J.M.Trippier Archaeological and Surveying Consultancy unpublished report series

A watching brief was undertaken in September 2004 on behalf of Mr. N. Barnes in respect of works to provide foundation trenches for a proposed dwelling house between nos. 2 and 10 Worden Lane, Leyland, Lancashire. The groundwork uncovered a large amount of demolition material apparently associated with three 18th century dwellings that formerly stood on the site. Finds comprising bottles impressed with manufacturers names confirmed that the remains were probably from this period. A more enigmatic series of rough stone walls or foundations were also discovered as was another brick wall or pier that may have pre-date the 18th century houses. However no dateable finds were discovered in association with these features.

An archaeological building survey was required as a condition of planning permission for the demolition of part of Millets Farmhouse, Pimbo Lane, Upholland, Lancashire (NGR SD 5071 0305). The work was carried out on behalf of Mr P. Glover by J. M. Trippier Archaeological and Surveying Consultancy. The building was found to be a farmhouse containing a number of development phases beginning with an early 18th century double pile dwelling built of local stone. However the discovery during replacement of the roof of some reused timbers containing mortices and pegs suggested that there may have been an earlier timber framed building in the vicinity. Some time between 1835 and 1845 a rear stone-built wing was added to the north, resulting in an L-shaped building, and in the late 19th century a single storey brick east wing was added to the original building and a workshop of similar construction was added to the east of the north wing. Both of these later extensions were demolished as part of the redevelopment scheme. The chief interest lies within the original 18th century building which is a good example of a small yeoman's double pile dwelling containing original stone mullioned windows in the north elevation overlooking the farmyard and the more polite 16-light sash windows of the period in the front or south elevation.

A programme of building recording and analysis was required as to comply with a planning condition prior to the renovation and conversion of Whitworth Methodist chapel to residential use. J. M. Trippier Archaeological and Surveying consultancy was instructed to do the work on behalf of the owner, Mr Reynolds. The Chapel is a Grade II listed building occupying a prominent position on Whitworth High Street and is an important component in the stone built townscape which is so typical of the Lancashire Valleys (Countryside Commission 1998, 101-2). A chapel built of watershot stone was first erected towards the rear of the site in 1836-7. A larger 'Italianate' building of 'pitch-faced was added to the front of this in 1876-8. An unusual central atrium links the two. Whitworth Chapel therefore comprises an interesting combination of buildings which demonstrate changing architectural styles as they developed through the 19th century. It is also a physical manifestation of the growth in Non-Conformism as a response to the increased pastoral needs arising from the growth of communities in the industrialised Lancashire Valleys.

A planning condition by Burnley Borough Council necessitated an archaeological building survey of Helm Mill, Factory Lane, Padiham (SD 8469 3299) prior to its redevelopment. The work was on behalf of on behalf of Mr. Nigel Reynolds by J. M. Trippier Archaeological and Surveying Consultancy. Helm Mill is a simple three storey rectangular stone-built vernacular building typical of the spinning mills that characterised the development of the factory based textile industry of the early 19th century. The upper floors are mainly carried by the load bearing external walls but there are examples of the early use of cast iron columns and a rare example of a beam -engine house although renovations have left little extant technical content.

An archaeological assessment of Nazareth House, Preston New Road, Blackburn was carried out in March 2007 by J. M. Trippier Archaeological and Surveying Consultancy on behalf of Wyngates Property Service Limited prior to partial redevelopment of the site. The site currently contains modern buildings used as a convent , chapel and care home by the Sisters of Nazareth. The modern buildings presently occupying the site were not studied. The aims of the study were to assess the likely survival of remains from previous occupation of the site and their importance and to make any recommendations for further archaeological recording prior to the re-development of the site. A search of the known archaeological features in the area was carried out together with a search of documentary and cartographic sources and a walk-over survey of the site. It was considered that due to the steep gradient of the site and subsequent siteworks and redevelopment the potential for the survival of remains from the prehistoric, Roman and medieval periods was low. The use of the land for agricultural purposes and stone quarrying during the post-medieval period was identified but is not considered to warrant further investigation. An historical and archaeological context for a mid 19th century house, Beardwood Cliff, and its gardens which formerly occupied the site was identified. It was noted that, as this was built by Daniel Thwaites, a member of a local well-known brewing family and M.P., it was of local significance and it was recommended that an archaeological recording of the surviving remains of the gardens be carried out before the site is redeveloped.

