[Home] [Newsletters] [Next] [Previous] [Index]

Monthly Newsletter

Higher Ince Land Remediation

As mentioned in December's newsletter, Brian Parr, a local historian from Ince has been watching developments on the projected line of the Roman Road in Higher Ince. We mentioned a site on Anderton Street which is currently under development but we suspect it is probably too far north-east of our line warrant further attention. Since then, however, a programme of remediation has been started in the back gardens off Greenfield Street and Pryce Street which is right on our projected line. The work has been arranged by the Wigan Council to clear gardens of chemical pollution which was deposited in the 19th century. The operation involves removing the topsoil, inserting a membrane and then replacing it with fresh unpolluted soil. This looks like a good opportunity to detect the Roman Road as it crossed this part of the estate. With this in mind a meeting was held a couple of weeks ago with the contractors, the Council and members of our Society (Brian and Tom). It was soon realised that, as the depth of intrusion was only 60cm (2 foot), archaeological levels would probably be undisturbed. Other issues, such as the type of pollution involved, raise serious concerns for health and safety. This, coupled with the usual problems with delays to the project, meant there was little we could do here. Another area, however, was discussed (near Leaway), which is only going to be done later in June. Hopefully this will give everybody more time to prepare.

St William's Survey

We also mentioned in the December newsletter St William's School, which had good potential for the Road to have survived.

Brian and Tom have spoken  to the headmaster who is keen for us to proceed, as they are doing Romans in the classroom at the moment. Brian has also obtained permission from the Church to carry out a geophysical survey on the playing fields behind the school. This week Tom, Brian and Mark Hayward went down to peg the area out (with some help from a group of enthusiastic school children) in preparation for a survey sometime next week.

Ashton Well

This huge brick-lined hole appeared on spare land just off Liverpool Road in Ashton in January. Tom mentioned at last month's meeting that Wigan Council had contacted him immediately to see if he could shed some light on it. Although it initially looked like a mine shaft, Tom was soon convinced it was more likely to be a well because of its size. David Broome from the planning department also now reports that a local resident in his 80's remembers his father using it and also another one near by. Tom says they were exploiting the aquifer type sandstone in the locality.

Made in Africa

This is the title of an exhibition hosted by Bolton Museum between 9th March and 28th April. The exhibition will feature stone tools collected by Louis Leakey, the famous anthropologist, from his first expedition to the Olduvai Gorge in 1931. Bolton is the only venue in the North-West and therefore represents a rare chance to see these objects. The exhibition is supported by handling sessions and a programme of talks. If enough people are interested we may be able to arrange a private viewing - let me know at the meeting.

Next WAS Meeting

Wednesday 7th March at the District Scout HQ (Baden Powell Centre) in Greenough Street, starting at 7.30 pm as usual.. Over the last few years the Greater Manchester Archaeology Unit have been promoting Community Archaeology with great success. This culminated in a very successful national conference last November at Manchester University entitled Archaeology for All (see Newsletter No.96). Norman Redhead, who organised the event, is coming this month to tell us about this and bring us up to date on recent work of the GMAU.

Hope to see you there. B.A.