Colin Berks

Feb 19, 08 - 5:36 PM

History

Cookham has a history of national importance as well as being the basis for the character and interest that we enjoy today. I am amazed that the proposed plan, comments by the Parish Council and representations from the Cookham Society, contain absolutely nothing about these important matters. Below is a brief letter I sent to the Parish Council and I would urge all who care about the village to make similar representation.

Date: 31st January 2008
Dear Mrs Wheeler
Cookham Plan 2008

Would you please be kind enough to bring the following to the attention of your Council. The Cookham area is important historically and for its archaeology but your Plan 2008 does not have a section on these matters and I would ask that this is remedied. May I emphasise this importance with a flavour of relevant matters from contemporary documents: "779 Cynewulf (King Wessex) seizes Berkshire after battle Bassington? Including "wealthy monastery" Cookham, originally owned by Aethelbald (King Mercia). 798 Settlement between Aethelheard Arch Bishop Canterbury and Cynedrytha (Abbess) and she was given the monastery of Cookham and adjacent lands".

The centre of early Saxon occupation was at Coch-burh (Cookham Rise). In about 897/8 King Alfred constructed fortifications along the Thames being at that time the frontier of Wessex. One of these was Sceaftesege at Cookham, only known from the 11th century document the Burghal Hidage but never found. These fortifications enabled the West Saxons to force the invading Danish and Viking armies back to East Anglia, which caused Berkshire to be secured and the resulting expansion northwards was the start of the formation of England as a single sovereign state that we know today. The administrative systems that we have now also emerged at this time to enable this process, including the new principle of local government of property owner and ecclesiastic being a form of local Council, to which your Parish Council is today's successor. The records show that between 995 and 1006 three Witan's (Kings Council) were held in Cookham. In other words the equivalent of the Parliament of England was sitting in Cookham at that time.

Despite the clear historic importance of the archaeology in the Cookham area, very little is known for certain. In 1978 a report was produced for the County Council proposing a structured archaeological investigation but unfortunately this was never implemented. An area of such importance warrants an local Archaeological Strategy, as English Heritage guidelines but despite many representations over the years never produced. Such a strategy would identify areas of "Archaeological Notification" on the basis of not just items recorded at the SMR as at the moment but also on an understanding of historic significance and research using methods as advised by English Heritage. May I suggest that your Plan 2008 has an added section on Heritage and Archaeology and that this could include:

A declaration that heritage issues are to be given greater emphasis.
A call for a review and report of the historic evidence by Berkshire Archaeological Services.
A call for a local Archaeological Strategy by BAC as the English Heritage guidelines including a review of the Archaeological Notification process and areas.
Proposals for the community to be made more aware of the historic significance of their area.

Yours sincerely

Colin J Berks MIFA MAAIS

A. Person

Feb 19th, 2008 - 5:43 PM

Re: History

ah???

Archimedes

Feb 19th, 2008 - 6:06 PM

Re: History

There was an archeological survey in 2005 in the Paddock next to Holy Trinity church by the Marlow Archaelogical Society backed by the Lottery. It is on the Cookham website at

http://www.cookham.com/community/news/clubssocieties/archaeology/archaeology.htm

Gramm

Feb 20th, 2008 - 10:10 AM

Re: History

I fully agree with making the community more aware of Cookham's place in history, but I don't quite get the rest of the proposal. Presumably there is a reason why past attempts at archaeological investigations have never come to fruition? Not including the work by the Marlow group of course.

Simon

Feb 27th, 2008 - 8:00 PM

Re: History

It seems amazing that we in Cookham appear to do so little about recognising and acknowledging our own important history, and the local authorities don't appear to be very co-operative. Surely the parish council and Cookham Society could step in here and get something like this properly organised? Remember that they are led by what Cookham people want, so our letters of support for these ideas addressed to Mrs Wheeler will give more power to their elbow.

