Series: Allen Archaeology Ltd unpublished report series

18 Evaluation trenches were excavated, revealing only modern features.

A geophysical survey by magnetometry was undertaken by Allen Archaeology Limited on behalf of the National Trust prior to the submission of a planning application for a proposed car park on land at Gunby Hall, Lincolnshire. The site is located within the Gunby Estate and evidence for medieval ridge and furrow ploughing has been identified from aerial photography running broadly north - south immediately to the west of the site (National Trust Sites and Monuments Record Reference 68020). This forms part of a much more extensive area of ridge furrow, indicating the agricultural nature of much of the surrounding landscape in the medieval period. A previous geophysical survey by Allen Archaeology revealed a number of anomalies likely representing a possible headland and ridge and furrow to the west of the site. There was, however, a large amount of magnetic noise caused by modern activity, including electric fences, telegraph poles and modern services that may have obscured more subtle archaeological remains (AAL, 2013). Along the southeast edge of site the geophysical survey revealed a potential sub-rectangular enclosure with a number of internal linear and curvilinear anomalies. Due to its proximity it may be associated with Gunby Hall or the former medieval village of Gunby (NAA 2012).

Allen Archaeology Ltd was commissioned to undertake evaluation trenching on land at Tickencote Lodge Farm, Tickencote, Rutland. The aim of the investigation was to identify the nature and extent of archaeological remains and to help inform plans for a Higher Level Stewardship Scheme (HLS). A COSMIC risk assessment was undertaken. The trenching revealed a ring barrow ditch and Anglo-Saxon pottery.

The works for the building survey followed the guidance set out in the Historic England document ‘Understanding Historic Buildings: A guide to good recording practice’ (2016) and the WSI prepared by AAL. Where safely accessible photographs were taken of all external elevations, all internal elevations, including internal walls and subdivisions, the roof structure of the buildings and architectural details. Metric scales of appropriate length and a tripod were used when required, with all photos annotated and linked to a site plan. The survey has identified five broad phases of construction throughout the farm.

Allen Archaeology Ltd (AAL) have been commissioned by the London Borough of Southwark to carry out an archaeological monitoring and recording during ground clearance works along the internal strip of ground along the southeast boundary wall of Nunhead Cemetery on the Limesford Road frontage. Experienced archaeologist monitored the removal of vegetation and carried out recording of all uncovered gravestones. Clearance work was carried out with hand tools only and Idverde team was briefed on how to clear vegetation without damaging gravestones and disturbing burials. Work carried out during the 5 day period allowed to assess the condition of gravestones and their spatial distribution. This in turn will allow to plan any further vegetation clearance and conservation work on the gravestones. The desk-based research and site visit has shown the cemetery to have been one of the more impressive of the 19th century burial grounds across Greater London, as recognised by its Grade II* Registered Park and Garden status. During the archaeological monitoring of the ground clearance works to the east of the Limesford Road entrance, many of the gravestones in overgrown areas appeared to be in-situ and in good condition, however a high number had collapsed or were leaning on other gravestones. Some remain partially obscured by other undergrowth or beneath what appears to be deliberately imported soil. Many of the burials were marked by small headstones of several, apparently standardised, forms, thought to indicate ‘common’ graves. Burials in the cleared area can be divided into two chronological phases. Gravestones located nearer to the path and in the south part of the clearance area mostly date to the Second World War and some of the dates of death can be matched with air raids on London. The rest of the burials date to between 1900 and 1923. Based on the results of the archaeological monitoring, further work on management of this area can be carried out in future. Creation of written record and spatial distribution map of the gravestones will allow location of graves. The decay of the cemetery over time can also be assessed from the produced record.

Allen Archaeology Limited were commissioned by Prospect Archaeology Limited, on behalf of Linden Homes Midlands to undertake an archaeological excavation on land north of Lubenham Hill, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. This was undertaken in order to complete a condition of planning permission to define the date and scope of any and all archaeological remains of the site before the erection of 119 dwellings and works for associated access. The archaeological remains encountered at the site are of local and regional significance and provide a previously unknown insight into rural settlements of the late Iron Age to Romano-British transition in Market Harborough. The nature and significance of the excavated remains present the opportunity for further examination and detailed analysis of the archaeological data with an opportunity to compare this site at both a local and regional level with comparison to local sites, including Airfield farm to the north. Isolated artefacts recorded in the Historic Environment Record suggests Iron Age and Roman activity to the east of the modern town, trial trench excavations at Ridgeway School and Waterfield Place confirm this. However, this excavation shows activity to the west of Market Harborough as well. Future archaeological work immediately north of the site would create an opportunity to compare archaeological sites of the same likely period in the immediate vicinity. This would contribute significantly to local and regional studies of the period. The scale a nature of this work would permit a fuller publication of the works after further analysis at a later date The earliest archaeological remains were early Neolithic, with a scattering of residual flint and worked stone spread across the site. There was a pit that contained more than 66% of the flint found on the site, including a fragment of an early Neolithic leaf arrow head. A portion of polished stone axe was found within a late Iron Age pit. Evidence of more permanent prehistoric settlement in the local area was characterised by a pit alignment dated to the late Iron Age, running north/south through the centre of the area. Domestic occupation of the site was not recorded until the 1st century. At least three round houses were recorded, surrounded by a boundary ditch and accessed from a track or droveway to the north-east. The enclosure was re-dug multiple times. During the 1st and 2nd century AD this was abandoned and the use of the land began to change, with evidence of farming and enclosures to the south, while to the east, ovens and hearths were constructed. There was evidence for the base of a corn dryer. No domestic structures were recorded but there must have been settlement in close proximity to the east of the site. In the 3rd and beginning of the 4th century the land is being used for farming.

