10.1 – Archaeology Desk Based Assessment

Hamptons Property LLP Holditch House, Holditch Road – Environmental Statement 110430-1 (00)

An archaeological desk-based assessment for land at Holditch House, London Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (SJ 835 485)

Leon Hunt

ULAS Report No 2012-001 ©2012

An archaeological desk-based assessment for land at Holditch House, London Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (SJ 835 485)

Leon Hunt

for:

Hamptons Property LLP

Checked by

Signed: .

Date: 18 January 2012

Name: .R.J. Buckley...

University of Leicester Archaeological Services University Rd., Leicester, LE1 7RH Tel: (0116) 2522848 Fax: (0116) 2522614

ULAS Report Number 2012-001 ©2012

CONTENTS

Summary ...... 3 Introduction ...... 3 Aims and Methods ...... 4 Methodology ...... 4 Site Location, Geology and Topography ...... 5 Historical and Archaeological Background ...... 6 Historical Background ...... 6 Archaeological Background...... 6 Roman ...... 7 Anglo-Saxon-Medieval ...... 8 Post-medieval ...... 8 Historic Landscape Characterisation ...... 9 Cartographic Evidence ...... 10 Site Visit...... 14 Appraisal of the Development Impact ...... 15 Conclusion ...... 15 Sources ...... 15 Appendix: Historic Environment Record for Staffordshire ...... 22

FIGURES

Figure 1: Location of assessment area ...... 4 Figure 2: Plan of assessment area. Provided by developer ...... 5 Figure 3: Plan of sites listed on Historic Environment Record for Staffordshire. Provided by Staffordshire County Council. Scale Unknown ...... 7 Figure 4: Plan of Historic Landscape Characterisation for the area. Provided by Staffordshire County Council. Scale Unknown ...... 9 Figure 5: Detail of 1839 Tithe map of Wolstanton parish, ...... 10 Figure 6: Detail of 1886 Ordnance Survey map of the area, with assessment area highlighted. Scale 25 inch to 1 mile...... 11 Figure 7: Detail of 1900 Ordnance Survey map of the area, with assessment area highlighted. Scale 25 inch to 1 mile...... 11 Figure 8: Detail of 1924 OS map of the area, with assessment area highlighted. Scale 25 inch to 1 mile ...... 12 Figure 9: Detail of 1959 OS map of the area, with assessment area highlighted...... 13 Figure 10: Detail of 1995 OS map of the site, with assessment area highlighted...... 13 Figure 11: Plan of proposed development. Provided by developer ...... 14

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PLATES

Plate 1: South-eastern edge of proposed development area. Looking north-east to neighbouring site ...... 17 Plate 2: South-eastern part of site, looking south-east ...... 17 Plate 3: The entrance into the main site, looking north-west ...... 18 Plate 4: The access road leading round to the disused entrance gates, ...... 18 Plate 5: The main site from the north, looking south ...... 19 Plate 6: The slope along the southern edge of the site, looking south-east ...... 19 Plate 7: The slope to the south, looking south-west...... 20 Plate 8: Central area of the site, looking west ...... 20 Plate 9: The centre of the site, looking north ...... 21 Plate 10: The pond and wooded area at the northern edge, looking north...... 21

©ULAS 2012 Report No. 2012-001 ii An archaeological desk-based assessment for land at Holditch House, London Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (SJ 835 485)

An archaeological desk-based assessment for land at Holditch House, London Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (SJ 835 485)

Leon Hunt

Summary An archaeological desk-based assessment has been prepared for land at Holditch House, London Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (SJ 835 485). The work was prepared by University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) and was commissioned by Hamptons Property LLP in advance of a proposed new waste and metals recycling facility at the site, which is currently covered in waste ground, areas of tarmac, an area of rough grassland and a pond. The site lies within an area rich in Roman archaeology and lies close to the known site of Holditch Roman settlement and the site of Chesterton Roman fort. The Roman road from Littlechester to Chesterton runs just to the north- east of the site and there are other known sites of interest in the vicinity of the assessment area, including a Roman coin hoard and a Roman marching camp. Most of the site has been developed previously. Early maps indicated that a gas works was situated on the site until relatively recently. Therefore, the preservation of underlying archaeological remains may be poor, except in areas of virgin ground. The Roman road (HER Ref No. PRN05168) and the Roman settlement (PRN01769) lie relatively close to the site boundaries and are therefore the most significant, but the area that appears little developed is the southern part of the site. Therefore, despite the proximity of significant Roman remains the assessment area has only moderate potential for archaeological remains from the Roman period to be discovered during any ground-works on the site and low potential for any prehistoric, medieval or post-medieval remains. Introduction In accordance with Planning Policy Statement 5 (Planning for the Historic Environment) this document is an archaeological desk-based assessment for land at Holditch House, London Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (NGR: SJ 835 485). The assessment was commissioned by Hamptons Property LLP from University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) in advance of the proposed development of the site for a new waste and metals recycling facility. The site lies within an area rich in Roman archaeology. The Historic Environment Record for Staffordshire (HER) indicates that assessment area lies close to the known site of Holditch Roman settlement and the site of Chesterton Roman fort. The Roman road from Littlechester to Chesterton runs just to the north-east of the site and there are other known sites of interest in the vicinity of the assessment area, including a Roman coin hoard and a temporary camp.

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Aims and Methods The aim of this desk-based assessment is to present information on the extent, character, date, integrity and state of preservation of archaeological deposits present within the development area. The assessment takes into account all previous land uses and attempts to establish what impact future development will have on the archaeological remains. The desk-based assessment should, once the above information has been gathered, assist in providing an informed planning decision as to whether further stages of work are necessary. All work follows the Institute for Archaeologist’s (IfA) Code of Conduct and adheres to their Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Desk-based Assessments.

Figure 1: Location of assessment area Reproduced from Landranger® 1:50 000 scale, sheet 118 (Stoke-on-Trent) by permission of Ordnance Survey® on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown copyright 1997 All rights reserved. Licence number AL 100029495. Methodology

The following sources have been consulted to assess previous land use and archaeological potential: 1) Archaeological records (Staffordshire Historic Environment Record, ULAS Library). 2) Previous maps of the area (Staffordshire Records Office & Lichfield Record Office). 3) Geological maps (University of Leicester Geology Dept - Map Library).

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4) Historical background material (University of Leicester Library, Staffordshire Records Office). 5) Existing site plans (as supplied by the client)

A site visit was undertaken on 11th January 2011 to examine the area. Particular attention was paid to the current land use of all parts of the application area and its likely impact on the condition of any buried archaeological remains.

Site Location, Geology and Topography The site lies to the north-west of Holditch Road in the Broad Meadow area of Chesterton, within the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, North Staffordshire (Figure 1). The site consists of a broadly sub-triangular area, measuring around 9 hectares and lying at a height of around 140m aOD. The assessment area consists of two sites; only the site marked in red will be developed (Figure 2). The British Geological Survey of England and Wales, sheet 123 (Stoke-on-Trent) indicates that the underlying geology of the site is likely to be Halesowen Formation Mudstone, overlain by Alluvium or Till or Butterton Sandstone Bed in the southern part of the area.

Figure 2: Plan of assessment area. Provided by developer

Part of the site lies within the area now covered by the offices and depot to the east; this consists of an access road and a grass embankment. The main part of the site lies within an area bordered by metal railings and consists of the continuation of the access road that leads round to the north, a large area of flat rough ground covered

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largely in mill waste and moss and weeds, and a large area of rough grassland, which rises steeply to the southern edge of the site. A soil bund lies between the slope and the flat area.

Historical and Archaeological Background

Historical Background Newcastle-under-Lyme was originally a Roman settlement and lies in the north-west of the county of Staffordshire. The town, a medieval market town, grew up around the 12th-century castle, owned by John of Gaunt. The castle stood in an extensive tract of water fed by the Lyme Brook and other streams descending from the eastern and western ridges. It is on these ridges that the ancient borough has expanded in modern times, more particularly on the escarpment of the eastern ridge in the direction of the Potteries (Jenkins 1963). The old borough consisted of 554 acres and when the new parish of Newcastle was constituted in 1807 the parochial limits were made to coincide with the municipal boundary. On the east the town was bounded by the parish of Stoke, on the north and west by Wolstanton parish, and on the south by Trentham parish. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries attempts were made to incorporate many of the surrounding smaller parishes into the borough, including Wolstanton and Chesterton (Jenkins 1963). The site itself lies within Chesterton. Chesterton was a parish in the Wolstanton Rural District from 1894 to 1904 and became part of the Wolstanton United Urban District until 1932, when it was added to the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme. Chesterton, as it name suggests was a Roman military fort (the name ‘Chester’ comes from Old English ceastre, meaning ‘city’, ultimately from Latin castra, meaning ‘camp’). Sampson Erdeswick, the 16th century Staffordshire historian, described the area as containing ‘the ruins of a very ancient town’ and thought the ruins were Norman. There is a suggestion that ‘Newcastle’ was so named as to differentiate from the ‘old castle’ of Chesterton (Cockin 2000). Excavations in 1895 revealed the vallum and fosse of the fort and parts of the east and west defences. A housing estate was built over much of the site in 1955 and in 1969 the eastern ramparts were revealed and the fort plotted (Cockin 2000). The fort has been identified as the Roman site of Veratinium or Mediolanium as described in the Antonine Itinerary the register of the stations and distances along the various roads of the Roman empire of unknown Roman date (Cockin 2000). Archaeological Background The Historic Environment Record for Staffordshire (HER) indicates that there are no known archaeological sites within the assessment area itself. However, the assessment area lies close to the known site of Holditch Roman settlement (HER Ref No. PRN01769) and the site of Chesterton Roman fort (PRN01771). The Roman road from Littlechester via Rochester to Chesterton runs just to the north-east of the site (PRN05168) and there are other known sites of interest in the vicinity of the assessment area. These are summarised below and listed in full in the Appendix. The sites are illustrated on Figure 3.

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Roman Around 500m to the north-west of the assessment area lies the site of Chesterton Roman fort and settlement complex (PRN01771). Various excavations during the 20th century have revealed evidence for a large rampart and associated ditches and produced finds of 1st century AD date. The full extent of the fort has, however, only been conjectured. Other features, including a possible oven have also been encountered.

