Dumper and buckets

Or perhaps this 1985 effort from Dr Phillpotts should be his Turner prize entry. Or is it too simple to interpret? But then again it's beyond your loyal correspondent to work out what's going on with the stratigraphy here. I may just be tired after the wine lecture and making soy braised guineafowl with shiitake mushrooms and bok choi ...

A collector's item from 1985

C-H-M thinks that this Phillpotts photograph from 1985 is rare indeed: Mr John Parry, of Ross-on-Wye, quite clearly wearing a tie. We never knew you possessed a tie, John ...

On a separate note C-H-M is relieved to say that he has passed his first term examinations for the diploma at Leiths School of Cookery and Wine. The practical examination was undoubtedly the toughest test C-H-M has ever undertaken including the Cambridge Archaeology Tripos and the attentions of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Essays don't burn irreparably if you stare out of the window and day-dream for 30 seconds but shallots can and do, but didn't, just ... C-H-M is off to celebrate.

Three cheers for JCB ( the real thing ...)

Dr Ferris writes: "Following on from all this manly posting about earth-moving machines, I don't think Crickley Hill Man is aware of my direct experience of working with JCB the company on an archaeological project in their home village of Rocester in Staffordshire many years ago. Between 1985 and 1987 JCB sponsored a dig on the so-called New Cemetery site there, smack in the corner of a three-phase Roman fort. They bought us a disused Methodist Chapel to act as our base, provided a yearly grant towards costs, of course laid on machines for us with expert drivers from their display team, and sponsored the eventual monograph publication. We got shown around the amazing factory complex there and on a few occasions I met with Sir Anthony Bamford to discuss the project. This all culminated in Sir Anthony getting nominated for, and presented with, an honorary degree from Birmingham University where I worked at the time. I have no Massey Ferguson tales to tell, though."

Tumbleweed ...

Apologies for the dilatory posting - stoves have run hot today ... and C-H-M's mind, or what passes for it these days, is a desert (not a dessert - that would be more sustaining). My tired mood seemed matched by the slightly bleak aspect of this Phillpotts 1985 picture of a cutting. Was this Slot City? What does it all mean? Answers on the e-mail, please ...

Griff

Another portrait today, this time from Dr Phillpotts's 1985 Crickley album of Griff and, on the right, Ian 'Mad Blodwen' Rogers. I don't think I know how he acquired that nickname ...

One Thursday in 1985 ...

A day off in Cheltenham: this looks like a beautiful sunny day in the Imperial Gardens somewhere adjacent to the beer tent: amongst others, Corky Gregory, Rick Cleal, John Parry, Clive Anderson, Kate Heathcott and Ken Collier. Photo: Dr Phillpotts.

1985 in black and white

Resting during a break in 1985: Dr Phillpotts's snap shows Nadine Munn-Baron, Thomas, Cleo Demetriades, Pippa Gilbert and Adrian Corrigan. Looks as though it must have been a particularly sapping day: almost everyone had to have a lie down.

Happy while they work ...

Dave Southwood and Rick Cleal look cheerful enough as they dig down in this photo taken in 1985 by Rebecca Chambers. Hard hats are the concession to a 7' section edge and a 4' high baulk, which would at least have meant their craniums would have been found in tact. That looks like a pick-axe handle resting on the top in front of Dave who's spotted the camerawoman. Rick seems too absorbed in pulling bits of limestone into the bucket in his left hand to have noticed her.

The ditch and baulk

A fine view of the section, baulk and ditch, I suspect on Julian Thomas's cutting, 'Slot City', taken by Dr Phillpotts in 1985. The 'Ditch and Baulk' would make a good pub name.

Parry on the step

From the 1985 season and from Les Capon's archive, John Parry looks suitably and characteristically piratical on the step outside the mess hall at Ullenwood. Can anyone help with the identity of others in the photograph?

Up to no good, I'll be bound ...

It was, I think John Boden who used to say to me "What are you up to, Jules? Up to no good, I'll be bound ..." which leads me neatly to this, from the Chronicler's 1985 series, debauch in a caravan. Left to right, ?, Bob Hopegood, Nick Snashall, Ros Cleal, Julian Thomas, an outsize teddy bear and Julie Lancley. It looks remarkably cosy. Was this the famed 'Naughty Nicky's' - I cannot tell, I was not there: I await enlightenment ...

