Posted by: Blog Administrator
on Oct 25, 2011
Tagged in:
softare ,
SMR ,
Site and Monuments Record ,
mapping ,
Historic Environment Records ,
HER ,
HBSMR ,
GIS ,
find ,
fieldwork ,
excavation ,
digital ,
database ,
data standards ,
archaeology ,
archaeological site
Wiltshire Council’s Archaeology team are really pleased to be able to announce a major development and investment in the service which will help us and our customers appreciate and understand the County’s rich archaeological resource. We have recently purchased and installed a new Historic Environment Records (HER) Database System.
Whitesheet Hill on the HER system
Archaeology section at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre
The HER is a database and mapping system which is the definitive record of all known archaeological sites and find spots in Wiltshire and Swindon. In total it contains records of over 20,000 archaeological sites and finds, 6,550 events (excavations and other fieldwork projects) and 50,000 sources. The system we were working with previously (known as the Site and Monuments Record or SMR) was developed in the 1980s and had limitations.
The new software using GIS mapping linked to records held in database known as HBSMR. The new system will improve our digital facilities and functionality, especially when it comes to sharing our information with others. Importantly, it also means we are now able to meet national data standards for HERs. Along with our new software we have developed a three year action plan for further enhancements and improvements to the system.
The new system is the vital tool in the work of the Archaeology team, especially in relation to the work we do regarding development proposals, advising farmers and landowners and dealing with over 5,000 archaeological enquiries every year. If you would to find out more, please contact the Archaeology team on 01249 705503 or email archaeology@wiltshire.gov.uk
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So, just what do our visitors come and see?
Posted by: Blog Administrator
on Oct 19, 2011
Tagged in:
Wootton Bassett ,
Winder ,
royal ,
Queen Victoria ,
Queen ,
Princess Anne ,
Parsons ,
municipal ,
malt tax ,
major ,
Letters Patent ,
John Large ,
great Western Railway ,
Elizabeth I ,
Crimea ,
Charter of Incorporation ,
cartoon ,
canon
After thousands attended the official ceremony last Sunday, during which Princess Anne presented Letters Patent on behalf of the Queen, we here at the History Centre would also like to pay tribute to the role the town has made on behalf of the repatriated military personnel and their families.
To do this I thought we could take an eclectic look back at some other moments in time when Wootton Basset people also played their part…
Posted by: Blog Administrator
on Oct 14, 2011
If you have been to any museums in Wiltshire you will know that they hold within them a great variety of objects telling the stories of the people and places of the county.
Posted by: Blog Administrator
on Oct 6, 2011
Tagged in:
Winsley ,
Wilton ,
tuberculosis ,
Trowbridge ,
Sutton Benger ,
Stuart ,
spa ,
Soame ,
Sir William Robert Smith ,
Sir Walter Raleigh ,
Sir H Halford ,
Sir George Cobb ,
Sidney Herbert ,
Savernake ,
sanitorium ,
Reverend W Zaprell Alan ,
Purton Stoke ,
Poulshot ,
Potterne ,
Plymouth ,
plague ,
Parochial School ,
parish register ,
Old Dame Zargett ,
National Health Service ,
Melksham ,
Marlborough ,
mad dog bite ,
Luckington ,
Lord Ailesbury ,
Jenner ,
J.F.F Ford ,
Holt ,
Herster Washbourne ,
herbs ,
Henry Stephens ,
Henry Chandler ,
Hancock's well ,
Great Bedwyn ,
Florence Nightingale ,
Dr Ratcliffe ,
Dr Pinkes ,
doctor ,
disease ,
consumption ,
cholera ,
Box ,
Beechingstoke
Some months ago an enquirer brought to my attention an unusual addition at the front of one of our parish registers. It was an 18th century cure for mad dog bites, along with a receipt for the bite of a mad dog, ‘Brought from the East-Indies by Sir George Cobb Bart.’, dated 9th July 1759. I found it fascinating and wondered what other weird and ‘not quite’ so wonderful cures and remedies were hiding away in our collection. I found the subject so fascinating that I have waxed lyrical, and I hope you will find it so, too!
‘An Infallliable Cure for the Bite of a Mad-Dog’ in the Beechingstoke Parish Register, 1738-1812
