Welcome to the
Cirencester Archaeological and Historical Society Homepage
If you live in or near
Cirencester and are interested in Archaeology or History, then the Cirencester
Archaeological and Historical Society is for
you. The society has been in existence for over fifty years. In the early days
it sponsored "digs" in the Cotswold area. As Archaeology is now well
catered for in the planning system, we restrict ourselves nowadays to talks,
visits, publications, such as the "Miscellany" series, and various
projects.
Meetings are held from September to May, usually on the
fourth Wednesday of each month. For the season 2009-10 they will mostly be held
in Cirencester's Ashcroft Centre, but we also visit the Bingham Hall. See the relevant Programme
page for details.
About Us
The Cirencester
Archaeological and Historical Society was founded in 1955 following local
anxiety that due to the many changes going on in the town, building sites should
be monitored “to ensure that nothing of historical interest should be
unwittingly destroyed, and that records should be made of any discoveries”.
This continues to be of importance and committee members regularly assess the
implications of development proposals in Cirencester.
The Society has an annual programme of lectures, many
with particular reference to the local area, but some of wider national
interest.
Visits to sites and buildings of archaeological and
historic interest are arranged and where possible, members are invited to view
excavations under the supervision of professional experts.
Members are also encouraged to take part in special
projects supported by the Society. The Society’s Millennium Project was to
outline in slabs and install a plaque in the Abbey grounds, giving information
on the history of the great Augustinian Abbey of St. Mary, which dominated the
landscape and lives of the people of Cirencester for over 400 years. This was
completed with help from the Town Council who own the grounds, and thus was
opened by the Mayor one rainy evening during 2000.
The Society is generous in helping other local groups
and charities whose aims and causes it shares. For example, the restoration of
the Bowley Almshouses in Watermoor Road, and the memorial to Sir Robert Atkyns
in Sapperton Church. Many students and others have also been supported in their
historical research projects.
The Cirencester Archaeological and Historical Society
shares many aims and concerns with Cirencester Civic
Society, and both groups
join annually for the Croome Lecture each
February. In more recent years a link has been made with the Cirencester Science
and Technology Society, and an annual joint lecture has been held.
Page
last updated 04 November, 2009