It sounds as if the failed proposal to the County Council in 1978 was probably down to money, which is usually the reason why so little ever gets done about local heritage matters unless there is massive support from a very insistent public. (Sport they will spend money on but history, no!). The problem has become even worse since then. Look how many years the Royal Borough Museum Collection friends group has been fighting to get a proper museum in the borough, even a small one, to display its ever growing collection of wonderful local artefacts which currently can only be recorded and stacked up in a scruffy storeroom at the RBWM council depot.

Yes, the preservation of Cookham's history and heritage should certainly feature in the new Cookham Plan. A strong focus on what Colin Berks requests will surely make far more sense to the average Cookhamite than the quite ridiculous part of the Plan's content, as mooted so far, which looks set to do completely the opposite by totally destroying an historically significant part of Cookham.

Also, Cookham residents need to be able to talk to someone about anything they have or know (or want to know) concerning Cookham's past or maybe ask about any interesting things they dig up in their gardens. It's great that Marlow Archaeological Society is doing ongoing work in different parts of Cookham. Perhaps more Cookham people should support this group if they are supporting Cookham?

Birdman

Feb 28th, 2008 - 11:12 AM

Re: History

Colin, many thanks for raising this issue; there were several aspects I had never heard of myself. A similar situation existed early on in the Plan where ecology and natural history was concerned. However, the subject was soon taken up and some speedy work enabled a full content in the final document. Cookham also came up trumps to fund a full professional Phase 1 ecological survey of the village and this has been carried out. It's results and ongoing activities are fully covered on Cookham.com. So there's every reason to expect this equally improtant topic can be picked up. Let's hope so.

Cookham Webmaster

Feb 28th, 2008 - 7:04 PM

Re: History

Further to matters raised in some messages in this thread, if you have any questions or information about Cookham regarding history, archaeology or local families, please email: Website Historian

Pam will do her best to answer your queries or let you know where to find the information you need. She would also like to hear from you if you have any interesting old deeds, documents, maps, photographs or anything else concerning Cookham or Cookham people, or have found any unusual objects or features in your garden or elsewhere in the area.

Also, Pam will forward any enquiries for Marlow Archaeological Society.

