Newsletter 213

Brimelow Farm Restart

This year we are back at the Farm to see if we can find out what is going on in the field with the pond in it. In 2016 we did a GPR survey of this field (Newsletter 198) where the farmer, Roy Brandon, had mentioned seeing lines in the dry grass indicating possible buried building remains. Our survey results did not show any evidence of these but they did throw up some other linear anomalies that we thought we should investigate. We had also carried out a survey on the line of the Roman road just south of where we had discovered it in 2004. The survey result was a success showing indications of the road running south along the alignment (Newsletter 194).

The survey also detected a thin linear anomaly running across it with a right angle end to it. This is also to be a target for this year's investigations.

As with our activities here last time, we had to spend some time to re-establish our baseline. Over the years various bits of equipment and tree growth have appeared obstructing our line of sight and it took some attempts before our baseline could be reclaimed. For our first investigation, however, it wasn't required as this survey was based on the corner fence post. We were therefore confident our first trench would be over one of the anomalies we had detected. After removing the turf, it soon seemed obvious the possible cause of the anomaly, i.e. a band of cinders. This looked like a modern deposit and over the next few visits, as we extended the trench, this was confirmed when bones from a recent animal burial began to appear on the west side. Undeterred we put a section across the north side of the trench to establish the depth of this modern material.

It turned out to be quite shallow, as a ridge of natural sandy clay was revealed in the centre of the trench at a depth of no more than 40cm. This could well be the cause of the GPR anomaly which is quite disappointing. There were indications, however, of a filled in ditch on the east side which we will investigate on our next visit (for more details visit our blog site.)

Norton Priory Visit

Next Saturday (9th June) there will be an open day here and Ashley has kindly agreed to give us a guided tour. She is currently working there training archaeological students from Liverpool Uni. The Priory is a 12th century monastic site which has been excavated many times over the years. New excavations are hoping to uncover more burials which Ashley will be able to tell us all about it. There is a brand new museum and walled garden to explore (entrance fee is £7.95 for both £6.70 for just museum and ruins). If you are interested in going please let us know before or at the next meeting so we can arrange time and transport.

Summer Trips

Excavations at Ribchester get underway this month and will run till the middle of July. Directing the dig from UCLAN is Duncan Sayer who has invited us to visit the site - date to be confirmed is possibly weekend 14th/ 15th July. After the success of last years trip to the Orkneys, we have also been looking at another long distance trip. Possible suggested target is Vindolanda in August. If you are interested in either of these, please let me know asap.

Roman Road at Leyland

Great news that a section of the road from Wigan to Walton-le-Dale has been uncovered at Leyland. The excavations, just off Stanifield Lane, were carried out by Salford Archaeology Unit, in advance of a huge development planned for this area south of the M65 terminus.

The main developer, IKEA, however, has apparently pulled out of the project so all work on the so-called Cuerden site has stopped, which means the excavations have too. Fortunately some of our members got to see it (and even work on it) before the site was back filled. The section uncovered showed that the road was a good 10 metres wide and in remarkably good condition. It was made of rammed cobbles and cambered at the edges. On the east side there was a 'V' shaped ditch but the west side this had been truncated by modern activity. The excavation proves the theory that this is the correct alignment for the Roman road i.e. following Todd Lane, Stanifield Lane and eventually the A49 through Euxton. (you can see more details on our blog site)

Next Meeting

Wednesday 6th June. - in the Standish Suite at the Brocket Arms (7.30pm as usual). Wigan were Royalists in the English Civil War but Bolton were for Parliament. This resulted in fierce rivalry and after two attempts, Wigan took Bolton causing much damage and loss of life. However they later suffered the consequences when the Parliamentarians took Wigan, and exacted their revenge by having their leader Lord Derby publicly hanged in Bolton town square. David Casserly will be explaining these events in more gory detail.

Hope to see you there - B.A.