Former Coopers Works Westerleigh Road Yate South Gloucestershire

Archaeological Watching Brief

for CgMs Consulting

CA Project: 3886 CA Report: 12200

August 2012

Former Coopers Works Westerleigh Road Yate South Gloucestershire

Archaeological Watching Brief

CA Project: 3886 CA Report: 12200

prepared by Tom Weavill, Archaeologist

date 24 August 2012

checked by Cliff Bateman, Project Manager

date 26 August 2012

approved by Simon Cox, Head of Fieldwork

signed

date 31 August 2012

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 t. 01285 771022 f. 01285 771033 e. [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

CONTENTS

SUMMARY...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. RESULTS (FIG 2) ...... 4

3. DISCUSSION...... 5

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 5

5. REFERENCES ...... 6

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 7 APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 8

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 The site, showing location of groundworks (1:1250) Fig. 3 Photograph: view of brick-lined culverts 105, facing south-east (scale 1m) Fig. 4 Photograph: truncation in north corner of the building footprint, looking north-east (scale 1m) Fig. 5 Photograph: brick lined pit 115, facing north east

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

SUMMARY

Project Name: Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road Location: Yate, South Gloucestershire NGR: ST 7073 8197 Type: Watching Brief Date: 16-23 July 2012 Planning Reference: PK12/0837/F Location of Archive: Bristol Museum and Art Gallery Site Code: YWR 12

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with demolition and remediation work on land at the Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In July 2012 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological watching brief for CgMs Consulting on behalf of McCarthy and Stone (Developments) Ltd on land at the Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire (centred on NGR: ST 7073 8197; Fig. 1). The watching brief monitored works undertaken by Wessex Demolition associated with demolition and remediation of the northern half of the Former Coopers Works site (Planning ref: PK12/0837/F).

1.2 The watching brief was carried out in accordance with detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2012a) and approved by South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) acting on the advice of David Evans, Historic Environment Officer SGC. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for an archaeological watching brief (IfA 2008), 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 proposed development area is approximately 1.4ha, and comprises an area of derelict land, formerly a metal fabrication plant, on the western outskirts of Yate (Fig. 2). The site is bounded to the west by Westerleigh Road, to the north by Stanshawes Drive, to the east by a lake and to the south by derelict land currently under development. It lies at approximately 80m above Ordnance Datum and is relatively flat. The underlying geology is mapped as Downend Member of the Carboniferous period, comprising interbedded sandstone and conglomerate (BGS 2012). An orangey yellow clay natural substrate was encountered during groundworks.

Archaeological background

1.4 A preceding desk-based assessment identified no previous archaeological investigations or recorded heritage assets predating the modern period within the site (CgMs 2010).

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

1.5 The application area was formerly occupied by a First World War Prisoner of War camp. The extent of the camp is shown on the 3rd edition OS map dating c. 1915- 21. By 1930 much of the camp had been replaced by a brickworks and associated brick-pit. The brickworks were themselves replaced by a metal fabrication plant which has since been demolished.

1.6 No archaeological features or deposits predating the 19th-20th century were identified during an archaeological evaluation undertaken immediately south of the current site, although evidence of modern truncation, most probably resulting from recent remediation works, was noted (CA 2012b).

Methodology

1.7 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2012a). An archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks comprising the demolition and remediation on the site of the former Coopers Works building. These works consisted of the removal of tarmac and concrete slabs and ‘turning’ the deposits below to remove any buried concrete, and to break out any remaining masonry, down to the natural clay. The objective of the watching brief was to record all archaeological remains exposed during the development.

1.8 Where archaeological deposits were encountered written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007).

1.9 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble and will be deposited with Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. 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.

2. RESULTS (FIG 2-5)

2.1 Natural geological substrate 104, consisting of orangey yellow clay, was revealed in the eastern area of the site at 1.5m below present ground level (bpgl), in the centre of the site at 0.3m bpgl and in the north, south and west areas at 0.6m bpgl. It was

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

sealed by deposit 101 which consisted of demolition material from the former brickworks building. No evidence for the survival of a buried subsoil or topsoil was identified. In the east of the site, five modern brick-lined culverts were observed immediately beneath the concrete slabs, 100 (see Fig. 2 for location and extent). These measured 1m in diameter and were cut to a depth of 1.5m bpgl. The associated construction cut had been backfilled with dark red clayey sand 106.