A 1985 medley

From the 1985 season, clockwise from the top left, Clive Anderson, Bob Hopegood, Katie Gold with David Griffiths behind her to the left, Ken Collier, Ken again and Bob again and finally Julian Thomas on his cutting that year dubbed 'Slot City'.

I know quite a number of readers like to download the photos which I publish: there are a handful of photos which have only been posted as part of a collage. If you would like a copy of any of the original component photos, please let me know by e-mail (link on the left approx 6th item down) and I'll send them to you.

What was at the bottom of the hole?

Back to Dr Phillpotts's pictures for this shot, presumably from the top of the photographic tower, of one of the 1985 Crickley cuttings. There's a big hole, top right, and all the grockles are looking into it. Beyond me to interpret what was really going on. Help, please, anyone?

Bob Hopegood about to do himself an injury

A curious portrait from the Chronicler's collection for 1985. Bob Hopegood looks as though he might do himself a mischief serious enough to require hospital attention, if indeed that foot, boot and leg are even his.  Let's hope reality was less painful than Dr Phillpotts's photo makes it look.

Adrian Corrigan digging at CH 85

Adrian Corrigan concentrates hard scratching away in a curious looking feature in 1985. He's using a plastic mug which I now recall was sometimes a recognised useful tool for scooping spoil out of slightly odd-shaped crevices.  Behind him a couple of bristle brushes, a wire brush, a hand-shovel and a catbasher.

Sylvie Pendry at CH85

A photograph of one Crickley Bristolian by another, I think. A portrait of Sylvie Pendry looking very cheerful, framed by Dr Phillpotts with what looks like parts of the entrance to the shelter with the vale behind her. 

Sometimes we all just needed to have a lie down ...

A sunny day in 1985: L to R, Nadine Munn-Baron, Adrian Corrigan, Lucy McShane and, in the foreground, snatching some zeds under that extremely splendid hat, Alan Lupton.  Probably also one of the better discoveries of late twentieth century representative mug assemblages in Gloucestershire ...

CH85: low level conference

A few weeks ago I posted Dr Phillpotts's "high level conference" photo from 1985. Here is the companion "low level conference": John Gale discusses a curious feature with an almost triangular cross section with Philip Dixon.  It took me a minute or two to realise that the item next to the bucket with random strips of masking tape attached is a small planning board.

Can anyone help Charles Lindsay, please?

Charles Lindsay writes "crickley hill man, a 2009 reunion! over 3,000 volunteers - that sounds like some big big party! afraid i dont have any photos to share but i'm interested in trying to track down something related, any clue would be much appreciated...  i worked for 9 months at the gloscat base (gloucester rd?) as archaeological illustrator for crickley hill archaeological trust, from approx sept '85 - july '86. we used to trace the 1 metre square initial excavation drawings, maintaining the 1/10 scale; onto A1 size sheets.. and also i spent many an hour rendering flint arrowheads & broken pieces of pottery in fine stipple work, to exact scale & in three views; face on, 45 degree angle, and from above. i have always wondered why the finds were not simply photographed, but really enjoyed the work anyway. anyway, the main purpose of this correspondence is that there was an open day, around april/may i guess, for which i designed the poster, but also, pretty much against my will, ended up being photographed for a local cheltenham newspaper that was publicising the event, hunched up over my drawing board, and possibly hungover! i did have a copy, which i lost at some point. these days i am an artist living in manchester, but any advice or suggestions you may have regarding the feasibility of me locating a duplicate archive copy of my only appearance in the cheltenham press... much appreciated ... not sure i'll make the reunion, but a big shout out to ken, sam, miles & all the class of '86. 
warm wishes, sincerely yours.. charles lindsay."

Anyone got a copy of the poster?

Directing Crickley Hill during the 1985 season ...

Professor Dixon, untroubled by the cares of office, strides purposefully towards Dr Phillpotts's all-seeing lens in 1985. For some impenetrable reason, the Chronicler has given this picture the caption "PWD returns from the peeing tree".