Good turnout (six in all) for our survey day on the Fylde last month. The Wyre group had originally planned for us to do a resistivity survey of Dane's Pad near Kirkham (see Newsletter No. 171). However, the farmer had started with a crop of oats so Dave Hampson from the Group asked instead if we could help them with their other long term project at Bourne Hill. The site lies just north of Thornton on the west side of Fleetwood Road. It is thought by the Group to have been an early medieval or even possibly Iron Age settlement. It is certainly a strategic spot. It's only a low hill but at 15m OAD it's the only high ground for miles around and has a commanding view of the Wyre estuary on the east side. Over the years the Wyre Group have carried out a number of limited excavations and have recovered a small collection of artefacts ranging from bronze age to Roman; however nothing as yet to confirm a settlement. Aerial photos of the site show significant linear features such as ridge and furrow (medieval plough lines) and large rectangular area on the north side.
This feature was investigated last year when the Group invited UCLAN students to carry out a large resistivity survey over it. Last year test pits were opened on the east side which is on the lee side of the hill, the theory being that settlement would be more likely here as the ridge of the hill would provide some shelter from the prevailing wind. Some Iron-age pottery was uncovered but features are notoriously difficult to identify in test pits. It was therefore decided that a geophysical survey would be required in this area to provide a more focussed approach as to where to dig next - this is where we came in. On the day we were met by Chris Clayton, their vicechair, who was able to indicate the area to be surveyed. With our meter filter setting on 'rural', the fastest and 'auto-logging' we were able to complete a 50 x 50 metre grid in just a few hours (the fastest we've ever achieved). As you can see from the results (see over) we have picked something up.
The diagonal lines, however, are almost certainly the medieval ridge and furrow plough lines which appear in the area photos. It also looks like we picked up the edge of the large rectangular feature on the north side. The light (high res) patches to the south look geological, however, there is a dark line running coincidental with our datum line which could be a ditch. Not a lot to go on I know but hopefully it will give Wyre Group some targets for their excavations which are taking place this weekend.
Summer Trip
The date has been confirmed for Saturday 2nd August. In the morning, if the weather is favourable, we will head for Sandal Castle which is a fine motte and bailey castle just south of Wakefield. In the afternoon Norman Redhead has agreed to give us a guided tour of the excavations being carried out on the Castleshaw Roman Fort site. If we have time (or if the weather is really bad) we will also visit Saddleworth Museum which has a fine array of artefacts. Please let me know if you are interested in going.
Next Meeting
Wednesday 2nd July - in the Standish Suite at the Brocket Arms (7.30pm as usual). Change of plan this month as John Johnson, who we had planned for this meeting can't make it. In his place, at short notice, an old friend, Jack Smith has agreed to give us a talk on Horwich Loco Work. Jack served his time there and has fond memories of the place. He was also involved in a campaign to turn the site into a conservation area. This massive factory complex, built by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Co., started producing steam engines in 1887 and continued right up to the end of the era of steam in the mid 1950s. Famous names in the world of steam engine design, such as Sir Nigel Gresley, also learned their trade there. Sure to be a great talk - hope to see you there, BA.
Aerial Photo taken from Lancs CC Mario
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