Series: Border Archaeology unpublished report series

Border Archaeology Ltd (BA) was commissioned by South East Water (SEW) to carry out archaeological observations at Swinley Forest, Bracknell, owing to the proposal to insert a new water mains, which required archaeological monitoring. The route of this scheme was formed of three constituent pipelines; Route 1: Paschal Wood to Crowthorne Reservoir, Route 2: Crowthorne Reservoirs to Penny Hill and Route 3: Bracknell to Crowthorne Nine Mile Ride. The overall distance covered by the three routes was c.5.2km. This report focuses on the third route of the scheme; Route 3: Bracknell to Crowthorne Nine Mile Ride. With the findings from Routes 1 and 2 available in report ref:BA1445SEWSF (Cook, 2015), Route 3 was approximately 1.9km in length with only the first c.700m requiring archaeological observation. Route 3 originated immediately east of Caesar's Camp hillfort (HER MBF 7414) at SU 86658 65605 c.100m from the foot of the ramparts and continued 350m northeast then headed north for 300m adjacent to the extant tracks and woodland to join Nine Mile Ride/B3430 at SU 86910 66074. The route was subject to topsoil stripping for the creation of a working easement and a subsequent phase of pipe trenching for the insertion of the new water main. In addition to the proposed works a small compound measuring 30m × 30m was constructed near Caesar's Camp at SU 86804 65745, which also required archaeological monitoring. Prior to the start of works it was considered highly likely that archaeological features, finds and/or deposits of a Romano-British date were to be encountered due to the close proximity to the Iron Age hill fort Caesar's Camp. Despite this no evidence of Romano-British date was uncovered during the course of the observations, with much of the ground heavily disturbed by the extant Scots Pine tree plantation. The features observed, excavated and recorded have been assigned to the period of the modern plantation development.

Border Archaeology was instructed by Mr M. Stokes of Laing O'Rourke to carry out a programme of archaeological work in respect of a section of mains water pipeline extending from Ridge Hill Reservoir to Aconbury Reservoir along a section of trackway running along the E side of Aconbury Woods (from NGR SO 50895 33311 to SO 51016 32978) and approximately 350m E of the eastern extremity of Aconbury Camp Iron Age hillfort (DCWW/LOR scheme map refs W140-03 and 04). The specific aims of the archaeological programme of works, as detailed in the Written Scheme of Investigation devised by Border Archaeology, were as follows: 1) To identify the date, construction method and probable function of the principal bank situated on the SW side of the trackway by means of excavation and the scientific dating of deposits. 2) To produce a permanent record of the bank by means of earthwork survey and standard archaeological recording methods, as detailed in Border Archaeology's Field Recording Manual. 3) To establish whether the principal bank and the less substantial bank on the NE side of the track are linked by a ditch and, if so, to establish the depth and profile of the ditch. 4) To identify, if possible, the relationship between the principal bank and a flight of terraces running upslope from the rear of the bank towards Aconbury Camp. 5) To identify, if possible, evidence for potential Iron Age extra-mural activity associated with Aconbury Camp.

Border Archaeology was instructed by Nicola O'Rourke, Senior Project Manager, Swaythling Housing Society, to carry out an archaeological evaluation of a plot of land located at Sea Road Woolston Southampton (Ref. Dev/NO'R/38). A specification detailing the extent of the fieldwork and the location of trenching was supplied by Alan Morton of Southampton City Council Heritage Conservation Unit (Internal ref. 6375). The site is located immediately S of Sea Road, a long established routeway of medieval origin leading W to the Itchen Ferry (NGR SU 43750 11240). Cartographic evidence suggests that the site probably formed part of a large, triangular plot of land that was bisected by the construction of the railway line in the mid 19th century.

Border Archaeology was instructed by B. E. Payne, Esq. to undertake an Archaeological Assessment (Impact) in regard of the proposed alterations to the parish church of St Peter's Hereford.

This report details the archaeological observation programme undertaken by Border Archaeology for Laing O'Rourke, on behalf of Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW) in the village of Weobley Herefordshire. The area where the works were undertaken corresponds to scheme maps E131-05, E131-08 and E131-09 supplied by Laing O'Rourke / DCWW. Herefordshire Council advised on October 11th 2004 (Ref. 2004/Laing/113) that an archaeological watching brief should be conducted in specific areas of archaeological sensitivity, namely within and immediately around the historic town of Weobley. The groundworks formed part of DCWW's refurbishment programme, the exact locations of which were determined by engineering considerations, archaeological observation being required in order to observe the excavation of access pits and to record as appropriate any remains, features and finds wherever located within the working area, thus providing a formal measure of the impact of the engineering works (whether positive or negative). The principal method of mains renewal carried out was pipe bursting, which required the excavation of access pits to allow bursting rigs to be installed and intermediate pits to access service pipes to individual properties. This report was completed in July 2007 after due consultation that no return to the area for water quality assurance reasons was envisaged. Copies of this report will be submitted to DCWW, Laing O'Rourke, Herefordshire Council and the county Sites and Monuments Record.

