Laleham Golf Club Laleham Reach Chertsey Surrey Archaeological

Home , Abbey River, Laleham, Laleham Burway

Laleham Golf Club Laleham Reach Chertsey Surrey

Archaeological Watching Brief

for Thorney Park Gold Club Ltd

CA Project: 770059 CA Report: 14163

May 2014

Laleham Golf Club Laleham Reach, Chertsey Surrey

Archaeological Watching Brief

CA Project: 770059 CA Report: 14163

prepared by Alex Thomson, Project Supervisor Designate

date 28/04/2014

checked by Damian De Rosa, Project Manager

date 01/05/2014

approved by Richard Greatorex, Principal Fieldwork Manager

signed

date 02/05/2014

issue 01

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

Cirencester Milton Keynes Andover Building 11 Unit 4 Stanley House Kemble Enterprise Park Cromwell Business Centre Walworth Road Kemble, Cirencester Howard Way, Newport Pagnell Andover, Hampshire Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ MK16 9QS SP10 5LH t. 01285 771022 t. 01908 218320 t. 01264 347630 f. 01285 771033 e. [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach, Chertsey, Surrey: Archaeological Watching Brief

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

The site ...... 3 Archaeological background ...... 4 Archaeological objectives ...... 5 Methodology...... 5

2. RESULTS (FIG. 2) ...... 6

3. DISCUSSION ...... 6

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 6

5. REFERENCES ...... 7

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 8

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 9

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan Fig. 2 Trench location plan (1:2500) Fig. 3 Completed pipe trench, looking west Fig. 4 Trench 1 soil profile, looking south

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach, Chertsey, Surrey: Archaeological Watching Brief

SUMMARY

Project Name: Laleham Golf Club Location: Laleham Reach, Chertsey, Surrey NGR: TQ 04752 68479 Type: Watching Brief Date: 15-16 April 2014 Planning Reference: RU.10-0750 Location of Archive: To be deposited with Chertsey Museum Site Code: LGC14

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the excavation of a 140m pipetrench at Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach, Chertsey, Surrey.

No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks, and no artefactual material was recovered.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach, Chertsey, Surrey: Archaeological Watching Brief

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In April 2014 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological watching brief for Thorney Park Golf Club Ltd at Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach, Chertsey, Surrey (centred on NGR: TQ 04752 68479; Fig. 1). The watching brief was undertaken to fulfil a condition attached to a planning consent for the construction of four ponds (retrospective) and installation of underground bypass pipework, as granted by Runnymede Borough Council, conditional on a programme of archaeological work (Planning ref: RU.10-0750, Condition 2). The objective of the watching brief was to record all archaeological remains exposed during the development.

1.2 The watching brief was carried out in accordance with a brief prepared by the Surrey County Council Archaeological Officer (SCCAO), archaeological advisor to Runnymede Borough Council (RBC), and with a subsequent detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2014) and approved by SCCAO on behalf of RBC. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for an archaeological watching brief (IfA 2009), the Management of Archaeological Projects 2 (English Heritage 1991), the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (EH 2006).

The site

1.3 The golf course comprises a c. 40 hectare sub-rectangular parcel of land situated on the western floodplain of the River Thames, approximately 1km to the north of Chertsey, and a few hundred metres west of the village of Laleham, which lies on the opposing river bank. The golf course is bordered to the east by a historic right of way known as Ferry Way, to the north-east by the River Thames and to the north by Penton Park Estate. The western and southern site boundaries comprise the historic watercourse and boundary known as the Burway Ditch, beyond which lie Laleham Reach static caravan park and a number of gravel extraction reservoirs

1.4 The land within the golf course is low-lying, flat and poorly drained, consistent with its location on the floodplain of the River Thames. It lies at an elevation of 10-15m above Ordnance Datum. The underlying geology of the golf course is mapped as alluvium overlying river terrace (BGS 2014).

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach, Chertsey, Surrey: Archaeological Watching Brief

Archaeological background

1.5 A Heritage Statement (WA 2011) was prepared in support of the development, setting out the archaeological and historical background to the site, which is summarised below.

1.6 There is evidence for prehistoric settlement roughly 600m north-east of the golf course, notably a multi-period prehistoric settlement site at Home Farm, Laleham, on the opposite bank of the river. In addition, a possible Bronze Age settlement was identified immediately beyond the A320 to the west of the golf course. There have also been chance finds recorded in the vicinity of the golf course including a pair of Bronze Age urns containing sword and dagger fragments c. 200m to the east of the site and a Late Bronze Age sword recovered from an area of gravel extraction just beyond the southern limit of the site. It is likely that the River Thames and its associated watercourses were the focus for activities such as the votive deposition of metalwork throughout the prehistoric period. This is evidenced by the recovery of a very fine example of an Iron Age La Tene type bronze shield from the gravel quarry immediately beyond the south-west limit of the golf course, and is also likely to account for the Late Bronze Age sword mentioned above.

1.7 The nearby settlements at Chertsey and at Laleham were established by the Saxon period and Chertsey Abbey was founded on land to the south of the golf course in 666AD. An earthwork enclosure (SM SU69) may be part of a process of floodplain and drainage management that evolved in the medieval period alongside the development of Chertsey Abbey. However, no archaeological investigations of the enclosure have been undertaken but it is thought to be a stock enclosure of medieval date. To the north of the earthwork enclosure is the Laleham Burway Ditch, which is an ancient watercourse and also an important historic boundary feature. The Burway Ditch runs for some 3km, taking a circular course across the western floodplain of the River Thames. The Burway Ditch joins the larger Abbey River for 350m before diverging and taking a course north-west to south•east, crossing Ferry Lane and continuing until it rejoins the Abbey River at its convergence with the River Thames. The meandering course of the Burway Ditch suggests that is was originally a natural watercourse, which was artificially augmented and subsequently maintained as part of the water management system of the floodplain.

