Archaeological investigations were carried out by Oxford Archaeology between 2008 and 2016 within DP World London Gateway Port and Logistics Park near Stanford-le-Hope in Essex and on the site of a compensatory wildlife habitat on the Hoo Peninsula in Kent. Some 40 sites were the subject of some form of archaeological assessment, and of these, 16 contained significant archaeological remains or were otherwise important to the understanding of the area. The combined evidence paints a picture of life on the edge of the Thames Estuary from early prehistory to the 20th century. The discoveries show how the area has attracted settlers, farmers and traders since prehistory. People came to the marshes in Mesolithic and Neolithic times, perhaps on a seasonal basis, to hunt, and gather plants and seafood. In the late Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman periods, people trapped seawater to extract salt, a valuable commodity used for food preservation. In the medieval period, the marshland offered unrivalled pasture for the sheep and cattle belonging to upland farms on the gravel terraces. Over time, the marshes were drained to increase the pasture and the value of the farming estates. The creeks that snaked through the marshes were a means of communication and trade. A timber wharf, built in the 16th century, was recorded on the edge of one such creek. In modern times, the sparsely populated area proved an ideal location for the establishment of oil refineries and other industries, positioning London Gateway at the heart of British trade. The area has also inspired artists, writers and filmmakers. This volume joins two others - London Gateway: Maritime Archaeology in the Thames Estuary and London Gateway: Iron Age and Roman Salt Making in the Thames Estuary - that explore the archaeology and heritage of the London Gateway site.

This enchanting book is a boost and a tonic for the faith we celebrate at Christmas time. Christopher Hayden shows us how immensely relevant, practical and challenging our Christmas faith is. Carefully setting the stage for the birth of the Saviour, he gradually populates the crib with all its different characters, explaining the significance of each one. Each chapter concludes with some points to ponder, making this an ideal book for preachers, as well as for prayers. The book combines sensitivity to the concerns of biblical scholarship with a popular approach style. It is intended to help people enter prayerfully and reflectively into the spirit of Christmas.

The Creed is a compendium of the Christian faith: it contains the core truths to which discipleship is our response. This very readable book guides the reader through the Creed, line by line. Each statement is explained and reflected on, in a way that seeks to show the wisdom, beauty and practicality of the faith. Truth by truth and phrase by phrase, this book shows us that the content of the Creed is no mere set of abstractions, but can speak to us in ways that are surprisingly concrete and down to earth. From the opening 'I believe' to the closing 'Amen', Christopher Hayden helps us to see that our faith is an inestimable treasure, and encourages us to be more confident in embracing it as a guide for living.