The Directory of British Archaeology

Last known at = Data may be out-of-date: organisation did not reply this year

West Midlands

Archaeological and Funerary History Society
Birmingham and Midland Institute, Margaret Street, Birmingham B3 3BS. Tel: 0121 233 1545. F1996
A special interest group formed within the Midlands Co-operative Society Member Relations Organisation and specialising in ancient burial rites, religious history and the development of funerary practice through the ages. Members drawn from the funeral trade in and around Birmingham. Weekly discussion groups, lectures and visits to excavations. Close link with Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society and Wroxeter Hinterland project.

Archenfield Archaeology
Hafod, West Hope, Canon Pyon, Hereford HR4 8BU. Tel: 01432 830876.
email: archenfield@mystic.globalnet.co.uk
Archaeological consultancy providing desk-top surveys, evaluations, watching briefs and recording of buildings.

Atherstone Archaeological & Historical Society
Cherry Orchard Court, Higham on the Hill, Nuneaton CV13 6AD. Tel: 01827 714221. email: j.francisscott@btinternet.com F1927 Members 45
Report on the work at Mancetter fortress in press. Intermittent excavations but no volunteers needed. **

Birmingham City Council Archaeologist
Dept of Planning and Architecture, Baskerville House, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2NA. Tel: 0121 303 3161. Fax: 0121 303 3193
Maintains the computerised Sites and Monuments Record. Provides advice on planning issues and monument management. Promotes Birmingham's archaeology through talks, site tours and literature.

Birmingham Roman Roads Project
School of Continuing Studies, Birmingham University, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT. Tel: 0121 414 5597. Fax: 0121 414 5619. email: P.D.Leather@bham.ac.uk. Web: http://web.bham.ac.uk/leathepd Members 25
Aims to find the 'lost' Roman roads of Birmingham by geophysical survey, fieldwalking, watching briefs, mapwork, aerial archaeology and archival research. Volunteers accepted, but are encouraged to take introductory course first. **

Birmingham University
Dept of Ancient History & Archaeology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT. Tel: 0121 414 5497. Fax: 0121 414 3595. email: aha@bham.ac.uk. Web: http://www.bham.ac.uk/aha Staff=35
Teaches archaeology, ancient history, ancient Near East studies, Assyriology, Egyptology and forensic archaeology. Training excavations in Britain and abroad.

Birmingham University Field Archaeology Unit
The University, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT. Tel: 0121 414 5513. Fax: 0121 414 5516. email: bufau@bham.ac.uk. Web: http://www.bham.ac.uk/BUFAU/ F 1976
Contractor of the Dept of Ancient History and Archaeology at the University of Birmingham.

Birmingham & Warwickshire Archaeological Society
Birmingham & Midland Institute, Margaret Street, Birmingham B3 3BS. Tel: 0121 236 3591. Web: http://www.waverider.co.uk/~kikitin F1870 Members 250
Programme of lectures, outings and 'hands-on' sessions. Publishes 'Transactions'. Occasional excavation, but normally fieldwork only. The field group is carrying out a three-year survey of an area east of Sutton Coldfield. Anyone wishing to participate contact Terry Jones on 0121 749 4749 or email: bwas@waverider.co.uk Volunteers welcome. **

Brine Springs and Archaeological Trust
12018 Sarah St, Studio City, California, 91607-4131, USA. email: 73071.327@compuserve.com
A charitable trust formed to preserve the ancient Upwich Pit and brine springs at Droitwich, Worcestershire. Excavations on this site show continuous exploitation of the brine springs since the Bronze Age.

CBA West Midlands
Warwickshire Museum, Market Place, Warwick CV34 4SA. Tel: 01926 412033. Fax: 01926 419840. F1961 Members 447
Two day schools and an annual field trip. Publishes 'West Midlands Archaeology'.

Coventry & District Archaeological Society
c/o 1 Holloway Field, Coundon, Coventry CV6 2DA. Tel: 01203 591078. F1965 Members 120
Programme of lectures and outings. Fieldwalking, but little opportunity for excavation. *

Coventry Museums Archaeological Unit
Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry CV1 5QP. Tel: 01203 832432. Fax: 01203 832410
Contractors covering the City of Coventry. Services include fieldwork, object identification and advice. Volunteers accepted for excavation and post-excavation work when suitable projects are available. *

Craswall Grandmontine Society
Belgrave, Grosmont, Gwent NP7 8ES. Tel: 01981 240289. F1983 Members 60
Founded to conserve and maintain the remains of Craswall Priory in Herefordshire. No excavation at this site, but see Rauzet under 'National'.

Hereford City and County Archaeological Trust Ltd
Last known at Hereford House, 3 Offa Street, Hereford HR1 2LL. Tel: 01432 354775. Fax: 01432 340497. F1974.

Hereford & Worcester Archaeology Service
Last known at Tolladine Road, Worcester WR4 9NB. Tel: 01905 611086. Fax: 01905 29054. Web: http://www.open.gov.uk/hereford/pages/arch.htm F1974.