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach, Chertsey, Surrey: Archaeological Watching Brief

Archaeological objectives

1.8 The objectives of the archaeological works were:

 To monitor groundworks for the installation of the pipework and to identify, investigate and record all significant buried archaeological deposits revealed on the site during the course of the development groundworks;

 To identify any archaeological remains that may be associated with the Scheduled Monument (SM SU69 earthworks) and Burway Ditch, which may have aided in their further interpretation and dating;

 To identify whether there was any further evidence for the placement of votive offerings dating to the prehistoric period, given previous findspots within the vicinity of the site and the groundworks location near to a watercourse (the Burway Ditch);

 At the conclusion of the project, to produce an integrated archive for the project work and a report setting out the results of the project and the archaeological conclusions that can be drawn from the recorded data.

Methodology

1.9 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2014). An archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks resulting from the excavation of the pipe trench.

1.10 Where archaeological deposits were encountered written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2013).

1.11 The archive from the watching brief are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the site will be deposited with Chertsey Museum. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix B, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach, Chertsey, Surrey: Archaeological Watching Brief

2. RESULTS (FIG. 2 TO 4)

2.1 The excavated trench measured 140m in length, 0.5m in width and a maximum of 1.2m in depth below present ground level (Figs. 2 and 3). The natural geological substrate was not revealed at any point during the excavation and the soil profile exposed within the trench (Fig. 4) showed that the earliest revealed deposit was an alluvial layer (104), which was seen at the base of the trench towards the centre and eastern end. This was in turn sealed by a further alluvial deposit (103), which measured a maximum of 0.5m in thickness. Above this a subsoil (102), and topsoil (101), were present and both measured 0.25m in maximum thickness. At the far western end of the trench a modern turf levelling layer (100), stretched c. 8m eastwards with a maximum thickness of 0.2m.

2.2 No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during the groundworks and, despite visual scanning of spoil, no artefactual material was recovered. No deposits suitable for environmental sampling were identified.

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 Despite the archaeological potential of the application area (see archaeological background above) the watching brief identified no archaeological remains within the area of observed groundworks. The absence of archaeological deposits may indicate that any remains associated with the Burway Ditch or other prehistoric activity do not extend as far as or were not exposed by the limited scope of the development, or that they may have been removed during construction of the golf course over its long history.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Alex Thomson. The report was written Alex Thomson. The illustrations were prepared by Daniel Bashford. The archive has been compiled by Alex Thomson, and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project was managed for CA by Damian De Rosa.

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach, Chertsey, Surrey: Archaeological Watching Brief

5. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html, viewed 17 April 2014

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2014 Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach, Chertsey, Surrey: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief

WA (Wessex Archaeology) 2011 Laleham Golf Course, Laleham Reach, Chertsey, Surrey. Heritage Statement. Report Ref: 76440.01

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench Context Type Fill of Context Description L (m) W Depth No. No. interpretation (m) /thick ness (m) 1 100 Layer Modern turf Light yellowish-grey sandy silt 8 >0.5 0.2 levelling layer 1 101 Layer Topsoil Greyish-brown clayey-silt >140 >0.5 0.25 1 102 Layer Subsoil Light greyish-brown sandy-clayey- >140 >0.5 0.25 silt 1 103 Layer Alluvium Light bluish-grey silty-clay with >140 >0.5 >0.5 common gravel inclusions 1 104 Layer Alluvium Light yellowish-white sand with >80 >0.5 >0.1 common shell inclusions

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Laleham Golf Club, Chertsey, Surrey Short description (250 words maximum) An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the excavation of a 140m pipetrench at Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach, Chertsey, Surrey.

No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks, and no artefactual material was recovered.

Project dates 15-16 April 2014 Project type Watching Brief (e.g. desk-based, field evaluation etc)

Previous work Heritage Statement by Wessex Archaeology (2011) (reference to organisation or SMR numbers etc)

Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach, Chertsey, Surrey Study area (M2/ha) 40ha Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) TQ 04752 68479

PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Runnymede Borough Council Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Manager Damian De Rosa Project Supervisor Alex Thomson MONUMENT TYPE N/A SIGNIFICANT FINDS N/A PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content (e.g. pottery, (museum/Accession no.) animal bone etc)

Physical N/A N/A Paper Chertsey Museum Trench sheets, WSI, Report Digital Chertsey Museum Digital photographs BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2014 Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach, Chertsey, Surrey: Archaeological Watching Brief. CA typescript report 14163

9 N Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 347630 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach Chertsey, Surrey

FIGURE TITLE Surrey Site location plan

0 1km

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 2006 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 770059 DATE 30-04-2014 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1

Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 218320 3 Completed pipe trench, looking west Andover 01264 347630 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach Chertsey, Surrey

FIGURE TITLE Photograph

PROJECT NO. 770059 DATE 30-04-2014 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A4 N/A 3 4

Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 347630 4 Trench 1 soil profile, looking south Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Laleham Golf Club, Laleham Reach Chertsey, Surrey

FIGURE TITLE Photograph

PROJECT NO. 770059 DATE 30-04-2014 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A4 N/A 4