This Assessment has concluded that the route has Moderate potential for revealing significant archaeological remains in specific areas. Evidence for prehistoric ritual/funerary activity has been identified towards the N end of the pipeline route, represented by a recumbent standing stone situated NW of Rookery Farm (approximately 10-15m W of the N end of the route) and two possible barrow sites located to the W and SW of Rookery Farm. The potential for encountering evidence of medieval occupation in the vicinity of the pipeline route has been assessed as Moderate, with specific reference to a section of the pipeline route extending through fields to the NW of Bath Road at Oakhill village, which runs in close proximity to the earthworks of a shrunken settlement of medieval or early post-medieval (16th-17th c.) date. Although aerial photographic evidence suggests that the extant earthworks are located chiefly in the field immediately to the W of the pipeline route, the full extent of the settlement has not been determined; the possibility remains that evidence of archaeological deposits and features relating to medieval/early post-medieval settlement might be encountered along this specific section of the route, extending to the NW of Bath Road.

This Archaeological Assessment was tasked to determine whether the proposed development on land adjacent to Cuckhorn Farm, Stoke Lacy (Herefordshire HR7 4HE) would impact upon a 'possible motte' as described in the Herefordshire Historic Environment Record. No documentary evidence has been found to positively indicate when the mound was constructed and by whom. Moreover, as the surviving remains of the mound and its associated earthworks would appear to have been significantly disturbed by modern cultivation activity and landscaping, it is difficult to reach a definitive conclusion regarding their likely date and function. However, based on an examination of documentary and cartographic records and the actual form of the earthwork (with reference to similar sites recorded locally and in the wider surrounding area), the balance of probability is that the earthwork represents an artificial mound or 'motte' with the possible remains of a sub-rectangular enclosure or 'bailey' lying immediately to the E of the mound and further rectangular earthworks to the N which may represent fishponds. The oval mound and its associated earthworks appear to represent the remains of a motte and bailey site of 12th century date. Documentary evidence suggests that the earthworks may well have been associated with a manorial site named 'le Halle' which is first recorded in the early 13th century.

Border Archaeology undertook this archaeological desk-based assessment on behalf of Bristol Water to determine the nature of the archaeological resource within two proposed replacement water mains pipeline schemes. The first scheme under consideration (designated as BW Package 3) extends NW from the Bristol Water reservoir at Barrow Gurney (NGR ST 53254 67754) along Barrow Street (B3130) through the village of Barrow Gurney and then briefly crosses open fields to reach the A370 trunk road to the E of Flax Bourton village . The route then follows the A370 through the villages of Flax Bourton and Farleigh before heading SW through Church Town, an outlying part of the village of Backwell. From Church Town, the route continues roughly westwards, re-joining the A370 at West Town, another suburb of Backwell and continuing W for a distance of approximately 700m before reaching its terminus at Chelvey pumping station (NGR ST 47435 67958). The second scheme (designated as BW Package 7) extends from the junction of Weston Road and Wild Country Lane (NGR ST 53274 69885), close to the site of the Long Ashton Research Station (Cider Institute), in a roughly NE direction along Weston Road and its continuation, Long Ashton Road, through the village of Long Ashton. On reaching the junction with the B3128 (Clarken Coombe/Ashton Road), immediately S of the entrance to Ashton Park, the pipeline route turns sharply E, following the course of the B3128 for a distance of 850m before reaching its terminus immediately S of Ashton Park Secondary School (NGR ST 56279 71357).

Border Archaeology has undertaken this archaeological desk-based assessment on behalf of Lioncourt Homes Ltd to determine the nature of the archaeological resource in relation to a proposed residential development on land adjacent to Home Farm Belmont Herefordshire. The area of proposed development is situated on land to the NW of Home Farm and is bounded by a housing estate to the E, the A465 and Ruckhall Lane to the S and fields to the N and W.

Border Archaeology undertook this archaeological desk-based assessment on behalf of Bristol Water to determine the nature of the archaeological resource within the vicinity of a proposed replacement water main pipeline, the route of which extends NE from Shipton Moyne Pumping Station (NGR ST 89848 88462) mostly along the line of the Fosse Way except for a short stretch at the NE end which extends through a field immediately W of the Fosse Way and then terminates at the crossing of the River Avon (Tetbury Branch) at NGR ST 90995 90265. The scheme constitutes (1) 1484m new laid main in the Fosse Way, a minimum 1.0m distance from the existing three mains in the road and (2) 534m laid in private fields at least I.0 m from the existing. The pipe trench will be between 0.6m and 1.0m wide, to a maximum depth of 1.5m approximately.archaeological significance prior to the construction activities, there is no longer anything remaining of archaeological merit.