastically. Sampling of peat sealed beneath the bank produced radiocarbon dates in the range AD540-660 and has enabled CPAT to interpret this enigmatic monument and others of its type as boundary markers built in an area of contested ownership.

One club member commented to Jeff afterwards

"When I heard we were getting a talk today about archaeology I thought 'oh well', but you've been so enthusiastic you've made it all very interesting"

A very pleasant afternoon concluded with tea, coffee and biscuits!