These are two fossilized sponges encased in flint, about 4.5cm across. They come from the chalk rock that the village is built on. This was formed in the Cretaceous period 63 to 135 million years ago. Sponges grow attached to the sea bed and are the simplest of multicellular animals. Water is drawn in through minute pores. Microscopic food particles are taken from the water which is then expelled through the top opening of the sponge. They have existed on this planet for 600 million years.
By Tony Morris