MP visits archaelogicol dig at Temple Hill's Enchanted Woodland - Dr Howard Stoate

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MP visits archaelogicol dig at Temple Hill's Enchanted Woodland

Wednesday, 02 August 2006

MP visits archaelogicol dig at Temple Hill's Enchanted Woodland

Dartford MP, Dr Howard Stoate, paid a visit today to the archaeological excavation of Temple Hill’s ‘Enchanted Woodland’.

The Woodland, which is now under the stewardship of Temple Hill Community Forum, is on the site of the old Joyce Green Hospital Cemetery, which fell out of use in the 1950s. Staff from Alfred McAlpine and three local housing providers spent a week earlier this year removing burnt-out cars, rubbish and undergrowth from site, and the excavation of the cemetery’s old chapel and mortuary, led by Bexley Archaeological Group with local volunteers, began this summer.

The excavation nearly failed to get off the ground however because of a wrangle over an access licence, and it took the intervention of Dr Stoate, who lobbied the Department of Health on the Forum’s behalf, to ensure that the excavation got underway on schedule.

“Joyce Green cemetery is an important part of the heritage of Temple Hill, and I am delighted that the excavation has been able to get underway. It is an opportunity for local residents to get involved in a local excavation, and find out more about the history and archaeology of their community,” said the MP.

“The site has been derelict for many years and largely forgotten, so I am pleased that it is now back in use at last. I’m quite sure that it will become a much loved and well used community resource in the years ahead. The Community Forum and all the other agencies that have played their part in the site’s restoration are to be congratulated for all the hard work that they have put in.”

Note

Dr Stoate is pictured 1) With an archaeologist from Bexley Archaeological Trust. They are holding grave markers unearthed during the excavation 2) With a volunteer excavating one of the footpaths in the cemetery.

As well as co-ordinating the excavation, Temple Hill Community Forum is working with Kent County Council and the Learning and Skills Council to provide a series of adult education classes on archaeology, local history and genealogy. For more information please contact Debbie Fryer on 078 1630 1566 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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