Bidford Grange Golf Club Bidford-On-Avon Alcester Warwickshire

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BIDFORD GRANGE GOLF CLUB BIDFORD-ON-AVON ALCESTER WARWICKSHIRE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION

For

METROPOLITAN ESTATES

CA PROJECT: 3187 CA REPORT: 10145

AUGUST 2010

BIDFORD GRANGE GOLF CLUB BIDFORD-ON-AVON ALCESTER WARWICKSHIRE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION

CA PROJECT: 3187 CA REPORT: 10145

prepared by Ray Holt, Project Officer

date 20 August 2010

checked by Richard Young, Project Manager

date 24 August 2010

approved by Mark Collard, Head of Contracts

signed

date 26 August 2010

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.

© Cotswold Archaeology Building 11, Kemble Enterprise Park, Kemble, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ Tel. 01285 771022 Fax. 01285 771033 E-mail: [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology Bidford Grange Golf Club, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

CONTENTS

SUMMARY...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. RESULTS (FIG. 2) ...... 5

3. DISCUSSION...... 7

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 7

5. REFERENCES ...... 7

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 8 APPENDIX B: THE FINDS ...... 10 APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 11

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Trench location plan, showing archaeological features (1:2000)

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Bidford Grange Golf Club, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

SUMMARY

Project Name: Bidford Grange Golf Club Location: Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, Warwickshire NGR: SP 1174 5180 Type: Evaluation Date: 29 July – 4 August 2010 Planning reference: 03/0323/FUL Location of Archive: To be deposited with Warwickshire Museum Site Code: BOA 10

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in July and August 2010 on land at Bidford Grange Golf Club, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, Warwickshire. Nine trenches were excavated.

Ridge and furrow cultivation remains were identified, together with one post-medieval ditch and one undated pit containing an articulated sheep skeleton.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Bidford Grange Golf Club, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In July and August 2010 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for Metropolitan Estates on land at Bidford Grange Golf Club, Bidford-on- Avon (centred on NGR: SP 1174 5180; Fig. 1). An application for an extension to the existing hotel, and the creation of a new lake within the golf course at Bidford Grange Golf Club has been granted consent by Stratford-upon-Avon District Council (SDC; ref. 03/0323/FUL). The evaluation was undertaken to fulfil a programme of archaeological work required by the consent and recommended by Warwickshire Museum Field Services (WMFS), archaeological advisor to SDC, prior to commencement of works.

1.2 The evaluation was carried out in accordance with a Brief for Archaeological Fieldwork issued by Ms Anna Stocks, Planning Archaeologist, Warwickshire Museum Field Services (WMFS), archaeological advisor to Stratford-upon-Avon District Council (SDC), and with a subsequent detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2010) and approved by Ms Stocks. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation issued by the Institute for Archaeologists (2008), the Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage 1991) and the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (English Heritage 2006). It was monitored by Anna Stocks, Planning Archaeologist, Warwickshire Museum Field Services, including a site visit on 3 August 2010.

The site

1.3 The proposed development site comprises an area adjacent to the current hotel facilities at Bidford Grange, and the location of a proposed new lake within the associated golf course. The golf course is bounded to the north by the B439, by farmland to the east and west and the River Avon to the south. The site lies between approximately 35m and 40m AOD.

1.4 The area for evaluation encloses a total area of approximately 1.2ha, and comprises at the time of the evaluation an area of terraced gardens and a golf course driving range.

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Bidford Grange Golf Club, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

1.5 The underlying solid geology of the area is mapped as Lower Lias clays of the Jurassic Period (BGS 1974). Clays, clayey silts and mudstone were encountered on site.

Archaeological background

1.6 Archaeological excavation in advance of the construction of Bidford Grange Golf Course revealed remains of a substantial Romano-British settlement, previously identified using aerial photographs (Warwickshire Historic Environment Record MWA 4923). The site included possible ring ditches and other enclosures, as well as other linear features (Hart et al 1991). Roundhouses and other possible rectilinear buildings were also recorded, as well as a possible corn-drying kiln. The coins and pottery recovered indicated that the site was occupied from the late 1st century to the 4th century AD, with the main period of occupation in the 2nd century.

1.7 The proposed development also lies to the immediate north of a sequence of medieval and later mill sites. These included a watermill, a windmill, a fulling mill and a paper mill (Warwickshire Historic Environment Record MWA 607).