05168

Figure 3: Plan of sites listed on Historic Environment Record for Staffordshire. Provided by Staffordshire County Council. Scale Unknown The line of the Roman road leading from the fort to Rochester and Littlechester lies less than 200m to the north of the assessment area (PRN05168). The line of the road running from to the fort at Chesterton and adjacent settlement at Holditch has been known for some time and excavations in 1967 and 1995 revealed several lengths of the road in Wolstanton and provided details of its construction. An archaeological excavation across the projected course of the Roman road in a garden to the north-east of Hempstalls Farm at Wolstanton revealed evidence for the surface of the road and associated road-side ditch (PRN05014). Along the line of the road and around 250m north-west of the assessment area is the site of a Roman temporary camp

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(PRN01770). The enclosure was first identified on aerial photography and then excavated between 1959 and 1960. The excavations revealed evidence for the enclosure ditch and parallel gullies, floor surfaces and an oven lying just outside the enclosure. The features have been interpreted as a probable temporary Roman camp of 1st-2nd century AD date. Around 300m to the immediate east of the assessment area on the eastern side of Holditch Road is the site of the extensive Roman settlement known as Holditch (PRN01769). Excavations at the site have revealed traces of wooden and stone buildings and internal roads. The settlement was occupied primarily in the late 1st and 2nd century AD, although settlement persisted to the east of the A34 road into the 3rd century AD. Around 750m south-east of the assessment area is the findspot for a Roman coin hoard (PRN01773) a further coin has been found at Holditch Colliery 300m south of the site (PRN01774). There are further Roman finds nearby (PRN04430).

Anglo-Saxon-Medieval The site of the Anglo-Saxon settlement of ‘Dvlmesdene’ (Dimsdale) lies around 700m east of the assessment area (PRN02437). The medieval moated site of Dimsdale Hall lies 550m east of the assessment site at Dimsdale Hall Farm (PRN01195). Medieval ridge and furrow earthworks and further buildings of medieval origin lie nearby (PRN52412 & PRN53208). There are further extant ridge and furrow earthworks to the south of Chesterton stadium, 700m south-west of the assessment area (PRN30035).

Post-medieval The line of the former canal which was constructed around 1778 and closed in the early-20th century lies around 250m south of the site (PRN02217). The Old Barn at Dimsdale Hall Farm is post-medieval in date (PRN06773) and is grade II Listed (Listed building No. 1219561). Undated Around 600m to the north-west of the site is a linear anomaly of possible archaeological origin identified during a geophysical survey (PRN52501). It lies adjacent to the site of Chesterton fort.

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Figure 4: Plan of Historic Landscape Characterisation for the area. Provided by Staffordshire County Council. Scale Unknown

Historic Landscape Characterisation The Staffordshire HLC was completed between April 2003 and March 2006 and was carried out in partnership with English Heritage as part of a national programme. The primary object of the Staffordshire HLC was to characterise, or describe, the county’s historic landscape utilising the County Council’s Geographic Information System (GIS) to produce a character map for the entire county. The Historic Landscape Characterisation for the area indicates that the assessment area lies within an area defined as ‘Industrial and Extractive’ (Figure 4).

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Cartographic Evidence

Figure 5: Detail of 1839 Tithe map of Wolstanton parish, with approximate location of assessment area highlighted

The earliest available map of the area is the 1839 Tithe map for the parish of Wolstanton, in which Chesterton once resided (Figure 5). This shows the assessment as part of a number of fields, mainly 3082, with parts of 3083, 2397, 2398, 2399, 2403 and 2404. The ownership details from the Tithe award show that the owner of fields 2399 (Broad Meadow), 2403 (Little Meadow) and 2404 (Sparlow) was John Barlow and the tenant was Josiah Stanier. The owner of 3082 (Further Sparlow) and 3083 (Nearer Sydrops) was Peter Walthall and the tenant was Abraham Wood. The land at this time was a mixture of arable and pasture.

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Figure 6: Detail of 1886 Ordnance Survey map of the area, with assessment area highlighted. Scale 25 inch to 1 mile

Figure 7: Detail of 1900 Ordnance Survey map of the area, with assessment area highlighted. Scale 25 inch to 1 mile

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The first edition Ordnance Survey map of the area (Figure 6) shows that by this time the neighbouring streets of Meadow Street and Broad Street (to the north) had been developed and the northern part of the site contained a sand pit and a gas works. The 1900 OS map shows a very similar scene although the sand pit appears to have become a pond (Figure 7)

Figure 8: Detail of 1924 OS map of the area, with assessment area highlighted. Scale 25 inch to 1 mile

The 1924 OS map (Figure 8) shows that by this time the gas works had expanded into the assessment area. Allotment gardens and a football field lie to the north. The 1959 OS map (Figure 9) shows the gas works has expanded a little further to occupy the whole of one field. The surrounding area has become more urbanised. The 1995 OS map (Figure 10) shows the area largely as it is currently with the two large buildings at the depot on the neighbouring site and the gas works no longer illustrated. A small building is shown on the site of the gas works. This is no longer extant.

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Figure 9: Detail of 1959 OS map of the area, with assessment area highlighted. Scale 25 inch to 1 mile

Figure 10: Detail of 1995 OS map of the site, with assessment area highlighted. Scale 1: 2500 (Original scale 1: 10 000)

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Site Visit The proposed development area was visited on 11th January 2012 in order to assess the current state of the site. The site lies adjacent to an industrial area containing a National Grid depot and Holditch House and a large car parking area. Access is through a gate off Holditch Road and through the depot site. Part of the development area is to the south of the depot and consists of an access road and a grassed area that slopes down from the south towards the road (Plate 1). At the western edge of this small area is a patch of rough ground covered in mill waste (Plate 2). The access track leads round to a modern rectangular building to the north and eventually to the main part of the development site, which lies to the west of a line of large metal railings. The main part of the site can be accessed through a set of metal gates here, where the tarmac road leads round to another set of entrance gates at the northern edge of the site (Plates 3 & 4). The main part of the site consists of a steep sloped area, covered in rough grassland and tress, which leads northwards, down slope to a bund and then onto a flat area (Plates 5-7). Part of this area, to the west is covered in moss and rough grass (Plate 8), whereas the rest is covered in mill waste and weeds (Plate 9). At the very northern edge of the area there is a small wooded area containing a pond. This could not be accessed and was surrounded by railings (Plate 10). The whole of the main site is surrounded by railings and the area borders a playing field, roads and other industrial areas.

Figure 11: Plan of proposed development. Provided by developer

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Appraisal of the Development Impact The planning proposal is for a new waste and metals recycling facility on the site. The plan of the development (Figure 11) shows that all of the area within the proposed site (red line on the plan, within the metal railings on site) will be utilised, with the development extending into the slope at the southern end of the site. Much of the site, with the possible exception of the slope to the south has been developed previously. Preservation of underlying archaeological remains may be poor, except in those areas of virgin ground.

Conclusion The site lies within an area of significant Roman occupation. Chesterton takes its name from the Roman fort that would have lain around 500m to the north-west of the Holditch House site (PRN01771). The Roman road extending from the nearby Roman towns of Rocester and Littlechester runs close to the north-eastern side of the site (PRN05168 & PRN05014) and a possible Roman marching camp lies around 200m north of the site (PRN01770). A Roman settlement known as Holditch lies on the eastern side of the Holditch Road, 300m east of the site (PRN01769). Significant finds of a Roman date, including a coin hoard (PRN01773) have been found nearby. Therefore, the potential for archaeological remains of a Roman date to be discovered during any ground-works on the site could be very high. However, the site visit has revealed that the site has obviously been developed and the map evidence has confirmed this as the site once contained a gas works throughout most of the 20th century, whereas the area around the pond to the north was once a small quarry. The only part of the site, which may be undisturbed, is the slope on land at the southern edge of the site, so this area has the most potential to contain archaeological remains, although the proximity of the Roman road to the north and the Roman settlement to the east may suggest the likelihood for Roman remains would be higher in these areas of the site and not on the area to the south. There may be ‘pockets’ of undisturbed land throughout the rest of the site and so there is only moderate potential for Roman remains to be discovered during any ground-works on the site due to the previous developments. There is low potential for prehistoric, medieval or post- medieval remains.

References Cockin T.H 2000 The Staffordshire Encyclopaedia: A Secondary Source Index on the History of the Old County of Stafford, Celebrating Its Curiosities, Peculiarities and Legends Malthouse Press. Stoke on Trent Jenkins J.G 1963 'Newcastle-under-Lyme: Introduction', A History of the County of Stafford: Volume 8 . Sources Staffordshire Historic Environment Record, Staffordshire County Council Staffordshire Records Office, Stafford Lichfield Record Office, Lichfield OS MAPS: 25 inch to 1 mile: 1st Edition; 2nd Edition; 1924 Edition; 1959 Edition 1: 10 000: SJ 84 NW 1995 Edition.

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Geological Survey Sheet 123.