Author	Comment
Colin Berks Feb 19, 08 - 5:36 PM	History Cookham has a history of national importance as well as being the basis for the character and interest that we enjoy today. I am amazed that the proposed plan, comments by the Parish Council and representations from the Cookham Society, contain absolutely nothing about these important matters. Below is a brief letter I sent to the Parish Council and I would urge all who care about the village to make similar representation. Date: 31st January 2008 Dear Mrs Wheeler Cookham Plan 2008 Would you please be kind enough to bring the following to the attention of your Council. The Cookham area is important historically and for its archaeology but your Plan 2008 does not have a section on these matters and I would ask that this is remedied. May I emphasise this importance with a flavour of relevant matters from contemporary documents: "779 Cynewulf (King Wessex) seizes Berkshire after battle Bassington? Including "wealthy monastery" Cookham, originally owned by Aethelbald (King Mercia). 798 Settlement between Aethelheard Arch Bishop Canterbury and Cynedrytha (Abbess) and she was given the monastery of Cookham and adjacent lands". The centre of early Saxon occupation was at Coch-burh (Cookham Rise). In about 897/8 King Alfred constructed fortifications along the Thames being at that time the frontier of Wessex. One of these was Sceaftesege at Cookham, only known from the 11th century document the Burghal Hidage but never found. These fortifications enabled the West Saxons to force the invading Danish and Viking armies back to East Anglia, which caused Berkshire to be secured and the resulting expansion northwards was the start of the formation of England as a single sovereign state that we know today. The administrative systems that we have now also emerged at this time to enable this process, including the new principle of local government of property owner and ecclesiastic being a form of local Council, to which your Parish Council is today's successor. The records show that between 995 and 1006 three Witan's (Kings Council) were held in Cookham. In other words the equivalent of the Parliament of England was sitting in Cookham at that time. Despite the clear historic importance of the archaeology in the Cookham area, very little is known for certain. In 1978 a report was produced for the County Council proposing a structured archaeological investigation but unfortunately this was never implemented. An area of such importance warrants an local Archaeological Strategy, as English Heritage guidelines but despite many representations over the years never produced. Such a strategy would identify areas of "Archaeological Notification" on the basis of not just items recorded at the SMR as at the moment but also on an understanding of historic significance and research using methods as advised by English Heritage. May I suggest that your Plan 2008 has an added section on Heritage and Archaeology and that this could include: A declaration that heritage issues are to be given greater emphasis. A call for a review and report of the historic evidence by Berkshire Archaeological Services. A call for a local Archaeological Strategy by BAC as the English Heritage guidelines including a review of the Archaeological Notification process and areas. Proposals for the community to be made more aware of the historic significance of their area. Yours sincerely Colin J Berks MIFA MAAIS Email: mintit@btclick.com Website: http://www.arcserv.org
A. Person Feb 19th, 2008 - 5:43 PM	Re: History ah???
Archimedes Feb 19th, 2008 - 6:06 PM	Re: History There was an archeological survey in 2005 in the Paddock next to Holy Trinity church by the Marlow Archaelogical Society backed by the Lottery. It is on the Cookham website at http://www.cookham.com/community/news/clubssocieties/archaeology/archaeology.htm
Gramm Feb 20th, 2008 - 10:10 AM	Re: History I fully agree with making the community more aware of Cookham's place in history, but I don't quite get the rest of the proposal. Presumably there is a reason why past attempts at archaeological investigations have never come to fruition? Not including the work by the Marlow group of course.
Simon Feb 27th, 2008 - 8:00 PM	Re: History It seems amazing that we in Cookham appear to do so little about recognising and acknowledging our own important history, and the local authorities don't appear to be very co-operative. Surely the parish council and Cookham Society could step in here and get something like this properly organised? Remember that they are led by what Cookham people want, so our letters of support for these ideas addressed to Mrs Wheeler will give more power to their elbow. It sounds as if the failed proposal to the County Council in 1978 was probably down to money, which is usually the reason why so little ever gets done about local heritage matters unless there is massive support from a very insistent public. (Sport they will spend money on but history, no!). The problem has become even worse since then. Look how many years the Royal Borough Museum Collection friends group has been fighting to get a proper museum in the borough, even a small one, to display its ever growing collection of wonderful local artefacts which currently can only be recorded and stacked up in a scruffy storeroom at the RBWM council depot. Yes, the preservation of Cookham's history and heritage should certainly feature in the new Cookham Plan. A strong focus on what Colin Berks requests will surely make far more sense to the average Cookhamite than the quite ridiculous part of the Plan's content, as mooted so far, which looks set to do completely the opposite by totally destroying an historically significant part of Cookham. Also, Cookham residents need to be able to talk to someone about anything they have or know (or want to know) concerning Cookham's past or maybe ask about any interesting things they dig up in their gardens. It's great that Marlow Archaeological Society is doing ongoing work in different parts of Cookham. Perhaps more Cookham people should support this group if they are supporting Cookham? Email: max gardiner@btconnect.com
Birdman Feb 28th, 2008 - 11:12 AM	Re: History Colin, many thanks for raising this issue; there were several aspects I had never heard of myself. A similar situation existed early on in the Plan where ecology and natural history was concerned. However, the subject was soon taken up and some speedy work enabled a full content in the final document. Cookham also came up trumps to fund a full professional Phase 1 ecological survey of the village and this has been carried out. It's results and ongoing activities are fully covered on Cookham.com. So there's every reason to expect this equally improtant topic can be picked up. Let's hope so. Email: brian.clews@btconnect.com
Cookham Webmaster Feb 28th, 2008 - 7:04 PM	Re: History Further to matters raised in some messages in this thread, if you have any questions or information about Cookham regarding history, archaeology or local families, please email: Website Historian Pam will do her best to answer your queries or let you know where to find the information you need. She would also like to hear from you if you have any interesting old deeds, documents, maps, photographs or anything else concerning Cookham or Cookham people, or have found any unusual objects or features in your garden or elsewhere in the area. Also, Pam will forward any enquiries for Marlow Archaeological Society.