Centre for Applied Archaeology unpublished report series

A quarterly report for the Tameside Archaeological Survey, a landscape archaeology project funded by Tameside MBC between 1990 and 2012.

This report summarises the results of fieldwork at Buckton Castle, a Scheduled Ancient Monument in Tameside, Greater Manchester (SD 9892 0162; NMR 27598; GMSMR 56), carried out during March and April 2008 by the University of Manchester Archaeological Unit. The work was funded by the Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council and Scheduled Ancient Monument Consent to excavate was obtained from English Heritage. The project brief/remit of archaeological works was designed, in consultation with the County Archaeologist Norman Redhead at the Greater Manchester Archaeology Unit, with the aim of gaining a better understanding of the monument; attempting to assess its date of construction, and to place it in context within the region and with other similar monuments. The investigation concentrated on four discreet areas of the site and was designed to supplement and consolidate the information obtained from previous seasons of archaeological investigation and survey work begun in 1996, and to strengthen the results identified during the latest programme of structured fieldwork in 2007. Three core trenches were positioned in order to concentrate firstly; on the area around the northern entrance; the south eastern corner of the interior where a raised platform was evident and a plan of 1842 indicated the possible presence of a ruined structure; and lastly to identify the nature, extent and deposits associated with the ditch at the eastern side of the monument. There was also a contingency of c. 15 linear metres of trenching to facilitate further investigation of any exposed archaeology within the three core trenches.

This report presents the results of an archaeological building survey of Whitelands Leather Works, Whitelands, Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, Greater Manchester (centred SJ 9420 9869). The site was situated to the east of Whitelands road and to the south of the disused Huddersfield Canal. Whitelands works consisted of a four story building with adjoining single story sheds to the east. Although buildings were noted on the 1840s OS map there appeared to have been a significant rebuild dating to 1868. During the late 20th century the site was reduced in size with residential buildings constructed to the east and south of the works. The adjoining sheds were partially demolished in the late 20th century and the works was finally demolished in 2003. This survey was undertaken as part of the Tameside Archaeological survey.

This report presents the results of an archaeological building survey of 85 Broughton Lane, Broughton, Salford, Greater Manchester (centred SJ 831 998), known latterly as the Manchester Guardian and Evening News Garages. The site was situated on the southern side of Broughton Lane at its junction with Milton Street. The complex consisted of a two and three storey brick warehouse, a three storey, cellared, office block and a single storey covered yard. Some of the buildings were first noted on the 1908 OS map of the area, when just the multi-storey structure on the western side of the yard was shown. The covered yard area appears to have been added in the 1950s, according to the documentary evidence. The site appears to have been built for the Manchester Guardian and Evening News Ltd as a newspaper depot around 1903. The site functioned as a newspaper depot and garages until 2008. .

Initially the project was to take the form of transcribing the burial records for inputting into a searchable, on-line database. However, it was soon realised that a more comprehensive and valuable historical and archaeological resource could be created by including the surveying of the extant graveyards and creating monumental inscriptions of the surviving grave markers. The second and equally important aspect of the survey would be to transcribe the burial records. These can be found in various locations ranging from the church record books, national and local archives and the diocese archives. Tameside is fortunate in possessing an excellent local studies and archives centre that holds a great deal of the burial records of Tameside churches on microfilm.

The Centre for Applied Archaeology, University of Salford, were commissioned by Brindley and Taylor Chartered Surveyors on behalf of clients to undertake a PPS5 historic building record of 35 Barnsfold Road, Hawk Green, Marple, Stockport, (centred SJ 9567 8720), a Grade II Listed Building, prior to conversion and extension. 35 Barnsfold Road is a two storey, stone and brick cottage, L-shaped in plan, lying on the southern side of Barnsfold Road, in the Hawk Green area of Marple. The cottage is one of several buildings that form the small hamlet of Barns Fold. The long axis of the L-shape was aligned west to east whilst the short axis was aligned north to south and lay on the south-western side of the complex, forming a single-storey outshut. Internally, the ground floor contained five rooms whilst there were three rooms on the first floor. Six phases of activity were identified on the site, beginning with a possible timber-framed phase from the 16th or early 17th century. The earliest major phase to survive was a two storey stone bay on the west which appeared to be late 17th century in date. An outshut was added to the south of this bay in the 18th century and in the late 18th or early 19th centuries a two storey brick eastern bay was added which may have replaced the earlier timberframed wing. In the late 19th century the out shut was extended in the mid-20th century the property saw significant alterations to the roof structure and flooring.

