Synopsis of the Archaeology of the Sandwell Priory and Holy Well
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APPENDIX 4 SELECT COMMITTEE ON HERITAGE AND CULTURE SYNOPSIS OF ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE SANDWELL PRIORY AND HOLY WELL Comments of Planning Archaeologist This paper represents the undertaking and finding of work carried out during the past thirty years at the above site. The site of Sandwell Priory, Sandwell Hall and the Holy Well lie 2km east of West Bromwich town centre, in a public open space known as Sandwell Valley Country Park. The first known archaeological excavations occurred on the site in 1958, with the aim of re-erecting large sections of the ruins. There are no records of this excavation with the exception of a newspaper account of the work. The major excavation work on the priory site was initiated by the Technical and Development Services Department of Sandwell MBC in August 1982 as an adjunct to the restoration of the nearby Sandwell Park Farm, with the aim of enhancing knowledge of the historic development of the Sandwell Valley. The archaeological excavations were ended in August 1988 and masonry exposed as a result of the work was subsequently consolidated for permanent display. The assemblage of artefacts that were collected as a result of the excavation has been stored within the cellarage of Wednesbury Museum with the exception of those used for display at Sandwell Park Farm. The excavations were undertaken as part of the Sandwell Valley Archaeological Project initially directed by Dr M A Hodder 1982 – 1987 and later by Mr G C Jones 1987 – 1988. Dr Hodder went on to become the first Borough Archaeologist for Sandwell. The excavation was financed by the Manpower Services Commission, and sponsored by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council. Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and the European Regional Development Fund financed the consolidation work and the post-excavation phase. The records revealing the amount of funding used for the above are now missing. Scheduled Ancient Monument consent was applied for in 1991 for the appropriate maintenance to be carried out on the consolidation of masonry and the relevant inspections to be carried out twice a year to identify what remedial works would be required. Sandwell Priory 1 Estimates for landscaping work were set out by Sandwell MBC in 1993. The estimated charge was £34,470.66 with an administrative cost of £1750.00. An estimate was also provided for alterations to the Sandwell spring (Holy Well) at £2000.00 in 1992 and in 1991 an estimate for the cost of strimming the banks of the site and hand weeding the gravel areas was costed at £636.00. There is no information present to clarify if these estimated costs were accepted to undertake the above work. The excavation presented Sandwell with an enviable archaeological resource set within a landscape that has been shaped over the preceding centuries by the people who lived within the valley. The priory is only one part of the story of the valley, a landscape that most certainly requires further archaeological survey and evaluation to clarify its full potential. It has been established that through the artefacts discovered during the priory excavation that man has occupied the valley from the Mesolithic period on. Although there are gaps in the chronology of the artefacts discovered during the priory excavation, it is almost certain that there has been continuous occupation of the priory site from prehistoric times to the last century. The Borough Archaeologists Graham Eyre-Morgan and Charlotte Lewis together with former Borough Archaeologist and Director of the Priory Excavations Dr Mike Hodder have recently visited the site (8th Sept 2004) to assess its present condition and requirements for future survival. The overwhelming concern was the vegetation growing through structural remains. Young trees can be seen growing through many of the upstanding priory walls and it will be only a matter of short time before structural collapse and complete erosion. The site is completely covered in weed and other ground vegetation. This present ground cover needs killing to allow the viewing of the differential gravels that have been laid to aid interpretation of the site (excavated and non-excavated areas). In addition to the problems being caused by the vegetation, many of the structural remains need urgent repointing, in areas where the public have created short cuts onto the site, ground erosion is cutting into the upper layers of archaeological deposits (post priory). This needs immediate remedial attention by covering the short cuts with some form of membrane to provide it with the required protection. Finally, much of the exposed stone has been broken which speeds up its decay and erosion; expert help (a consultant expert in stone preservation –EH) would be required to arrest this action. The public information boards were still intact at the priory and, although heavily scratched, are still readable, the information board at the nearby icehouse had been vandalised and needed replacing. The above reflects no present maintenance! Sandwell Priory 2 Following the recent site visit by the Borough Archaeologist it was considered that one week per year set aside to maintain the Priory site would be adequate. The cost of this would now be in the region of £XXXX. (awaiting response from Property Maintenance) The site still offers the people of Sandwell and beyond an outstanding educational and archaeological resource. It was pleasing to see the site being used by visiting school parties while inspecting the site. Future work could include further excavation/evaluation and survey of the general area both within and outside the Scheduled Ancient Monument protected environment (SAM 21656). It is acknowledged that consent would be required to undertake further work, but I believe it would be beneficial to both the site and the Sandwell community. This work could be undertaken within the Local Heritage Initiative grant scheme using the local population with professional archaeologists to undertake the work. I also believe that the site requires a glossy colour publication that fits between the leaflet and the academic excavation report. This publication would be suitable for all ages and those without an archaeological background. It could cover all Archaeological and Environmental aspects of the Priory site and the Sandwell Valley in general. The artefacts are as mentioned above deposited with the Borough Museum and Art Gallery at Wednesbury with the exception of those on permanent display at Sandwell Park Farm. I would like it noted that since the deposition of these artefacts no work whatsoever (research or conservation) has taken place on them. The artefacts are still in the same boxes they were originally packed in. This has led to the decay of much of the leather assemblage and other organic materials and a serious storage problem within the museum. Sandwell Priory Publication and Consolidation Files Vols. 1-3 missing Sandwell Valley Archaeology Museum File missing Sandwell Priory General File missing Sandwell Priory Reports missing Sandwell Priory 3 Comments of Building Services Manager With regard to Sandwell Priory, I have no records of maintenance expenditure. I am aware, however, that some minor works involving "stabilisation " of the remains of the fabric were carried out some years ago. The 2002 schedule classified Sandwell Priory as being in good condition. Comments in the schedule stated, "Excavation site, fabric intact but problem with regeneration growth". There is clearly a need for regular grounds maintenance visits. Sandwell Priory 4 .