Introduction to Rhyn Park
In the exceptional summer of 1976 crop marks caused by the drought revealed previously unknown archaeology in fields overlooking the Ceiriog River near the Gledrid Roundabout.
Professor Barri Jones of the University of Manchester who had extensive knowledge of Roman activity the Northern March, recognised the potential importance of the site and decided to excavate. Operations began in 1977.
The dig attracted huge interest and the Border Counties Advertizer was v...
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Author: Ben Hillidge
Oswestry Castle Precis

Oswestry & Border History & Archaeology Group OBHAG
Oswestry Castle Research Project
Oswestry Castle Precis
In September 2015 Archaeologists spent two weeks excavating part of Oswestry castle. Not much appears to remain today but this was an important and early Norman castle. It was mentioned in the Domesday book and therefore must predate 1086. A previous small scale Archaeological excavation did suggest the possibility that much more remains under the present day turf surface than...
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Morda Valley Research Project
Morda Valley Research Project
Three years of research produced a comprehensive report with topics which included local field and place names, details of Offa's Dyke within the area, the mills formerly operating in the Morda Valley, and the small 'Oswestry Coalfield' which was worked from about 1750 to 1891 together with its associated local transport system. Many of the sites associated with this once thriving coal mining industry in and around Trefonen and the Morda Valley were formally record...
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Projects

OBHAG Projects and Oswestry Castle Research Project
Oswestry Castle Research Project
With the aim of carrying out an extensive archaeology study of Oswestry’s castle this is exciting project is led by OBHAG member Roger Cooper, and is affiliated to OBHAG.
The Rhyn Park Excavation
Wroxeter Hinterland Project
Working with others and the County Archaeology Service in further excavation of an Iron Age rampart on Llanymynech Hill.
The Morda Valley Research Project
Three years of ...
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2021 Programme

OBHAG Programme 2021 - Oswestry & Border History & Archaeology Group
Meetings are normally held at the Methodist Church Hall, Castle Street on the second Friday of the month at 7.30pm, but current Covid restrictions mean these cannot take place this spring. Where possible we will use alternatives like "meeting" by Zoom.
Entry Fee: Members £2 Visitors £5
NEXT EVENT
Next Event - AGM by Zoom 12th March 2021
12th February 7.30pm Virtual meeting by Zoom. Presidenti...
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President

President of Oswestry & Border History & Archaeology Group - OBHAG
John Pryce-Jones
Born and brought up in Oswestry, John Pryce-Jones has always had a keen interest in history, which he traces back to frequent visits to Old Oswestry and to the Castle Bank in his early years, and also to visits to the castles of north Wales, and to places such as Tintagel when on family holidays to Cornwall.
His particular interest in Oswestry’s local history began in the late 1970...
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Margaret Hill

Past Vice-chairman of Oswestry & Border History & Archaeology Group – OBHAG
Margaret Hill
Archaeologist and Teacher. Interested in the Iron Age and Early Medieval periods. Working with Dr David Hill and our Manchester Extra-Mural Students carried out survey and excavations on Offa's and Wat's Dykes; Oswestry Castle, early medieval sites in Northern France and survey in Greece. Roger Cooper and I excavated for several seasons at Chirbury, once the site of a ...
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Margaret Harrison

Committee Member of Oswestry & Border History & Archaeology Group – OBHAG
Margaret Harrison
I am a very keen amateur historian, but by no means professional. However, as well as British history, particularly Industrial Heritage, I also have an interest in the wider British influence historically on a worldwide basis. I am very interested in North America, from the colonial East Coast to the subsequent exploration across the Great Plains, through the Rockies and onwards to the West ...
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Committee

The Oswestry & Border History & Archaeology Committee for 2020 is made up of the following members:
John Pinfold (Chairman)
Tom Lerwill (Vice-chairman)
David Stirling (Honorary Treasurer)
Derek Williams
Anne Swire
Heather Hidden (Newsletter Editor)
Margaret Harrison
Roger Cooper
Margaret Roberts
Glyn Gaskell
Pierre Sarre
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Roger Cooper

Committee Member of Oswestry & Border History & Archaeology Group – OBHAG
Roger Cooper
Field Archaeologist and semi retired principle of SAP Archaeology-an archaeological contracting unit. Member of the Castle Studies Group.
Archaeological director of Oswestry Castle Research Project.
Main Interests:
Furtherance of archaeology within the community, castle studies, Medieval history, mountain and coastal walking & visiting historical sites of any period.
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