Leon Hunt ULAS University of Leicester University Road Leicester LE1 7RH Tel: 0116 252 2848 Fax: 0116 252 2614 Email: [email protected] 16-01-2012

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Plate 1: South-eastern edge of proposed development area. Looking north-east to neighbouring site Plate 2: South-eastern part of site, looking south-east

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Plate 3: The entrance into the main site, looking north-west

Plate 4: The access road leading round to the disused entrance gates, looking north-east

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Plate 5: The main site from the north, looking south Plate 6: The slope along the southern edge of the site, looking south-east

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Plate 7: The slope to the south, looking south-west Plate 8: Central area of the site, looking west

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Plate 9: The centre of the site, looking north Plate 10: The pond and wooded area at the northern edge, looking north

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Appendix: Historic Environment Record for Staffordshire

Roman

PRN Number 01769 - MST1761 Site Name Holditch Roman Settlement, Newcastle Archaeological excavation evidence for a Roman settlement, including traces of wooden and stone buildings and internal roads. The settlement was occupied primarily in the late 1st and 2nd century AD, although settlement persisted to the east of the A34 road into the 3rd century AD. Monument BUILDING (ROMAN - 43 AD? to 68 AD?) WELL (ROMAN - 43 AD? to 68 AD?) CULVERT (ROMAN - 43 AD? to 97 AD?) DRAIN (ROMAN - 43 AD to 99 AD) FORGE? (ROMAN - 43 AD to 99 AD) STOREHOUSE (ROMAN - 43 AD to 99 AD) FLOOR (ROMAN - 43 AD to 137 AD) Evidence SUB SURFACE DEPOSIT VICUS (ROMAN - 43 AD to 299 AD) BAKERY (ROMAN - 69 AD? to 161 AD?) HEARTH (ROMAN - 69 AD? to 161 AD?) OVEN (ROMAN - 69 AD? to 161 AD?) POST HOLE (ROMAN - 69 AD? to 161 AD?) FURNACE? (ROMAN - 80 AD? to 160 AD?) ROAD (ROMAN - 80 AD? to 160 AD?) GULLY (ROMAN - 100 AD to 199 AD) SHOP (ROMAN - 100 AD to 199 AD) YARD (ROMAN - 100 AD to 199 AD) Location National Grid Reference SJ 8393 4828 Description Partial excavations between 1957 and 1962 indicated an extensive settlement with internal roads, traces of wooden and stone buildings and large areas of rough cobbling. Coarse and samian pottery shown an occupation from late 1st to the 3rd century AD. (SB, 13-Jan-2012) <1>

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A series of excavations were undertaken at Holditch, near Chesterton between 1957 and 1959. An area to the east of the site of Holditch Farm (on the site of a new factory being built for Metadonic (Engineers) Ltd) was excavated in 1956.A substantial wall 2 feet wide and 6 inches long, robbed to its footings, was identified and exposed for a length of 14 feet. No cross walls or associated floors were discovered but large quantities of brick and tiled, fragments of possible hypocaust tile, fragments of window glass, a stone column base, cut for railings and a fragmentary centurial stone were recovered. The wall appeared to be Hadrianic. A rough cobbled floor close by was established to be Trajanic and overlay an earlier culvert. Pottery finds ranged from Vespasianic (or a little earlier) to Antonine. Workmen were also recovering pottery of the same date range to the north and west of the Metadonic factory site and to the east of Ashfield Brook. More extensive excavations were carried out in 1958 to determine the extent of possible settlement to the east of Ashfield Brook. A large trench cut diagonally across the field revealed evidence of a solidly constructed road flanked by wooden buildings with stone or cement floors overlying earlier buildings. Behind these were further buildings of a lower standard Further back still was a well, carefully constructed to a depth of over 20 feet which had been backfilled with Flavian material and built over. A second trench cut parallel to the first revealed evidence of similar constructions. Further trenches were also cut to determine the extent of the road and to the west of the stream to examine the previously discovered wall in an attempt to locate associated floors or cross walls. None were identified but the wall itself was shown to extend to a length of at least 30 feet before it passed under modern dumping impossible to dig through. A less substantial wall to the west of Holditch Farm was also identified to have been robbed out. In February 1959 road widening on the east side of the A34 at Holditch showed evidence of further heavy occupation, however damage by machines prevented much evidence from being extracted. A furnace or possible oven was also revealed in this area, however this was partly destroyed before it could be excavated. In the summer of 1959 further excavations to examine the extent of the settlement were undertaken. A series of trenches were excavated to the north/north-west of Holditch Road but no evidence of occupation was found in this area. To the south of the previously recorded Roman road sandstone block floors were found together with pre-Antonine samian and with evidence of timber and clay walls and of tiled roofs. Further trenches were cut on the projected course of the Roman road to the west of Ashfield Brook but the road was not located and may have been removed in this area. A Roman cobbled floor was uncovered five feet below the surface, truncated by a modern drain and covered by modern fill containing Flavian- Hadrianic pottery. Road contractors on the A34 continued to find large quantities of pottery but any possible structures were destroyed. Trenches excavated on the east side of the A34 yielded pottery, a Roman pit, remnants of a disturbed wooden building, and a well laid stone floor with many nails, collapsed clay and roof tiles. Later pottery was recovered from this area including fragments of colour coated ware, of at least three 'Castor ware' pots and a 3rd century AD mortar. Further excavations were also undertaken on the structures identified facing the road. No buildings were recorded fronting the road at its south-western end, largely because the road was built on a clay 'apron' which extended 40 feet along the road and 17feet outwards from its edge. This 'apron' sloped down to a pebbled cambered pathway

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which diverged from the road towards the east. A posthole was identified cutting the clay apron. Its purpose was not apparent but nails and irregular small holes near it may indicate some form of minor structure. A bakery with several successive ovens made of clay set on pebbled bases was also identified. To the south-west of the bakery, dived off by a wattle wall, were the probable domestic quarters to the bakery, which had a hearth remade three times. Vertically set sandstone blocks would have theoretically protected the wattle wall from fire however the building does appear to have been burnt and the collapsed wall preserved intact two pots. Several coins were recovered, mainly Flavian and Hadrianic, but also one of Caesar and Antony. Further wooden buildings were recorded to the north east of the bakery, including one with a large stone-packed posthole and hearth and another with three successive, well laid stone floors. The settlement at Holditch appears to have been densely occupied from 80 AD (or rather earlier) to 160 AD (or a little later) on sites located to the west of the A34, while occupation appears to have persisted to the east of the A34 into the 3rd century AD. It was probably populated mainly by artisan classes working at some stage with the military, as is shown by the centurial stone and probably by graffiti on samian. The existence of a bakery implies some considerable social organisation, which the general absence of food waste or bones perhaps supports. Large quantities of pottery have been recovered, the greater portion of which conforms to Hadrian's Wall type and distribution rather than to those of the Midlands. A certain quantity is, however, assumed to be of local origin (although no kilns have yet been found). The large amount of charcoal, coal and coal-cinder, of lead waste, iron-ore and of slag shows that the inhabitants were largely craftsmen working in metal and exploiting the local resources of outcrop coal and ironstone and neighbouring supplies of lead. The area is also rich in potters clay. The identity of the large building to the west of Ashfield Brook (on the Metadonic (Engineers) Ltd) site) remains uncertain, although it probably had tiled floors and a front colonnade. It position overlooks the rest of the site and possibly may have functioned as the headquarters of some official. The one samian inkwell and the one stylus found may indicate a clerical function. The reason for the backfilling of the well is uncertain. In spite of its careful construction in the Flavian period it was built over although there seems to be no indication of a shortage of building space. It is suggested that perhaps the well water may have gone foul. (SB, 13-Jan-2012) <2> During 1960 and 1961 further excavations were undertaken at Holditch. During this time much building and development work was being undertaken in this area, producing further evidence of Roman occupation. Considerable evidence of occupation was revealed by road making machines north of the previously identified Roman road. Two well laid sandstone floors were revealed and unstratified late 1st and early 2nd century AD. Only the upper layer of the Roman road were removed, with the newly constructed road being laid upon the lower layer of the Roman road. Improvement works to Peacock Road (which runs south from the Metadonic (Engineers) site) and the construction of a sheet metal works to its east produced masonry, pottery and small finds. Occupation evidence was also found during the construction of the Durose Café at the intersection of Liverpool Road and Brymbo Road. Excavations to the west of Peacock Road (at the Midlands Electricity Board station) produced struck sandstone blocks measuring an average of 30 inches by 18

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inches by 18 inches from a structure 18 feet long. Also, second century samian and coarse pottery. Aerial photographs were also examined and these showed indications of a street system under Wolstanton Golf Course and of a ditch system between London Road and Talke Road. Excavations confirmed that the Roman road extended to the edge of London Road (the projected course of the Littlechester to Chesterton Roman Road (PRN 05168)) and to the north of the north-eastern end of the road stone and clay floors were found. East of Liverpool Road (where occupation had previously been shown to extend into the 3rd century) several carefully laid stone floors were revealed. These floors were apparently single occupation and were not interior floors; their purpose is uncertain. Near one of the floors a sandstone column-drum, 11 inches in diameter and 36 inches long was unearthed (although no substantial building has been identified in this area. Stone foundations were also identified intersecting the Golf Course boundary to the east of Liverpool Road. The foundations were 20 inches broad and of a building measuring 42 feet 6 inches by rather less than 24 feet. The building had a clay floor and from its foundation trench were recovered Antonine samian sherd and a Central Gaulish sherd of the Hadrianic Antonine era, both heavily burnt. There was also a black ware plate. Further investigations were undertaken to establish the ground plans of the buildings fronting the south side of the Roman road. Bad weather (including show and rain) hampered excavation and interpretation. The buildings identified were of poor standard, constructed of timber, wattle and daub. The period of occupation determined in adjacent, previously excavated areas appeared to be only about 80 years (from circa 80 AD to 160 AD), but within this relatively short time there was a great deal of patching, renovating and rebuilding. Major post holes were stone lined to prevent timber coming into contact with clay while many stone slabs must have been the base supports for vertical timber beams of which all trace had disappeared. In the excavated area fronting the Roman road it is certain that there were earlier buildings with stone floors, overlaid by later building with stone floor which, as the adjacent road was built up by resurfacing, was provided with another and higher front floor. The later building was of timber frame construction and was aligned differently to the earlier building. It would have had a veranda type front behind which were probably two rooms. In the open area to the rear of the building was a yard containing and oven and to either side of the building were earth floor surfaces. The earlier buildings were 1st century AD and the later of 2nd century AD date. The whole excavated area was overlain by a destruction later containing shaped stone, roof tiles, nails and traces of wood. Much charcoal was present but not sufficient to suggest destruction by fire. It appears that the building was abandoned and left derelict. A later sherd of Gaulish pottery (dated to the early 3rd century AD) was recovered from the layer overlying the upper floor, although it is considered that this could have been dropped after the building was abandoned. The later building appears to have been some form of open-fronted shop and a gully running to the rear of the open front perhaps indicating a considerable use of water. A high proportion of cooking vessels in the pottery and the existence of a relatively large oven and a quern in the back yard suggest that the building may have been a food shop or eating house.

