Bob Young points out that the Bronze Roman rams head found in Little Thetford by Dave Fletcher is similar to a bovine head found in Little Thetford by Philip Randall; see pictures below. Both these artefacts are probably votive offerings. Judge the similarity yourself.
 Dave Fletchers Roman Rams Head find |
 Philip Randells bovine head find |
21 March 2012: Dave Fletcher tells us that he saw three short-eared owls today in the fields beside the railway line. He admits his images of two of them (below) are not brilliant as the owls were really far away. Nevertheless, it is good news that these owls are in our village.
 Short-eared owl |
 Short-eared owl |
See also the sightings we mentioned earlier by Gill Norman and John Parish
Flag of the United Kingdom
To celebrate the “Diamond Jubilee” of Queen Elizabeth II, Little Thetford will hold a “Picnic in the Field“. We are looking for ideas and helpers. Please come along to the meeting on Wednesday 21 March at the Social Club lounge at 8.15pm.
Unless signalling distress, the Union Jack should be flown the correct way up. The Wikipedia article Union Flag tells us “The broad portion of the white cross of St Andrew should be above the red band of St Patrick (and the thin white portion below) in the upper hoist canton (the corner at the top nearest to the flag-pole), giving the Scottish symbol precedence over the Irish symbol. This is expressed by the phrases wide white top and broad side up”.
Bronze-Age sky wheel
Phillip Randall of Barway showed us some more of his local finds recently. On the right we have a Bronze-Age sky wheel or Celtic sun cross perhaps used as part of pre-Christian sun worship or a symbol of a simple time-keeping instrument.
Below we show two views of one of Philips large stone maces. Found by the site of the Bronze-Age Barway to Little Thetford causeway, this mace may even have been used in the construction of said causeway. Who knows?
Large stone mace, front view
Large stone mace, side view
A selection of Randall's finds
A selection of Fletchers finds
The latest village newsletter is now online. If you’re in the village – a printed copy should have already come through your door.
Dave Fletcher recently found two Roman objects in Little Thetford, a quern-stone and a spindle-whorl. See photographs. The quern is made from grey lava. Similar ones are noted in the Portable Antiquities Scheme as find number SF-82B87 and Bill Wyman in Suffolk. In his 2005 book Treasure Island – Britain’s History Uncovered Wyman records a Roman quern find whilst ‘field walking’ near his home in Suffolk (page VI). Quern stones were used for grinding wheat. A whorl was used for spinning.
Click to see images and make comments
These photos from Phillip Randall show Little Thetford in the early 1900’s from or close to Barway.
 Little Thetford ferry c. 1906 |
 Little Thetford pumping mill c. 1906 |
In the ferry image, Naomi Randall and Alfred Dewsberry are in the boat; Mahala and Arthur Dewsberry are on the bank. Note how wide the river was and the pumping station with chimney.
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