Herald - Issue 422

Page 14 • The HERALD • 21st April 2022 v READ THE HERALD ONLINE: www.herald-publishing.co.uk v We offer a Full Range of Carpentry and Building Services: • Full Design Service • Garage and Loft Conversions • Extensions • Fitted Kitchens and Bathrooms • Brickwork • Flat Roofs • Conservatories • PVCu Windows • Decking • Fencing, Pergolas and Gates D&G CARPENTRY & BUILDING Over 25 years experience, so for a fast and friendly service with free estimates call on 07767 833227 or 023 8089 9371 EXPERT DOMESTICS APPLIANCE SERVICES S ales and R epairs to A ll M akes and M odels 169-171 LONG LANE, HOLBURY • TEL (023) 8089 0054 POSSIBLY THE ONLY INDEPENDENT MAIN DEALER IN THE NEW FOREST For Bosch, Belling, Britannia, Candy, Ebac, Hotpoint, Hoover, Indesit, Ice King, LG, LEC, Liebherr, Miele, Neff, Sebo, Siemens, Stoves, Whirlpool, Zanussi and more... Free Standing & Built In Sales Centre Over 300 appliances in stock www.expertdomestics.co.uk The Difference is Clear Local family run company offering • TV & Radio aerials installed, serviced • Digital Reception Specialists • Sky Digital & BBC Digital Problems • Foreign Satellite Channel Specialists • Satellites & Video Distribution • Telephone Extension Points APPROVED MEMBER OF THE CAI NO CALL OUT CHARGE 023 8086 8074/07855 793675 All General Plumbing • Boiler Installations • Boiler Breakdowns • Gas Appliance Servicing • Central Heating Repairs 023 8089 9300 07917 445369 petertarr1@hotmail.co.uk Reg: 3515993 PETERTARR Gas, Plumbing & Heating FISH TRAPS AT ASHLETT by Robin Somes, Fawley & Blackfield Memories Previously, I mentioned the discovery in 2005, by the University of Southampton researchers, of Saxon- era sh traps on the mud ats near Ashlett, and how the changing saltmarshes rst hid, then revealed the remains. Time to look closer at the traps themselves, dating from 660 – 899 A.D. ere were two separate constructions, from di erent periods; both followed concepts used around the world for millennia. e largest was a fish weir . Weirs consist of some arrangement of barriers to channel sh on a falling tide into a central area, from which they can’t escape. Sometimes the barriers are piled-up rocks, or xed nets; here, they comprised of two long lines of oak posts, at right angles, supporting wattle frames. e point of the right angle faced out to sea, opening into a circular compound which held the catch. e second construction was a small cluster of basket traps . No evidence remained of the baskets themselves, but it’s likely they were sets of 3 or 4 conical woven baskets, tted together and held in place by posts, which sh could enter but not escape from. e traps’ existence implies several things about their creators, and the communities in the area at the time: • Detailed knowledge of the tidal patterns of the estuary, and the sh likely to be caught; • Great skill in planning and building such structures, strong enough to resist the forces of wind and sea, in an inaccessible and hazardous area; • A sizeable local workforce for the construction, and a high degree of organisation to motivate them and nance the work; • e layout of the weir suggests it would need to be checked on every low tide, night or day, year-round, to repair damage and prevent the catch being taken by poachers, sea birds or other predators. is implies, again, a complex and organised society aware of tidal patterns, and some overall command. So, it seems likely it was constructed by and serviced from a nearby settlement, able to access it on every tide. ere is certainly evidence of Saxon settlements around Ashlett; the salterns at Ashlett may also date from Saxon times. Given the presence of the salterns, it’s possible some of the catch was salted, and sent to market in the town of Hamwic, the Saxon origin of Southampton. ese remains are now almost gone, but other archaeological nds still regularly come to light around the Solent. What secrets the sea occasionally reveals. With thanks to Professor John Cooper, now of the University of Exeter, for permission to reference his work. Illustration (by Robin Somes): How the fish traps may have looked in Saxon times. May Fayre at Blackfield Blackfield Baptist Church is holding their May Fayre on Saturday 7th May , 11am – 2pm, with lots of stalls and live music. Free entry - with all proceeds and donations for the Ukraine.