BBC's Coast films at Purton Ships Graveyard

The BBC and the Open Universities production team have recently visited Gloucestershire in order to film the region's now famous collection of maritime archaeology situated within the Severnside village of Purton on the banks of the River Severn. The site known as the Purton Ships Graveyard has been selected to appear in the fourth series which is due to be aired in the Spring of 2009 and will form a walk through piece fronted by the eminent Historian Neil Oliver.

The site is the current holder of the prestigious Nautical Archeological Societies Adopt a Wreck Award. Local Maritime Historian and Chairman of the recently formed Friends of Purton Paul Barnett is delighted with the progress made so far in order to protect the site's unique maritime heritage and welcomes the BBC's visit,  "This visit is the pinnacle of some ten years research into this unique site which seeks to recognise the significance of this Gloucestershire time capsule, an age long since gone".

It is hoped this level of national publicity will provide a much needed drive to the Friend's campaign to have the British Government, via the current Culture Secretary Andy Burnham and the Governing Authority English Heritage, recognise and subsequently afford much needed protection to this rapidly dwindling collection. To this end Mr Barnett further added, "this site has, throughout its very conception, been habitually open to destruction from arson, vandalism and trophy hunters, sadly this continues to the current day. Barnett is emphatic in his desire to see immediate action by the authorities to protect what is believed to be the largest terrestrial ships graveyard in the country. If nothing is done the result could be catastrophic, "failure to act will only aid the imminent destruction of this island's once fine maritime traditions and so further destroy our already depleted connection to the sea which once made this nation great".

The Friends of Purton are currently recruiting like-minded people to act as site guides, to conduct an ongoing programme of archaeological surveys and participate in forthcoming research for 2009.

You can lodge your support either direct to English Heritage or to Mr Barnett on 07833143231 or by email Barnadillo@aol.com

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[Paul Barnett]

Press release

Hulks reveal hidden secrets

Following what is now being billed as the first ships excavation to take place this century, the last remaining Kennet built barge Harriett of the now famous Purton Hulks is set to take centre stage amongst the country’s archaeological fraternity and ignite a massive debate into the distinct lack of national funding for our nations maritime archaeology.

This comes in the wake of this week’s site excavation of the vessel by volunteer guardians of the site, The Friends of Purton, set up in 2008 in light of continued governmental inactivity to afford formal protection to the nation’s largest foreshore ships graveyard in the country.

Friends of Purton Chairman Paul Barnett today remarked “that despite it being too early to comment, I am thrilled with the results and believe that there is so much more to discover regarding this rapidly disappearing epitaph to a dwindling maritime way of life and a once proud maritime nation.”

In line, Head of Archaeology for the Friends, Laurent Coleman, heralded the excavation as “a great success, the works giving a vital insight into the state of preservation of the vessel and answering questions regarding the hull form and construction. Further I am immensely impressed by the hard work and cooperation demonstrated by members of The Friends of Purton, of the NAS and of the local community in achieving our common aim. I look forward to presenting a report to the archeologically world in due course”.

This early success has been marked by Mark Beattie - Edwards, Programme Director,
Nautical Archaeology Society, who issued this from their Portsmouth headquarters “The NAS are delighted to see what quantity of the Harriett actually remains preserved beneath the ground at Purton. The challenge now of course is to try and protect in any way we can the remains above the surface for all to enjoy. I am sure that the Friends of Purton will work tirelessly to this end and will not rest until their heritage is protected for future generations and for that we applaud them”.

The excavation itself was conducted as part of a rolling programme to record the entire site and was carried out in conjunction with 3D laser scanning of the exposed timbers by Vista, University of Birmingham and a magnetic survey conducted by Worcestershire based Stratascan Ltd.

Further details on this and the other vessels within the Purton Hulks fleet please visit www.friendsofpurton.org.uk

End of article

[Paul Barnett]

Dear Tall Ships
The Friends of Purton are pleased to announce that they have now catalogued its 2007 acquisition of the Graham Farr photographic collection. Started c.1930s the collection consists of several thousand black and white images of schooners, trows, lighters coasters, paddle steamers and much much more.

Thanks are duly made to the late Robin Craig' widow, Yvonne, Michael Farr and Llanelli Photographer Derek Newton Goverd for their generosity, foresight and continued support.

Further details regarding individual images and database searches are available upon request to the Friends of Purton, 22 Gurney Avenue, Tuffley, GL4 0YL or barnadillo@aol.com.

www.friendsofpurton.org.uk

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