An archaeological building survey was required in order to inform a planning application to convert the building to residential use.The buildings were found to be a small stone built combination barn and cottage which were attached to the adjoining house to form a laithe house type farmstead which was typical of this moorland region. Whilst laithe-houses could date from 1650 to 1880 the peak of development was between 1780 and 1820 (Brunskill 1987, 110) and this farmstead fits well within this period as demonstrated by the watershot stonework and the cartographic evidence. Both the barn and the adjoining cottage contained a number of attractive hand-cut roof timbers which appear to be largely in situ although it appears that the barn roof has been raised at some point.

Philip Curtis, the owner of Schofield Hall and Barn, intends to submit a planning application to Rochdale Borough Council for the conversion to residential use of a building (Schofield Hall Barn) off Schofield Hall Lane, Littleborough (NGR SD 9470 1414). A desk-based assessment of the archaeological and historical significance of the barn is required to inform the application. The assessment has been carried out on behalf of the owner by J. M. Trippier Archaeological and Surveying Consultancy. Schofield Hall Barn comprises a regular rectangularshaped two storey building of stone construction. The ground floor is built of rough stone blocks bonded with lime mortar and contains opposing double doors indicative of a threshing barn. At some stage square pillars of dressed stone have been added at first floor level to create a 'Dutch barn' type building. The dressed stone no doubt came from the ruins of Schofield Hall which lies close by and is in the same ownership. The Barn therefore represents an interesting example of the use and reuse of local materials and of the organic changes in the form and function of a vernacular building in response to changing farming practice over a 200 year period. Whilst not of national or regional importance the building is of local importance for these reasons and sensitive conversion to an alternative use is no doubt the best way of ensuring the preservation of this component of the local historic environment.

Facit Chimney was built in the mid to late 19th Century to remove fumes and/or steam from the finishing works serving Facit Stone Quarries. Along with other monuments in the vicinity and beyond it is an evocative reminder of the once important Rossendale stone quarrying industry. Although in comparatively good condition conservation work is required to prevent further deterioration. Pennine Lancashire Groundwork, acting on behalf of the Partnership involved in the Valley of Stone project, has commissioned such work, a requirement of which was an archaeological recording and monitoring programme.

J. M. Trippier Archaeological and Surveying Consultancy was instructed by Messrs. Karoo of Crawshaw Hall and their architects, Messrs.William J. Holt Architects Ltd. of 3, Manchester Road, Bury to carry out a photographic survey of outbuildings and an open passageway immediately to the west of Crawshaw Hall, Crawshawbooth, Rossendale, Lancashire, prior to alterations converting this area to a kitchen and laundry. Crawshaw Hall is a stone-built Grade II* listed building which was built in 1831 and was the subject of an earlier survey in June 2007 (LRO/DDX 2604; acc.no. 10289). Both the west elevation, which will also be affected by the alterations, and the small range of lean-to outbuildings were constructed of 'water-shot'stone. This style is characteristic of the vernacular architecture of the early 19th century and is in contrast to the other more publicly visible elevations of Crawshaw Hall, which were faced with ashlar blocks.

A archaeological building survey was required prior to the conversion of the barn to residential use. The buildings were found to be a Lancashire style combination barn with an adjoining cow house that was later convereted into a shelter shed. Both were constructed of coursed sandstone rubble that probably dates to the late 18th century