February 2013
What Time Team did not tell you
David Ramsey to address the Village Society
When Time Team came to Groby there was a flurry of excitement through the village. The cold winds did not stop many visitors watching the progress of the excavations from the churchyard or, for the lucky ones, taking a tour. It was a long wait until the programme was broadcast, but since then it has popped up on the television schedules a number of times.
For most residents it was a brief opportunity to learn a little more about the history of the village and then carry on with their lives and their other interests. There are some, however, whose overwhelming interest is historical research, and former school teacher David Ramsey, is well known locally through his talks and publications as falling into that group.
We like to think that what we read and what we are told about events is 'history,' but the fact is that it's a moving target and only what can best be described as the main headlines of our past. The land beyond those headlines is the land of the dedicated enthusiast that carefully researches at grass roots level, develops new arguments and theories, and then boldly publishes their conclusions to generate debate amongst their peers. When a new consensus is formed our understanding and interpretation of the past is changed and history is rewritten.
Groby could be at that point when some of what we have believed about Elizabeth Woodville and the Groby Hall may be challenged, but tantalisingly we have to wait until David Ramsey addresses the Village Society later this month.
David found the Time Team visit useful, but in some ways limited. “What was revealed in April 2010 by Time Team shed a great deal of light on the period 1499 to 1530 and in so doing has shaped a far better understanding for me of the actual sequence of events which took place during that 30 year period,” he said.
“The archaeology exposed in 'The Paddock' by Time Team was excellent but Phillipa Gregory's overview left me very, very disappointed in the reading of both the documentation and what was found on site. The Ferrers footings exposed by Time Team and referred to by Mick Aston as a little palace, revealed far more to my eyes than was noticed. After research, which I started immediately after Time Team left, I feel I am now in a position to say what happened to the Ferrers stonework when the present Groby Hall came into being and I can at last give a firm date for the occupation of Bradgate House within Bradgate Park.”
His research also reveals something that changes what we thought we knew about Elizabeth Woodville and more. “There are lots more revelations which I will divulge on the evening but the most eye brow raising fact for me was to find that...”
Oops. We seem to have lost the last part of that sentence. You'll just have to go to the meeting to find out what it was that raised David's eyebrows. “Groby Hall, What Time Team did not tell you, the Village Society meeting at 7.30 pm on Thursday, February 28th, will be well worth attending for those with an interest in local history,” adds David. “I shall be particularly interested to meet any of my former pupils from the Elizabeth Woodville Primary School, for on this particular occasion they are not going to be able to say to me, we have heard it all before Mr Ramsey!”
April 2011
The Time Team visit to Groby
Channel Four's Time Team programme has probably gained some new fans locally following the broadcast on March 20th of the dig at the Old Hall in Groby. Top of the list must surely be the owners of the Hall, Paul and Vivienne Dickens. “I confess that we'd only started watching the Time Team programmes since contacted by them,” Paul said in an article on the Channel 4 website.
Paul's interest in the history of the site was heightened by the historical survey on Groby Old Hall in 2009. Whilst looking at the part medieval wall to the rear of the Hall he remarked to Neil Finn, of the University of Leicester Archaeological Services, that there must be so much more beneath the ground.
“I suggested Groby Old Hall to Time Team,” said Peter Liddle, Community Archaeologist at County Hall. “I have been interested in the site for many years but the change in ownership of the house meant that a survey of the fabric was undertaken by Neil. At much the same time the rebuilding of the churchyard perimeter meant that the below ground potential of the site became clear and I thought that 3 days of excavation and geophysics could answer many of the outstanding questions - which is what happened!”
Events moved quickly
Little did Paul and Vivienne think that within months they would be hosting a meeting with representatives of Time Team, the archaeologist who had researched the site and authored the historical survey, the local conservation officer, and a representative from English Heritage. “Everyone seemed very positive about the proposed venture,” said Paul “and following a further visit and careful look over the site, an April diary date was confirmed.”
The farm buildings adjacent to the Hall were used as a base for operations and were turned into a canteen area, an area for the technicians and a room in which to do some filming. They were complemented by a catering van and mobile toilet block.
Research,research,research
Before the dig came extensive investigation. “Searching through historical documents at the archives is one of the most rewarding parts of the job,” said a production team member. “Often we can be first people to locate original documents referring to our sites. The next reference we uncover could give us vital clues as to what's buried in the ground. At Groby that moment came when I was thumbing through the county records. In an inauspicious brown envelope were a series of black and white photos of a 1950s excavation on the motte at Groby. These showed that deep inside the motte were a series of huge stone walls, including a staircase leading down into the heart of the mound. These encouraged the team to get digging.”
All help welcome