The Centre for Applied Archaeology (CfAA) were commissioned by Peel Investments (North) Ltd. to undertake an archaeological evaluation on the site of Worsley New Hall, Worsley, Greater Manchester (NGR SD 73950 00581). The work comprised of four evaluation trenches located across the study area. This was carried out in order to determine the presence, extent, depth, state of preservation and significance of the archaeological resource to enable informed recommendations to be made for the future treatment of any surviving remains. The significance of the archaeological resource has been assessed using PPS5 (Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment, March 2010). A primary aim of the evaluation work was to assess the suitability of the site for a future community archaeological project. This would ideally take the form of an open area excavation. The degree of preservation and the extent of in-situ remains would be decisive factors in deciding if Worsley New Hall would be a worthwhile and rewarding project for volunteers. The archaeological evaluation revealed the substantial archaeological remains of Worsley New Hall. Portions of the internal and external footprint of the main eastern wing, northern entrance and servants quarters were identified along with external features related to the formal gardens on the main terrace. The majority of archaeological remains were found in good or excellent state of preservation. In the area identified as the northwest portion of the Hall, the preservation of archaeological remains was significantly poorer than that of the main Hall building. This was found to be largely due to the construction of the 1950s bunker located over this portion of the study area.

Planning permission is being sought for Listed Building Consent to enable the refurbishment of the Norfolk Arms, Town Street, Marple Bridge, Stockport (centred SJ 9653 8943; Fig 1). The whole complex is located on the eastern side of Town Street, Marple, at a height of 83m AOD. The Norfolk Arms is a Grade II Listed Building (LBS Number 441904), first listed on 20/12/1967 and lies within the Marple Bridge Conservation Area (Marple Bridge Conservation Area Character Appraisal, Stockport MBC 2006). The listed building description is as follows: 'SJ 98 NE MARPLE TOWN STREET (east side) Marple Bridge 7/173 Norfolk Arms and National Westminster Bank, Marple Bridge Branch (formerly listed as Norfolk Arms 20.12.67 Hotel) G.V. II Public house now including bank premises. Early C19. Dressed watershot stone with slate roof. 6 bays with 2 storeys and wings to left and rear. Projecting stone quoins, dentilled eaves cornice and pediment over bays 2 and 3 which are slightly advanced. Flat-faced stone mullion windows of 3 and 2- lights to bays 1 and 2 respectively. 2 doors to bay 3 one probably of a later date and with a radial fanlight. 2-light windows to bays 4 and 5 and another door to bay 6. Sash window to each first floor bay (replaced by casements in bays 1 and 2) with flat-faced stone surrounds. Recessed round panel below pediment. 4 ridge chimney stacks. Bays 5 and 6 are of a slightly later date as is the left wing and C20 addition to rear.' The Centre for Applied Archaeology at the University of Salford was commissioned by Gibson Architects on behalf of clients to undertake a PPS5 building assessment of the cottage, as outlined in English Heritage's Understanding Historic Buildings: A guide to good recording practice (English Heritage 2006). This work was carried out in September 2011.

The Centre for Applied Archaeology (CfAA), were commissioned by Mr G. Brindle, Peter Harrison Architects to undertake an archaeological watching brief at the site of Acorn Mill, Mellor Street, Lees, Oldham, Greater Manchester centred on NGR: SD 9532 0473. The work was undertaken in order to fulfil a planning condition placed on the site by Oldham Council and according to instructions prepared by the Grater Manchester Archaeological Unit. The site of Acorn Mill was once occupied by a single story weaving shed and associated offices. This watching brief was undertaken between 21st and 22nd March 2011 and focused on a single trench at the southern extremity of the site, identified as the possible site of the power systems buildings associated with Acorn Mill and the adjacent Hey Mills (now converted to residential property), in order locate and record any archaeological remains connected to these power systems, uncovered during the development.

The Centre for Applied Archaeology (CfAA) were commissioned by the Bowker- Sadler Partnership to undertake an archaeological evaluation and subsequent excavation the site of the Ratcliffe Street, Hillgate Stockport, centred at SJ 8982 8985. Prior to the start of the programme of archaeological works, a Desk Based Assessment was conducted by Dr Peter Arrowsmith which identified the study area through inspection of the cartographic and documentary evidence, suggesting the potential for archaeological remains of late eighteenth century dwellings, with possible phases of occupation into the mid nineteenth century, and buildings present within the study area into the late twentieth century.