Title: |
Hydrology Restoration: Archaeological Survey, Wrest Park Gardens, Silsoe, Bedfordshire: Interim Report : Old Park Weir |
Series: |
Albion Archaeology unpublished report series
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Downloads: |
albionar1-165694_1.pdf (53 MB)
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Download
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Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
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DOI |
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Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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Abstract: |
During April 2007 Albion Archaeology undertook an archaeological survey of the Old Park Weir on behalf of English Heritage. The work was commissioned on behalf of English Heritage by BEA Landscape Design Ltd as part of the hydrology restoration project. This results described here represent an initial stage of work comprising desk-based study and a survey of the Old Park Weir. Old Park Weir links Old Park Water with Serpentine Water and lies on the western edge of the current park. It is one of a number of weirs forming part of a complex water management system linking the various waters, canals and lakes, most of which were laid out in the 18th century. Although the precise date at which the weir was built is unclear, it is known that Old Park Water and the Serpentine were completed around 1760 and that the great variation in levels necessitated at least the need for a bank (BLARS: crt 190/45). It is quite possible that Old Park Weir was created at this point, or soon afterwards, as the requirements for managing the water systems became more apparent. Old Park Weir is a stone-built, broad-crested weir and spillway, which controls the flow of water between Old Park Water to the north and the Serpentine to the south. The weir and associated structures comprise the weir itself, a spillway with manhole for manual release of water and retaining wall around the northern end of Old Park Water. Trees, now removed, have split the wall in various places and the western bank wall is showing signs of slumping. The concrete capping repaired and replaced in 1971 is loose and in places fragmentary. Dredging of Old Park Water and the Serpentine was large-scale and took place on a number of occasions. Both draglines and excavators were used for this work and it is likely that beyond the protection of the associated structures the silt build ups would have been formed relatively recently |
Author: |
J Blanchflower
H Cooper-Reade
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Publisher: |
Albion Archaeology
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Other Person/Org: |
Historic England (OASIS Reviewer)
Central Bedfordshire HER (OASIS Reviewer)
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Year of Publication: |
2007
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Locations: |
Site: |
HYDROLOGY RESTORATION: ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY |
Parish: |
SILSOE |
District: |
Central Bedfordshire |
County: |
Bedfordshire |
Country: |
England |
Location - Auto Detected: |
Old Park Water |
Location - Auto Detected: |
Old Park Weir Old Park Weir |
Location - Auto Detected: |
Old Park |
Location - Auto Detected: |
Old Park Weir |
Grid Reference: 508910, 234880 (Easting, Northing)
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Subjects / Periods: |
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Identifiers: |
OASIS Id: |
albionar1-165694 |
OBIB: |
2007/47 |
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Source: |
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Relations: |
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Created Date: |
28 Nov 2016 |