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Occupation by the road to the north-east was similar in nature. The earlier building here was interpreted as a possible forge as it showed 'plentiful signs of metal working'. Green glassy globules of metal waste lay thickly upon the floor and the arrangement of drainage also supports this view. The building may well have been open to the roadway as no evidence of walling was identified on that side of the building. The later construction on this site was indicated by a series of post holes that shows the second building set back from the roadway, as was the case with the buildings further south. Lack of finds leaves the function of this building unclear however. A further earlier building with two daub walls enclosing an area of solid, packed stones, on which there were few finds, has been interpreted as a probable shop or store house. Post holes again indicated a second period of occupation set back from the road. (SB, 12-Jan-2012) <3> <4> An archaeological excavation to the south-west of Spencroft Road in 1994. The excavations revealed evidence for a metalled street or trackway in the southern part of the site, perhaps a side street extending from the road discovered during the earlier excavations. The street was resurfaced at least once during its operational lifetime. To either side of the street were settlement remains, including cobbled surfaces, clay floors, ovens, pits, ditches, post holes, foundation slots, and drains. A later phase of fenced enclosures was also identified. Apart from two post-medieval field boundary ditches and two modern post holes, all the features identified are thought to be of Romano-British date. Around the trackway in the southern part of the site, near the Roman road discovered during earlier excavations (between 1957-62) Romano-British features were very densely distributed. It seems likely that the northern part of the site, with less dense features, formed a peripheral area of yards and enclosures. The northern boundary of the Roman settlement would appear to lie not far beyond the northern boundary of the site. The deposits and features recorded have been provisionally divided into four phases: Phase I - Romano-British structural remains and associated features, Phase II - Later Romano- British features representing fenced enclosures, Phase III - Post- medieval agricultural features and Phase IV – Twentieth century features. (SB, 13- Jan-2012) <5> <6> <7> <8> Analysis of environmental was carried out on samples taken during archaeological excavations at Holditch in 1994. The samples (one from a possible Roman period clay floor surface and two from the lowest fills of probable Roman period refuse pits) were of little environmental potential, with plant remains scarce (only a single grain was recorded) and no evidence of waterlogging or mineralisation. The grain came from the fill of one of the pits, while from the other two fragments of charred bone were recovered. (SB, 16-Jan-2012) <9> Sources (1) Serial: University of Keele. 1964. North Staffordshire Journal of Field Studies Volume 4 (1964). 'An Archaeological Gazetteer of Staffordshire: Part 1' by A.J.H. Gunstone, pages 30-1 (Newcastle) (2) Serial: University of Keele. 1961. North Staffordshire Journal of Field Studies Volume 1 (1961). 'Excavations at the Roman Site at Holditch' by J.M.T. Charlton (pages 26-50)

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(3) Serial: University of Keele. 1962. North Staffordshire Journal of Field Studies Volume 2 (1962). 'Excavations at the Roman Site at Holditch 1960-1961' by J.M.T. Charlton (pages 60-71) (4) Serial: Council for British Archaeology (Edited by Brian Stanley). 1960. West Midlands Archaeological News Sheet Number 03 (1960). Page 8 (5) Excavation Report: I. Rogers (Gifford and Partners Ltd). 1994. Archaeological Excavation at Spencroft Road, Holditch, Newcastle-under-Lyme: Post-Excavation Assessment. Page 5 (4.1 to 4.6.4) (6) Excavation Report: I. Rogers (Gifford and Partners Ltd). 1994. Archaeological Excavation at Spencroft Road, Holditch, Newcastle-under-Lyme: Structural Report. (7) Scientific/Specialist Report: Gavin M. Lucas (Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge). 1994. Roman Pottery from the Excavations at Spencroft Road, Holditch, Newcastle-under-Lyme. (8) Monograph: Gifford and Partners. 2007. Wilderspool and Holditch: Roman Boom-Towns on the 'Road North'. (9) Other Report: Lesley Harrison (Chester City Council Archaeological Service). 1994. Holditch, Spencroft Road, 1994: Environmental Assessment. Pages 5-6 (10) Serial: Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies. 1996. Britannia Volume XXVII (1996). 'The Conquest of Brigantia & the development of the Roman Road System…' By I. Rogers, page 367 (11) Serial: Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies. 1995. Britannia Volume XXVI (1995). p.352 (A. S. Esmonde-Cleary 'Roman Britain in 1994') (12) Evaluation Report: J. Perkins (Gifford and Partners Ltd). 1996. Final Report on an Archaeological Evaluation at Holditch Colliery, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. (13) Evaluation Report: L. J. Dodd (Earthworks archaeological Services). 1998. Proposed Development at Spencroft Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire: An Archaeological Evaluation. 17N (14)Evaluation Report: J. Perkins (Gifford and Partners Ltd). 1998. Report on an Archaeological Evaluation at Holditch Colliery, Lymedale Park, Staffordshire. (15) Evaluation Report: L. J. Dodd and W. S. Walker (Earthworks Archaeological Services). 1999. Proposed Development at Metanodic (Engineers) Ltd, Holditch Road, Chesterton, Staffordshire: An Archaeological Evaluation. (16) Watching Brief Report: Jonathan Goodwin (Potteries Museum Field Archaeology Unit). 2001. Archaeological Watching Brief at Holditch Road, Chesterton, Staffordshire. (17) Other Report: Dan Garner (Gifford and Partners). 2000. Holditch, Staffordshire - Publication Text. An archaeological watching brief at Holditch Road, Chesterton, Staffordshire

PRN Number 01770 - MST1762 Possible Temporary Camp, Chesterton An enclosure identified on aerial photography and excavated between 1959 and 1960. The excavations revealed evidence for the enclosure ditch and parallel gullies, floor

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surfaces and an oven lying just outside the enclosure. Interpreted as a probable temporary Roman camp of 1st-2nd century AD date. The area is now largely built over. Location National Grid Reference SJ 8342 4877 Monument DITCH (ROMAN - 43 AD to 199 AD) FLOOR (ROMAN - 43 AD to 199 AD) GULLY (ROMAN - 43 AD to 199 AD) OVEN (ROMAN - 43 AD to 199 AD) POST HOLE? (ROMAN - 43 AD to 199 AD) TEMPORARY CAMP (ROMAN - 43 AD to 199 AD) SHERD (3) (ROMAN - 43 AD to 199 AD) POTTERY SHERD (2) (MEDIEVAL - 1300 AD to 1399 AD) POTTERY Description The south-west and south-east sides of a rectangle with rounded corner is visible on a pre-war vertical aerial photograph. Since the photograph was taken the area has been developed and Loomer Road constructed across the rectangular feature from north- east to south-west, while to the north of the road a new housing estate has been built and to the south a church hall. Excavations on the site were carried out between September 1959 and September 1960, revealing a rectangular enclosure surrounded by a ditch. The land was later levelled to make way for a school clinic and although no internal buildings were identified during the levelling work an oven was exposed outside the enclosure to the south-west. The southwest, south-east and north-east sides of the enclosure were examined during the excavation, as was the southern angle of the enclosure and the interior; the oven was also excavated. In all of the excavated trenches a layer of soft-brown loam was identified beneath the humus. In most places this overlaid a yellow clay which was considered to be undisturbed. The enclosure ditches had been filled by black debris containing much 19th and 20th century pottery. The south-west side of the enclosure was marked by a 9ft wide ditch which was circa 2ft 8 inches deep. Beneath the modern fill was a waterlogged blue sand which overlaid a blue clay at the bottom of the ditch. On the outer lip of the ditch was a gully 4 inches wide and 2 inches deep. Beyond this the surface was dotted with small pebbles for a distance of about 3 ft. The inner lip of the ditch was marked by another gully measuring 2ft wide and 4 inches deep with a second gully 20inches wide and 9 inches deep situated 3 ft further in. The profile for the south-east border of the enclosure was similar. The ditch was 10ft wide however it was so wet that its shape was difficult to determine, although it appeared to be 1ft 8 inches deep. Two gullies similar to those on the south-west side (interior) were also identified. In the centre of the south-east side the two gullies appear to have been replaced by a simple 'step' perhaps suggesting erosion of the edge of the ditch.

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The north-east boundary was marked by a well cut ditch 8ft wide and 1ft 10 inches deep, the inner slope of which was lined by large glacial pebbles and the flat bottom covered by a 2 inch layer of iron-stained gravel. Adjacent to this ditch the enclosure had an elaborate floor of five layers, the top two terminating ft 6inches from the edge of the ditch with an upward curve suggesting that they might have abutted a wall. The south angle of the enclosure was stripped, however no evidence for a corner turret was found. The inner most of the gullies on the south-south-west and south-east sides of the enclosure continued towards the corner at right angles to each other, bringing them close to the curving corner of the ditch, without joining it, suggesting that these gullies were not intended for drainage. Between the two gullies on the south-west side two smaller gullies were identified, one of which was lined with small pebbles. These two smaller gullies sloped downwards to the south, joining the main ditch at an angle. A regular clay partition ran between these two gullies. All the gullies were filled with sand. The inner wall of the ditch at the angle was marked by three basin-like depressions in the clay, each measuring circa 18 inches by 8inches by 6 inches deep and containing sand. The sides of these features were sloping and a single stone (circa 6 inches by 4 inches by 3 inches) was embedded in the site of each. The surface of the enclosure was marked by numerous sand-filled holes about 1 inch in diameter and 2 to 5 inches deep. The interior adjacent to the inner-most gully on the south-west side was free of these holes (with a solitary exception) for about three feet. Along the border of this 'clear' area the holes appeared to be grouped in pairs. Two feet further from the gully there was a suggestion of a second row of paired holes. On the south-east side the holes approached the inner-most gully more closely. Two pits excavated within the centre revealed a clay surface but no evidence of any structures. An oven was identified 27ft outside the south-west ditch, 120 feet from the south angle. It measured 9ft in diameter and was dug 15 inches deep into the natural clay. It joined to a stoke-hole by a clay tunnel flue 36 inches long. The interior surface of the oven and flue were heavily sooted, but the oven contained no pottery and the stake hole no ashes. The whole was covered by loam. Few finds were recovered, excluding the 19th and 20th century pottery from the upper fill of the ditches. Two pieces of green glazed ware from the handle of a 14th century jar were found in the loam above the clay in one of the trenches. A small piece of coarse pottery of soft orange fabric was found in one of the gullies and two fragments of rustic ware were found on the clay in one of the trenches (these two fragments have been dated to the 1st (rather than the 2nd) century AD). A tiny piece of grey pottery fired black was recovered from the ditch; this was considered to be similar to the pottery found at Wroxeter, although too small to give any dating evidence. The regularity of the plan and section, together with two or three fragments of probable Romano-British pottery from below the loam layer, suggests that the enclosure is of Roman date. The 'curving up' of the interior floors perhaps indicates that there may have been an earth rampart and this may have been surmounted by a palisade. Another suggestion is that this may have been a compound for animals, and its proximity to a pond (recorded just outside the southern corner) and brook may support this. However the careful built oven just outside the enclosure would perhaps not have been necessary if this was a corral. It has also been suggested that the enclosure may represent a camp for troops in the Roman army. The size of the enclosure is considerable (approximately 2 1/2 acres);

