Community News
Local Heroes... 5 Minutes With...
Dr Brian Philp
Dr Brian Philip with some of his volunteers at Crofton Roman Villa
Director of Crofton Roman Villa and the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit (KARU) Nominated by Tom Yeeles from The Orpington History Organisation Tom says "During the season the villa host visits from numerous schools where the children are introduced to life in Roman times. My granddaughter had an opportunity to visit recently with her school and we have seen some photos of the visit - the children were clearly enjoying themselves. They are unsung heroes who give a lot of enjoyment (and knowledge) to lots and lots of children and who knows what that could lead to."
Please provide a bit of background about yourself I have always lived in Bromley, attending schools in West Wickham, dodging German bombs and building bonfires celebrating VE Day. My archaeological career began in February 1952 when Bromley Grammar closed on the death of King George VI. I researched in the school library Roman sites in Kent soon followed by excavations at Reculver fort. This set the pattern for the next six decades. After serving in Fighter Command in Germany, I soon gave up a City career to start rescuing archaeological sites in Kent about to be destroyed. In 1971 I formed the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit (KARU). In 1990 a national pressure group, (Rescue) which I helped form, changed the law and gained protection for ancient sites. My rescue excavations continued with extra effort into tourism at the Crofton Roman Villa and the Roman House at Dover. This includes lecturing, training and continuous publication - all of which continue today.
What charities are you involved in? The Kent Unit is a registered charity where I have been supported by my wife Edna from the start. We have involved over 1,200 people in all the many activities. We also formed the Council for Kentish Archaeology in 1964, another charity, which ran for 54 years and had over 450 supporters. This promoted Kent archaeology and also gave money grants to dozens of projects about Kent.
What's been your proudest moment?
There were three. In 1986 I conducted the Queen Mother around our Roman house at Dover. The others came in 2013 for long service to Kent archaeology. The first was the award of an honorary degree, Doctor of Letters, by the University of Kent. I had to give a 15-minute humorous lecture at Canterbury Cathedral! Then I was awarded an MBE, presented by our Queen in the grand ballroom of Buckingham Palace. Later our team won the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, equivalent to a corporate MBE.
What does a typical day look like for you? Mondays are spent in Orpington, writing site reports, preparing rotas, financial and administrative matters. Tuesdays and Wednesdays I'm in Dover checking rotas,
10 Life in... Orpington March 2020
carrying out building repairs, talking to visitors, leading the school visits and overall management. Now working unpaid, I have to sleep in the office overnight. Thursdays I'm back in Orpington checking the Crofton Roman Villa, sometimes with the school workshops, mostly led by my wife and more management. Fridays, checking our buildings and stores and carrying out repairs. Saturdays mostly at home and hopefully with our twin grandchildren. Sundays working with our digging team across the County.
What’s the most rewarding thing about your job? Having designed and actually constructed the protective buildings over the Crofton Roman Villa and the Roman House at Dover and where I acted as unpaid Project Manager. There is considerable satisfaction in seeing these large buildings well used by visitors and schools. Dover has had over 130,000 visitors, from 40 different countries. The major aspect at Crofton is school workshops, which have attracted hundreds of schools. Here over 85,000 school children, mostly under ten years, have completed the workshops. Their delight and happiness with the event is most rewarding. Here we are supported by an excellent team of volunteers from the Bromley area (photo above).
What are your hopes and plans for the future?
Having completed six decades of Kent archaeology across so many aspects, there is more to do. I do not intend to give up but am well aware that every new day is a bonus. My wish is that the snowball I have created will continue for many years to come, but it will require a dedicated person and surviving on little or no income. Perhaps my grandson Nicholas?
How else have you been involved in anything community-related?
I am a member of many organisations, including residents’ groups. For eight years I have been advising young Portuguese archaeologists in Madeira and also carrying out our projects on the island. In 2019 I Ied the slapstick carnival, with over 800 actors, in Funchal the capital of Madeira.
Crofton Roman Villa is open from April to October they are looking for volunteers. Contact crofton.roman.villa@gmail.com for further information www.karu.org.uk/crofton_roman_villa.html lifeinmagazines.co.uk
