8 minute read
HISTORY
Looking towards Chester House across the site of the old Roman settlement
Do you love to discover the mysteries of ancient peoples and their lives? Have you been fascinated watching local history uncovered on telly programmes like ‘Digging for Britain’ or ‘The Great British Dig’, or even the wonderful original ‘Time Team’? If so, I have great news! Earlier this year, a new way to access our Northamptonshire heritage was revealed, and for those interested in what lies hidden below the topsoil, there’s a brand-new home for Northamptonshire Archaeology.
We are lucky to have the Nene Valley running through the heart of our county. It cuts a verdant swathe connecting a variety of landscapes such as industrial estates, business and retail parks, but best of all are the publicly accessible green spaces, offering safe corridors for wildlife, and beauty and tranquillity for us.
We are not the first to enjoy what the Nene has to offer, there’s evidence of occupation in the valley stretching back at least ten millennia. This watery world is rich in buried remains, some of which were excavated over the last few hundred years as the science of archaeology developed. A few of these finds found their way into local museums, and a few reports have been published, but inevitably much remains unrecorded or conserved to modern standards. The same is true across the county, there are many collections that have no secure home making access difficult.
There is a new home for Northamptonshire Archaeology at Chester House, placing the future protection of our local heritage in a very good place indeed writes Laura Malpas.
But now, all this has changed! There is now a purpose-built facility dedicated to holding the archaeology of the county in appropriate conditions and making it accessible to all. And for 4 weeks this summer, all are welcome to join in a Festival of Archaeology, not just students or researchers, but anyone interested in learning more. It will be hosted by the Chester House Estate in their newly opened facility, in collaboration with Rushden Lakes, and Stanwick Lakes.
For many years, Chester Farm was a sad neglected shell of the formerly prosperous 17th Century farmstead. It was acquired by Northamptonshire County Council in 2004 with plans to make it a focus for county heritage. Work proceeded slowly, but in 2010, days away from completion, tragedy struck. Fire gutted the main building, devastated the team, and set plans back.
The Farmhouse Cafe
Nene Valley colour coated ware vessel found under the Museum, 2nd -3rd Century AD
However, one benefit of the fire was the opportunity to re-evaluate the buildings and potential uses for the estate. New funding was acquired from the National Heritage Lottery Fund to complete the restoration, clear away old equipment and temporary buildings, and to tidy up the estate. Funding was also provided to help realise the vision to create an asset freely available to the public which would provide a focus for heritage, educational, and recreational purposes, along with a café, holiday let, and a variety of interesting retail units. After more setbacks, not the least of which were enforced closures due to Covid, Chester Farm, now rebranded as The Chester House Estate opened officially earlier this year. And it is already a ‘must-see’ place to visit, with so much more to come.
Right now, there’s plenty to enjoy with no entry fee, and almost everywhere is accessible. In the old Farmhouse there’s a lovely café with views over the Nene Valley. The old courtyard buildings include a variety of shops selling local history books and gifts, farm produce, ciders and other brews, flowers and vintage bits and bobs. There’s an outdoor children’s play area, and a shop specially for your canines. The Courtyard has an outdoor licensed bar with plenty of seating, and along with the Threshing Barn, offers a desirable
event venue, and both are already getting booked up. A free-to-visit Museum and Education Centre shares the ten-thousand-year long history of the site with finds, photos, and activities. There’s so much live entertainment going on this summer already.
However, totally new and exciting to history lovers is the purpose-built ARC, the Archaeological Resources Centre, the new home for Northamptonshire’s archaeological finds under the care of Archive Curator Ben Donnelly-Symes. He is expecting up to 24,000 boxes, containing everything from the earliest stone objects, through to Roman and Mediaeval objects for storage from over 2500 sites, along with the paper records and other documents relating to the county excavations. Even finds sheets and drawings completed by the student archaeologist Laura Malpas (me!) 45 years ago will be stored safely away for posterity! Treasure indeed!