Archaeological objectives

1.8 The objectives of the evaluation were to establish the character, quality, date and extent of any archaeological remains or deposits surviving within the site. This information will assist SDC in making an informed judgement on the significance of the archaeological resource, and the likely impact upon it of the proposed development.

Methodology

1.9 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of nine trenches. Trenches 1, 2, 3 and 7 measured 50m in length and 1.6m wide, trench 4 was 25m long and 1.6m wide, trench 5 was 20m long and 1.6m wide, trench 6 was 40m long and 1.6m wide, and trenches 8 and 9 were 10m long and 1.6m wide (Fig. 2). Trenches 1 to 4 were located in the footprint of a proposed lake and Trenches 5 to 9 in the footprint of proposed new buildings.

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Bidford Grange Golf Club, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

1.10 All trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. All machine excavation was undertaken under constant archaeological supervision to the top of the first significant archaeological horizon or the natural substrate, whichever was encountered first. Where archaeological deposits were encountered they were excavated by hand in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007).

1.11 Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential in accordance with CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other Samples from Archaeological Sites (2003), but no samples were recovered. All artefacts recovered were processed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 3: Treatment of Finds Immediately After Excavation (1995).

1.12 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the artefacts will be deposited with Warwickshire Museum along with the site archive. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix C, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

2. RESULTS (FIG. 2)

2.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed summaries of the recorded contexts and finds are to be found in Appendices A and B respectively.

2.2 During the evaluation furrows aligned broadly north/south was identified in trenches 1, 2, 3 and 4. In addition two features were identified within trenches 3 and 7. One of these features dated to the post-medieval period, the remaining feature was undated although probably modern. In trenches 1, 2, 3 and 4 a broadly similar stratigraphic sequence was identified; undisturbed natural substrate comprising discreet patches of clayey silt, clay, and laminated mudstone overlain by more homogeneous clayey silt was revealed at depths of between 0.04 and 0.1m below present ground level (bpgl). This was overlain by topsoil, up to 0.2m thick. Trenches 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 showed evidence of recent landscaping; predominantly the dumping of large quantities of brick rubble and general building waste subsequently overlain by topsoil and turf. Trenches 5, 6, 8 and 9 contained no archaeological features.

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Bidford Grange Golf Club, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Trench 3 (Fig. 2)

2.3 A north/south orientated ditch 304 was identified in the central portion of the trench and measured 1.13m wide and 0.18m deep with moderate sloping sides to a rounded base. The secondary fill 303 of ditch 304 contained sherds of post-medieval pottery, and ceramic pipe. To the east of ditch 304 a number of furrows on a broadly north/south alignment were recorded. The fills of the archaeological features were overlain by topsoil 301.

Trench 7 (Fig. 2)

2.4 A sub-circular pit 706 was identified at the south-western end of the trench and measured 0.5m wide. The secondary fill 707 of pit 706 contained an articulated dog skeleton. The pit cut subsoil 704 which was in turn overlain by topsoil 703. Within the central portion of the trench topsoil 703 was overlain by a dump of modern building rubble 702 measuring up to 0.3m thick and topsoil 701. .

The Finds and Palaeoenvironmental Evidence

2.5 A small amount of artefactual material comprising pottery, ceramic building material and animal bones was recovered from two deposits 303 and 707 (Appendix B).

2.6 From ditch fill 303 post-medieval artefacts were retrieved consisting of small fragments of ceramic building material, likely to be parts of tiles, and three sherds of brown glazed earthenware pottery, possibly dated at the 19th century.

2.7 A substantial part of a sheep skeleton was recovered from pit fill 707; the bones are well-preserved and come from an adult individual. The lack of butchery marks and presence of many smaller bones suggests the deposition of a partially articulated carcass.

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Bidford Grange Golf Club, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 A post-medieval ditch, 304 was identified during the evaluation and probably represents a field boundary shown on the 1884-1887 1:2500 Ordnance Survey map and still shown on the 1924 1:2500 Ordnance Survey map. Furrows aligned broadly north/south were identified in trenches 1, 2, 3 and 4.

3.2 The undated pit containing an articulated sheep skeleton cut the subsoil and probably represents the burial of a farm animal in modern times.

3.3 The dumping of modern building rubble to the east of the existing golf club buildings and recorded in trenches 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 represents landscaping undertaken in around 2008 (J Broadbent pers. comm.). The presence of a topsoil layer preserved below these dumped layers suggests that the area has not been truncated during these landscaping works and that archaeological deposits have not been removed by the landscaping.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Ray Holt, assisted by Daniel Sausins and Mark Middleton. The report was written by Ray Holt. The illustrations were prepared by Jon Bennett. The finds report was prepared by Ed McSloy. The archive has been compiled by Ray Holt, and prepared for deposition by James Johnson. The project was managed for CA by Richard Young.

5. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 1974 British Geological Survey (England and Wales) Solid and Drift. Sheet 200: Stratford-upon-Avon

Hart, P. Osgood, R. and Palmer, N. 1991 Bidford Grange, Bidford-on-Avon, Warwickshire. Excavation of a Romano-British Farm WCC unpublished report

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Bidford Grange Golf Club, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench 1

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 101 Layer Topsoil 0.05 102 Deposit Natural silty clay 0.2 to 0.4 103 Deposit Natural clay and clayey silt sealed by 102 n/a n/a n/a

Trench 2

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 101 Layer Topsoil 0.05 102 Deposit Natural silty clay n/a n/a n/a

Trench 3

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 301 Layer Topsoil 0.12 302 Deposit Natural silty clay n/a n/a n/a 303 Fill Fill of 304 At least 1.13 0.18 1.6 304 Cut Ditch filled by 303 At least 1.13 0.18 1.6

Trench 4

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 401 Layer Topsoil 0.2 402 Deposit Natural silty clay 0.2 to 0.4 403 Deposit Natural clay and clayey silt sealed by 402 n/a n/a n/a

Trench 5

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 501 Layer Topsoil 0.3 502 Layer Dump deposit of modern building rubble 0.7 503 Layer Dump of gravel containing modern building rubble 0.45 504 Layer Topsoil sealed by 502 and 503 0.35 505 Deposit Natural clayey silt n/a n/a n/a

Trench 6

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 601 Layer Topsoil 0.21 602 Layer Dump deposit of modern building rubble 0.78 603 Layer Topsoil sealed by 602 0.23

604 Deposit Natural clay n/a n/a n/a 605 Deposit Natural sandy gravel overlying 604 and 606 n/a n/a n/a 606 Deposit Natural clay and mudstone n/a n/a n/a

Trench 7

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 701 Layer Topsoil overlying 702 0.25 702 Layer Dump deposit of modern building rubble and clay 20 0.3 overlying 703 703 Layer Topsoil 0.35 704 Layer Subsoil beneath 703 0.1 705 Deposit Natural clayey silt n/a n/a n/a 706 Cut Pit containing fill 707 0.5 0.5 707 Fill Fill of 706 0.5 0.5

Trench 8

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 801 Layer Topsoil 0.22 802 Layer Dump deposit of modern building rubble 0.7 803 Deposit Natural clayey silt n/a n/a n/a

Trench 9

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 901 Layer Topsoil 0.22 902 Layer Dump deposit of modern building rubble and clay 0.18 903 Layer Dump of modern builders sand beneath 902 0.06 904 Deposit Natural clay n/a n/a n/a

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Context Description Ct. Wt. Date 303 Post-medieval ceramic building material 4 31 C19 Post-medieval pottery: brown glazed earthenware 3 17 707 Animal bone: sheep 76 674

APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Bidford Grange Golf Club, Bidford-on-Avon, Warwickshire

Short description An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold (250 words maximum) Archaeology in July and August 2010 on land at Bidford Grange Golf Club, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, Warwickshire. Nine trenches were excavated.

Ridge and furrow cultivation remains were identified, together with one post-medieval ditch and one undated pit containing an articulated sheep skeleton. Project dates 29 July – 4 August 2010

Project type Archaeological evaluation (e.g. desk-based, field evaluation etc)

Previous work Archaeological Excavation (Hart et al 1991) (reference to organisation or SMR numbers etc)

Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Bidford Grange Golf Club, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, Warwickshire Study area (M2/ha) 1.2ha Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) SP 1174 5180 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Warwickshire Museum Field Service Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Manager Richard Young Project Supervisor Ray Holt MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content (e.g. pottery, (museum/Accession no.) animal bone etc)

Physical Warwickshire Museum Ceramics and animal bone Paper Warwickshire Museum Context sheets, trench sheets, photographic registers, permatrace drawings Digital Warwickshire Museum Survey data and digital photos BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2010 Bidford Grange Golf Club, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 10145

12 Reproduced from the 1998 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office N c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109

site

0 2.5km

COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY

PROJECT TITLE Bidford Grange Golf Club Bidford-on-Avon, Warwickshire Warwickshire FIGURE TITLE Site location plan

DRAWN BYSCALE PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO. LG 1:25,000@A4 3187 1