Tackley Local History Group

Latest Finds

Modern or Medieval?

This vase was found by Simon Somerscales in the River Cherwell near Enslow bridge. At first sight it looked like a modern vase of the sort you can buy in a garden centre. However, when Anni Byard, the archaeologist running our dig at Gibraltar Point, started to clean it she began to think that it might be medieval, perhaps from the potteries at Brill or Boarstall. It has therefore been sent to Maureen Mellor, a medieval pottery specialist in Oxford, for identification.

Simon has an extensive collection of local finds and old photographs and is especially interested in old glass. Contact him at ssomerscales@btinternet.com.

Three Medieval Horseshoes

These were found at Wood Farm and Upper Dornford Farm. The one on the top left dates from around 1400–1450 and belongs to Hilary Laughton, and is very similar in size to one found by Margaret Lindley near the stream behind St John’s Road. They are quite small and were probably from saddle horses.

The larger one at the bottom belongs to June Collier. It dates from a similar time, between 1300 and 1600, and is probably from a working horse.

The other shoe, which belongs to Pam Laughton, is very corroded and thin and is possibly older, from between 1200 and 1400.

Two of the shoes still have the remains of nails in place. Together, these shoes suggest a thriving village in the late Middle Ages.

June Collier has kindly donated her horseshoe to the History Group’s collection. If you have anything of local interest that you would like to give or lend, including old photographs, please contact us. We are particularly interested in objects from the 17th to 19th centuries, and may be able to include them in our exhibition on the history of Tackley in St Nicholas’ Church.