News & Updates
The Highgate Kilns: Talk by Harvey Sheldon to LAMAS
With kind permission, we can share the recording of Harvey Sheldon giving a talk to the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society about the finds in Highgate Wood.
View the video here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6E1ViTi8xs
New exhibition on the Roman pottery in Highgate Wood
If you go down to the Wood today, tomorrow or any time soon, be sure to look out for the handsome new posters explaining the presence of the piece of Roman kiln in the information centre in Highgate Wood. (19 more pieces of the kiln are in store under Bruce Castle Museum, where, sadly, you can't see them).
Stephany Ungless designed the posters for FOHRK, with help from Widgit Symbol Software. We are grateful to the Muswell Hlll and Fortis Green Association for financial help with their production.
Birkbeck students visit the Woods
On Sunday, 26th November we were pleased to welcome 12 members of Birkbeck College Archaeology Society to Highgate Wood for a visit to the exhibition and Roman kiln section in the Information Centre and a walk to the Roman pottery-making site.
The weather was kind and Nick Peacey, FOHRK secretary, who led the walk was grateful for the enthusiasm of the group. Later all sorts of future collaborations were discussed over a tea at the Pavilion Cafe.
Photo: Katie Sloan
This Sunday 4th September in Highgate Wood: updates, pot-making, guided walk
Please come and say hello at our stand on Highgate Wood playing field from 11am-3pm
next Sunday, 4th September, Highgate Wood's Heritage Day
11am: as well as presenting the latest news on our campaign, we'll be running our popular 'pot and chat' sessions which allow children of all ages to try their hand at making a Roman pot.
12 noon: Nick Peacey, Secretary of FOHRK, will guide a one hour walk and talk on the Roman kiln and pottery factory. We start at 12 from the information Hut (on the edge of the playing field) for a look at the pots, geology and section of kiln on show, then walk up to the kiln site to talk about the excavations and the archaeological experiments that have taken place there over the years. No need to book, but if you plan to come along I'd be glad of a quick email to have an idea of possible numbers. The walk is free, but a £5 donation would be much appreciated.
We greatly look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday.
Walk and talk Highgate Wood 18th July 2022
Nick Peacey, FOHRK Secretary, led a one hour guided walk in Highgate Wood on 18th July.
After a brief introduction, the 28 participants explored the exhibitions in the Wood's Information Hut, including the one lonely piece of Highgate kiln on show there (14 pieces can't be seen by the public), and then walked up to the kiln site to hear about the excavations, the pottery and archaeological experiments based on evidence from the finding of the kiln.
We were pleased to welcome Cllr Julie Davies, LB Haringey Cabinet member for culture, (the kiln and Bruce Castle Museum are in her portfolio), three students from Duncan Hooson’s ceramics courses at Central St Martins, and Caroline Simpson, Susan Bennett and Mr and Mrs Pashley. all of whom had dug at the site between 1966 and 1978.
Caroline Simpson sent us two photographs from her time on the site in the 1960s, one of which shows the distinguished archaelogist Peter Marsden inspecting Kiln 2 soon after its discovery (see right).
Potting and Chatting at Crouch End Festival 9th July 2022
On the 9th July FOHRK ran all day free ‘pot and talk’ sessions at Hornsey Library as part of the Crouch End Festival.
Catherine West MP, our Chair, called in at the opening of the event on her way to open the Festival.
Nick Peacey, FOHRK Secretary, & Duncan Hooson of Clayground Collective, gave a presentation on the work of FOHRK and the importance of conserving and exhibiting the Highgate Kiln and the potential of using it to inspire community learning across Haringey and elsewhere.
130 participants, young and old, including some from Crouch End’s new Ukrainian community, joined us to make facsimiles of Highgate Wood poppy head beakers and enjoy chatting about the Highgate Kiln’s pottery, FOHRK’s plans and much else with support from FOHRK volunteers and 3 students from Central St Martins University.
Patron Claire opens the Haringey History Fair & our potting is popular
On Saturday 14th May, our patron Claire Skinner with Charlie Andrew and Nick Peacey, reinforced with kind support from Charlie's brother Tom over from Norway, enjoyed a busy morning at the FOHRK stall.
Claire made a stirring and inclusive speech to open the Fair.
Then children, parents, carers and even adults without any child as an excuse for getting enthralled had a wonderful time making coil pots in imitation of Highgate Ware while hearing about our project to bring the kiln back to Highgate Wood.
We made many new friends and look forward to seeing you all again soon.
This Saturday our patron Claire Skinner opens the Haringey History Fair at Bruce Castle Museum
FOHRK at Bruce Castle Museum
from 10.15am this Saturday 14th May 2022
- Meet our patron Claire Skinner when she opens the Haringey History Fair
- Nick Peacey and Charlie Andrew from FOHRK will be at our stall throughout the morning
- We'll have plenty of clay so youngsters can try making themselves a Roman pot!
Details of the day
https://www.brucecastle.org/
Highgate Wood walk 20.2.22 CANCELLATION
We regrat that due to the need for clearance of the results of Storm Eunice and predictions of more gusting winds
Highgate Wood is closed today, so the walk must be postponed.
We will be in touch soon with future plans.
Email friendsofhighgateromankiln@gmail.com for further information.
Nick Peacey
Secretary FOHRK
20.2.22
Highgate Wood walk SUNDAY 20th February 2.30
Our Trustee, Mike Hammerson,is leading a walk in Highgate Wood,
including a visit to the Roman kiln site, at 2.30pm on Sunday, 20th February.
Meet at the Information Hut.
Email friendsofhighgateromankiln@gmail.com to book a place.
Please include a mobile phone number.