Archaeology
Above : The iconic Stonehenge
Below : Trace of Roman Road on south Dorset Ridgeway. (Photo Bill Putnam) 
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For our normal speaker meetings, we meet at the Community Church Hall in Poundbury. The postcode is DT1 3DF. It is on the corner of Peverell Avenue East and Liscombe Street adjacent to Damers First School.
No 6 & 10 Buses from Dorchester stop nearby on Peverell Avenue East. There is plenty of parking on the street. Please do not park in front of the entrance - the area is not a carpark (although it looks like one !). Click here for a map it will open in a new tab or window (At the moment streetmap have not completed mapping Poundbury) Meetings start at 2pm normally on the 4th Monday of the month. However, with other outside visits and venues, times may be arranged to suit (see the programme below). At Poundbury, tea/coffee and biscuits are available for a small donation to the CCH funds To see the full Dorchester U3A Timetable click the button.
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Above : Roman Town House, Dorchester
Below : Lidar image of Frampton Roman Villa 
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Proposed Programme for 2026
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2026 dates : 26/1; 23/2; 23/3; 27/4; 1/6; 22/6; 27/7; (no August meeting); 28/9; 26/10; 23/11. (no December meeting)
Our last meeting: In April, we had our first visit of the year to Martin Green's farm just beyond Blandford. Martin's farm is in an area of intense archaeological activity and Martin is an enthusiastic and knowledgable guide. He gather a tour of his museum before leading us on a walking tour of the farm where will see bronze age and mesolithic burial sites, the cursus, a neolithic pit and much else. We were blessed with great weather ! Our next meeting : 1st June - (due to the Bank holiday, our May meeting will be held on 1st June) - Visit to Poole Museum - Barbara has organised for us to be guided around if we wish, or we can wonder freely. "There is plenty to look at - Iron Age logboat, objects from Studland and Swash Channel wrecks etc. If there are more than 20 people, they advise splitting up in two groups. There are always staff or volunteers there who will be able to explain everything. The website is very helpful www.poolemuseum.org.ukIf people travel by train its about 15 minutes walk from the station along the High Street. If travelling by car there is a multi storey car park or on Castle Street which is 5 minutes walk. Blue Badge owners can park on Poole Quay. It's free entry and there is a cafe. We should try and meet at 2pm in the lobby. Richard will be there to keep us in order! No need to say if you are coming or not. 22nd June : A speaker meeting at the Poundbury Community Hall starting at 2pm. Lilian Ladle will give an illustrated talk on The post Roman cemetery at Worth Matravers and the DNA of some of the bodies. 27th July : A speaker meeting at the Poundbury Community Hall starting at 2pm. Win Scutt from English Heritage will give an illustrated talk on Archaeology and English Heritage in Dorset and the south west. August - No meeting 28th September : Hopefully Martin Papworth (formerly of National Trust) who will talk about the new finds at Chedworth and other Dorset sites. More details to follow. 26th October : A speaker meeting at the Poundbury Community Hall starting at 2pm. Andrea Frankham will give an illustrated talk on Research on Iron Age Portland 23rd November : To be advised - hopefully Dr Anne Teather who could not make our meeting last year. More details to be advised. Some ideas for the future in the planning stage by the steering committee are shown to the right > The Steering Committee : Annie Atherton; Barbara O'Farrell; Michael Insley & Richard Crumbleholme |
The visits & talks below are some that are being researched :
The Durotriges Project -
Miles Russell (Bmth Univ) Trip to Avebury Trip to Poole Museum Butser museum site Any members suggestions are very welcome ! |
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New members and other ideas are always welcome
– no previous knowledge is necessary For more information on our programme please call Annie or Michael (For number please see Newsletter) Updated by Richard Crumbleholme 20/05/2026
Photos / Lidar images have been taken by members of the group |
Lidar image of part of the Dorchester Roman aqueduct
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