Epsom and Ewell History and Archaeology Society
Epsom and Ewell History and Archaeology Society has been encouraging interest in archaeology and history of the area for 50 years so we felt that it would be a good idea to set out what this organisation does.
Epsom & Ewell History & Archaeology Society was founded in 1960 by a group of people who had taken part in the excavation of Nonsuch Palace in 1959, an excavation claimed to be the biggest ever carried out in this country in one season. A wealth of material was unearthed and some of the finds are still being studies and written up by Professor Martin Biddle who, as a young Ministry of Works archaeological consultant, was in charge of the project.
The early name for the society was The Nonsuch and Ewell Antiquarian Society. However, this was changed to the current title in 2004 in order to make clear the area covered by its activities and because of perceived changes in the meaning of ‘antiquarian’, which had led to the Society receiving advertisements for Zimmer frames!
In spite of the name changes, the objects of the Society have always been the same: to encourage interest in the archaeology and history of the Epsom and Ewell area and to ensure that buildings and objects of historical significance are preserved.
The archaeology has been looked after by organising excavations and there have been dozens of these. The Society’s archaeologists were particularly active during the first twenty years or so, and there has been a revival in the number of projects following the appointment of Jonathan Cotton of the Museum of London as President in 1997, and the appointment of Frank Pemberton as Archaeology Officer. Also, our Secretary, Nikki Cowlard, is a practising archaeologist as is committee member Lesley Hays.
As might be expected, since Ewell was a settlement on the Roman Road, Stane Street, much of the archaeology has been concerned with Romano-British remains. Some of the recent digs have been in collaboration with Birkbeck College, Surrey County Archaeological Society and Surrey Archaeological Society. An impressive body of knowledge on Roman Ewell has been built up.
Since the beginning, the Society has done its best to protect historic buildings from demolition or unwarranted change by appropriate protests, and has succeeded in getting a number of buildings listed.
Local history is catered for by talks on the first Wednesday of each month at St. Mary’s Church Hall, London Road, Ewell by a variety of speakers and the publication of papers, particularly a series of Occasional Papers, A5 booklets written by members of the Society following documentary research. No. 50 is soon to be published in this, the 50th anniversary year of the foundation of the Society. Also, visits are arranged to places of historic interest.
Strong links are also maintained with Bourne Hall Museum and a number of members do voluntary work there as well as being volunteers with EELFHS. There is a strong social element in the monthly meetings and visits and members are kept informed of what is going on by means of a bi-monthly newsletter.
The Society has entered its 50th year well equipped to continue its objectives.
For more information visit the Epsom & Ewell History & Archaeology Society website