Scientist searches for town's ancient past
You may have spotted scientist Dr Richard Neale last weekend operating some odd-looking equipment to scan roads, pavements and other patches of land around Langport. The Oxfordshire man, pictured above after having his roots done at Guys and Dolls last Saturday, is using ground-penetrating radar to delve into Langport's past. The equipment can scan down through the centuries right back to the dark ages. (Most of us just walk into the bar area at The Rose and Crown)
Dr Neale is looking for earthworks which may be evidence of Anglo-Saxon fortifications against Viking invasion and mobs from the Sydenham Estate in Bridgwater in the 9th century. He's also looking for old embankments used to control the river and the original causeway which linked the hill area to the river.
Dr Neale is looking for earthworks which may be evidence of Anglo-Saxon fortifications against Viking invasion and mobs from the Sydenham Estate in Bridgwater in the 9th century. He's also looking for old embankments used to control the river and the original causeway which linked the hill area to the river.
Of course, many Langport and Huish residents already know what's underground before he even publishes his findings.
Such as the ancient cartwheel repair service under Tesco known, according to Anglo-Saxon historians, as Frank's Auto Needs. Or what the ancient Britons called 'a police station' which it's believed once stood on land next to Travis Perkins. There's even an ancient video library still standing at Peony Valley.
Satisfied customers leaving Frank's Auto Needs about 2000 years ago.
Such as the ancient cartwheel repair service under Tesco known, according to Anglo-Saxon historians, as Frank's Auto Needs. Or what the ancient Britons called 'a police station' which it's believed once stood on land next to Travis Perkins. There's even an ancient video library still standing at Peony Valley.
Satisfied customers leaving Frank's Auto Needs about 2000 years ago.
Before One Stop opened, Langport and Huish residents - above - had to scavenge for food on Garden City green (The Langport Arms only opened on Sundays) and many of their descendants still live there today.
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