2.3 A large, square, brick-lined pit, 112, measuring 4m in length, 4m in width and approximately 2m in depth (Fig. 5), was revealed below tarmac surface 109 close to the north-east boundary of the site cutting through dark brownish grey silty clay 110 (see Fig. 2 for location and extent). The pit was backfilled by yellowish grey sand 113, which contained modern artefacts, none of which were recovered.

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 The watching brief identified no archaeological remains pre-dating the 19th-20th century within the area of observed groundworks. It remains undetermined, but probable, that the culverts and the brick-lined pit are associated with the former 1930s brickworks rather than the First World War Prisoner of War Camp. It is noteworthy that the only features surviving at the site were substantial subterranean structures. It is therefore concluded that other remains associated with the camp or the brickworks, or indeed earlier archaeological deposits, were removed during the construction of the recent metal fabrication plant.

3.2 Following the findings of this report it has been agreed with David Evans, Historic Environment Officer SGC, that no further archaeological work is required on this site

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Tom Weavill, who also wrote the report. The illustrations were prepared by Ian Atkins. The archive has been compiled by Tom Weavill, and prepared for deposition by James Johnson. The project was managed for CA by Cliff Bateman.

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

5. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2012 http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html accessed 23 May 2012

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2012a Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2012b Land at Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 12197

CgMs 2010 Land at Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire, Archaeological Desk Based Assessment. SW/HH/12019

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 100 Layer Concrete slabs n/k n/k 0.2 Modern 101 Layer Crushed hardcore and brick n/k n/k 0.48 102 Layer Fragmented brick surface n/k n/k 0.17 103 Layer Concrete piers 1.50 1.50 0.5 104 Cut Natural substrate: Orangey yellow clay n/k n/k >0.3 105 Masonry Brick lined culverts n/k 1.00 1.00 106 Fill Dark red clayey sand backfill around 105 n/k n/k 1.5 107 Layer Compacted angular stone above 104 n/k n/k 0.35 108 Cut Cut for 105: Vertical sided with flat base n/k n/k 1.5 109 Layer Tarmac n/k n/k 0.15 Modern 110 Layer Dark brownish grey silty clay with frequent crushed n/k n/k 1m hardcore and CBM inclusions, below 109 111 Cut Cut for 112 4.00 4.00 3.00 112 Masonry Square brick-lined pit: Single skin of bricks covered 4.00 4.00 3.00 with reinforced concrete on interior 113 Fill Very fine yellowish grey sand backfill of 112 3.80 3.80 3.00 Modern containing modern artefacts

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road, Yate Short description An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with demolition and remediation work on land at the Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire.

Five brick-lined culverts were observed at the eastern limit of the site and a large, square brick-lined pit was revealed adjacent to the north-east boundary of the site. Though undetermined, it remains probable that these structures may be associated with the former First World War Prisoner of War camp or, more probably, the former 1930s brickworks. Project dates 16-23 July 2012 Project type Watching Brief Previous work Unknown Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire Study area 1.4ha Site co-ordinates ST 7073 8197 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator None Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Manager Cliff Bateman Project Supervisor Tom Weavill MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content

Physical None Paper Bristol Museum and Art Gallery Trench sheets, digital photo register Digital Bristol Museum and Art Gallery Digital photos BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2012 Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief. CA typescript report 12200

8 site

N Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE South Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road Gloucestershire Yate, South Gloucestershire

FIGURE TITLE Site location plan

0 1km

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 2005 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 3886 DATE 02-08-2012 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY IA REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1

Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 3 View of brick-lined culverts 105, facing south-east Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk (scale 1m) e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road 4 Truncation in northern corner of building footprint Yate, South Gloucestershire FIGURE TITLE facing north-east Photographs

PROJECT NO. 3886 DATE 20-08-2012 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY IA REVISION 00 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 N/A 3 & 4 5

Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 5 Brick-lined pit 112, facing north-east Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Former Coopers Works, Westerleigh Road Yate, South Gloucestershire

FIGURE TITLE Photograph

PROJECT NO. 3886 DATE 20-08-2012 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY IA REVISION 00 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 N/A 5