Events

Following our recent committee meeting we are pleased to announce that;

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A FREE TALK will be given by an ARCHAEOLOGICAL Project Manager who will talk about their work and finds including our dig in July 2019.

It will be on Wednesday 29th January 2020 at 7 pm

In Launceston’s Town Hall Otto Peter rooms.


This will be followed by brief reports for our AGM.
There will be an opportunity to get involved with all aspects of our work including archaeology.
Facebook group- Friends of Launceston Priory
 
Twitter account – Launceston Priory @lansonpriory

www.launcestonpriory.org.uk

OUR SHARED HERITAGE

2020-AGM-posterDownload

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Our successful three day community dig, July 2019

at Launceston’s Priory Park

There will be more reports and articles about the event and finds here.

Our committee and professional volunteers; Far left is Rob Tremain our Chairperson and on the far right,
cutting the first turf is Abigail Brown our Archaeologist.
Photo taken by John Ellacott.

Launceston Priory was once the largest and richest monastic house in Cornwall. Permission to build a new priory was granted in 1127 by Henry I and it’s construction was completed by 1155. By the late C15th, the Priory was at its height of influence and wealth with the building complex only surpassed by Exeter Cathedral.

Priory Park where the Geophysical Survey took place. Photo taken by Abigail Brown.

A professional description of the aim and design of our Community Dig by Abigail Brown, our Archaeologist;

PPLC19-Project-Design-1-1Download

In 2012, a geophysical survey was conducted of Priory Park by Malcolm Wright who has kindly given permission for the images to be displayed here. The park was part of land owned by the Priory and a possible building was identified. We will be digging 1 metre test pits to investigate the results of the survey.

The Friends of Launceston Priory have permission, support and facilities from Launceston Town Council to organise this archaeological dig.

All photos below taken by John Ellacott.

Day One. Friday 26th July; test pits dug with some amazing finds.

Many enjoying their digging in the sun, with guidance.
Spoil boards lent and delivered courtesy of R. J. Wevill.
Some pits became quite deep . . . . . . with many finds . . . . . . . .
This looks like it could be a coin and is causing some excitement and a range of theories.
A professional investigation is being undertaken. Watch this space!
A metal detectorist double checking the spoil heaps.
He was the one who found the article above on Friday 27th July.
More finds including the ring shown.
A closer look at the ‘Pilots sweetheart ring’.
Maybe a tobacco box?

Day Two. Saturday 27th July; two more test pits with many more finds.

Lots of people to help and more finds . . . . .

Two new pits opened today.
Enthusiastic children being guided to excavate what was thought to be an old barrel hoop.
An unbroken bottle – of unknown age or purpose.
An unfired 303 cartridge . . . origin still to be identified.

Day Three. Sunday 28th July; one more test pit and more finds.

The new test pit is further towards the swings at Priory Park.

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The metal detectorist is saying that there is definitely something there – he was right.

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These came from the final test pit.
A quick clean of a stone by a young archaeologist.
Sunday morning brew.
Mugs and flask kindly brought to us by local resident Jackie.
Bagging and labelling a find, with guidance.
Filling in the test pits.
All done and cleared away. The fences and tents went first thing on Monday morning.

With many thanks to the hundreds of interested and hard working visitors of all ages over the three days.

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We look forward to seeing you at future events.

We aim to provide events, experiences and information about the history and archaeology of the Priory.

We also aim to provide spiritual and artistic opportunities to celebrate the significance of the Priory.

We have collected and continue to research information about Launceston’s Priory which we are uploading to this website. We use this information and further research to inform our events and opportunities.

The Priory together with the facilities at the Lawrence House Museum which has many artefacts from the Priory on display, Launceston Castle, Launceston’s Steam Railway and Launceston’s Tourist Information provide an exciting and stimulating resource for locals, visitors, teachers and researchers alike.

We welcome your suggestions for future events or opportunities.

This is our common heritage.

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Further details, reading and illustrations;

To know about future events please keep checking our website or Face book page for information. If you wish to be informed, by email, please let us know this through our contact tab. Your details will be covered by data protection legislation. For this reason those who have previously had this service need to apply again.
Some events may require you to register your interest when we anticipate a particular activity may be over subscribed.
Most events are free and you can turn up on the day. We may have a donation box for food, drink or art materials.

Outside of our events, if you wish to arrange a talk or guided walk for your group please use our contact tab.

Information-for-schools-including-quiz from Arthur Wills and Terry FaullDownload
Quiz-questions-and-answers from Arthur Wills and Terry FaullDownload

Launceston’s Community Website …
Launceston 2020

Articles or information to be developed;

Posters, Photos and Newspaper reports for some previous events.

Leaflets, drawings, models, poetry and novels of, or referring to, the Priory.

We welcome your contact to; ask anything about this website or our events or to book a talk or guided walk; suggest ideas for our website or future events; offer to help with our ‘to be developed topics’ or to join our committee. Please use our Contact tab. Thank you. 😊