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comparison with other forts of similar size may suggest that it was designed for at least one cohort. The presence of five distinct floors would also suggest a structure for human rather than animal use. The stones in the basin-shaped depressions in the ditch at the south angle of the enclosure could be interpreted as footings for obliquely set timber beams to buttress a palisade at the corner, which would again be a more appropriate to a military function. However, there is no trace of interior building, even up to 30 ft back from the ditch. The few early Roman finds suggest that, if this was a military camp, it may have been dismantled after a short period of use; perhaps it was a temporary camp for the troops building the fort near-by at Chesterton (PRN 01771), or possibly a camp for reinforcements to the Chesterton fort at some period. A further possibility is that the enclosure may have been built as part of a military training scheme directed from the Chesterton fort (examples of 'practise camps' being built has been identified elsewhere). (SB, 13-Jan-2012) <1> No evidence for Roman activity was identified during an archaeological evaluation in the area of allotments to the west of the fort, although this could be due to the fact that the ground may have been significantly disturbed by allotment activity. (SB, 22-June- 2005) <2> Sources (1) Serial: University of Keele. 1962. North Staffordshire Journal of Field Studies Volume 2 (1962). 'A Rectangular Earthwork at Chesterton, Staffordshire' by E.W. Ball, pages 53-59 (2) Evaluation Report: Katie Wardell (Stoke-on-Trent Archaeology). 2005. Archaeological Evaluation at Loomer Road, Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. Page 5

PRN Number 01771 - MST1763 Site Name Chesterton Roman Fort and Settlement The partially excavated site of 1st or 2nd century roman fort and settlement complex. Various excavations during the 20th century have revealed evidence for a large rampart and associated ditches and produced finds of 1st century AD date. The full extent of the fort has, however, only been conjectured. Other features, including a possible oven have also been encountered. Location National Grid Reference SJ 8309 4904 Monument FORT (ROMAN - 43 AD? to 199 AD?) OVEN (ROMAN - 43 AD? to 199 AD?) VICUS (ROMAN - 43 AD? to 199 AD?) Description Fort / Settlement: Roman site of late 1st or early 2nd century (AD) date. Samian ware, pottery torso of Venus, bronze bell, glass bead and other Roman pottery has been found during excavations. <1>

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The name is suggestive or Roman origin. The north 'vallum' and fosse still remain and the east and west defences can be traced. The camp forms a parallelogram measuring 365 yards by 300 yards (outside measure) and encloses upwards of 20 acres, the ditch being 20 metres wide. So far as is known no Roman or other relics have been found upon the site. Erdeswick, writing in 1603, mentions remains of masonry which were seen in his time in sufficiently good preservation for them to be perceived as 'walls of marvellous thickness'. The site was excavated in 1905, with the only result being the recovery of some pieces of flat red sandstone joined with mortar (although earlier scholars did not necessarily perceive this mortar to be Roman). (SB, 12-Jan-2012) <2> A Roman site of uncertain character. Some antiquarian writers have suggested that a camp existed on the site and that it was the 'Mediolanium' of the Antonine Itinerary. There have been numerous excavations on the site although they have added little to our knowledge and understanding. Excavations in 1892 made no finds, while in 1895 excavations for the British Archaeological Association revealed only undated masonry. In 1925 T. Pape undertook excavations at eight points within the camp but made no finds. In 1933 building work and excavations revealed an occupation level. Finds included 1st Century (AD) samian, Flavian pottery, including rusticated ware, and a lead eight. Excavations near Old Hall Farm in 1956 revealed a pit and a hearth and produced a quantity of samian and coarse pottery and a pipe-clay figurine and in the same year further finds were made during the building of the new school. (SB, 12-Jan-2012) <3> An archaeological excavation was undertaken on the site of the Roman fort at Chesterton in the summer of 1969, during the demolition of a row of 19th century houses on Mount Pleasant. These houses had obscured the only remaining surface evidence of the fort defences, a high bank running parallel to the farm lane to the north-west of the site. Confirmation of the position of the south-eastern defences was quickly identified. The rampart occupied a width of 25ft (circa 8 metres) and was seen to have consisted largely of sandstone fragments between substantial turf walls (with some of the individual turves showing up quite clearly). The innermost defensive ditch was a good example of its type, here cut into the sandstone bedrock. Originally it probably formed a barrier about 15 ft (circa 5 metres) wide by 5 or 6ft (circa 2 metres) deep, with a square-cut drainage ditch at the bottom. The careful siting of the fort is illustrated by the way in which the ramparts were erected close to the edge of a rocky outcrop, but leaving room for the inner ditch to be cut into the bedrock to provide drainage and further defence. A structure identified immediately behind the rampart has been interpreted as a baking oven, with the collapsed dome of burnt clay clearly distinguished from the clay base of the oven by a black line of charcoal between them. Behind the working area and stoke-holes of the ovens a gully cut had been cleanly into the sandstone, probably to drain the 'intervallum' road. This road separated the ovens from the barrack blocks and other (timber) buildings which would have occupied the centre of the fort. Although a precise date for the construction of the fort could not be established from these excavations most of the pottery recovered suggest a date of some time in the last quarter of the 1st century AD. (SB, 12-Jan-2012) <4> An archaeological evaluation was undertaken in April 1986 on the site of a proposed new sports hall at Chesterton High School. The evaluation comprised of the

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excavation of three small trenches, two of which (Trench A and Trench B) produced well preserved structural features indicative of past activity on the site. A linear feature and the posthole (in Trench A) and a paved surface (in Trench B) indicate the presence of buildings, probably related to the functioning of the Roman fort. Roman pottery recovered from Trench A appears to confirm a Roman date for the features, while the paved surface is certainly of pre-18th century date and its position within the fort and its similarity to other identified Roman surfaces would seem to suggest a Roman date for the paved surface as well. Considerable recent disturbance was identified across other areas of the fort meaning that the full extent of the fort has still not been defined. (SB, 12-Jan-2012) <5> An archaeological evaluation was undertaken in 1998 in the (projected) area of the southern corner of Chesterton Roman fort (off Mount Pleasant). No evidence of the fort rampart or associated ditches were revealed within the evaluation trench and although there was evidence of later (Victorian) disturbance the depth of it was unlikely to have been enough to completely obscure evidence of earlier activity. It is therefore considered unlikely that the fort rampart and ditches extended into the area of the evaluation and the extent of the fort is therefore still undefined. (SB, 12-Jan- 2012) <6> An archaeological watching brief at Mount Pleasant in early 2000 failed to reveal any firm evidence for surviving archaeological deposits relating to the south-west corner of Chesterton Roman fort and no finds datable to this period were recovered. The site appears to have been heavily truncated in this area by the construction of housing in the nineteenth century, by subsequent demolition of the housing in the 1970s and by work associated with the construction of Chesterton Secondary Modern School in the 1950s. (SB, 12-Jan-2012) <7> The Roman fort at Chesterton has been located and sections dug across the defences. The well preserved, timber-laced rampart was 20 ft wide and supported by turf walls; the inner ditch was cut 4 ft deep into sandstone bedrock. Advantage had been taken of the well drained, steeply dipping sandstone for the fort site, but just beyond the first ditch this is replaced by a clay sub-soil in which the second ditch was cut 17 ft from the first. Pre-Flavian and early Flavian artefacts were found, along with some later sherds. The inner ditch had been deliberately filled and the front of the rampart cut away. There had also been some early c14 interference. (SB, 12-Jan-2012) <8> Sources (1) Descriptive text: Michael J Jones. 1975. 'Roman fort-defences to AD 117, with special reference to Britain' British Archaeological Reports (British Series) 21. Page 143 (2) Index: Stoke-on-Trent City Museum Field Archaeology Unit. Card Index (Stoke- on-Trent City Museum Field Archaeology Unit). Published Book: The Victoria History of the Counties of England. 1908. (VCH volume 1) A History of the County of Stafford, Volume I. Pages 189-190 (3) Serial: University of Keele. 1964. North Staffordshire Journal of Field Studies Volume 4 (1964). 'An Archaeological Gazetteer of Staffordshire: Part ' by A.J.H. Gunstone - page 30 - Newcastle

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(4) Written: University of Keele. 1970. North Staffordshire Journal of Field Studies Volume 10 (1970). 'The Roman Fort at Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme' by F.H. Goodyear (Pages 103-105) (5) Evaluation Report: Noel Boothroyd (Stoke-on-Trent Museum Archaeology Unit). 1996. Archaeological Evaluation at Chesterton High School, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. Page 5 (6) Evaluation Report: Gary Coates (Birmingham University Field Archaeology Unit). 1998. Mount Pleasant, Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme: An Archaeological Evaluation 1998. Page 4 (7) Watching Brief Report: John Halstead (Birmingham University Field Archaeology Unit). 2000. An Archaeological Watching Brief at Mount Pleasant, Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.. Page 2 (8) Serial: Council for British Archaeology West Midlands (J. Gask - Editor). 1969. West Midlands Archaeological News Sheet Number 12 (1969). 'Chesterton Roman Fort, Staffs' by Frank Goodyear (Keele and Newcastle Arch. Soc.) - Pages 25-26

PRN Number 01773 - MST1765 Site Name Coin Hoard, Cross Heath, Newastle under Lyme A hoard of 4th century Roman coins, reputedly found in the Cross Heath area. Location National Grid Reference SJ 84 47 Monument FINDSPOT (ROMAN - 300 AD to 399 AD) Description Coin Hoard: Coins of Marcus Agrippa, Faustina, Antonius Pius, Valens and Constantine reputedly found in the Cross Heath area. <1> <2> (1) Index: Stoke-on-Trent City Museum Field Archaeology Unit. Card Index (Stoke- on-Trent City Museum Field Archaeology Unit). (2) Serial: University of Keele. 1964. North Staffordshire Journal of Field Studies Volume 4 (1964). 'An Archaeological Gazetteer of Staffordshire: Part 1' by A.J.H. Gunstone - Newcastle - Page 31

PRN Number 01774 - MST1766 Site Name Roman Coin, Holditch Colliery, Newcaslte under Lyme A coin, possibly of Nerva, found at Holditch Colliery. Location National Grid Reference SJ 835 481 Monument FINDSPOT (ROMAN - 45 AD to 200 AD) Description Artefact: A coin of (?) Nerva, Holditch Colliery. <1> Sources (1) Serial: University of Keele. 1964. North Staffordshire Journal of Field Studies Volume 4 (1964). 'An Archaeological Gazetteer of Staffordshire: Part 1' by A.J.H. Gunstone - Newcastle - Page 31

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PRN Number 04430 - MST4130 Site Name Roman Finds, Liverpool Road, Holditch Reports of Roman artefacts recovered frequently to the south-east of Holditch along the line of Liverpool Road. Location National Grid Reference SJ 84 48 Monument FINDSPOT (ROMAN - 43 AD to 409 AD) Description Artefact: Reports indicate that Roman finds are frequently discovered to the south- east of Holditch along the line of Liverpool Road. Such material often turns up in gardens. <1> Sources (1) Unpublished document: BARKER D. 1992. 14TH MAY.

