OCTOBER 2018

The closing date for voting in the Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year Competition 2018 (and, in particular, our nomination for Scottish Tree of the Year) has now closed and we will have to wait until November to learn the result.

Another TillVAS excavation has come to an end at Mardon Farm where we further investigated the Iron-Age settlement that we looked at last year. Ditches, cobbles surfaces, pottery sherds and even flints probably from Neolithic soil infill.

What a long, dry spell we have had since May—not like the south of England but very good for Northumberland. Lots of plant watering needed, whilst allowing the grass to go brown. Recent showers have quickly greened the grass. Another marvellous holiday in Cyprus in May with sun all day and everyday; swimming and snorkelling, meeting up with our family and visiting ancient churches, monasteries, attractive villages and archaeological sites. I have put a few photos in the Gallery.

2018 sees another book in course of preparation. More details later.

A current project which has taken up much of my time but is just coming to an end, is the inspection and recording of historic buildings in connection with the Branxton & Crookham Village Atlas Project. This is a community project administered by the Till Valley Archaeological Society with the aid of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. In addition to the Historic Buildings Group, there are three other groups of volunteers dealing with archaeology, social history and oral history. There is more information on the TillVAS website—there is a link below.

My fourth book on local topics, Breamish and Till: From Source to Tweed, is available for sale, published by the Till Valley Archaeological Society (TillVAS)(www.tillvas.com), ISBN 978-1-291-58938-2 Price £10. Net proceeds of sale go to the Society. 

Information about this and other books, articles and poems can be seen on my Books & Books (cont.) pages and copies of some may be bought by clicking on the blue link at the top of the Books page and following the instructions.