At the December meeting we normally share mince pies and a glass of wine. Although we are not meeting in person yet, have your mince pie and glass to hand to start off the festive season.

David will discuss two of our known Roman sites, comparing and contrasting the evidence we have for rural settlement and Roman activity in the area.

Currently it is intended to allow access to this and other RSG Zoom meetings to RSG members only. As a member you will receive a Zoom link by e-mail a week before the meeting. 

This session will concentrate on tools available which can be used to further our research on Surrey's Roman rural settlement. 

The provisional line-up is as follows:

David Calow will show how QGIS, an open source desktop geographic information system, can be used to identify areas of likely rural settlement.

Tim Wilcock will highlight the grey literature data available on the society's website, which plugs the gap between HER, PAS and published data.

We start our winter series of talks with Simon Maslin, Surrey's Finds Liaision Officer talking  about how the Portable Antiquities Scheme can be used as a tool in our research on Roman rural settlement in Surrey. 

Currently it is intended to allow access to this and other RSG Zoom talks only to members. Members should have received a Zoom access code by e-mail for this talk. If you are a member and haven't received one please let Nikki Cowlard know at nikki.cowlard@btinternet.com

The Anglo-Saxons dominated much of England from 410-1066. Mercenaries had for many years fought in the Roman army in Britain so they were not total strangers to the island. Discover what life was like for the people who gave Ewell its name, which means 'the people who live at the start of the river'.

£5 per child

For details contact: dbrooks@epsom-ewell.gov.uk

Meet a wartime couple and learn why they rationed food in WW2 and what it was like to queue for hours. Find how important your ration books were - if you didn't have one you got no food.

£5 per child.

For details contact: dbrooks@epsom-ewell.gov.uk

Robert Owen, the 617 squadron historian, will be speaking about Barnes Wallis in commemoration of his life and death 40 years ago.

Details from: www.effinghamwithlittlebookhamparish.org.uk/event/barnes-wallis-talk/

Two performances by Mary-Ann Ochota and Jason Buck to bring out history from the ground in which it has been buried and into stories.

14.30-16.30 for ages 9+; Adults £15; 16 and under £6

19.30-21.30 for 12+; All tickets £15; bar available

Further information and booking details from: www.butserancientfarm.co.uk 

Dr. David Bird, RSG Chairman and past Surrey County archaeologist, will be giving us an update on his research on Ashtead Roman villa and Tileworks. Surrey Archaeological Society carried out excavations on the site between 2006-2013, but the history of archaeological investigation on the site goes back to the 1920s when AWG Lowther investigated the main villa building and detached bath house. David, in preparation for publication of the project has been examining records, both modern and historic, and his talk will give us a glimpse of what he has found.

Emma Corke, Director of excavations at Cock Farm Abinger, will be updating us on yet another successful season on this site of Iron Age and Roman agricultural activity in Abinger. Earlier indications of a human presence include Neolithic pottery and a number of flint implements. Archaeology found in the three CFA19 trenches , including Iron Age, transitional and Roman ditches, and more than 170 postholes, are tying together features from previous seasons to indicate a pattern of activity over several centuries.

James Bromwich is the author of several specialist guide books to Roman archaeology in France. Last season we heard James talking on the garum and salt industries in France and he is back talking to us about Gallic sanctuaries. Sites that will be expanded upon include Le Vieil-Évreux in Normandy and Haut-Bécherel Sanctuary at Corseul in Brittany.

James' detailed guide books will be on sale during the evening.