Review: Digging Dad's Army

ww1 gun emplacement against zeppelin attacks
Andy Brockman, Shooters Hill's very own archaeologist at the eaglesfield ww1 gun emplacement

Well this is not exactly hot off the press, and the digging dad’s army blog gives the full scoop (groan, shameful pun) on what transpired, but the main message I got from the Eaglesfield dig was that the ww1 gun emplacement for bringing down zeppelins could perhaps be put on display, with an information panel like the one at the mayplace lane bronze age barrow.

Photo Version

the site header now contains some great photos of the hill. the titles and photographers have been listed wth their flickr details. all the photos were originally tagged with the shootershill label on flickr:

IMG_3500 - Oxleas Meadows
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stopher/3223309059/
oxleas meadow
Shooters Hill
wharf in a storm

Digging Dad's Army

Digging Dad’s Army, a group of conflict archaeologists affiliated with birkbeck and negus are digging up various parts of eaglesfield park this week as part of their ongoing investigations into wartime archaeology in this part of london. they have chosen their digging spots based on some aerial photos and some geophysics, which indicated where wartime trenches might have been dug, and thus where they might find evidence of what was happening in the last two world wars. they also used geophysics to look for anomalous features relating to magnetic fields and other physical properties of the ground, and apart from using this to look for concrete and metal associated with military installations, they did on the dig for time team stumble on some late bronze age early iron age remnants of iron smelting activities, which was a bit odd considering that there’s no iron in the area, plus why would whoever was working with it wish to carry all the ore to the top of a hill? anyway, this was written up in a wessex archaeology report as the time team dig it was found on didn’t really have scope to include this in the program. significantly however, this discovery also gives shooters hill the interest of being one of the few if only parts of london with evidence of human activities stretching back to this epoch 2-3 thousand years ago.

they can be approached all week, but they will probably have the most to talk about when then get to the end of their dig on saturday during the treasures of eaglesfield park day. this event is also being staged to support the refilling, fencing and educational use of the lilypond as a natural habitat for various local species and is not unrelated to the wild london scheme with its fondness for ponds, which are being promoted as being good for london and its inhabitants.

The Treasures of Eaglesfield Park

Title: The Treasures of Eaglesfield Park
Location: Eaglesfield Park Lily Pond
Link out: www.foep.org.uk
Description: Find out more about the history of this fantastic park from the
Bronze Age to the present day and be part of shaping its future:

* A new wildlife pond for Eaglesfield Park – what do you think?
* Displays, pond restoration plans and information
* Guided walks of the park will begin at 2pm and 3pm: look at the history of the park, it’s wildlife and proposals for restoring the pond
* Children’s Nature Activities – seed planting, bark rubbing, colouring and more
* Dress up in 1940’s costume and join in the fun!

Free entrance / disabled access: Via ramp at the corner of Foxcroft Road and Cleanthus Road, SE18

Organised by: The Friends of Eaglesfield Park, Froglife, Groundwork London, and Digging Dads Army Project

Working in partnership with Greenwich Council Parks and Open Spaces
Start Time: 12:30
Date: 2009-06-20
End Time: 16:00

Review: Woodlands Farm Summer Show

down at the woodlands farm today it was bliss: as we lazed around on straw bales in the back field the sun streamed down on us and we tucked into ice creams and watched the sheep getting their summer haircuts. the golden fleeces would have pleased jason and the argonauts i’m sure.

the bromley beekeepers were out in their masses selling jars of woodlands honey for £4 a go which the local hayfever sufferers were snapping up in readiness for next year. aside from it’s rumoured medicinal benefits, woodlands honey is also extremely sweet.

the woodlands willow grove was also getting a haircut today with garden obelisks on sale for £8 which would make a lovely gift for a sweet pea or a clematis. fine willow baskets were also on offer.

there were all sorts of other things going on too; wool spinning, kid crafts, an adventure playground, pony rides, owl stroking, giant rabbits, tugs of war, and information on the history of the farm, which is, i believe, london’s last real farm.

this was a bit more low key than previous events, such as the last lambing day, which was a complete roadblock and had all the atmosphere of oxford street on christmas eve; but perhaps that’s not such a bad thing as it was a very calm and enjoyable way to spend a lazy sunday afternoon.

Woodlands Farm Summer Show

Title: Woodlands Farm Summer Show
Location: Woodlands Farm
Link out: Click here
Description: All are welcome at the Woodlands Farm Trust Summer Show. Come and meet our animals, and enjoy the chance to buy quality local produce at reasonable prices, including home-made preserves, cakes and honey. Relax in our café, or get involved in craft activities and games, including the tug-of-war and pony rides. Enjoy displays of country crafts, including sheep shearing, wool spinning, and bee keeping. All proceeds go towards caring for our animals. A great family day out! Time: 11.00-16.30 £3.00 adults, £1.50 concessions and children aged 6-16. Children aged 5 and under go free. Venue: The Woodlands Farm Trust 331 Shooters Hill, Welling, Kent, DA16 3RP 020 8319 8900
Start Time: 11:00
Date: 2009-06-07
End Time: 16:30

Eaglesfield Park Neighbourhood Watch Community Event

Title: Eaglesfield Park Neighbourhood Watch Community Event
Location: Eaglesfield Park
Description: The Eaglesfield Park Neighbourhood Watch Scheme is hosting their second free, family event to help foster community spirit, and promote the benefits of local neighbourhood watch schemes.

Take part in fun activities, stands and stalls, and get to know the people that help make our community great.

Meet the Shooters Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team; Lewisham Mounted Police; Woolwich Army Cadets; Eltham Fire Brigade; British Transport Police, Woolwich Scout Group, Shooters Hill Lawn Tennis Club; Woolwich and Plumstead Bowls Club, local Friends’ Groups – to name but a few!

Have your face or hands painted, take part in the raffle or try some of our yummy home-made cakes.

Event opens at 1pm by PC Cliff Graham, raffle draw 3pm.

Eaglesfield Park, Eaglesfield Road, Shooters Hill SE18

For more information about our scheme visit: www.shnws.org.uk, or email: epnws@hotmail.co.uk

Eaglesfield Park is situated at the top of Shooters Hill, London SE18. It is the second highest point in Greater London, and boasts panoramic views over Kent. The park can be reached by the 486, 89 and 244 buses, with the nearest train stations at Welling, and DLR at Woolwich.
Start Time: 13:00
Date: 2009-07-11
End Time: 16:00