Members' tastes in recent years have moved away from well-known (and therefore possibly already-visited) attractions towards local sites and more specifically archaeological current work, so the range of visits offered is intended to accomodate those preferences.

• Sunday 16th April (Palm Sunday) - Beoley Church and Bordesley Abbey (cost: £9.00 per person)

  A beautifully situated country church, with building phases (from 12th century on) to challenge the most expert, associated with the Sheldons (an important midland family), and just plain delightful. Our guide to the church, a local historian, will also show us an adjacent hill-fort, and a deer park which has preserved a mediaeval farming landscape from later ploughing. Tea available at modest cost (in aid of the bells). We then go on to the ruins of Bordesley Abbey (personal option, entrance charge).

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• Sunday, 23rd May - Industrial Archaeology in Cheshire (cost: £10.00)

  Northwich is particularly rich in industrial archaeology. We propose to visit the historic and still-working Lion Salt Works, a Salt Museum, and the famous Anderson Boat Lift, which carried cargo vessels about 50ft vertically between the Trent and Mersey Canal and the River Weaver. It is hoped to include also a working Edwardian Pumping Station.

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• Saturday, 26th June - Church-crawl in west Warwickshire and Worcestershire (cost: £8.00)

  Up to eight churches, all notable for archaeological interest or beauty or both. This being the Saturday closest to St John's Day it is likely that some of the churches may have Summer Fairs in progress.

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• Saturday, 3rd July - Hands-on Session in Birmingham Museum: Peru

  Phil Watson will bring along and talk of the artefacts from the concurrent Peru exhibition. Followed by coffee and/or lunch in the Tea-Room, and of course the rest of the exhibition.

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• Sunday, 25th July - Current dig in central Coventry: St Mary's Priory & Cathedral site (cost: £6.00)

  This is an extensive dig in the Nave of a pre-dissolution Cathedral and Priory Church, and will be well advanced by the date of the visit. George Demidowicz will be on hand to guide and explain. The most recent two of Coventry's Cathedrals are close by and there will be time for visits and refreshments after the dig.

David Torvell
Honorary Excursions Secretary