The Friends AGM - March 31st 2009

Members enjoyed an interesting and entertaining talk by our Guest Speaker, Paul Driscoll from the Historic Environment Record (HER), South Gloucestershire Council.

The business of the AGM was completed in record time, the committee was re-elected for another year and the annual reports of the chairman and treasurer, along with the annual accounts, were accepted. The chairman thanked everyone who supported the Friends through the year as well as all those who contributed to the buffet enjoyed after Paul's talk. 

Paul gave us a fast but very comprehensive account of the range of archaeological information which has been recorded in our area and then showed us how to access the Historic Environment Record to search for ourselves.

Samian ware, similar to examples on display at Thornbury Museum

Image protected by copyright 

Paul also gave an overview of the new project to produce a travelling exhibition which will feature all the many aspects of the archaeological records in our area. This will travel around South Glos, being exhibited at libraries, museums, heritage centres and the like, and will come to Thornbury Museum in 2010. The launch date is August 1st, 2009 at Yate Heritage Centre at their Archaeology Day, 10.30 to 4.30. 

Searching the HER is very easy with a computer:-         

Go to www.heritagegateway.org.uk and investigate either nationally or locally using the menus. If you are not a computer user, you can visit your local library to get help with your search or visit the records held by South Glos in Kingswood.

Salmon Supper, Friday January 30th 2009

Guest speaker Prof Mark Horton entertained the audience in his usual enthusiastic style with the illustrated talk, "Were there Cannibals in Alveston?"

He first described the background and setting of the excavation of a fissure in the limestone ridge at Alveston where the celebrated bones were found. These included both human and animal bones, notably a large number of dog bones, which might have been associated with the sacrifice of these highly regarded creatures, and a human leg bone which seems to have been deliberately split to reveal the marrow.

Mark proposed the theory that this find demonstrates local resistance to the first encroachment of the Romans into our area. The investigation was undertaken by Time Team, members of Bristol University and the local Hades caving club.

The Alveston Bone Cave, fissure, or Fishmonger's swallet as it is also known, is a gully hidden in the limestone ridge in Alveston. The fissure was created by rain and stream water dissolving the limestone over a very long period, and it made a convenient resting place for a huge pile of discarded bones. These have been dated to the 1st Century AD, at the beginning of the Roman occupation. A fascinating story of possible cannibalism and sacrifice has emerged from recent research.  

Professor Mark Horton shows to a spellbound audience how one of the humans whose remains were found in the Bone Cave was probably brutally killed by a blow to the top of the skull. This potentially grisly topic was delivered with both plenty of fascinating detail and an engaging sense of humour. 

After a very enjoyable talk we all enjoyed a delicious salmon supper (with the usual  vegetarian option) and wonderful puddings made by the Friends.                        

This is the Friends' main fundraising event of the year, and the proceeds are dedicated to supporting museum projects. Past projects to benefit include the new exhibition case for the Roman coins, a digital copy of the Thornbury Tithe map, (which can be viewed on the computer in the coins room), a small projects  fund for new computer parts and software, and renovation of the museum's reception and shop. The Friends have also supported the Sculpture project. 

Special thanks for a successful event to Mark Horton, to all who help towards this event, especially the chef and her team, all the Friends of the Museum and their friends and families for helping with all the organisation, and our sponsors, who included Aldi, Thornbury Castle, Hacket Farm and everyone who donated raffle prizes and puddings.

Some of the diners enjoying salmon, cream-soaked gratin potatoes and salad, and a selection of the wonderful puddings for which this event is well known. 

Images © T&DHT

Our "bar staff" enjoy their well earned puds while our "raffle ladies" fold the tickets, ready for the prize draw.  

Friends Chairman, Terry Ray, who organises this event each year, is assisted with the prize draw by Thornbury Mayor, Bob Griffin and his consort Marie Holmes.

Images © T&DHT

The Ken Baily annual lecture

This originated as an event held to commemorate the contribution to the local community by Ken Baily and was funded by the Ken Baily Bequest for many years. The event has continued, bearing his name, as a fund- raising event for the museum.

About the Friends 

The Friends of the Museum group was formed in 1999 to support Thornbury Museum, to provide a programme of social and educational activities and to raise funds for the purchase of objects and archives for the museum collection.

Through our exciting programme of events and visits to different heritage destinations we aim to share our activities with a wide audience. There are regular newsletters to keep people informed of our activities.

The Friends holds an annual lecture and supper, called the Ken Baily Event in memory of Ken, a local personality. This is our major fundraising activity of the year and features a guest speaker and an excellent Salmon supper.

The Friends support the Museum in its main aim which is to 'Interpret and document the culture and heritage of Thornbury and the Lower Severn Vale for the education and enjoyment of the public.' The museum maintains a permanent exhibition as well as a varied programme of short term specialist displays.

There are a number of special events held throughout the year, including a custodians and Friends party, coffee mornings and other fund-raising events.

Contact the museum if you want to join us or drop in to pick up a form.