Early 2010

The co-ordinators of the Northwick Manor Community Heritage Project are now delighted to announce that the Northwick Manor Heritage Trail will be launched on May 1st, 2010 with a spectacular May Day festival event.

The ribbon will be cut by Mick Aston form Channel 4's Time Team and there will be activities for all the family, including a Punch & Judy show from the World-famous puppeteer Richard Coombes, sword fighting and a medieval encampment of soldiers from Gaunt's Retinue, refreshments and much more! It will take place at The Slip, Old Northwick Lane from 2-5pm.

For further details contact; Sheena Payne-Lunn on 01905 721133/ archaeology@worcester.gov.uk or Deborah Overton on 01905 855494/ doverton@worcestershire.gov.uk

A spectacular exhibition of artwork and photography took place at Northwick Manor Primary School on February 27th in conclusion of the Northwick & Bevere Art & Photography Competition. On display were over 250 entries to the competition including many from pupils at the school but also a stunning array of work from local adults in a variety of different media. Judging by representatives of the Worcestershire Camera Club and The Gallery, Bevere took place that afternoon and prizes were awarded to a number of talented artists.

In the adult painting category, 1st prize was awarded to Wendy Galassini for her beautiful watercolour entitled 'Along the Severn at Bevere', while in the photography category, 1st prize went to Leo Smith for his striking image entitled 'Cormorant Stands Watch' depicting the Cormorant that frequents Bevere Island. The first three in each category were exhibited in a special display at The Gallery, Bevere.

• Conservation work to stabilise the condition of an important 18th century map has now been completed. For further details, please see our Conservation page.

* Project leaders were delighted recently, when a local couple brought in an interesting find! Pictured below is the small metal object that had been safely stored for several years by Mr & Mrs Stanley after a relative had found it whilst gardening in Ombersley Road.

The artefact was brought to the attention of Angie Bolton, Finds Liaison Officer for the Portable Antiquities Scheme who identified it on behalf of the project. She confirmed that this was a snake-form belt hook, used on sword belts from the late 16th century onwards. This particular example she believes is 17th-century in date and is in good condition, apart from one end that appears to have broken off in antiquity, possibly causing the object to be lost in the fields or on the roadside. Ombersley Road has in fact, been straightened in the last hundred years or so and would originally have passed more-or-less across the area where this artefact was discovered!

One side of the belt hook shows signs of being more worn, presumably where it was worn close to the body, but otherwise the detail of the workmanship is very clear and is in the form of a snake. These type of buckles were later worn by military personnel.

We are always keen to take a look at any objects, bits of pottery or anything else that you may have come across in your gardens, so please do get in touch if you have made your own discovery – these finds add to our knowledge of the area! Email: archaeology@worcester.gov.uk

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