CERNE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Abbey Archaeological Excavation in Beauvoir in 2024

Last Summer’s eagerly anticipated archaeological excavation to uncover part of the cloister and to confirm the location of our abbey church was extremely successful. In addition to the skeleton some exciting finds were made, the stand-out items being a well-preserved section of a tiled walkway and a colourfully decorated piece of stoneware. A short video by Time Team provides a brief summary of what was achieved in 2023. It can be found at:
Abbey dig 2023

Hugh Wilmott, the archaeologist in charge and a leading authority on the archaeology of the Dissolution of the Monasteries, plans to resume the dig in July and August 2024 to explore a new area with a larger team of archaeologists and students. The CHS will again assist by providing stewards, washers/cleaners, members’ showers, a few diggers, an exhibition in St Mary’s and general practical support. It will also contribute to the general cost of the dig and most importantly to the cost of radio-carbon dating and analysing and conserving the finds that are made. Most of that expensive but vital work begins and has to be paid for after the end of the dig.

It is essential that such work is carried out if we are to learn all we can from the excavations. For example radio-carbon dating presently being carried out indicates that an Anglo-Saxon Abbey stood in Beauvoir before the Medieval Abbey; further work is likely to reveal more. Conservation, again expensive, is of great importance if future generations are to enjoy the spectacular artefacts already found and still to be found which we hope will find a permanent home in or near Cerne. Money from Open Gardens would go a long way to ensuring these important goals can be achieved.

Gordon Bidhop, Chairman

GODMANSTONE CHURCH RESTORATION

The small but beautifully proportioned Holy Trinity Church is a hidden gem of the Cerne Valley. It dates from at least the C.11th. One side of its Chancel arch rests upon a re-used Roman altar, dedicated to Jupiter by a retired Legionnaire. One of the bells, the heaviest, dates from pre-Reformation times, and it is all steeped in the history of the valley. It was extensively renovated in the last century, and most recently the bells were restored to working order after over 100 years of disuse. The church and village community, which only numbers around 190, have rallied around, some attending church, others just as friends and neighbours. There have been wonderful fund and morale raising events around an annual Snowdrop Festival in February and a series of concerts.

Recently the church has been rewired and re-lit, and essential works have been carried out to prevent water penetration and re-plaster failed areas inside. The reed-organ, just under 100 years of age has been refurbished and is now played for services. However, must still needs to be done, especially to the roof which is stone slated. I commend this project because it is bringing together diverse elements of the whole community. It is building a sense of fellowship and belonging and it is preserving a precious piece of our local historic heritage. I do hope that it wins your support.

Revd Canon Jonathan Still, Rector of Godmanstone