PRN Number 05014 - MST4595 Road Surface and Road Side Ditch, North-East of Hempstalls Farm, Wolstanton Below ground remains probably associated with the Little Chester to Chesterton Roman road. The remains, identified in a garden to the north-east of Hempstalls Farm, included evidence for a stone road surface and associated road side ditch. A post hole and a later pit were also revealed. Location National Grid Reference Centroid SJ 8468 4792 Monument DITCH (ROMAN - 43 AD to 409 AD) POST HOLE (ROMAN - 43 AD to 409 AD) ROAD (ROMAN - 43 AD to 409 AD) PIT (MEDIEVAL - 1066 AD? to 1485 AD?) Description An archaeological excavation across the projected course of the Roman road (PRN 05168) in a garden to the north-east of Hempstalls Farm at Wolstanton revealed evidence for the surface of the road and associated road-side ditch. The road consisted of a surface of small flat irregular sandstone pieces, worn on the upper surface, roughly cut on the lower, and set into a dark red clay. The stone pieces ranged in size from 5cm to 20cm and between 1cm and 5cm in thickness. Below this was a black stain suggesting a turf layer. The possible turf layer (stain) overlay a thick band of greyish white clay, which sloped to produce a considerable camber on the agger. This layer extends for 1.7 metres beyond the paved edge of the road surface

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and lies on top of a slightly sandy yellow clay layer that merges imperceptibly with the natural red clay. Circa 4.30 metres from the edge of the paved surface was a steep sided ditch 35 cm to 40 cm deep and 90 cm wide. The primary fill of the ditch was a red silty clay with occasional pebbles, 20 to 25 cm thick. The secondary fill was a grey-brown silty loam. There was a distinct re-cut to the ditch circ 3 cm deep from the centre of the ditch to the inner side. To the outside of the ditch, 15 cm from the edge and cut from the same level, was a small oval post hole 20 cm by 15 cm. A larger pit to the north of this was cut from a higher level and post-dated the ditch. <1> Sources (1) Excavation Report: W. Klemperer (Potteries Museum Field Archaeology Unit). 1995. Excavation of a Roman Road at Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. Page 1-2

PRN Number 05168 - MST4703 Littlechester to Chesterton Roman Road A section of the possible route of a roman road between Little Chester and Chesterton. Several excavations along the length of the route have revealed large sandstone blocks on a layer of Turf and clay. The agger is also visible on the south- east edge of Wolstanton Golf Course. Location National Grid Reference SJ 8474 4793 Monument ROAD (ROMAN - 43 AD to 409 AD) Description Road: A Roman road from Littlechester to Chesterton. (SB, 12-Jan-2012) <1> The line of the Roman Road running from Rocester to the fort at Chesterton and adjacent settlement at Holditch has been known for some time and excavations in 1967 and 1995 revealed several lengths of the road in Wolstanton and provided details of its construction. The hump of the agger is also visible in places. The construction techniques for the road vary slightly along the length of the road but always involved sandstone above clay foundations. Near to Chesterton the road surface was made of pebbles across most of the surface with the original sandstone block surface remaining along one edge only while the ditch, six feet from the edge of the road, was only ten inches deep and three feet wide. South-east of Chesterton, near Hempstalls Farm the road consists of a thin layer of sandstone above thick sandstone blocks. Beneath this is was a thick clay foundation on a spread of gravel, while north- east of the farm the construction probably involved a layer of turf over the thick clay. In the grounds of Wolstanton High School the road appeared to have the same construction of large sandstone blocks on a layer of turf and thick clay foundations. (SB, 12-Jan-2012) <2> The road appears to lead deliberately towards the site of the Roman fort at Chesterton (PRN 01771) and extensive Roman settlement at Holditch (PRN 01769). There are also references to the continuation of the route to Middlewich via Red Street and

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Street Forge and a further length of the route is said to have been exposed near Sandbach (Cheshire). The construction of the road is typically Roman, consisting generally of clay build up, a turf layer and well-cambered stone surface. It seems likely that this is the road recorded to have been found by workman while draining Wolstanton Marsh 'many years ago' (mentioned in a volume of 1908 on Wolstanton). There is little evidence for repairs to the road (apart from a small, reconstructed section excavated near Hoon Avenue. The route takes the road from Littlechester through Rocester and Chesterton and, particularly its course near Nollington where it follows high ground from which several Iron Age sites are visible, suggests that this was a military road. (SB, 12-Jan-2012) <3> Sources (1) Serial: University of Keele. 1964. North Staffordshire Journal of Field Studies Volume 4 (1964). 'An Archaeological Gazetteer of Staffordshire: Part 1' by A.J.H. Gunstone, page 31 (Newcastle) (2) Excavation Report: W. Klemperer (Potteries Museum Field Archaeology Unit). 1995. Excavation of a Roman Road at Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. Page 1 (3) Serial: University of Keele. 1967. North Staffordshire Journal of Field Studies Volume 7 (1967). 'A Roman Road in North Staffordshire' by F.H. Goodyear & J.M.T. Charlton, pages 27-33

Anglo-Saxon- Medieval

PRN Number 01195 - MST1192 Dimsdale Old Hall Moated Site, Newcastle

Monuments MOAT? (Norman to POST MEDIEVAL - 1066 AD to 1589 AD) TIMBER FRAMED HOUSE (Built, (Circa) POST MEDIEVAL - 1589 AD)

Location National Grid Reference SJ 8433 4842

Description A medieval moated site, once occupied by a timber-framed hall (of circa 1589). The timber-framed structure was refaced in brick in the 17th century. Dimsdale Old Hall was built by Thomas Brett before Oct 1589. <1> Very little of Dimsdale Old Hall was left standing when the estate was bought around the 1920s. As the place could not be restored the remains of the tumble-down building were cleared away and the early 17th century brick front was put into good repair. <2> The building was in use as a golf club house in the early 1950s. <3>

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Excavations in 1953 on the moated site revealed pottery dating from the 13th to 18th centuries. <4> Excavations carried out in 1945-1955 showed the possibly medieval round-bottomed ditch was re-cut. From the slope of theground it could not have held water and it seems from the lack of occupation material that the moated area was a paddock for animals or occupied by a garden. The moat, from cuttings dug to the east and west of the barn, was found to have formerly extended south of the barn, being originally an irregular, oblong plan. The filling on the ditch to the east must have been completed by 1843 as it does not appear in a print of that year. 13th to late 18th century pottery was found in all excavated layers. <5> The only evidence for this site is contained in an excavation report in which the evidence is somewhat inconclusive. It is possible that if a moated site existed hear it may have been post-medieval. <6> The medieval moated site known as Dimsdale Hall moat, bas been the subject of a limited amount of archaeological excavation. In the 1950s the North Staffordshire Field Club carried out some excavation work. Although no information was gained to enable conclusive dating of the moat the general character of the site as a whole was thought to indicate a medieval origin as almost certain. Finds recovered included pottery, fragments of clay pipe, and glass. These finds display a wide range of dates, from the 13th to the 18th centuries, with the majority of the finds dating from the post-medieval period. None of the finds were recovered from dateable, stratified deposits. In the 16th and 17th centuries Dimsdale belonged to the Brett family. The Bretts were a notable local family who were listed as residents at Dimsdale in Robert Plot's 'The Natural History of Staffordshire' published in 1686. Accounts from the early 20th century suggest that the Brett family added the brick front to the Hall as a facade to a much older building sometime in the early 17th century and it is suggested that the hall was built by Thomas Brett prior to 1589. The brick casing of the front of Dimsdale Old Hall is recorded to have been added, probably to strengthen the more picturesque 'black and white' which it covered. The back of the house is recorded to have retained its early English appearance (late 12th to early 16th century). The building is said to have been almost entirely demolished by the early 20th century, but an illustration from a few years prior to this is recorded to have shown a front door was of oak, studded with nails with a large oaken bolt and a handle of wrought iron which also forms the door knocker, a large west gable which must have been used as a banqueting hall (a very stately room with wainscoting all the way around and hand painted rural scenes on some of the panels. Several shields of the Brett family, including one over the fire dated 1608, also featured in the room. There is evidence that by the late 17th century the Elers brothers (pottery manufacturers) occupied the site at Dimsdale and that they had a small manufactory there along with a second at Bradwell. An early 19th century account suggests that the Elers installed pipes were laid down between the two manufactories at Dimsdale and Bradwell as a mode of communication to warn of any 'intruders' or visitors. Some of these pipes were said to have been identified in the early 19th century and one is still in care of the ceramics section at the Potteries Museum in Stoke-on-Trent. In the early 19th century Dimsdale Hall was owned by the Bennett family, who eventually built a new house close by and let the old hall as a farm. This appears to

