15th July Guided Walk
“Grace Dieu Priory Guided Walk” with The Friends of Grace Dieu
29th September Hoby & District Village Hall
“Historic Graffiti – the Hidden Story of the Hopes, Fears and Desires of a Nation” by James Wright
Modern graffiti is often seen as transgressive and moronic. However, look closely in the light of a torch at the walls of our historic buildings, trees, caves and rockfaces and you will see a world of graffiti left that illuminates the psychology of our ancestors. The study of historic graffiti enables us to hear the lost voices of ordinary individuals through their images of daisywheels, ships sailing across the walls, knights drawing their swords, demons stalking the stonework and every animal imaginable….
In the last decade or so, the study of historic graffiti has entered the archaeological mainstream. A significant number of buildings and even whole counties have active surveys ongoing; lectures, workshops, day schools and conferences are widespread; press stories, articles and books are frequently published. However, what does all of this mean? Why are we now so broadly focused on what had, until recently, been an obscure niche subject. This lecture looks at the wider cultural meanings of historic graffiti in context.
James Wright is an award winning archaeologist and accredited lecturer with both the Arts Society and WEA. He has experience of teaching undergraduates at the University of Nottingham where he completed Graduate School training courses on lecturing. He is a very proficient public speaker with over fifteen years of experience and has talked to a wide variety of organisations including the Gresham College, Shakespeare400 and the National Trust.
17th November Hoby & District Village Hall
“LIDAR (Light Detecting & Ranging) – Exposure & Interpretation of Historic Landscapes” By Matt Beamish
Matthew Beamish will explain how aerial LiDAR data can be used to illuminate past landscapes. Details of surface topography can be found where they cannot be seen with the naked eye, and in areas of woodland where traditional survey is not practical. The techniques of LIDAR processing and analysis will be illustrated with examples of different types of site from various periods.
Matthew Beamish is a graduate of Cambridge University, and has been working as an archaeologist in Leicestershire since 1990. His archaeological expertise covers all prehistoric sites, including wetland preservation and wood technology. A particular highlight in recent years has been the analysis and experimental reconstruction of the first ever bark shield to have been found in the northern hemisphere. Technical expertise includes the development and implementation of database systems, site survey, the use of GIS systems, and the use of aerial LIDAR data. Matthew is the Membership Secretary for the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society.
8th December Hoby & District Village Hall
Members Evening: Ghost stories from Brooksby