Ironbridge Institute
Ironbridge Gorge Museum, Ironbridge, Telford, Shropshire TF8 7AW. Tel: 01952 432751. Fax: 01952 432237. email: m.r.blockley@bham.ac.uk F1981 Staff=6
Courses include heritage management, marketing, finance & interpretation, and the industrial heritage.

Mancetter Archaeological Research Group
4 Coventry Road, Bedworth, Warwicks CV12 8NN. Tel: 01203 311567. F1995 Members 2
Extensive geophysical survey led to the discovery and scheduling of a large Roman villa complex. Future project work at Mancetter is planned. **

Marches Archaeology
Winton House, Lyonshall, Herefordshire HR5 3JP. Tel/Fax: 01544 340322. F1995 Staff=2+6
Contractors covering West Midlands and Wales. Services include excavation, building surveys and desk top analysis. Ongoing excavation at Wigmore Castle, Herefordshire. Volunteers encouraged where circumstances permit. *

Oswestry & Borders History & Archaeology Group
The Smithy, Maesbrook, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 8QW. Tel: 01691 682484. email: gordonhillier@compuserve.com F1989 Members 80
Programme of lectures and excursions. Morda Valley Research Project to investigate the industrial archaeology of the area. *

Porth y waen Study Centre
The Paddocks, Porth y waen, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 8LX. Tel: 01691 828 900
Offers a variety of short courses in archaeological periods and practical archaeology throughout the year. Involved in the Offa's Dyke Project. Runs training excavations and surveying in Oswestry area, Devon, and elsewhere. Volunteers accepted after some training. ***

Rugby Archaeological Society
Sandgate House, Main Street, Shawell, Lutterworth, Leics LE17 6AG. Tel/Fax: 01788 860339. email: ireneg@coventry.ac.uk. Web: http://www.shawell.demon.co.uk/tripontium F1961 Members 20
Continuing excavation in and around the Roman bath house at Tripontium. Just published book 'Tripontium' by Jack Lucas. Excavation at weekends throughout the year, but the site is small and numbers are restricted. **

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
PO Box 42, Wigmore, Pennyhill Lane, West Bromwich, W Midlands B71 3RZ. Tel: 0121 569 4025. Fax: 0121 569 4072
Curator for Sandwell Borough. Provides planning advice. Organises an archaeology week of public events.

Shrewsbury Museums Service
Rowley's House Museum, Barker Street, Shrewsbury SY1 1QH. Tel: 01743 361196. Fax: 01743 358411. F1835 Staff=10+3
Museums service that curates major collection of excavated prehistoric material from Shropshire and Roman Wroxeter. Adult volunteers accepted to work on collection-based projects. *

Shropshire Archaeological and Historical Society
Wayside, The Common, Bomere Heath, Shrewsbury SY4 3LY. F1877 Members 300
Programme of winter lectures and summer outings. Publishes a newsletter twice a year, and Transactions.

Shropshire County Council, Archaeology Service
Winston Churchill Building, Radbrook Centre, Radbrook Road, Shrewsbury SY3 9BJ. Tel: 01743 254018. Fax: 01743 254047. F1988
The field archaeology arm of Shropshire County Council.

Shropshire County Council Environment Department
The Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6ND. Tel: 01743 252562. Fax: 01743 252505. email: paward@shropshire-cc.gov.uk
Curator for Shropshire. Maintains a computerised Sites and Monuments Record. Provides advice on planning issues.

Solihull Archaeological Group
21 Kineton Green Road, Olton, Solihull B92 7DY. Tel: 0121 308 2216. email: sag@hoddinott.u-net.com F1969 Members 60+
Lectures and visits. Fifth year of Sunday excavation of 17th-century hall and earlier occupation, supported by CBA Challenge Funding.

Souterrain Archaeological Services Ltd
4 Coventry Road, Bedworth, Warwicks CV12 8NN. Tel: 01203 311567. F1997
Contractor operating in Warwickshire. Services include archaeological and ecological assessments and evaluations and desk-based research. Specialists in geophysical survey. Close links with the Mancetter Archaeological Research Group.

South-West Shropshire Historical & Archaeological Society
Criftin House, Wentnor, Bishop's Castle, Shropshire SY9 5ED Members 100
Programme of regular meetings in winter and outings in summer. Local research, exhibitions, and publications including an annual journal.

South Worcestershire Archaeological Group
St Thomas' Cottage, Lower Drive, Besford, Worcs WR8 9AH. Tel: 01386 553854. F1981 Members 90
Programme of winter lectures and a wide range of field trips and visits. Publishes a quarterly newsletter. Aims to record the archaeological landscape of Worcestershire parish-by-parish, mainly through earthwork surveys, fieldwork, hedgerow recording and documentary research. Some experimental archaeology and occasionally excavation. *

Stafford Borough Council Archaeology Section
Civic Offices, Riverside, Stafford, ST16 3AQ
Gives curatorial advice to the District and advises the Borough on monument management and the Stafford Castle project

Staffordshire County Council
Development Services Dept, Riverway, Stafford ST16 3TJ. Tel: 01785 277295. Fax: 01785 223316
Curator for Staffordshire. Maintains computerised Sites and Monuments Record and provides advice on development control and planning issues.

