About CADAS - the history of the Society
(with thanks to the authors of the 40th anniversary Bulletin, whose contributions formed the basis for this page)
Beginnings
CADAS was formed in 1965. The impetus for its formation was a series of classes entitled "Archaeology for Everyone", held in Coventry by the Birmingham University Extramural Department. Such was the initial enthusiasm for the subject that two courses had to be run each week and even those were oversubscribed. With so many like-minded people gathered together, it was not long before the idea of a society was proposed and, at a public meeting attended by over a hundred people in Baginton school hall, a committee was formed and the Coventry and District Archaeological Society came into being.Digs
A tremendous amount of work has been carried out over the years. When it started, several members were already actively involved in archaeology, either through their occupation, course of study, or by virtue of having a Roman site in their back garden. Further opportunities for practical work arose through the contacts developed with local museum staff and as a result of the courses. A Field walk and rescue excavation at Ryton Woods was followed by a dig at Coombe Abbey, which had recently been acquired by the City Council. Other excavations took place in Cook Street, where two old houses were being demolished, and at Whitefriars. The continuation of the courses over several years, combined with long-term digs such as at the Lunt Fort, Baginton, and the Charterhouse, helped to develop considerable expertise amongst the members. Redevelopments in the city centre led to CADAS involvement in several "threatened" sites, including the Spon Street Townscape Scheme, where an excavation of property in Much Park Street was carried out prior to the building being dismantled and rebuilt in Spon Street.Changing Environments?
The 1960/70s was a time when the importance of the historical environment had little support in government and local council planning so, when CADAS was formed, and during its early years, there was plenty of scope for amateur involvement in excavations. Paradoxically, as societies such as CADAS highlighted the need for legislation to ensure the protection of sites threatened by redevelopment, that new legislation and the related government funded labour assistance, reduced the opportunity for amateur input. The 1998/9 Directory of British Archaeology entry for CADAS states "Programme of lectures and outings. Fieldwalking, but little opportunity for excavation".During this time, though, the Society continued to flourish, taking opportunities of gaining expertise in other areas of archaeology, such as field-walking, and surveying, and continuing other activities such as trips and the annual Easter expedition, as well as taking part in excavations whenever the opportunity did arise. Over the years, through building a close working partnership with the City Council's Planning Department, the professional units, and the developers, opportunities to work on excavations have occurred, as the importance of the role of the amateur in providing experience and knowledge firmly grounded in the local context has begun to be appreciated again.
Current Situation
CADAS remains a thriving society, with over 100 members, ranging from total beginners to those whose experiences over the past forty years (and beyond) has placed them in an ideal situation for sharing their expertise. It has an ongoing project at a Romano-British site and has recently carried out an excavation at Gosford Books, which lies over medieval remains. The processing of these finds will be continuing in 2008. The Society has also been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant in order to carry out the Coventry Historic Environment Project (CHEP) in Allesley. More information on this will be available through the project's own website.
| CADAS has always provided a "training ground" for budding archaeologists (whatever their age!). It continues to promote the archaeology of the Coventry district, attending local festivals and Heritage weekends in order to nurture interest in the historical environment. The Easter expedition is held annually and a programme of trips to sites of interest is again being developed. The most recent was a visit to Tintern and Trellech, in Monmouthshire. Recently a leaflet was produced to publicise the Society and this web site has been set up, which will enable more up-to-date information about the Society to be made available to a wider public. |  |