| Abstract: |
A building recording watching brief was carried out during the demolition of the Fox and Grapes
public house to make way for the HS2 project. The aims of the watching brief were to enhance our
current understanding of the structure, construction history and use over time of the building, as
well as to salvage any features of significance that could be safely removed. At the time of survey,
the building was in a dangerously dilapidated state and access to the interior was not possible.
Phase 2 of this project will involve a collation of the data gathered between 2006 and the
demolition of the building in 2018 for the purposes of producing a final archaeological report.
The Fox and Grapes Public House was a two storey, red brick building with cellar and attic level,
facing south onto Freeman Street with east to west facing gable ends. At the rear on the north
side were two later extensions while a small rear yard contained some minor ancillary buildings.
The building is designated as a Grade II listed heritage asset (list entry no. 1075598) and was first
inscribed on the list on 8th July 1982.
A photographic survey was maintained throughout the demolition, but due to the severely
dilapidated condition of the building and lack of access, no further features of archaeological
significance that would enhance our understanding of the structure were identified. The chimney
pots, signage, and one baluster from the stairs were salvaged. Dendrochronological sampling
successfully identified timbers that were felled in the early 18th century from the ground floor of
the building, which is consistent with the historical dates of 1727 to 1731 for its phase 1
construction. Bricks dating to the 18th, 19th, and 20th century were sampled and analysed. A building recording watching brief was carried out during the demolition of the Fox and Grapes
public house to make way for the HS2 project. The aims of the watching brief were to enhance our
current understanding of the structure, construction history and use over time of the building, as
well as to salvage any features of significance that could be safely removed. At the time of survey,
the building was in a dangerously dilapidated state and access to the interior was not possible.
Phase 2 of this project will involve a collation of the data gathered between 2006 and the
demolition of the building in 2018 for the purposes of producing a final archaeological report.
The Fox and Grapes Public House was a two storey, red brick building with cellar and attic level,
facing south onto Freeman Street with east to west facing gable ends. At the rear on the north
side were two later extensions while a small rear yard contained some minor ancillary buildings.
The building is designated as a Grade II listed heritage asset (list entry no. 1075598) and was first
inscribed on the list on 8th July 1982.
A photographic survey was maintained throughout the demolition, but due to the severely
dilapidated condition of the building and lack of access, no further features of archaeological
significance that would enhance our understanding of the structure were identified. The chimney
pots, signage, and one baluster from the stairs were salvaged. Dendrochronological sampling
successfully identified timbers that were felled in the early 18th century from the ground floor of
the building, which is consistent with the historical dates of 1727 to 1731 for its phase 1
construction. Bricks dating to the 18th, 19th, and 20th century were sampled and analysed. |