Allen Archaeology Ltd performed two sets of archaeological investigations, one in 2013 and another in 2016, examining the Church of St. Margaret, Hawerby-cum-Beesby, North-East Lincolnshire. In 2013, an archaeological scheme of works was carried out for Scorer and Hawkins in order to assess the archaeological potential of land at Church of St. Margaret, Hawerby cum Beesby, Lincolnshire, in advance of the submission of a planning application for restoration and conversion of the church. The programme of works comprised desk-based research, a photographic survey and archaeological monitoring of three small test pits. In 2016, Allen Archaeology Limited was commissioned by Peter Pace Architects on behalf of Ina Telford to undertake a programme of historic building recording and archaeological monitoring at the Church of St. Margaret, Hawerby-cum-Beesby, North-East Lincolnshire. The work has been undertaken as a condition of planning permission and Listed Building Consent prior to extensive internal and external works to the building. A standard historic building survey was not possible as the building was already being heavily supported by scaffolding to prevent it from collapse. Instead, the building recording was undertaken as work progressed and access to masonry became possible. This largely focused on areas of interest that were identified by Hugh Winfield. As a listed building the church is of inherent architectural and historic interest. The earliest, and therefore most significant surviving elements of the church comprise the blind arches on the south elevation that are likely to be of a 12th century date. They were later infilled when the south aisle was removed. Other significant surviving elements include the unusual double bell-cote of 17th century date. 19th century brick repairs to the north elevation are considered to be of lower significance. The three test pits monitored at the site exposed evidence for foundation trenches associated with the existing church, as well as a north – south aligned stone wall to the south of the church, possibly related to the former south aisle. No earlier archaeological features or deposits were encountered and no human remains were exposed, although any groundworks for drainage, soakaways etc. elsewhere in the churchyard have a high potential for encountering human remains. The archaeological work has identified at least five phases of construction. Most of both the north and west walls are likely to date from the first phase of building, in the 13th century. A recently discovered Norman style window on the north elevation, was blocked probably during the 17th century. The arcade on the south elevation is also from the first phase of construction. Parts of the original columns were exposed after the plaster was removed from the walls. After the 14th century, St. Margaret’s started to fall into disrepair, and it may be at this time that the south aisle was demolished. St. Margaret’s underwent repair in the mid-15th century, using reclaimed stone from nearby Beesby Church, the congregation from this church moving to Hawerby. Worked pieces of masonry with mouldings, from window traceries, cornices, doorways and other architectural elements were encountered in St. Margaret’s when the plaster was recently removed. Some displayed graffiti depicting crosses and other marks. It is uncertain whether the stones originates from Beesby church or from St Margaret’s. Graffiti was encountered mainly on the south elevation of the church and although it may well be medieval it could equally be of later 17th to 19th century date, the point at which the walls were plastered. During the third phase of construction in the 17th century the church was once again repaired, with stones taken from the remains of Beesby church. The bellcote on the west gable was also erected at this time.

Allen Archaeology Limited were commissioned by Kier Construction to undertake a historic building recording Level 2, as a condition of planning consent for demolition of the former admin block at Scunthorpe General Hospital, Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire. As a response to the increasing demand for a suitable hospital in the early 20th century, largely caused by expanding steel industry in Scunthorpe, the plans for a new one was planned. When the 72-bed complex was opened by Mr Talbot Cliff, chairman of the Scunthorpe Magistrates, the new hospital had replaced the old 28 bed Frodingham Cottage Hospital, this included the administration block and nurses' accommodation. The extant three-storey and 12-bayed, red brick structure with Palladian front has a central gable with ashlar quoins, the top pediment with a centred bulls-eye window. It boasts a large stone architrave with the inscription Scunthorpe General Hospital with dated pediment reading 1929 and corner stones with memorial dates 1914 and 1918. The bricks have been machine-made and laid in English Garden Wall bond with a string course between each floor. The roof is gabled and covered with Welsh slate with two end stacks and two protruding through the apex of the roof. The soffits are decoratively painted blue and white. Apart from a blocked doorway with rounded arch and a removed associated staircase on the west elevation, this block looks the same as it did when it was first erected. The use and plan of the interior has change very little as it still holds offices for administration and bedrooms for on-call doctors as opposed to nurses who originally occupied the upper floors. The majority of fireplaces have been removed with the introduction of central heating, new kitchen areas, new ceilings within large parts of the structure, including modern lighting and electrical fittings along the walls are some of the later features introduced in the later parts of the 20th century. The Administration Block subject to survey is part of the original Scunthorpe War Memorial Hospital which was opened in 1929. The nurses’ accommodation was expanded in 1932 when the administration block became overcrowded and the hospital had been approved for training nurses. The extant three-storey and 12-bayed, red brick structure with Palladian front has a central gable with ashlar quoins, the top pediment with a centred bulls-eye window. It boasts a large stone architrave with the inscription Scunthorpe General Hospital with dated pediment reading 1929 and corner stones with memorial dates 1914 and 1918. The bricks are machine-made and laid in English Garden Wall bond with a string course between each floor. The roof is gabled and covered with Welsh slate with two end stacks and two protruding through the apex of the roof. The soffits are decoratively painted blue and white. Apart from a blocked doorway with rounded arch and a removed associated staircase on the west elevation, this block looks the same as it did when it was first erected. The use and plan of the interior has change very little as it still holds offices for administration and bedrooms for on-call doctors as opposed to nurses, who originally occupied the upper floors. The majority of fireplaces have been removed with the introduction of central heating, new kitchen areas, new ceilings within large parts of the structure, including modern lighting and electrical fittings along the walls are some of the later features introduced in the later parts of the 20th century.

Archaeological desk based assessment in advance of a residential development