Storage is one thing, but the accessibility to these collections and the expertise of the team is almost unique.
Roman column stored in the ARC
And engagement with the interested public, schools, students, and researchers is high on the list of priorities. Professor Sarah Scott from the University of Leicester’s Archaeology Department is working closely with The Chester House Estate, Rushden Lakes and Stanwick Lakes to deliver the ‘Nene Valley Communities Past and Present; Festival of History, Archaeology and Heritage’. This is the perfect way to get close to the archaeological action as there’s loads happening.
Threshing Barn
researchers and local societies might inspire you to discover how you can get involved with this most absorbing of studies. You could learn how to investigate responsibly in your own back garden, and how to study and find careers in archaeology.
For four weeks starting mid-June, there are opportunities for the public to get involved. There will be ancient arts and crafts to discover, and ‘real’ Roman soldiers performing. The Chester House Estate with students from Leicester University are conducting an excavation on site, so visitors can watch real-time digging, and learn from the experts. Taster days, talks and walks, networking events and opportunities to meet with professional archaeologists using cutting edge technology, At the time of writing plans are still being finalised, and it’s looking very exciting. The best way to find out what’s happening will be via the Chester House Estate website where very soon there will be a tab to direct you to all the events.
It’s been a long time coming, but The Chester House Estate is looking great, and the inspiring and energetic team are keen to welcome everyone to enjoy what’s available. And there truly is something for everyone. I heartily commend this wonderful asset to Northamptonshire to you, go and see what all the excitement is about!
Northampton and Westminster
Mayor of Northampton Cllr Rufia Ashraf visits the Palace of Westminster with Andrew
Ihad the pleasure recently of a visit by the Mayor of Northampton, Cllr Rufia Ashraf, to the Palace of Westminster. The links interweaving Westminster and Northampton are many and fascinating.
Battles between Simon de Montfort and King Henry III including the Battle of Northampton in 1264 were fought over the rights of Knights and town Burghers like the Mayor of Northampton to meet and make political decisions. It was Simon de Montfort’s short lived proto-Parliament in 1265 that ultimately evolved into what we know now as the House of Commons.
King Edward I laid the body of his wife Queen Eleanor in Delapré Abbey overnight in 1290 on their way to Westminster for her funeral. He ordered the building of memorial crosses on every overnight stop between Lincoln and Westminster. Of the twelve built, only three remain intact, one of them on London Road in Northampton. Five years later he began constructing St Stephen’s Chapel in Westminster which served as his royal chapel.
The Palace of Westminster is an iteration of constructions from various time periods, built and occupied out of disasters and changing fortunes. Each event has strengthened its story and sometimes changed its function. The great Westminster Palace fire of 1512, three years into reign of Henry VIII, ended its use as a Royal Palace, and St Stephen’s as a royal chapel, which was then re-purposed as the meeting place of the House of Commons after his death in 1547.
St Stephen’s Chapel (now St Stephen’s Hall) became the longest
King Edward I laid the body of his wife Queen Eleanor in Delapré Abbey overnight in 1290 on their way to Westminster for her funeral
serving venue for the House of Commons until the next great disaster, another fire in October 1834.
It was at the entrance of this place that Spencer Percival, the only Northampton MP who ever became Prime Minister was slain in 1812 by a disgruntled, bankrupt businessman from Norfolk.
Delapré Abbey is another local institution which has many iterations since its establishment in 1145. It is one of my favourite places in Northampton and well worth a visit. History and heritage matter. It is a story of us all.
If you are my constituent and you would like to come down to London for a tour of the Houses of Parliament, I would be delighted to organise this for you. Please email me andrew.lewer.mp@parliament.uk For details of Delapre Abbey, please visit www.delapreabbey.org
Andrew LewerMP for Northampton South
CONTACT DETAILS: Tel: 01604 978080 Email: andrew.lewer.mp@parliament.uk www.andrewlewer.com CONSTITUENCY OFFICE : 42 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5DE
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