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have necessitated access changes and as a result the road on the south side of the buildings fell into disuse, although in the early 20th century this road was still indicated by an avenue of trees. The hall, described as a Mansion house, was advertised to let in the Staffordshire Advertiser in August 1831. The advert describes the accommodation and grounds as being 'well laid out and in good order', although at this time it does not mention a moat. In the late 19th century another article in the Staffordshire Advertiser described a serious fire in the outbuildings of the Old Hall Farm, the fire brigade attended and it is recorded that their efforts were hampered by their difficulty in obtaining water because 'the long drought had dried up the ponds in the immediate locality'. It is possible that the ponds referred to may actually have been the remains of the moat or other water features associated with it. In 1916 the hall was described as a 'semi-ruin'. At this time the tenant of the hall is recorded to have owned some items from the hall including a massive earthenware jug said to hold nine and a half gallons which had belonged to the Bennen family in their time as owners of the hall who are said to have used it as an ale jug to serve loyal tenants at an annual dinner. By 1925 there was not enough left standing to restore the hall and the owner at this time cleared away the tumble-down remains of the building and put into good repair what was left of the early 17th century brick front. Tradition also has it that there was a skirmish at Dimsdale between the Cavaliers and Roundheads and that the resulting marks left by bullets could be seen on the outbuildings of the hall. (SB, 11-Jan-2011) <7> Clearance of vegetation on the site in August-September 1998 revealed stone and brick footings located in approximately with the correct position to be associated with Dimsdale Hall. A boundary wall recorded to the east of the existing building (Dimsdale Hall Farm) is a substantial stone structure which is also in a position suggesting that it may have been associated with Dimsdale Old Hall (although on a different orientation than the stone footings). An archaeological evaluation in September 1998 revealed no significant archaeological deposits associated with the hall. Those deposits encountered contained no artefacts which could assist in their dating and were thought o relate to ground make up or levelling from the earliest and/or a subsequent phase of site occupation. Finds recovered represented domestic waste and demolition rubble from the period spanning the 16th to late 19th/early 20th centuries and are typical of the locally manufactured material recovered from many post-medieval deposits in Staffordshire. Fragments of utilitarian wares such as butter pots, coarse earthenware vessels, large pancheons (bowls) etc. represent the type of item you would expect to find in the domestic waste of a farm. More expensive items such as a jewelled slipware and glass wine bottles would suggest a residence of higher social status. The finds recovered therefore confirm aspects of the known history of the site, however none were recovered from sealed dateable deposits. (SB, 11-Jan-2011) <8> Sources (1) Index: Ordnance Survey. See cards. Ordnance Survey Card Index. SJ 84 NW - 3 (T.N.S.F.C. Volume 60 (1925-1926) page 191 (by T. Pape)) (2) Index: Ordnance Survey. See cards. Ordnance Survey Card Index. SJ 84 NW - 3 (A.C. - Field Inspector - 31-Jul-1951)

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(3) Index: Ordnance Survey. See cards. Ordnance Survey Card Index. SJ 84 NW - 3 (Corr 6" (AR Mountford 9/55)) (4) Index: Ordnance Survey. See cards. Ordnance Survey Card Index. SJ 84 NW - 3 (T.N.S.F.C. Volume 92 (1957) pages 39-40 (by K.G. White)) (5) Serial: Staffordshire Archaeology/The University of Keele. 1974. Staffordshire Archaeology Volume 3 (1974). 'The Moated Sites of Staffordshire' by M.E. Hammer, page 35 (39) (6) Desk Based Assessment Report: Alison Parkes (Stoke-on-Trent Museum Field Archaeology Unit). 1998. Proposed Residential Development at Dimsdale Hall Farm, Talke Road, Chesterton, Newcastle-under- Lyme, Staffordshire: Desk Based Assessment. Pages 4-7 - 2.4.3.5 to 2.4.4.9 (7) Evaluation Report: Noel Boothroyd (Stoke-on-Trent Museum Field Archaeology Unit). 1998. Archaeological Evaluation at Dimsdale Hall Farm, Talke Road, Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. Page 9 (8) Survey Archive: R. A. Meeson (Staffordshire County Council). 1983-1986. Staffordshire Moated Site Survey (Survey Notes). (9) Serial: North Staffordshire Field Club. 1901. Transactions of the North Staffordshire Field Club Volume 35 (1901). Pages 130-131

PRN Number 02437 - MST2427 Site Name Dimsdale / Dvlmesdene (Settlement) A settlement recorded in the Domesday survey. There is potential for evidence of occupation in this area from the end of the Roman period onwards. Location National Grid Reference SJ 844 484 Monument SETTLEMENT (SAXON - 410 AD to 1065 AD) Description Settlement: 5 villagers and 2 smallholders with 2 ploughs in 1086. <1> The location of Dimsdale, where a medieval moat was sited (see PRN 01195) lies approximately 235 metres to the north east of the Roman road (PRN 05168) and the site of Holditch Roman settlement (PRN 01769). There is the potential for evidence of continual occupation between the end of the Roman period and the medieval period. (DAL, personal comment, 11/12/2008). Sources (1) Published Book: William I - Translated Alison Hawkins & Alex Rumble. 1086/1976. Domesday Book 24: Staffordshire (Phillimore Translation). 13:7

PRN Number 30035 - MST6089 Ridge and Furrow, South of Chesterton Stadium, Newcastle under Lyme A former area of fossilised open fields, now built over with warehousing. Location National Grid Reference

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SJ 8300 4787 Monument FIELD SYSTEM (MEDIEVAL - 1066 AD to 1485 AD) RIDGE AND FURROW (MEDIEVAL - 1066 AD to 1485 AD) STRIP FIELD (MEDIEVAL - 1066 AD to 1485 AD) Description Ridge and Furrow: A block of open field strips consolidated and fossilised. <1> The fossilised remains of the field system were still identifiable in circa 2000, however in circa 2006 the area was under redevelopment, with the construction of large scale warehousing under way. (SB, 12-Jan-2012) <2> <3> (1) Index: Stoke-on-Trent City Museum Field Archaeology Unit. Card Index (Stoke- on-Trent City Museum Field Archaeology Unit). (2) Aerial Photograph: 2000. Aerial photosurvey of Staffordshire - 1999 - 2001. (3) Aerial Photograph: 2006. Aerial photosurvey of Staffordshire - 2006.

PRN Number 52412 - MST13845 Ridge and Furrow Earthworks, Dimsdale, Newcastle-under-Lyme The earthwork remains of medieval ridge and furrow identified on aerial photography from 2006 extending across Wolstanton Golf Course, Dimsdale. Location National Grid Reference SJ 8441 4822 Monument RIDGE AND FURROW (Constructed, MEDIEVAL - 1066 AD to 1485 AD) Description Medieval ridge and furrow earthworks on Wolstanton Golf Course. The earthworks can be seen clearly on aerial photography from 2006, and extend over most of the course surface area. The ridge and furrow runs in various directions, showing the alignment of the medieval field systems, which clearly run against more recent land divisions. (SW, 30-01-2009) <1> (1) Aerial Photograph: 2006. Aerial photosurvey of Staffordshire - 2006.

Post-medieval-modern

PRN Number 02217 - MST2208 Site Name Sir Nigel Gresley's Canal, Newcastle under Lyme A former canal providing transport for coal between Apedale and Newcastle, which was constructed around 1778 and closed in the early-20th century. Location

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National Grid Reference SJ 8355 4760 Monument CANAL (Georgian - 1775 AD to 1778 AD) Description In the 18th century, Apedale was part of the estates belonging to Sir Nigel Gresley of Knypersley Hall (PRN 14174), who was well aware of financial gains to be made out of mineral deposits beneath his land. In 1775 Sir Nigel was given Parliamentary approval to build a canal to move coal more efficiently from his coalmines in Apedale to Newcastle to supply the town. The canal was finished by 1778, making it one of the country's earliest canals. The canal followed the contours of the valley from a basin near the mines at Burley to the wharf at Newcastle and remained in use until the early 20th century. An artificial watercourse (PRN 50546), built sometime between 1775 and 1841, provided an outlet for taking surplus water from the canal to the Ashfield Brook. (JM, 18/8/03) <1> Sources (1) Desk Based Assessment Report: Frost, P (Castlering Archaeology). 2003. Lymedale Business Park Proposed Extension, Holditch, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (Former Hooters Hall Site): Archaeological Desk-based Assessment and Walkover Survey. Sections 5.11 and 5.13

PRN Number 03695 - MST3468 Site Name Corn Mill, Cross Heath, Newcastle under Lyme Documentary evidence for the approximate location of a water mill and mill pond since at least the late 18th century. The mill was still in use as a corn mill towards the end of the 19th century. Location National Grid Reference SJ 8406 4756 Monument CORN MILL (Built, (pre) Georgian - 1775 AD) WATERMILL (Built, (pre) Georgian - 1775 AD) Description Watermill: The approximate location of a water mill shown on William Yates' map of 1775. <1> A corn mill with a small mill pond to the north is shown at this location on the First Edition Ordnance Survey. (SB, 15-Dec-2004) <2> (1) Cartographic: William Yates (The Staffordshire Record Society). 1775/1984. A Map of the County of Stafford - by William Yates. 4th Series - Volume 12 (2) Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1875 - 1890. Ordnance Survey 1st Edition 6" maps. Staffordshire Sheet XI. S.E. (circa 1880's)

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PRN Number 05489 - MST5023 Churchyard, Church of Holy Trinity, Chesterton A 19th century cemetery at Chesterton Church. An archaeological evaluation within the grounds cemetery revealed evidence for burials (in the form of graves and tombs) and produced only 19th and 20th century material. No evidence for Roman activity was revealed. Location National Grid Reference SJ 8318 4943 Monument CHURCHYARD (INDUSTRIAL to Victorian - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) RAVE (INDUSTRIAL to Victorian - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) TOMB (INDUSTRIAL to Victorian - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Description An archaeological evaluation in September 1996 within the 19th century cemetery (or churchyard) revealed evidence for graves and produced material of 19th and 20th century date. In the first of the two trenches excavated (Trench A) mixed deposits containing grey and red sandstone fragments, 19th-20th century ceramics, blue brick and glass were revealed. Also within this trench a negative feature measuring approximately circa 1.9 metres by 0.7 metres and orientated east-west was recorded. This feature was filled with mixed yellowish brown clay loam and has been interpreted as a grave. In the second evaluation trench (Trench B) a line of blue bricks orientated east to west with a north-south return was also recorded and interpreted as possible construction for a tomb. Just to the north of the blue-brick feature were two further negative features orientated east to west, both filled with a mixed pinkish-brown and yellowish brown clay loam. These features were also considered to be graves. In the corner of one of the evaluation trenches a grey stone slab, identified as part of a tomb structure, was also noted. It is considered unlikely that there were Roman deposits (associated with the Roman settlement of Chesterton (PRN 01771)) existed in this area and if they did it is likely that the use of the area for later burials would have removed any evidence of earlier activity. (SB, 12-Jan-2012) <1> (1) Evaluation Report: Rob Barnett (Stoke-on-Trent City Museum Field Archaeology Unit). 1996. Archaeological Evaluation: Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.