Staffordshire Industrial Society
Timbertops, 2 The Pingle, Slitting Mill, Rugeley, Staffs WS15 2UR. Tel: 01889 583796. F1967 Members 40
Programme of monthly lectures September to April, alternate fortnights an informal members evening. Restoration of a railway station continues. Publishes a journal. *

% Stoke on Trent Museum Archaeological Society
City Museum, Bethesda Street, Hanley, Stoke on Trent ST1 3DW. Tel: 01782 232323. F1959 Members 45
Fortnightly lecture series during winter. Summer programme of walks, visits and fieldwork including resistivity surveys, fieldwalking and topographical surveys. Society has an extensive library. Three weeks continuous excavation in July 1998. ***

Stoke-on-Trent City Museum and Art Gallery
Bethesda Street, Hanley, Stoke on Trent ST1 3DW. Tel: 01782 232323. Fax: 01782 232500. email: museums@stoke01.stoke-cc.gov.uk
Curator and contractor in Staffordshire. Maintains Sites and Monuments record for Stoke on Trent. Volunteers accepted for museum, post-excavation and excavation work. *

Stourbridge Historical & Archaeological Society
Last known at 7 Ceder Ave, Kingswinford, W Midlands DY6 9PA. Tel: 01384 274014. F1946.

Telford Historical & Archaeological Society
Last known at 25 Ludford Drive, Stirchley, Telford TF3. Tel: 01952 594661. F1981.

Tong Archaeological Group
Lizard Grange, Tong, Shropshire TF11 8PU. F1978 Members 6
Carries out aerial photographic research and follow-up fieldwork in the Tong area. Continuing work on reports of past excavations. Limited excavation at weekends. *

Warwickshire Industrial Archaeology Society
Last known at 2b Union Road, Leamington Spa, Warwicks CV32 5LT. Tel: 01926 313782. F1989.

Warwickshire Museum Field Services
Last known at The Butts, Market Hall, , Warwick CV34 4SS. Tel: 01926 412276. Fax: 01926 412974. Web: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk

Westhope & District Archaeology & Local History Society
Hafod, Westhope, Canon Pyon, Hereford HR4 8BU. Tel: 01432 830876. email: westhopearcsoc@mystic.globalnet.co.uk F1997
Newly formed society intending to carry out a parish survey using hedgerow dating, field name survey, fieldwalking and recording of buildings. **

West Midlands Pottery Research Group
County Archaeological Service, Worcestershire County Council, Tolladine Road, Worcester WR4 9NB. Tel: 01905 611086. Fax: 01905 29054. F1983 Members 20
Programme of meetings on aspects of ceramics in the W Midlands. Publishes a newsletter.

West Midlands SMR & Joint Data Team
P O Box 1777, Clarendon House, Solihull B91 3RZ. Tel: 0121 704 6550. Fax: 0121 704 6554. email: jdt@wminto.demon.co.uk
Address and telephone number likely to change after 1 April 1998 - new details not known. Curator for West Midlands County. Maintains computerised Sites and Monuments Record. Provides planning advice.

Whitchurch History and Archaeology Group
The Field House, Wirswall, Whitchurch, Shropshire SY13 4LA. Tel: 01948 662623. F1977 Members 110
Programme of talks and field visits. Publishes a newsletter and books and booklets on aspects of Whitchurch history.

Woolhope Naturalists Field Club
Chy-an-Whyloryon, Wigmore, Leominster HR6 9UD. Tel: 01568 770 356. F1851 See details below.

Woolhope Naturalists Field Club - Archaeological Research Section
Bramley, Lugwardine, Hereford HR1 4AE. Tel: 01432 851463. F1966 Members 130
Monthly meetings to investigate new or inadequately recorded archaeological sites in Herefordshire and neighbouring counties. A twice-yearly newsletter is published recording the results of investigations. Also publishes an annual journal, and carries out documentary research. **

% Worcester Cathedral
Chapter Office, 10a College Green, Worcester WR1 2LH. Tel: 01905 28854. Fax: 01905 611139. email: worcestercathedral@compuserve.com
Carries out excavation, building recording and post-excavation work for the cathedral and its precinct. Volunteers accepted for excavation and post-excavation work. ***

Worcestershire Archaeological Society
c/o Worcestershire County Museum, Hartlebury Castle, Hartlebury, nr Kidderminster, Worcs DY11 7XZ. Tel: 01299 250416. F1855 Members 300
Programme of winter lectures and summer excursions. Publishes a newsletter 'The Recorder', and biennial Transactions. The society has its own library of specialist books and periodicals.

Young Archaeologists Club, Shropshire Branch
8 Far Garden Place, Ditherington, Shrewsbury SY1 2TJ.

Young Archaeologists Club, West Midlands Branch
c/o 77 Stourbridge Raod, Bromsgrove, Worcs B61 0AL. Tel: 0121 569 4025. Fax: 0121 569 4072. F1996 Members 80
Archaeological activities organised once a month at weekends for children 9-16. Neswletter published four times a year.

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