PRN Number 06773 - MST8607 Site Name Old Barn, Dimsdale Hall Farm, Dimsdale Parade, Newcastle A listed early 17th century former dwelling, which was later used as a small barn. The building is of rough-coursed sandstone construction with stone mullioned windows.

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Location National Grid Reference SJ 8433 4843 Monument HOUSE? (Built, (between) POST MEDIEVAL - 1600 AD to 1634 AD) BARN (Converted, (post) POST MEDIEVAL - 1600 AD to 1634 AD) Description Old Barn, Dimsdale Hall Farm, Dimsdale Parade, Newcastle Small barn formerly dwelling. Early C17. Roughly coursed sandstone rubble, roofless. 3 bays with inserted entrance in south elevation relating to use as barn, flanked by 2- and 3-light stone mullioned windows. Blocked doorway in north elevation, and a blocked 2-light stone mullioned window. Coped gables, and a 3-light mullioned window in west gable wall. Inside, 2 queen strut trusses at gable ends, and 2 queen post trusses. 2 chamfered cross beams.

PRN Number 06782 - MST8614 Church of Holy Trinity, Chesterton A listed mid 19th century church by H. Ward and Son of Hanley. The church is of red sandstone with a tiled roof and has a north-west tower, nave, two aisles and a chancel. Location National Grid Reference SJ 8314 4943 Monument CHURCH (Built, (between) Victorian - 1851 AD to 1852 AD) Description Church of Holy Trinity, Chesterton DST2270 Church. 1851-2. By H. Ward and Son of Hanley. Coursed and squared red sandstone rubble, with plain tiled roof with scalloped bands and ridge cresting. North-west tower, nave, two aisles, chancel. 3-stage tower and brooch spire with 2 lucarnes. Decorated paired bell-chamber lights, corbel table. Shafts to south doorway with heavy plain hood mould. Foiled lancets to south aisle, grouped foiled lancets to north. Lancet windows divided by central buttress in west wall, with trefoil over. 3-light Early English style window with continuous hood mould and trefoiled light over to chancel, which has clasping angle buttresses with gablets and ball-flower decoration. INTERIOR: nave arcade of 5 bays to north with cylindrical shafts with double- chamfered arches. Octagonal piers and cylindrical shafts to south arcade of 2 bays, interrupted by archway to tower, which is carried on corbels. North aisle windows recessed in paired trefoiled arches with central shaft. South windows are lancets in deep splayed embrasures. Nave roof with long raking trusses carried on corbels with collar and wind braces. Chancel arch with responds that appear to cut the deep moulded archway. Chancel roof has braced rafters with collars.

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Oak altar, rails and reredos. Sedilia to south. Chancel screen is wrought-iron, a delicate design incorporating flowers and foliage. Stained glass: east window by Wailes, brightly coloured figures of Saint John and Christ, with dove in trefoil over; other unattributed windows in north aisle (1895) and east window of south aisle. Fragment of tomb slab or cross portraying figure carrying spear (?) c.800, and interlace decoration, found on nearby farm. Medieval font, octagonal with deep ogee moulding on each face. Type: Listed Building Status: Grade: II Date Assigned: 27/09/1972

PRN Number 50545 - MST11661 Whitfield Farm / Hooters Hall Farm, Newcastle under Lyme A former farmstead extant by 1775, demolished some time after 1945. Monument FARMSTEAD (Established, (pre) Georgian - 1775 AD) Location National Grid Reference SJ 8294 4790 Description A farmstead shown on Yates' map of 1775. Recorded as a single rectangular building aligned north-east/south-west on the Tithe map of 1839, with a subsidiary building to the south-east and surrounded by agricultural, pasture and meadowland. Additional buildings shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1880, and by 1926 the farm had been renamed 'Hooters Hall Farm'. The farm was demolished sometime after 1945. (JM, 18/8/03) <1> An isolated farmstead laid out around a loose, two-sided courtyard. (SB, 12-Jan-2012) <2> (1) Desk Based Assessment Report: Frost, P (Castlering Archaeology). 2003. Lymedale Business Park Proposed Extension, Holditch, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (Former Hooters Hall Site): Archaeological Desk-based Assessment and Walkover Survey. 264097

PRN Number 50546 - MST11662 Gresley's Canal Overflow An artificial watercourse extant by 1841, providing an overflow for taking surplus water from Gresley's Canal (PRN 02217) to the Ashfield Brook. Location National Grid Reference SJ 8366 4778 Monument

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FLOOD RELIEF CANAL (Built, (at some time) Georgian to Victorian - 1778 AD to 1841 AD) Description An artificial watercourse appearing to provide an overflow for taking surplus water from Gresley's Canal (PRN 02217) to the Ashfield Brook, shown on the Wolstanton Tithe map of 1841. The overflow ran south from the canal along field boundaries before turning east as a wider channel. Its course has now been partly built over and a large balancing pond has been created to control the rapid run-off of rainwater from the new Business Park complex. This pond is also used by a fishing club who have erected fishing platforms. The original watercourse has been culverted to the east. (JM, 19/8/03) <1> (1) Desk Based Assessment Report: Frost, P (Castlering Archaeology). 2003. Lymedale Business Park Proposed Extension, Holditch, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (Former Hooters Hall Site): Archaeological Desk-based Assessment and Walkover Survey. sections 5.13; 6.2, plate 2

PRN Number 50871 - MST12464 Possible Air Raid Shelter, Chesterton The possible buried remains of an air raid shelter a garden to the rear of a house in Chesterton. Location National Grid Reference SJ 8344 4934 Monument AIR RAID SHELTER? ((Circa) Post-1914 - 1940 AD? to 1945 AD?) Description The buried remains of a brick and concrete built structure identified during ground works to the rear of a house in Chesterton. The niece of the gentleman who built the house recalls an air raid shelter with an entrance and three rooms with bunk beds and electricity. The gentleman who built this house also built several others in this street for the rest of his family and it is suggested that this could have been a private shelter that was used by the whole family. (SB, 17-Oct-2006) <1> <2> (1) Photographic: Vikki Hollins. 2006. Possible Air Raid Shelter, Chesterton (Photographs). (2) Written: Vikki Hollins (& Suzy Blake - Historic Environment Record Officer). 2006. Monument Submission

PRN Number 51651 - MST13068 Pottery Findspot, Holditch, Newcastle Three sherds of 18th century pottery recovered during an archaeological watching brief in Holditch. Location National Grid Reference

©ULAS 2012 Report No. 2012-001 45 An archaeological desk-based assessment for land at Holditch House, London Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (SJ 835 485)

SJ 832 477 Monument FINDSPOT ((between) POST MEDIEVAL to Georgian - 1700 AD to 1799 AD) Description Three sherds of 18th century pottery recovered during an archaeological watching brief during extension works to Lymedale Business Park, Holditch. (LH, 05-Sept- 2007) <1> (1) Watching Brief Report: Nick Tavener (Marches Archaeology). 2005. Lymedale Business Park, Holditch, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire: Report on an Archaeological Watching Brief. Page 2

PRN Number 53208 - MST14641 Dimsdale Hall Farm, Newcastle under Lyme A farmstead laid out around a regular courtyard, probably established in the 19th century around the time Dimsdale Hall was rebuilt. The site does, however, have earlier origins and it is possible that a farmstead was established here during the medieval or early post medieval period. Most of the original buildings have now gone (with the 17th century former dwelling the only original extant structure) and the site redeveloped as a golf club and housing. Location National Grid Reference SJ 8435 4837 Monument FARMSTEAD (Established, (between) MEDIEVAL - 1066 AD? to 1485 AD?) FARMSTEAD (Established, (between) POST MEDIEVAL - 1600 AD? to 1699 AD?) FARMSTEAD (Established, (between) INDUSTRIAL to Victorian - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) L SHAPE PLAN (Established, (between) INDUSTRIAL to Victorian - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Regular Courtyard Plan (Established, (between) INDUSTRIAL to Victorian - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Description A farmstead laid out around a regular, L-plan courtyard, probably associated with the 19th century Dimsdale Hall (now demolished). An additional detached outbuilding referred to as the 'Old Barn' lies to the north of the former hall and although originally built as a house in the 17th century, appears to have been re-used as a barn. (SW, 22- 06-2009) <1> <2> The farmstead is located adjacent to the site of a suggested medieval moat and earlier, timber-framed hall of possible 16th century origin (demolished in the early 20th century), and it is possible that a farmstead may have been established here at an earlier than the 19th century. (SW, 22-06-2009) <3>

©ULAS 2012 Report No. 2012-001 46 An archaeological desk-based assessment for land at Holditch House, London Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (SJ 835 485)

Most of the original buildings have now gone (with the 17th century former dwelling the only original extant structure) and the site redeveloped as a golf club and housing. (SW, 22-06-2009) <4> (1) Digital Archive: Bob Edwards (Forum Heritage Services). 2008. Historic Farmsteads and Landscape Character in Staffordshire - GIS Data. 264460 (2) Designation Record: Department of the Environment. Ongoing. Listed Buildings of Special Architectural or Historical Importance (Green and Blue Backs). (3) Index: Ordnance Survey. See cards. Ordnance Survey Card Index. SJ 84 NW - 3 (T.N.S.F.C. Volume 60 (1925-1926) page 191 (by T. Pape) Undated PRN Number 52501 - MST13964 Linear Feature, Apedale A linear anomaly of possible archaeological origin identified during a geophysical survey at Apedale. The date of the feature is unknown. Location National Grid Reference SJ 8294 4886 Monument LINEAR FEATURE (Unknown date) Description A linear anomaly identified by magnetometry during surveying at Apedale. The feature is thought to be of possible archaeological origin, although the date is unknown. (SW, 12-02-2009) <1> (1) Geophysical Survey Report: Stratascan. 2008. Geophysical Survey Report: Apedale, Staffordshire, Phase Two. Page 8 EST1896 Geophysical Survey Report: Apedale, Staffordshire, Phase Two (Event - Survey)

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Contact Details

Richard Buckley or Patrick Clay University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH

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